New Tutor Information session

Agenda Literacy needs in Montgomery County What is the Literacy Council Who we serve What we offer How you can help Tutor program curriculum Application review Questions

Literacy Needs in County Approx. 130,000 residents are Limited English Proficient (MCAEL.org) Approximately 22,047 parents are LEP (Based on one parent/household) (MCAEL.org) 79,500 adult county residents do not have a high school diploma (Census.gov) Limited English Proficient –lacking overall English skills required to get through daily life. For example, cannot read the directions on a medicine bottle or food container, or call a doctor. Share some/all of these facts: 1 in 3 workers in the county is an immigrant. According to the Urban Institute, a fluent English-speaking immigrant earns nearly double that of a non-English speaking worker. That equates to higher spending and taxes paid, which benefits us all. AMA (American Medical Assoc.) study found that when a family member or untrained interpreter assists with communication, an average of 31 translation errors are made in a single healthcare visit. NIH research shows that a parent’s literacy level is the most significant predictor of a child’s future literacy level Literacy gives us the opportunity to provide for our families, maintain our health, establish our safety, and improve our overall quality of life.

What is the Literacy Council? Our Mission: To enable adults to transform their lives and enrich our community through English literacy. We serve adults who are beginning readers and speakers. Our goal is to take them to a 4th grade level. We exist to help individuals: Get a job or a better job Help their children w/ homework or read to them Help people on the road to communicating with others Build confidence to they can be active participants in their communities Students beyond the scope of our programs are referred to other programs in the county.

Who We Are Private nonprofit 501(c)(3) Founded in 1963 Our funding comes from foundation grants, individual and corporate contributions and a service contract from the county In FY15, we served 1330 students with 66, 313 hours of instruction in all programs combined Largest volunteer-based literacy/English tutoring organization in the county with approximately 330 active tutors

Who We Serve Joy Steve Elaine Joy- age 44 Educated in Korea – lawyer Reads and writes in her native language Speaks English very well, but reads and writes at a lower level Studying to become a citizen Steve-age 29 Dropped out of the 10th grade- Reads at a first grade level Knows the alphabet and most letter sounds Has memorized a few sight words, but is poor at decoding Is a maintenance worker who calls his wife to write his work orders Feels like he’s living a lie-stressful to hide the fact that he cannot read Elaine-50 Never attended school in native El Salvador Cannot read or write in Spanish, understands no English Works two jobs. Takes three buses to attend English classes Wants to learn English to get a better paying job Learners come to our program through word of mouth, social services, friends, employers, etc. 75% of our learners are female Our students represent 85 different countries Joy Steve Elaine

What We Offer ESL Classes Conversation Classes Computer Language Lab Tutoring Workplace Literacy Classes –Intensive, Offer multiple levels Conversation Classes consist of < 7 students Language Lab Independent learning for our students Tutoring Beginning reader & speaker Less intensive than classes Good for learners with limited time Workplace Literacy Offered at job site Focused classes – hospitality, etc.

Become A Volunteer Tutor How You Can Help Become A Volunteer Tutor

We serve learners with skills below the 4th grade level Tutoring Program We serve learners with skills below the 4th grade level Basic Literacy (reading and writing) English as a Second Language (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) 30% American-born 70% Foreign-born Basic Literacy learners Require extra patience (bad formal education experience) Are native English speakers with good oral skills, but need help reading and writing They can be American-born or from countries where English is the first language Many may have learning challenges ESL For non-native English speakers who need help in all four skills All students: Are given an intake assessment Pay one-time fee of $15.00 Placed on waitlist Are below 4th grade level in English 100% Foreign-born

Tutor Eligibility Requirements Must be at least 18 years old Have the ability to speak, understand, read, and write English well enough to communicate clearly Make a one year minimum commitment Complete a two-day training workshop Do not discriminate. As per LCM C practice: Staff and volunteers respect and work with people of diverse backgrounds without discrimination on the basis or race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual-orientation, age, height, weight, marital or familial status, disability or handicap. Harassment or discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated and will result in immediate dismissal from all programs conducted or sponsored by the LCMC. No foreign language skills required You are teaching English, not their native language Knowledge of a student’s language can become a crutch No previous teaching experience required Lessons are scripted, which allows anyone to teach the materials Complete job description in packet

Tutor Responsibilities Twice weekly sessions (80 hours/year) Total- 2 hours tutoring per week Meet in a public place, preferably a public library Monthly report submission Student progress & goals achieved Hours Patience Flexibility We are the Marine Corps of volunteer jobs! Patience – Learning a new skill is slow going; progress can be measured in baby steps Flexibility – in schedule, sometimes life can effect meeting times. In lessons, you may veer off of the planned path as a student asks questions. Add humor: “I cook my husband” We ask that you reflect on whether or not you can meet these requirements If not, there are other ways you can help which we will mention in a moment

To Remain in our Program, Tutors MUST be in Good Standing: Submit monthly reports by the 5th of every month Have a monthly tutoring hour average that supports a minimum of 80 hours of instruction/year Goal: 2 hours/week x 4 weeks/mo = 8 hours/month 80 hour minimum can be reached in approximately 10 months, leaving flexibility for missed classes due to illness, travel, weather, etc. Students are also held accountable and must remain in good standing to continue in our program. Tutors who are not in good standing can be terminated, and students will be reassigned Students are also held accountable and must remain in good standing to continue in our program. Tutor eligibility and status is determined at the discretion of LCMC staff.

Benefits Convenient schedule/location Develop/improve Skills Learn about different cultures and experiences Fun! Flexibility: You and/or your student can take time off, schedule business trips or vacations, reschedule tutoring days. Develop new skills: Teaching/training experience Organizational and project management skills Coaching and mentoring skills Learn about different cultures and experiences Diversity and cultural awareness Fun: Learn together and from each other Example: tutor and student learned to take Metro together

Training Punctual attendance at both sessions is required Two-day, 10-hour workshop Punctual attendance at both sessions is required Both days required for certification Tutors missing any part of either session are not eligible for certification If you decide to attend our trainings: Attendance both days required (Schedule in packet) Bring bag lunch and a sweater Snacks/coffee/tea provided Bring your packet from this information session, day #1 of the workshop and whatever you need to take notes Parking – two free hours, balance is trainees’ responsibilities

Matching with a Student Availability Location (public) Preferences Waitlist Availability and preferences noted on your tan application Location – mainly libraries, can meet in churches, or community centers, apartment complex community rooms, LCMC tutor rooms Matching process; Done between 1st and 2nd workshop session You will be contact by your coordinator to confirm info on your application. Call must be returned ASAP, as we have a short window for matching- If we cannot reach you, you will not be matched. Tutors may meet student at the end of the workshop of day #2 Because our waitlist is long, we encourage tutors to accept small groups of 2-3 students Students become co-instructors taking some of the pressure off of you Peer-based support system and chance for positive reinforcement Ownership of the learning process and greater attendance Small groups reduce the feelings of isolation and increase a sense of community A bad match can occur. Let your coordinator know ASAP!

150+ Wait-listed Students High Demand Areas Wheaton/Aspen Hill Silver Spring/Long Branch White Oak Rockville Gaithersburg Germantown Low Demand Areas: Boyds Poolesville Quince Orchard Potomac Bethesda/Chevy Chase/Kensington/Davis Takoma Park Please mark at least one library in a high demand area. Tutors meet at whatever time the public location/library is open.

Tutor Support Follow-on sessions Conference Calls CTEs (Continuing Tutor Education) LCMC website In-house library Tutor rooms Post-training one-on-one advice from coordinators Monthly newsletter Follow on sessions On day #2 of every workshop Open to all tutors. Bring questions and receive feedback from a certified trainer. CTEs Offered several times throughout the year Focuses on a specific topic (How to submit a tutor report, How to teach reading and writing to students with learning challenges) LCMC website Supplemental materials submitted by other tutors Website directory for additional resources In house library Tutors in good standing can visit or have materials sent to their library of choice No need to purchase book, borrow materials from council Inter-library Loan (Pony System) We will send materials you need, through the inter-library loan system, to your local library You can return materials to us through the same system Tutor rooms –available in our office for tutoring sessions Tutoring rooms are not necessary, you are welcome to tutor in an open area of the library (many of our tutors do this) Monthly newsletter with teaching and lesson tips, news from the council, and other items to help keep you engaged with the larger tutor community

Laubach Way to Reading/English In use for over 70 years worldwide Curriculum Laubach Way to Reading/English In use for over 70 years worldwide Phonics-based Establish letter-sound relationships Known to unknown Familiar vocabulary Meaningful context Initially developed by Frank Laubach Missionary in the Phillipines Wanted to help people write their oral language Adapted to ESL Relies on common objects and associates the sound of each letter with known pictures—teach by association Uses meaningful content based on daily life situations, for example: shopping for food Independence in learning Learning reading and writing together

Levels Four Skill Levels Students may begin at any level Progress is goal dependent 80 hours of instruction = level completion Student level placement depends on their assessment May need to fill in gaps Movement through levels depends on students’ goals Learner may not move through all four levels Level Completion On average, student should complete a level after one year (80 hours of instruction) however, dependent on Educational background of learner Outside practice Frequency of meetings

Materials Used in class Scripted Teacher Manual (loaner) Student workbooks (no charge to learner) Examination materials (check up) Materials available on table to peruse. TM provided on loan to tutors. Manual actively used in class Scripted – provides tutor with what to say & how to perform activities Tutors are encouraged to include real life materials in their lessons Student materials provided at no charge to student/tutor Includes workbooks, readers “Check up” exam conducted at the end of each level Day 1 Workshop – Level 1 materials used to learn format Day 2 Workshop – Use level of materials assigned to your student

Your Impact? You will teach your students essential literacy & life skills that will transform their lives. Other opportunities (as needed – check w/ staff) Publicity/Outreach Fundraising Office volunteers EFDL teachers/assistants ESL teaching assistants Financial support

Milton’s Story Milton was a student with the Literacy Council He is now studying for his GED. He wrote a book titled “Learning to Read at age 52” He is interested in becoming a motivation speaker

Next Steps Fill out the tan application and give it to our volunteer at the registration table. (Print email address clearly.) Sign and submit Tutor Policies and Agreement. If you are ready to register for a workshop, please include a non-refundable $25 application fee. If you are unsure, you may take an envelope with you and mail in your check. A staff member will be contacting you regarding your application status. Application review highlights - Print email address clearly. Availability/location – narrow availability/location may delay matching process Tutor Policies and Agreement To assure that you understand the requirements and policies of volunteering in our program If asked: $25 Application fee for tutors in our program offsets the cost of materials, trainer certification, staffing, and workshop expenses Cash or check (Checks payable to LCMC)

Thank you… …for considering becoming an LCMC volunteer. We hope to welcome you to our volunteer network soon!

LCMC Headquarters Literacy Council of Montgomery County 21 Maryland Avenue Suite 320 Rockville, MD 20850 Tel: 301-610-0030 info@literacycouncilmcmd.org