Adult Literacy Programs

More than one in five adults in St. Joseph County read below a fourth grade level. This level of literacy means they have difficulty with everyday tasks such as reading street signs or writing a check. Low literacy keeps individuals and families from improving their quality of life. Children are affected by adult literacy. The literacy level of their mother is the most important predictor of a child's ability to read.

One-on-One Tutoring

How can I volunteer? The Literacy Council needs volunteers to tutor adult learners one-on-one and in small groups. We also need volunteers to serve on the Board of Directors, on committees and to help with projects and fundraising events.

If you would like to volunteer to become a tutor, please review our Tutor Eligibility Requirements and Tutor Job Description below, and complete our Tutor Registration form.

When is the next Tutor Training workshop? We have tutor trainings scheduled throughout the year. Please refer to the Events page for information on the training schedule.

Spanish Literacy

The Spanish Literacy Program strives to improve the lives of native Spanish speakers in St. Joseph County by first increasing their Spanish literacy skills to meet students' self-determined goals. After improving Spanish literacy, Spanish speakers are more successful acquiring English reading, writing, and speaking skills. Spanish instruction for native Spanish speakers is an important strategy to move at-risk adults toward self-sufficiency.

Early Childhood Literacy Program - Success by 6© Early Childhood Literacy Initiative

National research shows that young children's experiences from birth through age five are critical in founding the literacy skills and attitudes needed for later academic and life success. Research in St. Joseph County indicates an urgent need to raise community awareness about the importance of early literacy. Families, caregivers and teachers must also be provided with the literacy resources and information required to enhance the early learning environments of young children in our community.

Volunteer

The Literacy Council needs volunteers to tutor adult learners and to serve in other ways. Please see our volunteer page for more information.

• Tutors must be at least 18 years old and have a High School diploma.
  (Exceptions will be made by the Literacy Council Director on a case by case basis.)
• Tutors must be willing to commit to working with an adult learner 1 1/2 hours a week for 6 months.
• Tutors must be dependable, prompt, interested in helping others and have patience.
• Tutors must not have been convicted of a felony crime.
• Tutors must be sensitive to different backgrounds and cultures and respectful of student confidentiality.
• Tutors should be able to read, write and speak English comfortably.

Mission: The tutor will problem solve with an adult ESL or Basic student to meet the student's literacy goals.

The tutor will complete a 15-hour tutor training course and:

• meet with a student on a regular basis (once a week for at least 1 1/2 hours).
• consult with the student about his/her needs and goals.
• come to tutoring sessions with prepared student centered lesson plans.
• review work the student has done independently.
• keep up with new learning strategies and materials.
• maintain records of student progress.
• report tutoring time and lesson preparation time.
• be flexible.
• be friendly.
• be patient.

Information and practice concerning how adults learn, lesson planning, materials, learning strategies, teaching methods, and record keeping will be detailed throughout this course.