How do I become a tutor?
You must complete all five sessions of a 16-hour workshop to be certified as a ProLiteracy Tutor. The certification is valid nationwide. The workshop is available on VHS or DVD for individual training.

I have more questions.
Please call Mary Ann Tolerico, Program Coordinator, at 570-346-6203, extension 15, for further information or to start training.

Other tutoring opportunities:
ESL (English as a Second Language) Conversation Partner: The purpose of this volunteer opportunity is to give SCOLA ESL students a chance to use the English they are learning in class in an ordinary, everyday conversational setting. We will pair you with a student from one of over 40 countries represented at SCOLA and ask that you meet with your student once a week for only one hour (more if you would like or are able to). The length of commitment is up to you; however, it would be most helpful to your student and to SCOLA if you could continue for at least six months (approximately 24 hours). With more than 425 students attending SCOLA every year, constant rescheduling can become a serious problem for both SCOLA and our students.

ESL (English as a Second Language) Telephone Conversation Partner: Opportunity similar to the Conversation Partner except conversation is practiced over the telephone using scripted material and/or general topics of interest to the student. Speaking English and understanding English on the telephone constitutes a major fear for ESL students and one in which they could use a lot of practice. Here, the time commitment drops to one-half hour per week (again, more if you would like or are able to).

ESL (English as a Second Language) Special Topic Tutor: This opportunity would involve teaching one topic to a group of ESL students for a specific period of time. We are currently looking for a tutor to teach citizenship to interested students for two hours once a week for two months (16 hours total). All resources would be provided for you.

ESL (English as a Second Language) Field Trip Guide: This opportunity would involve accompanying a small group of ESL students for a lesson to points of interest in this area, including but not limited to, Nay Aug Park and the tree house, McDade Park and the coal mine tour, the grocery store, a bank, the post office, Wal-Mart, the farmer's market, and so forth...perhaps even a scavenger hunt! Of course, we are open to any interesting suggestions you might have.

Links:
Below is a link to Verizon’s Literacy University. It is a free site designed by Verizon to assist literacy councils in training volunteers. There are “pre” service courses that will answer a lot of your questions. Don’t let the word courses deter you from trying it out. Each course/presentation takes 45 minutes to an hour to complete. VLU also keeps track of the courses you take so that when you go back, you don’t have to try and remember what you already watched.