How You Can Volunteer

Making a Difference

Thank you for your interest in becoming a volunteer. You can help someone improve their reading and writing skills. We will show you how. We know you will find tutoring the most rewarding volunteer activity you have ever done!

Small Group Instruction

Our primary method of instruction is through small group classes with students who are at approximately the same reading skill level. Each class is 2 hours long, has 2 instructors, and fewer than 15 students. All classes cover phonics, vocabulary, morphology (prefixes, suffixes), grammar, comprehension strategies, and writing. The content of the comprehension and writing includes workplace, historic and scientific content. All classes are fully scripted with demonstration, guided practice, collaborative learning, and individual practice built into each lesson.

Classes span reading skills from pre-literate through a pre-GED level. In this way we build a bridge from our program to job training, GED or External Diploma Programs — all of which require a 9th-grade reading level.

To become an instructor, volunteers attend the information session and one session of training in the class content. New instructors are matched with an experienced instructor for mentoring. Of course, on-going support is available to instructors by staff.

Classes run for a 14 week semester. WLC asks that instructors commit to a full semester with few absences.

Tutoring in Phonics

Students who join our program with fewer reading skills often need more individual support in early phonics. These students are matched with a one-to-one tutor who uses a phonics program called the Wilson Reading System.

To become a phonics tutor, volunteers attend the information session and 6 hours of additional Tutor Training. Following the training sessions, the tutor meets the student and gets started tutoring. Staff provide mentoring and follow up instruction to the tutor. Mentoring may be in person or via telephone calls or email messages. Typically the tutor asks a specific question about something with which the student struggles. As the student progresses through the program, staff teaches volunteers how to teach the new concepts.

Tutoring goes on year-round regardless of class schedules. WLC asks that instructors commit to:

One year of tutoring
To write a complete lesson plan
To meet your student once a week for a 1-hour lesson
If you. . .
- Are planning to relocate
- Are anticipating increased workload, a lot of business travel, or starting grad school
- Are planning a wedding
- Are expecting a baby
- Have a non-American Accent it will be difficult for the student to learn phonics from you; however, you could tutor comprehension and writing skills.
. . . then being a phonics tutor may not be the best volunteer activity for you.

Tutoring in Comprehension and Writing

Students who join our program with slightly stronger reading skills often need more individual support in comprehension strategies and writing. These students are matched with a one-to-one tutor who uses a comprehension reading series.

To become a comprehension and writing tutor, volunteers attend the information session and 6 hours of additional Tutor Training. Following the training sessions, the tutor meets the student and gets started tutoring. Staff provide mentoring and follow up instruction to the tutor. Mentoring may be in person or via telephone calls or email messages. Typically the tutor asks a specific question about something with which the student struggles. As the student progresses through the program, staff teaches volunteers how to teach the new concepts.

Tutoring goes on year-round regardless of class schedules. WLC asks that instructors commit to:

One year of tutoring.
To follow the lesson plan in the book.
Supplement with grammar or writing support available from WLC or other sources.
To meet your student once a week for a 1-hour lesson.

We ask for a $50 donation to help offset the costs of the workshop and tutor materials. We ask that you bring the donation to the workshop. The WLC is a non-profit organization, as such the donation is tax deductible.

You will be assigned a student after completing the tutor training.

Fill out the Tutor Application and click the SUBMIT button at the bottom of the form. You may fax or mail the application to the WLC office if you prefer. Please be specific about the days and times you are available to tutor.

Thank you for volunteering. You are needed and appreciated.

Washington Literacy Council
1918 18th St., NW
Suite B2
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: (202) 387-9029 Fax: (202) 387-0271
info@washlit.org