Delaware County Literacy Council

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Volunteer to Tutor

Volunteer to Tutor
Become A Tutor
Free Tutor Training
Other Opportunities
Volunteers' Stories

 

Become A Tutor

Volunteer to tutor with DCLCVolunteer tutors work one-on-one, helping an adult to learn basic reading or math skills or to speak English as a second language. Tutors and learners meet twice a week in a public place for 1-1/2 hours each time.

Volunteering takes time, patience, and a sincere commitment to the learner. The rewards are deep and long-lasting. There is no better feeling than watching a learner make progress toward his or her goal. To learn more, click on each of the steps listed below (click again to close box).

 

1. Read the Requirements
What You Need to Know about Becoming a Volunteer Literacy Tutor

Purpose: Literacy tutoring helps adults learn to read and write (through Adult Basic Education, or ABE, tutoring) or to speak English (through English as a Second Language, or ESL, tutoring). The tutoring widens the horizons of these adult learners and enhances their workplace skills through a one-to-one relationship, emphasizing personal attention.

Training: Free tutor training is offered several times a year at various Delaware County locations. The 10-hour workshop leads to certification as a literacy tutor. For details on upcoming basic tutor trainings, click here. Once matched with an adult learner, each DCLC tutor is encouraged to attend ongoing trainings and to meet with Literacy Council staff to discuss resources and student progress.

Location of Tutoring: Tutoring can take place in a library, a place of worship, or other public location agreed on by both the tutor and student. The Literacy Council building (2217 Providence Avenue, Chester PA, 19013) has space and resources for tutoring. The student and tutor must travel to the tutoring location independently of one another.

Hours: After the 10-hour tutor training workshop, the tutor and adult learner meet twice a week for 1 to 2 hours each session, allowing enough time between lessons for independent work by the student.

Length of Commitment: Each volunteer tutor is asked to make a commitment of at least 6 months of tutoring, with the hope that the tutor will continue until the assigned adult learner reaches his or her individual goals.

General Qualifications: A tutor should be interested in others and able to relate to them by being empathetic and compassionate. A tutor must be respectful of his or her student's confidentiality. A tutor should be literate, flexible, friendly, patient and optimistic. A sense of humor is helpful, as is the ability to be happy with small successes.

Specific Expectations: Each tutor is expected to meet on a regular basis with the assigned adult learner with a prepared plan for instruction. Tutors need to be dependable and punctual, and to submit a monthly record of the studentís progress and attendance hours. Tutors also should periodically attend trainings and workshops to update their knowledge, strategies and skills.

Rewards: Being a volunteer tutor is very rewarding. It is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with someone and make a big difference in his or her life. For specific stories about the benefits and impact of being a DCLC volunteer tutor, read some of our volunteers' stories.

2. Complete and Submit the Forms

All volunteers must submit the following:

  1. Volunteer Application (pdf or MS Word format)
  2. Results of a PA Criminal Background Check (by mail or on line), and a
  3. Media Consent Form

APPLICATION – Choose one of the options below. Complete and send via mail, e-mail, or fax.

Volunteer Application in MS Word (Save and e-mail as an attachment to volunteers@delcoliteracy.org.)

Printable Volunteer Application (PDF)

On-line Volunteer Application (COMING SOON!)

BACKGROUND CHECK – Requires $10 fee; please send us a copy of the results.

Request form for Background Check (Send to address on form with $10 money order; you are requester and person being investigated.)

Online Request for Background Check (Pay $10 fee via credit card.)

MEDIA CONSENT FORM – Complete and send this media consent form with other information requested.

Please complete the three forms, sign and …

  1. Mail
    Susan Keller, Volunteer Coordinator
    Delaware County Literacy Council
    2217 Providence Avenue
    Chester PA 19013
    OR
  2. E-mail them to volunteers@delcoliteracy.org
    OR
  3. FAX them to 610.876.5414.

Be sure to indicate which kind of tutor you would like to become (Basic Literacy, English as a Second Language, or Math), and which training you would like to attend. For non-tutor volunteer opportunities, visit the Other Opportunities page.

Questions? Call or e-mail the Volunteer Coordinator, Susan, at 610.876.4811 or volunteers@delcoliteracy.org

 

3. Contact the Volunteer Coordinator and Enroll in a Tutor Training

The next free 10-hour tutor training will be held:

Mondays and Wednesdays, January 23, 25, 30, and February 1, 2012
6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
at Delaware County Literacy Council
2217 Providence Avenue, Chester PA 19013

Please Note: Attendance at all four sessions and pre-registration are required.

Additional training dates.