Some sample volunteer tutor job descriptions are included in Appendix 4. Although each job description is unique, there are many similarities amongst them. For example, a sense of humour is often included as a desired qualification for volunteers. Respect for the learner and a need to maintain confidentiality are also common elements. They all include some form of reporting back to program staff about the learner’s progress.

An Internet search of the term “literacy tutor” or “literacy volunteer” using any common search site (Google, AltaVista, WebCrawler, Copernic, etc.) will result in literally thousands of hits. Many literacy programs in both Canada and the United States have websites, often with a special section aimed at the volunteer tutor. If you have the time, it is worth surfing these sites. They often contain some “gems” such as suggestions for lesson planning or other tutoring tips.

Here are a few sites that contain useful information:

• Adult Education Resources on the Web at
  http://www.research.umbc.edu/~ira/AEresweb.html

• Queensland Council for Adult Literacy (scroll down the page to link to Tutor Tips, discussion forums and archived tip sheets) at
  http://cwpp.slq.qld.gov.au/qcal

• Panhandle Adult Literacy Centre, Florida (click on the volunteer resources link) at
  http://www.tfn.net/palc/about.htm

• Carleton University’s “Tips at Your Fingertips” at
  http://www.cyberus.ca/~llessard/Sample.html

• Lake County Literacy Program at
  http://literacy.kent.edu/~illinois/illteach1.htm (these are downloadable pdf files)

• North Central Regional Educational Laboratory shares a variety of literacy assessment techniques at
  http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/content/
  cntareas/reading/li7lk29.htm

• or just type “Tips for Adult Literacy Tutors” into a search engine, and you will be able to explore almost 5,000 links!