Literacy Volunteer Tutor Position Description
This volunteer position is supervised by the Literacy and Assessment Librarian. The appointment length would be ongoing. There is a time commitment expectation of at least one hour a week, with reasonable time frames for holidays, vacations, and unplanned illnesses.
Purpose
Tutors assist adult learners - either native speakers or persons for whom English is a new language - in achieving literacy in order to meet daily life requirements. These literacies are need-based, and so, may include teaching various types of skills. The tutor respectfully engages their assigned students in lessons with the goal of helping them to interact in business, education, and social arenas with increased confidence and ease.
Key responsibilities
- One-on-one or small group tutoring of basic reading and writing skills for native speakers or English language learners.
- Possibility of teaching a class to new English learners, depending on interest, skill, and experience.
- Good lesson preparation.
- Keeping the literacy coordinator apprised of weekly attendance, student or teacher needs, or any other pertinent information.
Physical Demands
- Sitting.
- Communicating by use of speaking, writing, and use of expressive gestures.
Location
- In the library’s Literacy Volunteer office, or classroom.
- Possibly at a venue located within the community.
Qualifications
- Fluency in reading and writing English.
- Post-interview, the successful completion of a library-sponsored literacy tutoring course.
- Kindness, patience, and persistence.
Benefits
- To those served: Gains made in English literacy skills.
- To the Library: Staff’s enhanced ability to communicate with patrons.
- To the volunteer: Satisfaction of assisting others in literacy learning, and interaction with peers and students.