Tutor resources

Once you begin working with your student, there are many types of resources available to you to help with lesson planning and to meet your student's needs.

Your local affiliate

Your local affiliate coordinator is always available with suggestions and ideas on resources that you can use with your student.

Local libraries

Many libraries in cities and towns across Rhode Island have special collections of books, videos and audio tapes for adult basic education and English language skills. Ask at your local library. Many libraries will also let you borrow adult education materials and workbooks for extended timeframes. To find the library most convenient to you, visit the State of Rhode Island's Library Services web site at http://www.olis.ri.gov.

New Readers Press

This publishing company offers a large variety of quality materials for adult learners at reasonable prices. The materials are developed to the highest standards for student success. Resources are available to students as well as tutors. You can order a catalogue from them by calling their toll free number at 1-800-448-8878, or visit their online store at www.newreaderspress.com.

Find statewide or national literacy organizations for adults and children

Verizon's Literacy Directory will search for local and national educational programs for adults, children, and people with learning disabilities, and also searches for volunteer opportunities- just plug in a zip code and go!

Favorite Web sites

There are many free web-based resources that you can access by doing simple web searches with phrases such as adult basic education lesson plans, workplace literacy, English, language adult learning, etc. Use your imagination, and give it a try!

General information and resources

• The National Institute for Literacy (www.nifl.gov/lincs)
  A great place to start your search is The Literacy's Lincs collection. The site is a gateway to a wide variety of resources and collections for working with adult learners.
• The National Center for ESL Literacy and Education (www.cal.org/ncle)
  This is a national information center focusing on language and literacy education for adults learning English.
• Verizon Online University (www.vluonline.org)
  This site is designed to help literacy volunteers and community members build a more literate nation. It features many practical online courses.
• The Department of Labor & Training (www.doleta.gov/)
  If your student has job-related goals, this is the site for you. It has links to information about workforce literacy, and the skills that workers need to be successful today. Look at the SCAN skills, a set of work-related literacy skills.
• Dave's Café (www.daveseslcafe.com)
  This is the Internet's meeting place for ESL students and teachers from around the world.

Lesson plans and tutor support

• Elementary Themes (www.eslflow.com)
  This ESL website features an extensive number of lesson plans on everyday activities, including basic greetings, telephone communications, time and money, transportation and travel, and more.
• Thirteen Ed Online (www.thirteen.org/edonline/adulted/index.html
  An excellent resource for adult education information and materials, particularly those who are studying to get a GED. Includes Q&A sections, professional development for teachers, downloadable Adult Ed lessons and "timesaver" lesson plans.
• The Literacy Assistance Center (http://www.lacnyc.org/index.htm)
  Has many links to lessons for general adult and ESL lessons.
• Northwest LINCS (http://www.nwlincs.org/)
  This site offers a great deal of information about literacy, ESL, and downloadable lessons.

Anything can be a lesson!

Don't forget that the best lessons are often developed from real life materials and situations that are relevant to your adult learner. Be creative, and have fun!