Volunteer English-language Tutor

Change a Life Through Literacy — Become an Adult Literacy Volunteer

Imagine trying to navigate your community while learning a new language or embarking on an unknown journey without the ability to read a bus schedule, complete a medical form, or communicate confidently in a school or employment setting. For many adults in our community, this is their everyday experience.

As a volunteer tutor with our Adult Literacy Program, you play a powerful role in helping adult learners build the skills they need to move forward with confidence. No prior teaching or foreign language experience is needed!

• Understand a new language in order to navigate their community
• Gain confidence in everyday communication
• Access better job opportunities and workplace success
• Support their children’s education
• Build independence and a sense of belonging

• You don’t need prior teaching or foreign language experience, just patience, empathy, and a willingness to learn alongside your student.
• We provide training, resources, and ongoing support.
• Flexible scheduling makes it possible to volunteer in a way that fits your life.

Adult literacy volunteering is deeply meaningful. Every milestone—reading a first paragraph, making a confident phone call, or completing an important form—represents a life‑changing step forward.

Your time, compassion, and encouragement can help someone navigate their world with confidence and dignity. Join us and be part of a community that believes in second chances, lifelong learning, and the power of literacy.

What are the tutor qualifications? Mostly, patience and compassion. Plus:

• Be at least 21 years old and live in or around DuPage County.
• Have earned at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Demonstrate the ability to speak, read, write, and understand English to communicate at a native proficiency.
• Be sensitive to the adult learner and other cultures.
• Be dependable, friendly, optimistic, interested in helping others, and respectful of confidentiality.

What is the time commitment?

• 45‑minute Meet & Greet session.
• 15 hours of tutor training.
• Meet up to 2 hours each week with your adult learner: minimum tutor commitment of six months.
• Minimum of two in‑service, professional development workshops each year.

What are my responsibilities as a tutor?

• Meet with your learner regularly and punctually each week.
• Prepare each lesson to meet your learner’s goals and life‑skills needs, integrating his/her special interests.
• Attend assessment meeting after every 35 hours of tutoring.
• Submit volunteer hours online on a quarterly basis.
• Contact program staff for support at any time.

• Tutor/Learner pairs meet in a public location, usually a local library.
• Tutors and volunteers must complete a background check.

Remote, Hybrid In‑Person / Remote