FAQ
What is the difference between the Adult literacy volunteer tutor program and English as a Second Language (ESL)?
Who volunteers as an adult literacy volunteer tutor?
Why volunteer?
Why use volunteers?
Can anyone be a tutor?
How much time a week does it involve?
Will I be paid to tutor?
What is the difference between the Adult literacy volunteer tutor program and English as a Second Language (ESL)?
Adult literacy tutors work with students who wish to improve their English language literacy skills.
The focus is on the development of reading and writing skills. Students usually come from the following backgrounds:
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migrants from non-English speaking backgrounds who have lived in Australia for some time
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English speaking adults who have missed out on important stages in their early education
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adults who have a disability with print.
ESL tutors work with new migrants from non-English speaking backgrounds who need to learn English for everyday living purposes.
The focus is on the development of communication skills.
Students are sometimes from refugee backgrounds and need help becoming settled and oriented to their new environment. Many new migrants who receive support from a volunteer tutor are unable to attend a class.
Who volunteers as an Adult literacy volunteer tutor?
There is no such thing as a 'typical' volunteer.
Volunteers come from many cultural and educational backgrounds. Both men and women and people from all age groups are involved in the program.
Many who choose to volunteer are recently retired from full time paid work. Others have become unemployed or have been out of the workforce for some time. However those who continue to work are well represented.
Volunteer tutors are sometimes studying in the language and literacy field.
They are required to possess good levels of literacy skills.
Why volunteer?
There are many reasons why you should become involved in the Adult literacy volunteer tutor program.
Volunteers usually come with the expectation that their work will be rewarding in ways other than financial.
Through the Adult literacy volunteer tutor program, you can enjoy the following benefits:
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learn new skills
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meet and work with others
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remain active and engage in meaningful work
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develop new skills that may help you attain work in the field in the future
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gain practical experience working with language/ literacy/ numeracy students
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empower others and make a valuable contribution to your community.
Why use volunteers?
There are several reasons we use volunteers rather than teachers:
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You do not need to be a teacher to help a student. However, the best results happen when a volunteer tutor can refer to and get help from a teacher.
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The demand for help with language and literacy exceeds the time and availability of teachers.
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One-to-one work achieves the best results. Using teachers for this is expensive and would not meet a fraction of the demand in a cost-effective way.
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Students often relate better to a volunteer, who may present themselves as a guide or mentor, rather than a teacher.
Having a recognised training program for volunteers gives recognition for the skills gained and used. It also allows a pathway for volunteers to go onto further study in education and training.
Can anyone be a tutor?
You do not need formal qualifications to become a tutor. You do need to be a good reader, a good speller and have a good understanding of the written mechanics of English.
Personal qualities such as patience, being non-judgmental and having a genuine interest in working with people could make you an ideal tutor.
To become a volunteer tutor you must complete a free Course in Volunteer Tutoring (39213QLD).
How much time does it involve?
Once you have graduated from the initial, qualifying training course, volunteers usually dedicate approximately two to three hours per week with regular breaks for school holidays. It is understood that volunteers often have other commitments and there is flexibility in terms of the schedule and time commitments required.
Will I be paid to tutor?
No. Tutoring is a voluntary position, but there are many non-financial rewards for you both personally and professionally.