Do you have an interest in teaching an adult to read, write, or speak English?
YOU PROBABLY HAVE SOME QUESTIONS …
What is Literacy Volunteers of the New River Valley?
Q: What is Literacy Volunteers of the New River Valley?
A: LVNRV was established in 1979 to offer free tutoring in basic literacy and conversational English for speakers of other languages. We became accredited with Literacy Volunteers of America in 1982 and we are now an affiliate of ProLiteracy America, an organization formed from the merger of Literacy Volunteers of America and Laubach Literacy in 2003.
A: LVNRV was established in 1979 to offer free tutoring in basic literacy and conversational English for speakers of other languages. We became accredited with Literacy Volunteers of America in 1982 and we are now an affiliate of ProLiteracy America, an organization formed from the merger of Literacy Volunteers of America and Laubach Literacy in 2003.
We are a volunteer based program and rely on trained volunteers to carry out our mission. Our central office is located in downtown Christiansburg, and we have tutors in Pulaski, Giles, Radford, and Floyd. Our funding is through grants, local governments, direct contributions from community members, fundraising events, and the United Way and United Funds that serve the New River Valley.
What tutoring programs does LVNRV offer?
Q: What tutoring programs does LVNRV offer?
A: LV-NRV offers two basic programs.
A: LV-NRV offers two basic programs.
- Basic Literacy: The Basic Literacy program provides free, confidential, one-on-one tutoring in reading and writing for adults with minimal everyday literacy skills. Basic literacy tutors work with an adult to achieve his or her literacy-related goals such as learning to fill out a job application or write a check; learning to read a story to a child, an employee memo, or a recipe; or learning to read the newspaper or a book for pleasure. Basic literacy learners become more independent with their everyday literacy needs, develop increased employment and career options, and feel more comfortable exploring life long learning opportunities in their lives.
- English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL): The ESOL program provides free, confidential tutoring in English as a second language for adults with limited conversational skills. Tutoring is conducted individually or in small groups. Students in this program may have goals such as learning how to communicate with a child’s teacher or doctor, communicating with a supervisor at work, or using community services such as the post office and doctor’s office. It is not necessary to know a second language to be an ESOL tutor.
Where does tutoring take place?
Q: Where does tutoring take place?
A: Tutoring takes place throughout the New River Valley in public locations, such as libraries, churches, and our local offices. New locations are developed as needed.
A: Tutoring takes place throughout the New River Valley in public locations, such as libraries, churches, and our local offices. New locations are developed as needed.
Who are the “adult learners”?
Q: Who are the “adult learners”?
A: Adult learners are a variety of ages (18 and over), income levels, and backgrounds, with diverse family and job situations. However, they often have many things in common, such as frustrating school experiences, low self-esteem and embarrassment about not being able to read well, and they often have busy lives that can make time commitments to tutoring difficult. ESOL students come to the U.S. from all over the world. They speak a variety of languages and have a wide range of educational backgrounds.
A: Adult learners are a variety of ages (18 and over), income levels, and backgrounds, with diverse family and job situations. However, they often have many things in common, such as frustrating school experiences, low self-esteem and embarrassment about not being able to read well, and they often have busy lives that can make time commitments to tutoring difficult. ESOL students come to the U.S. from all over the world. They speak a variety of languages and have a wide range of educational backgrounds.
How do the learners find LVNRV?
Q: How do the learners find LVNRV?
A: They find us in a variety of ways:
A: They find us in a variety of ways:
- Word-of-mouth
- Referrals from human service agencies or workplaces ·
- Flyers & posters around their community
- Local libraries, schools or GED adult education programs
- Family members or close friends
What is the LVNRV approach to tutoring?
Q: What is the LVNRV approach to tutoring?
A: LVNRV utilizes a learner-centered collaborative approach to tutoring. Adult learners bring extensive life experiences to tutoring that form a rich resource for their learning. Instruction is individualized and based on the learner’s immediate real life literacy goals. Tutor and student work together as a team to set short-term goals, plan lessons, choose materials, and evaluate progress. This partnership approach promotes the development of independent learning strategies and life long learning.
A: LVNRV utilizes a learner-centered collaborative approach to tutoring. Adult learners bring extensive life experiences to tutoring that form a rich resource for their learning. Instruction is individualized and based on the learner’s immediate real life literacy goals. Tutor and student work together as a team to set short-term goals, plan lessons, choose materials, and evaluate progress. This partnership approach promotes the development of independent learning strategies and life long learning.
What is the initial training program for volunteer tutors?
Q: What is the initial training program for volunteer tutors?
A: Volunteers must complete a comprehensive training to become an LV tutor. Basic Literacy and English as a Second Language tutor training covers approximately 12 hours and is conducted as needed.
A: Volunteers must complete a comprehensive training to become an LV tutor. Basic Literacy and English as a Second Language tutor training covers approximately 12 hours and is conducted as needed.
Readings and exercises are assigned between sessions and a follow up session is held approximately four weeks following training. A $35 registration fee helps cover the cost of training.
What is the LVNRV approach to tutor training?
Q: What is the LVNRV approach to tutor training?
A: LVNRV utilizes a participatory approach to training. Tutors learn through active participation such as large group brainstorming, small group exercises, individual reflection, readings, and application of new skills to real life case studies. Learning takes place not only from LV trainers and resources, but also from a panel of experienced tutors and students.
A: LVNRV utilizes a participatory approach to training. Tutors learn through active participation such as large group brainstorming, small group exercises, individual reflection, readings, and application of new skills to real life case studies. Learning takes place not only from LV trainers and resources, but also from a panel of experienced tutors and students.
What kind of commitment is involved in being an LV tutor?
Q: What kind of commitment is involved in being an LV tutor?
A: Once you have successfully completed training, you will be asked to tutor a student for approximately two to three hours a week for a minimum of a year. In addition, you should plan for time each month to talk with us about your tutoring and to provide monthly reports that you complete with your student.
A: Once you have successfully completed training, you will be asked to tutor a student for approximately two to three hours a week for a minimum of a year. In addition, you should plan for time each month to talk with us about your tutoring and to provide monthly reports that you complete with your student.
The time commitment may be more extensive than most volunteer opportunities, but the rewards are equally as extensive. Tutors report a deep sense of satisfaction and personal rewards from being an LV tutor.
What opportunities are there for ongoing learning?
Q: What opportunities are there for ongoing learning?
A: Throughout the tutoring experience, tutors receive support from staff on an ongoing basis. We have extensive resource materials for tutoring and professional development. We also sponsor annual in-services and monthly “tutor talks”, where tutors share ideas and learn new skills.
A: Throughout the tutoring experience, tutors receive support from staff on an ongoing basis. We have extensive resource materials for tutoring and professional development. We also sponsor annual in-services and monthly “tutor talks”, where tutors share ideas and learn new skills.
How and when do I get started tutoring?
Q:How and when do I get started tutoring?
A: Once volunteers have successfully completed tutor training, they are ready to be matched with a learner or small group of learners based on the times and locations they are available to tutor. We receive new students on an ongoing basis, so you could be matched at any time after completing training. Pre-registration for tutor training is required. If you are interested in becoming a tutor, please contact the LVNRV office. For questions about teaching conversational English, please fill out the comment area on the contact us page.
A: Once volunteers have successfully completed tutor training, they are ready to be matched with a learner or small group of learners based on the times and locations they are available to tutor. We receive new students on an ongoing basis, so you could be matched at any time after completing training. Pre-registration for tutor training is required. If you are interested in becoming a tutor, please contact the LVNRV office. For questions about teaching conversational English, please fill out the comment area on the contact us page.
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