Types of literacy tutors
How is adult literacy tuition carried out?
Adult literacy tuition is carried out in small groups or on a one-to-one basis by tutors trained specially for the work. Most services offer a minimum of two hours tuition per week, though an increasing number of programmes are able to offer more intensive provision.Over
the years, as funding has increased so too has the number of paid tutors who work with small groups.
Volunteer tutors
Over the last thirty years volunteer tutors have made a major contribution to the development of the adult literacy service. Involving volunteers enriches the type of service provided and maintains its roots in the community. Individual tutorial support is still a core element of adult literacy work and, despite increased funding, the use of volunteer tutors remains the only feasible means by which to provide
one-to-one tuition. Increasingly, adult literacy services are adopting a volunteer protocol. This sets out the rights and responsibilities of volunteers so that they are clear about their own commitment and the support they can expect from the organisation.
Group tutors
Where literacy tuition is organised in groups or if learners are working towards accreditation, it is important to have trained and paid group tutors.They need to be skilled at creating a co-operative and supportive learning atmosphere, to be able to prepare materials for different levels and interests and to respond to the changing goals and aspirations of the members of the group.
