Questions; and Some Answers

• Do I need to be an experienced teacher to become a tutor?
  Definitely not. While a few of our volunteer tutors have had formal teaching experience, most have not.
• I can read, but I would like to read better.
  That's true for almost all of our students. They have learned that they need to brush up, or learn new skills, in order to get a better job, a promotion, to help their children with schoolwork, or to read for their own enjoyment.
• How much time would I have to spend as a student or tutor?
  That is something to be worked out between each student and tutor. Most often, the best plan is to meet twice a week, for one to one and one-half hours. The tutor usually finds it necessary to spend another hour or so in preparation, but since tutoring is such an individual thing, there are no hard and fast rules.
• How much does it cost?
  Usually nothing! There is no charge for tutoring, and no required textbooks to buy. If a student wants to work on a special project he or she might have to purchase some materials, but that's not common.
• What will we study?
  That's one of the first thing the student and tutor need to decide. It depends on what the student wants to learn, and what reading, writing, and speaking skills the student already has. The student and tutor plan their own program, and they will probably adjust it as they go.
• Where do we meet?
  Someplace that is convenient to both student and tutor. It's best to meet at some quiet, neutral, site like a library study room, and it's not good to meet at home, or at the workplace, if that can be avoided, but the choice is up to you. You may occasionally meet at a different place, for example in the library computer room, for a special purpose.
• When do we meet?
   At a time that is convenient for both of you. You may need to be flexible, depending on work or daycare schedules, but it's best to plan to meet at a regular time and place for most work sessions.
• What if I find I don't get along well with my student/tutor?
  Sometimes that happens, although less often than you might think. If you find you don't work well together, you can talk it out, or get in touch with the Coordinator, and make arrangements to find a new team-mate.
• Do I need to speak a foreign language to work with ESL students?
  Definitely not. The idea is for the student to learn English, not for you to talk in the student's language. You'll be surprised at how easy it is to communicate, even if your student doesn't speak a word of English. And how much fun it will be for both of you. You'll also learn a great deal about English that you never suspected. You will probably learn many interesting things from your student. It's a very rewarding experience.

For Information/Contacting Project Literacy:

Call/contact your public library in Jamestown, Lebanon, Thorntown or Zionsville.

or

Boone County Project Literacy
Ava Edlin, Board President
218 E. Washington Street
Lebanon, IN 46052
Voice: 765-482-6993