FAQ

Literacy Volunteers
of
Burlington County
1)How can I become a literacy volunteer

1. How can I become a Literacy Volunteer Tutor?

Literacy Volunteers of Burlington County requires that all tutors, including teachers, receive the same training. You do not need a college degree or teaching experience. You will receive 5 weeks of training in 3 hour sessions held once a week. Evening and daytime classes are usually offered twice a year. Workshop sessions, held at local schools and libraries, are kept to a manageable size. Trainees are able to practice teaching techniques, ask questions, watch videos, and listen to lectures from trainers and hear actual experiences from working tutors. Sensitivity for the adult new reader is stressed. Classes emphasize a one-to-one technique that uses materials appropriate for a student's needs, interests and capabilities. For ESOL, small groups are often formed.

Frequently Asked Questions

2)How can I become a Literacy Volunteer Tutor?

2.What training does LVBC offer to students?

We offer Adult Basic Literacy for adults and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
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3. To teach ESOL, is it necessary to know a student's native language?

Definitely not. It is better for the tutor not to have this knowledge, lest the student and tutor use it as a crutch.
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3)To teach ESOL, is it necessary to know a student's native language?

4. Where do tutors and students meet?

LVBC tutor-student matches should always meet in public places, libraries,LVBC office, etc. The LVBC office can suggest tutoring sites throughout Burlington County.
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4)Where do tutors and students meet?

5)Why must I wait for my training
6)Besides preparation and tutoring, is there paperwork involved?

5. Why must I wait for my training?

Class size is limited so all trainees can actively participate. More importantly, it is easier to get tutors than students. It's easy for you to volunteer to help; it's much more difficult for students to admit they are illiterate and ask for help. Often they fear they'll lose their jobs or be disgraced in front of family and friends if it's known they have reading problems. We plan trainings according to our need for tutors; we try to run a balanced program.

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6. Besides preparation and tutoring, is there paperwork involved?

We need statistics for our annual report to ProLiteracy Worldwide, for grant proposals and reports and for publicity. More importantly, we need statistics so we can evaluate our program and make sure our students are getting the help they need. After you begin tutoring, you are asked to keep records on your sessions with your student. You will file regular reports on the number of hours spent in preparation, travel and tutoring. You will also report on student goals set and met. You will also keep a portfolio to track the student's progress.
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7)Can you tell me about my student?
8)How long will I meet with my student?
9) Once I'm matched, how do I get the help I need?
10)If I don't have time to tutor, or don't think tutoring is right for me, how can I help LVBC?

7. Can you tell me about my student?

Your student has requested reading help through LVBC. Our tutoring help is always free to the student. Tutors and students are matched geographically and according to availability. Personal interests and occupations are considered. The majority of our students read on or below the sixth grade level. However, students may be non-readers, or may read above the sixth grade level and be working toward a specific goal (driver's license, GED test, Black Seal steam boiler exam).

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8. How long will I meet with my student?

Tutoring sessions, once or twice a week, usually last from one to one and a half hours per session.. Tutoring assignments vary from a few months to years, according to student ability and needs. Tutors are asked to tutor at least one year, or 50 hours. Most tutors work with one student at a time; sometimes, if there are two or three students with similar abilities and goals, a tutor will work with a small group of students.

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9. Once I'm matched, how do I get the help I need?

LVBC has an office that houses our Resource Library. Workbooks, reading books, tapes and reference books are available for your use. We have a Resource Network of reading specialists who will answer your questions.  LVBC sponsors In service Meetings where you can meet with other tutors and hear speakers on subjects such as vision problems, writing with your student, new reading techniques, etc. You will be assigned a Tutor contact whom you can call with questions or problems. You can call The Literacy Line (609-877-5566) and talk to our staff.
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10. If I don't have time to tutor, or don't think tutoring is right for me, how can I help LVBC?

We can use your help. Except for two part-time paid staff members, we are staffed entirely by volunteers. Our volunteers manage the program, prepare mailings, do graphic art work, staff the office, make telephone calls, assess new students, recruit students, work on recognition events, serve on the board, plan fund raisers, etc. We have jobs that take one hour a month and others that take four hours a day. Your availability, interests and talents will help us determine how you can best work with LVBC. Please call us at 609-877-5566.

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