Adult programs of Literacy Volunteers provides one-on-one tutoring to help adults acquire the basic reading, writing, and math skills they need to enhance their lives and achieve their personal goals. These services, which are free and confidential, take place at libraries or other community locations. The specific adult programs are:
• Basic Reading, Writing and Math Tutoring is done on a one-to-one basis by a trained volunteer tutor. The tutor and their adult learner meet a minimum of one hour per week. The goals are based on the learner’s needs. Tutoring sessions are learner centered. The tutor may arrive at the session with a lesson plan in place, but if the adult learner needs assistance filling out a job application, balancing his/her checkbook, working on forms for GED or other items, this task takes precedence over a lesson plan.
• English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) – Tutoring is offered on a one-to-one basis with a trained volunteer tutor. Some tutors work with small family groups. Most of our ESOL learners have come to this country with some level of education. They want to improve their reading and writing skills in order to move to a better job or progress in a current job. Often ESOL learners ask for 2 – 3 hours per week from the volunteer tutor.
• Reading for Better Business is an outreach project to inform employers about Literacy Volunteer’s tutoring for adults. The goal is to improve the literacy skills of low-literate workers in Bath- Brunswick-Topsham area by providing free individual tutoring.
• Reading Groups for Developmentally Disabled Adults are held weekly in three communities that we serve. Each group meets for at least one hour working on reading skills. Teaching methods include: stories, group games and computer games.
• Fun With Words Program is held weekly at the Tedford Homeless Shelter in Brunswick. Volunteer tutors meet with the residents for at least an hour using word games and other activities to encourage the homeless men and women to read.
Adult Literacy – the goal is to help adults improve their reading and writing skill with free, one-on-one, individualized tutoring