Qualifications and Training
1. What qualifications must I possess to become a literacy tutor?
You must be 18 years of age or older, have at least a high school diploma or equivalent, and be able to speak and understand the English language well enough to communicate clearly.
2. Do I need to have a teaching background to become a literacy tutor?
No prior teaching experience is required of our volunteers. Tutors come from all walks of life and represent a wide variety of trades and occupations.
3. Do I need to go through any training?
We require all of our volunteer tutors attend a Tutor Training Workshop. Workshops are held several times a year at various days, hours and locations throughout Nassau County.
4. How long is the tutor training?
The Tutor Training Workshop is 15 hours, generally broken down into five 3-hour sessions. Approximately six weeks following the last session, you will be expected to attend a follow-up session which provides an opportunity for new tutors to share experiences and have questions or concerns addressed.
5. Does the tutor training cost anything?
We ask participants to pay a small one-time registration fee of $43 to cover the cost of materials that you will keep once you complete the training. This fee is non-refundable after the first workshop session.
The Tutoring Experience
6. What types of students does Literacy Nassau serve?
Literacy Nassau is an ADULT literacy program. All of our students must be at least 16 years of age and may not be enrolled in high school. Our Basic Literacy students are English speakers who read and write below a sixth-grade level. Our ESL (English as a Second Language) students have limited English language skills. Some of these students may be illiterate in their native language while others may be university educated.
7. Does Literacy Nassau provide me with lesson plans and a fixed curriculum for my student(s)?
During the Tutor Training Workshop, Literacy Nassau exposes you to diverse instruction strategies and techniques. These methods are proven ones, but by no means are they universal in their application. Therefore, as you begin to learn more about your student(s) and work with your student(s) to achieve their personal goals, we can assist you in tailoring your instruction to meet their needs. Literacy Nassau will gladly assist you in finding the proper materials and approach for your student. However, Literacy Nassau does not subscribe to any ready-made, unilateral program of study. It is our belief that each student is unique and it is our goal to discover each student's own learning style.
8. How many students will I be matched with?
Typically, new tutors are matched with one student, although sometimes new tutors will be matched with a group composed of two or three students. Experienced tutors may have larger groups.
9. How will I be matched with my student(s)?
At the beginning of the workshop you will tell us when and where you are available. Based on your preferences, we will match you accordingly.
10. Where do I meet with my student?
Tutors and students typically meet at local libraries for their weekly sessions. This is the meeting place we strongly recommend, since libraries are ready sources of instructional materials and provide a safe and convenient location. However, you may choose to meet at another public location. Some of our tutors and students meet at the Literacy Nassau office, while others have been known to meet at local religious institutions or local bookstores.
Commitment
11. How often and for what length of time am I expected to tutor?
At Literacy Nassau we ask our volunteers to meet with their students once a week. We find that tutors and students who meet for 2 hours per week for literacy instruction are most successful. We ask them to do this for a minimum period of one year.
12. What happens if I need to miss a session and am unable to meet with my student(s)?
The tutor and/or student(s) may have valid reasons for missing some tutoring sessions. We only ask that each party inform the other in advance of an absence. However, if the absence is to be for a long period of time, we ask that you contact the office so we can find another tutor for your student(s).
13. What happens if schedules change, and my student and I can no longer find a time that is convenient for both of us?
Call Literacy Nassau to inform us of the scheduling conflict. We will match you both with new partners.
14. Does Literacy Nassau require anything of me apart from meeting with my student(s) once a week?
Each week you will prepare lessons to bring to the tutoring sessions. At the end of each quarter we will ask you to report the hours you met with your student during the quarter along with any and all progress towards your student's goals. We may also ask for your assistance in scheduling an assessment of your student at least once during the year. All of these are very important, as much of our funding is dependent upon the reporting of this information.
Support
15. What should I expect from Literacy Nassau once I am matched with a student?
Literacy Nassau will provide on-going support for you. Our dedicated staff is here to assist you whenever you need help with tutoring issues. Newsletters and tutor mailings will keep you informed of events and new developments. In-service trainings covering a wide array of topics are offered throughout the year. Roundtables offer peer support and great opportunities for tutors to share their ideas and experiences.
16. What do I do if I feel my student isn't learning and /or if I feel inadequate as a tutor?
It is very common to experience lulls or ruts during a long period of instruction. Sometimes students reach a plateau. We are always glad to suggest ways to kick start your tutoring sessions and get them moving forward once again. Contact us about any doubts you may have or any tutoring dilemmas you may be experiencing.
17. Are there any other times I should contact the office?
Yes! Call and tell us about your student successes and accomplishments. We love to hear those stories and share them. There is no better way to recognize the efforts of our tutors and students than by celebrating them!
