They are team players. They support and assist one another; they are each other's biggest cheerleaders. They celebrate everyone's successes, both in and out of the classroom. Meet LVSC's 2024 Students of the Year are Ana, Carol, Fanny and Stefannia!
Become A Tutor
Change a Person's Life and They Will Change Yours
Becoming a literacy tutor gives you the key to open doors for adults in our community. As you work with your student in weekly one-to-one sessions, or as part of a small group, you will see the difference you can make. Improving English language skills can be life-changing.
Your student may be looking to improve their career prospects, want to easily talk to their child’s teacher, or go into a store or doctor’s office without feeling out of place. A stronger grasp of spoken and written English makes it easier for them to participate in so many aspects of daily life. As a tutor, you can help make that happen.
Who can tutor?
You can be a tutor if you:
- can read, write, and speak English clearly,
- are at least 18 years old,
- have a high school diploma or equivalent,
- live or work in Somerset County, New Jersey, and
- are willing to commit to an hour a week with a student.
You’ll receive a minimum of 14 hours training before you meet with a student. No previous teaching experience is required.
Who is my student?
LVSC’s students are adults with low literacy who live in Somerset County, New Jersey. Some are American-born students who need help learning to read. The majority are immigrants who seek help learning to read, write, and communicate in English. Most tutors work with students on a one-to-one basis; some tutors enjoy working with small groups of two to four students.
What is the time commitment?
During the initial four-week Tutor Training Workshop, you will receive 14 hours of professional instruction. Six hours are spent in a group setting taught by a certified instructor. You will also complete eight hours of instruction independently through an online training program. We ask that you commit to tutoring for at least one year, typically one to two hours per week.
Information Sessions
The first step in becoming a volunteer tutor is to attend a Tutor Information Session, held virtually on Zoom.
Tutor Training
After attending an Information Session, attend our 4-week Tutor Training Workshop. Training is held three times per year – spring, fall, and winter.
Pay Training Fees
LVSC is a small 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Our Tutor Training Workshop is taught by a certified instructor and includes purchased materials and a subscription to a professionally-developed online training program. To help defray the costs of the Tutor Training Workshop, we ask participants to make a $50 donation. This Training Fee can be paid online or by check prior to the first session.
Please note: tutors and students can meet face-to-face in a public place, or remotely using video chat, or a combination of both.
If you have questions about LVSC, the training, or anything else, please call us at (908) 725-5430 or email us at info@literacysomerset.org.
Trained tutors develop customized lessons to help students with their everyday needs.
Tutoring is offered at a time and place convenient to the student. Flexibility and useful lessons lead to success.
Student Spotlight