Literacy Volunteers of the Tarrytowns (LVT)

Many new residents of our Villages are unable to speak English. Eager to learn, they come to the Library and ask for help from Literacy Volunteers of the Tarrytowns. Our organization has helped many hundreds to speak, read and write English, but we need more tutors, because there are always more learners -- our neighbors – waiting for someone to teach them.

Will you help one of them? All you have to do is take our English for Speakers of Other Languages online training. You do not need prior teaching experience and you do not need to know a foreign language. If you are nineteen or older, with a good command of the English language, and have a desire to help someone, you can become an ESOL tutor.

Upon completion of the online training and a two hour in-person orientation, you will be able to tutor an adult on a one-to-one basis. A commitment of two hours a week for a year is all that we ask. It is a rewarding experience for the learner and for the tutor. Understanding the English language is imperative to these learners for obtaining better jobs and continuing their education. Our learners rely on these services to give them an opportunity to succeed in this country. You will be providing a lifelong benefit to the adults you tutor.

The goal of Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc (LVA) is to train and support volunteers to be effective tutors of adults, mobilizing the talents of people who can make a significant impact on the problem of illiteracy. LVA uses a learner-centered approach and whole language philosophy in its individualized tutoring of ESL, both in one-to-one and small group instruction. In its English Second Language (ESL) Conversational English program, LVA promotes a balanced approach that gives students practice in listening and speaking skills. Students use materials in varied formats, including controlled activities and responses, and spontaneous situations which provide opportunities for real communication and self-expression. In both programs the use of Computer Assisted Instruction and other technologies is encouraged. It is imperative when using learner-centered approaches, that tutors be trained to assess the students' reading and writing levels, interests, and goals. This is done primarily through use of ESLOA (English Second Language Oral Assessment), interview techniques, listening skills, observation, and portfolio assessment. Tutors are also familiarized with lesson planning techniques as well as adult interest books. The intent of LVA's flexible approaches to tutoring is to help individual learners in a manner appropriate to their learning styles, goals, and literacy proficiencies. The ultimate aim is to help people become independent readers, writers, and speakers of English.