Literacy Network : Testimonials

Why Tutor?

"It's a great feeling to make a difference in someone's life."
"You're not only helping someone else…you're challenging yourself."
"A great opportunity to make a positive difference that fits your schedule."
"I have learned so much about my learner, her culture and family, and about English!"
"I have a significant part in giving my learner 'a voice'."
"I love being a personal tutor, but I also love that I am a learner in many respects, as well."
"This partnership is a very positive experience for both of us. I get to take a break from my school routine on campus, and my learner gets to improve his English in a laid back one on one setting."

How are Volunteers Trained & Supported?

"Thank you for hosting these trainings - this is the most organized non-profit I have ever worked with, professionally as a grant writer and as a volunteer. You really are setting both the learner and the tutor up for success!"
"Orientation gave me a greater awareness of the need, and motivated me to take the training."
"Whenever I have had questions or asked for help, staff have been extremely helpful."
"I feel you have prepared me very well, but also made yourselves very available if something comes up that I don't know how to handle."
The training provided "...an idea of how to go about sharing a language that I take for granted. It was good to have specific examples of drills and skill-building activities - a lot of different things you can try."
"You guys do good work. You're terrific for training and terrific for support. I don't know how I would have survived without Brian's email."

What Makes a Good Tutor?

Patience "My learner has expressed to me numerous times that the most important quality that I possess is patience with him. I agree with this completely."
Flexibility "This week, Antonia encountered the word "roll over" in a book she was reading. I tried to describe "roll over" but Antonia kept interpretting my explanation as "turn around." So, to better explain it, I got down on the floor of the library and rolled over. Antonia understood but everyone else in the library was laughing at me."
Curiosity "Tutoring has motivated me to continue to find new resources and to try new approaches."
Persistence"We've worked together almost two years and progress is slow, nevertheless I am surprised how far she's come, with just one tutoring meeting a week. Nobody else would realize how much hard work has gone into her little bit of ability to ready and write!"

What are the Challenges of Tutoring?

"My learners have complicated lives -- uncertain job security, big families, and low income."
Tutoring has provided a "window into a side of life that is totally foreign to me. It makes me feel more appreciative of the dignity that every person deserves to be afforded."
"I am humbly aware that I am not a teacher and sometimes wonder if what I am doing is 'hitting the mark'."
"In one month, she had a family member in town, car trouble, and was very sick."
"We have not meet as often as we originally planned but life happens (especially for my learner) and we are doing the best we can."