Adult Literacy

Literacy makes a world of difference

Literacy tutoring is one of the most rewarding volunteer experiences you can have. When you help
someone learn to read, or to speak and read English, you enable that individual to take
advantage of a new world of opportunities. Simply put: Literacy changes lives.

RSVP needs volunteers right now for one-to-one and small-group tutoring with adults throughout
Montgomery County Pa. who are working to improve their reading, writing, speaking, and math skills.

Responsibilities of Volunteers
Encourage and support learners
Keep records of learner's progress
Complete monthly time and progress reports
Notify RSVP and your Literacy station of any permanent changes in schedule or tutoring locations

Tutoring Locations
One-to-One tutoring takes place in a neutral place such as a library,
community center, church or work site

Hours
Once or twice weekly meetings with learners for 1 to 1 1/2 hours each time
One to two hours per week preparing for lessons

Training
Tutor Training Workshops are held throughout the year. Depending on your location in Montgomery County and the type of tutoring you prefer, you may attend training for anywhere from 6-15 hours. Some programs do not require training, only a willingness to help adults learn. If you are good at math you may be able to help a learner prepare for the GED exam without taking any training.

Volunteer Qualifications
Be dependable, prompt and willing to maintain the confidentiality of the learner
Be able to relate well to a variety of people
Have good reading and writing skills
Be flexible, friendly, patient and optimistic
Be sensitive to the special needs of adult learners

Fringe Benefits
Increased understanding and appreciation
of different values and lifestyles
Increased skill in creative problem solving
The absolute joy of seeing someone learn to read, achieve their goals and improve their life

Once you learn to read you will be forever free. - Frederick Douglass

If you become an adult literacy volunteer you may choose among the following areas of helping:

• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL): Instruction for immigrants, refugees, and other adults who want to speak, read, and write English as another language. ESL ( English as a Second Language) learners, may be recent immigrants or people who have lived in the U.S. for many years. They may range from being highly educated in their native language to having little or no literacy in any language.

• Adult Basic Education (ABE): Basic skills instruction in reading, writing, and math for out-of-school adults.

• General Educational Development (GED): Instruction that prepares people to take the GED test.

Contact: Janis Glusman at 610-834-1040, Ext.16 or Janisg@rsvpmc.org.