Literacy Volunteers of Somerset County

Tutor Training Orientation

 

We welcome everyone who signed up to take part in the tutor training program.

Imagine a life without literacy skills. Street signs, a menu, and the mail are impossible to read. Speaking clearly to co-workers or understanding telephone conversations is difficult. Writing checks, an e-mail or a note to a child’s teacher is overwhelming. Then imagine the triumph when, after spending time with a literacy tutor, hard-fought personal goals are won. Job situations, family life, and interactions with others are improved. Participation in the mainstream of society is a reality. The end result is a community that includes more confident and productive members.

Literacy Volunteers of Somerset County (LVSC) is a non-profit organization that provides one-to-one and small group tutoring to functionally illiterate adults like the ones described above. We fulfill our mission through a network of volunteers recruited and trained in both Basic Literacy and English for Speakers of Other Languages and matched with one or more adult learners.

 

Our Mission

Literacy Volunteers of Somerset County is committed to promoting literacy throughout the community by providing student-centered tutoring for adults so that they may function more effectively in their daily lives. Our mission is founded on the belief that the ability to read and communicate is imperative to leading a productive and functional life, and is essential for the protection of individual freedom and equality of all people.

 

We are committed to accomplishing this mission by:

  • Training volunteer tutors in the fundamentals of Basic Literacy and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) instruction that include reading, writing, listening and speaking skills
  • Providing tutors with ongoing support and in-service skills development programs
  • Locating and recruiting functionally illiterate learners
  • Creating and maintaining collaborative tutor-learner matches
  • Helping learners establish and reach realistic personal goals
  • Promoting learner self-sufficiency
 

WHO CAN TUTOR?

YOU CAN TUTOR IF YOU...

  • are at least 18 years of age
  • are able to speak, read, write and understand English as well as speak, hear and see well enough to communicate effectively with a student
  • are a graduate of high school or its equivalent
  • demonstrate and maintain behavior which shows sensitivity and respect for the student. Such behavior includes using appropriate language, refraining from attending literary functions under the influence of alcohol or drugs and refraining from harassing or threatening behavior
  • attend a training workshop consisting of a minimum of 15 hours
  • commit an average of one hour a week of instructional time with a student for one year in Somerset County
  • meet with the student in a public place
  • comply with LVSC’s policy that neither students nor tutors transport each other in their own vehicles
  • comply with LVSC’s policy of non-discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, family status or disability

 

TUTOR TRAINING FACTS

 

Where, when and for how long? Five sessions totaling 15 hours of certification are extended over the course of a few months. This takes place at the PeopleCare Center in Bridgewater. Attendance is mandatory at all sessions to receive certification in Basic Literacy & English for Speakers of Other Languages.

 

After successfully completing training?

Tutors are matched with a student or group of students from the same geographic area and with similar availability of days and times. Meetings occur once a week for 1-1 ½ hours for a minimum of one year.

 

What else? The office staff can be contacted at anytime to answer questions you may have, but it is recommended that you visit the website at www.literacysomerset.org utilize all of its resources including the tutor mentor forum. You will be required to submit hours spent tutoring on a timely basis and, periodically, asked to attend meetings, events and get-togethers with other tutors and members of LVSC. You will also be kept informed through our quarterly newsletter which will be emailed to you and can also be viewed on our website.

 

*Information subject to change

 

What’s Next?

 

IS THIS FOR YOU?

We sincerely hope that you would like to commit to volunteering as an LVSC Tutor. If you decide it’s not for you, please contact us to let us know not to expect you at the training. Perhaps there is some other volunteer work you can help us with (fundraisers, projects, office work, etc.). Please consider the following:

The Training - The training program is intense. You are required to attend all sessions, complete homework as well as a take-home quiz. Make-ups are only scheduled under extreme circumstances and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The new “split” availability of sessions should give everyone enough flexibility where there would be no need for any make-ups.

 

Your Student(s) - Our hope is that we match you with one or more students (2-3) to work with that will be a good fit based on availability of both parties. We can’t promise that we will have a person that is a “perfect” match. However, if the match is not workable, there is a possibility that even with our extensive waiting list of students, a tutor may have to wait to be matched.

 

    • The Commitment - Following the training, we ask that you commit to tutoring for at least 1 year. You are required to report your tutoring
    •  
    • hours on a regular basis. Failure to comply could cause a tutor to forfeit their student.
    COME TO THE WORKSHOP!

Arrive early to the workshop (aim for 8:45 a.m. on Saturdays and 5:45 p.m. for Wednesdays). Water and coffee will be provided. Feel free to bring snacks as needed. Be sure to bring something to write with. Consider wearing layers as the temperature in the room tends to fluctuate.

 

TRAINING FEE 

  •  
  • The cost for materials that are provided to each new volunteer is quite expensive. Due to the cost LVSC incurs to train new volunteers, the
  •  
  • organization requires a fee of $50 to defray part of the costs of the materials and resources provided. This fee must be paid at the
  •  
  • beginning of the first session, or payable online here


HAVE QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions about LVSC, the training, scheduling, the overall commitment, the training location, or anything else, please call us at 908-725-5430 or email us at info@literacysomerset.org.