Adult literacy volunteer program
Volunteer adult literacy tutoring has been part of the TAFE environment in Queensland for more than 25 years, making an invaluable contribution to adult literacy education.
At the Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE, the Adult literacy volunteer tutor program aims to:
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provide initial, qualifying training for people in the community who wish to volunteer their time as an adult literacy tutor
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provide ongoing supervision and training for tutors and support them in their work
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foster communication and collaboration between a community of tutors and create an environment where support, information and skills may be shared
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oversee the delivery of adult literacy tutoring to students who wish to improve their reading and writing skills in a way that assists them to build skills for long learning and supports self determination
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encourage ongoing discussion and consideration about what constitutes good practice in adult literacy tutoring.
There are hundreds of adult literacy volunteers actively involved in the literacy programs at many of the Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE campuses.
Tutors are supported in their work by a Coordinator who trains them, interviews literacy students, matches tutors and students or places tutors in classes, and manages the program as a whole.
Answers to some of the common questions people have about the Adult literacy volunteer tutor program.
Adult literacy volunteers and adult literacy teachers
Adult literacy volunteer tutors work with adults in our community who want to improve their reading, writing, numeracy or computer skills.
Some of those requiring help come from non-English speaking backgrounds. Others may come from educationally deprived backgrounds or have learning difficulties.
For some literacy students attending a class is not an option.
Many adult literacy volunteers offer one-to-one support to individuals. The personal attention and confidentiality that volunteer tutors can offer makes it possible for these students to improve their skills and progress towards their personal goals.
Adult literacy tutors can also assist teachers in classes. Literacy teachers are often catering for students with varying needs and a wide range of skill levels within one class. The support of tutors makes it possible for individual students to get the most out of the classroom environment. This kind of support makes an enormous difference to literacy students.
Adult literacy volunteers come from many cultural and educational backgrounds. Volunteer tutors are required to possess good literacy skills. You do not need formal qualifications but you do need to be a good reader, a good speller and have a good understanding of the written mechanics of English.
People involved in adult literacy tutoring should possess personal qualities such as patience, being non-judgmental and having a genuine interest in working with people could possibly make you an ideal tutor. You need to dedicate about three hours per week to be really effective.