Frequently Asked Questions for Tutors

The following are common questions and concerns voiced by potential and current tutors. If you have additional questions that are not answered here or on the tutor information page, or you have questions about other forms of volunteering, please contact us.

Do I need to have a teaching background to become a literacy tutor?
No prior teaching experience is required of our volunteers. LV tutors come from all walks of life and represent a wide variety of trades and occupations.

Do I need to go through any training?
If you're not already a certified Literacy Volunteers Tutor, you must attend a Tutor Training Workshop given by an LV affiliate. We have six affiliates around the state that offer workshops throughout the year.

How long is the tutor training and does it cost anything?
LV tutor trainings are approximately 18 hours, and take place in the evenings or Saturdays. Some affiliates offer daytime programs as well. Affiliates charge a small one-time fee for training materials that you will keep once you complete the training. The fee ranges from $15 to $25 depending on the materials you use.

How often and for what length of time am I expected to tutor?
At LV we ask our volunteers to meet with their students once a week. We find that tutors and students who meet for 90 minutes to 2 hours per week are most successful. We ask them to do this for a term of one year.

What happens if I need to go out of town and am unable to meet with my student?
The tutor and/or student may have valid reasons for missing some tutoring sessions. We only ask that each party inform the other in advance of an absence. However, if the absence is to be for a long period of time, we ask that you to contact the office so we can find another tutor for your student.

Does LV provide me with lesson plans and a fixed curriculum for my student?
During the Tutor Training Workshop, LV exposes you to diverse instruction strategies and techniques. These methods are proven ones, but by no means are they universal in their application. Therefore, as you begin to learn more about your student, we can assist you in tailoring your instruction to meet their needs. LV will gladly assist you in finding the proper materials and approach for your student. However, LV does not subscribe to any ready-made, unilateral program of study. It is our belief that each student is unique and it is our goal to discover each student's own learning style.

Where do I meet with my student?
Tutors and students typically meet at local libraries for their weekly sessions. This is the meeting place we strongly recommend, since libraries are ready sources of instructional materials and provide a safe and convenient location.

What types of students does LV serve?
LV is an ADULT literacy program. All of our students must at least 18 years of age and may not be enrolled in high school. Some of our students speak English as their second language (ESL), some may be working toward the attainment of their high school equivalency diploma (GED), and others may be trying to simply improve their reading and writing skills.

What happens if schedules change, and my student and I can no longer find a time that is convenient for both of us?
Call LV and inform us of the scheduling conflict, and we will match you both with new partners.

Does LV require anything of me apart from meeting with my student once a week?
You will need to report the hours you meet with your student to your local affiliate representative. You will also be reporting progress towards your student's goals. Affiliates provide opportunities for you to receive additional training during the year, and you are encouraged to take advantage of these sessions when they apply to you.

What do I do if I feel my student isn't learning and /or if I feel inadequate as a tutor?
It is very common to experience lulls or ruts during a long period of instruction. We are always glad to suggest ways to kick start your tutoring sessions and get them moving forward once again. Contact us about any doubts you may have or any tutoring dilemmas you may be experiencing.