Personal Tutor - English as a Second Language (ESL)
Personal Adult Basic Education (ABE) Tutor
Teach a Deaf Adult to Read & Write
Summer Community Literacy Tutor
Bilingual Childcare Volunteers
Special Event Coordinator
Bilingual Receptionist
Newsletter Editor
Newsletter Writer
"Helping someone learn how to read has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life...This work has helped me be a better human being." - Literacy Network Tutor
Individual Volunteer Opportunities
updated 1/27/2012
ONLY THOSE POSITIONS WITH THE WORD "BILINGUAL" IN THE TITLE REQUIRE FLUENCY IN SPANISH.
All other volunteer positions are open to everyone who speaks English, regardless of foreign language skills.
Click here for a PDF file of Current Volunteer Opportunities
Personal Tutor - English as a Second Language (ESL)
Can you dedicate a few hours every week to helping an adult learning to read and speak English? We will train you to help them reach their dreams of communicating with their child's teacher, understanding directions from a doctor, or improving basic skills to earn a GED or get a better job. Successful tutors give their learners more than improved English skills -they offer the chance for them to gain confidence and improve their connection to the world around them!
Meeting times and locations are flexible; matches are made primarily on coordinating schedules and the ability to meet in the same general geographic area, which can be anywhere in Dane County.
No teaching experience is needed - training and support are provided.
Requirements: You must be reliable, responsible, mature, friendly, and patient, because learning another language can be difficult for a learner. Your responsibilities will consist of:
- Creating lesson plans for your learner (and we'll teach you how to do that!)
- Meeting with your learner at least 2 hours per week for the next six months
- Submitting a Tutor Feedback Form every month so we can track your hours and progress.
Once you have submitted an application and have been accepted into our program, you will be required to attend:
Volunteer Orientation for ESL Tutors
Thursday, February 15, 6:00-7:00pm at Literacy Network
ESL Tutor Training (split into 3 parts; all must be attended)
- Monday, February 20, 6:00-9:00pm
- Wednesday February 22, 6:00-9:00pm
- Saturday, February 25, 9:00am-1:00pm
Click here to print application or click here to request more info
Personal Adult Basic Education (ABE) Tutor
Do you have experience working with adults who have cognitive disabilities? Can you dedicate a few hours every week to helping an adult learning to read and write? We will train you to help them reach their dreams of reading to their grandchildren, reading bus stop signs, reading a newspaper, reading directions from a medical provider, or improving basic skills to earn a GED or get a better job. Successful Adult Basic Education (ABE) tutors give their learners more than improved literacy skills -they offer the chance for a learner to gain confidence, awaken their imagination, and improve their connection to the world around them!
Once you are matched with a learner, you and your learner decide on meeting times and locations according to what is best for you both. Right now we are looking for tutors to meet the needs of people living in on the north or east side of Madison.
Requirements: You must be reliable, responsible, mature, friendly, and patient. We rely on tutors to be respectful of learners while maintaining diligence and persistence in helping them gain literacy skills. Your responsibilities will consist of:
- Creating lesson plans for your learner (and we'll teach you how to do that!)
- Meet with your learner at least 2 hours per week for six months
- Submit a Tutor Feedback Form every month so we can track your hours and progress.
Once you have submitted an application and have been accepted into our program, you will be required to attend:
Volunteer Orientation for ABE Tutors
Thursday, February 2, 5:30-6:30pm at Literacy Network
ABE Tutor Training (split into 3 parts; all must be attended)
- Monday, February 6, 6:00-9:00pm
- Thursday, February 9, 6:00-9:00pm
- Saturday, February 11, 9:00am-1:00pm
Click here to print application or
click here to request more info
Teach a Deaf Adult to Read & Write
Are you fluent in American Sign Language? Would you like to help a Monona-area deaf adult improve his reading and writing skills? We are looking for a patient, reliable, mature volunteer tutor who is fluent in ASL and available to tutor mornings on Mondays or Saturdays. We will train you and provide all tutoring materials, as well as provide ongoing support as much as we are able. Your responsibilities will consist of:
- Creating lesson plans for your learner (and we'll teach you how to do that!)
- Meet with your learner at least 2 hours per week for six months
- Submit a Tutor Feedback Form every month so we can track your hours and progress.
Click here to print application or click here to request more info
Summer Community Literacy Tutor
Community Literacy is an ESL program designed to tutor adult learners one-on-one in a group setting (we call it a class) where childcare and additional tutor support are available. You will help learners gain English speaking, reading, and writing skills directly related to their life goals. No experience or foreign language skills required! Customized lesson plans are provided for each tutor/learner pair by the Intern overseeing that class. Free childcare for both tutors and learners is also available.
Requirements: We require all volunteers to be reliable, responsible, mature, friendly, and patient. Training is provided. A semester-long commitment to the program is required: you must attend your "class" every week (no more than 3 absences) during the entire semester. Our summer semester runs June 4th - Sept 1st (no class July 4th) and we are looking for tutors for the following classes (you would be assigned to only one):
- Monday nights, 6-8pm at Literacy Network (1118 S. Park St)
- Tuesday nights, 6-8pm at the Allied Neighborhood Boys and Girls Club (4619 Jenewein Rd) or Dane County Parent Council (2096 Red Arrow Trail)
- Wednesday nights, 6-8pm at Literacy Network
- Thursday mornings, 10am-12 at Lussier Community Education Center (55 S. Gammon Rd)
- Saturday mornings, 9-11am at Literacy Network
All volunteers accepted into this program are required to attend:
- Volunteer Orientation: Monday, May 28, 5:30-6:30pm at Literacy Network
- Tutor Training: Wednesday, May 30, 6-8pm OR Thursday, May 31, 6-8pm
Click here to print application or
click here to request more info
Bilingual Childcare Volunteers
Do you like to color, assemble puzzles, and make crafts out of colorful pipe cleaners? Enjoy hanging out with children? Have fun being a childcare volunteer for Literacy Network! Many of our adult ESL classes offer free childcare and you would be helping a paid Childcare Staff member during those classes. Volunteers may have the opportunity to use Spanish or other language skills with children of adult English Language Learners -a great way to brush up your Spanish skills!
We need one volunteer for each of the following classes:
- Mondays, 6pm to 8pm at Leopold Elementary (2602 Post Rd)
- Mondays, 5:30pm to 7:30pm at Glendale Elementary (1201 Tompkins Dr)
- Mondays, 6pm to 8pm at Literacy Network (1118 S. Park)
- Tuesdays, 6pm to 8pm at Lindbergh Elementary (4500 Kennedy Rd)
- Tuesdays, 6pm to 8pm at Orchard Ridge Elementary (5602 Russett Rd)
- Tuesdays, 6pm to 8pm at Midvale Elementary (502 Caromar Dr)
- Tuesdays, 6pm to 8pm at GHC Hatchery Hill (3051 Cahill Main)
- Tuesdays, 6pm to 8pm at Literacy Network (1118 S. Park)
- Tuesdays, 6pm to 8pm at Boys and Girls Club (4619 Jenewein Road)
- Wednesdays, 6pm to 8pm at Leopold Elementary (2602 Post Rd)
- Thursdays, 6pm to 8pm at Midvale Elementary (502 Caromar Dr)
- Thursdays, 6pm to 8pm at Lindbergh Elementary (4500 Kennedy Rd)
- Thursdays, 6pm to 8pm at Orchard Ridge Elementary (5602 Russett Rd)
- Thursdays, 5:30pm to 7:30pm at Glendale Elementary (1201 Tompkins Dr)
- Thursdays, 6pm to 8pm at Literacy Network (1118 S. Park)
We require our volunteers to be reliable, responsible, mature, friendly, patient, and have experience working with children and diverse populations. You must not miss more than 3 classes this semester (which ends in May). Spanish/English fluency is required.
click here to request more info
Special Event Coordinator
Do you love to plan big parties? Have great organizational skills and an eye for detail? A passion for literacy? You could be an Event Coordinator! Literacy Network would love to have you oversee planning for our annual literacy events in March.
March is National Reading Month and Literacy Network's Literacy 24/7 Celebration is one of our favorite annual events! In addition to the month-long reading marathon in Madison Schools, we will have one week (March 18-25) of scheduled public events, including various author readings, writing workshops, fundraisers or educational workshops planned throughout the city. Of that week, the evening of Thursday March 22 is reserved for our "Reading between the Wines" dinner, which this year will consist of adult learners of Literacy Network programs reading from a planned anthology of our learners' writings as well as dinner, silent auction and wine tasting.
Event Planner duties require you to:
- Meet regularly with planning committee
- Delegate and oversee all aspects of planning, from creating and implementing a plan of action to overseeing volunteers
- Assist with data entry, phone calls, donation pick-up and other tasks needed to make our events successful.
Required skills: You must possess exemplary organization skills; clear, friendly communication skills; experience planning large events (over 20 people); and provide at least two references that can attest to your event planning skills. We ask you to commit at least 2 hours per week during business hours for the next two months.
Request more info
Bilingual Receptionist
We are looking for reliable and friendly Spanish/English bilingual volunteers to answer phones and welcome visitors. Other tasks may include: photocopying, making calls, data entry, labeling, filing, preparing outreach/training materials, and gathering data. Our office is located at 1118 S. Park Street, just south of Fish Hatchery Road.
Requirements: Must be fluent in Spanish & English. Reliability, friendliness, clear communication skills and experience with office phone systems and computers. Must be proficient with Google search, Microsoft Word, and Excel. Must be able to commit to volunteering at least 3 months for one (or more) of the following shifts:
- Mondays 1-5pm
- Mondays 5-8pm
Request more info
Newsletter Editor
You will be overseeing our quarterly Literacy Network newsletter, from soliciting pieces from staff, volunteers, and learners to writing, editing and laying out the newsletter itself. Great opportunity for budding journalists!
Requirements: Fantastic organizational, communication and editorial skills required. We are looking for writers who can inspire action while educating our newsletter readers. Must provide non-academic samples of your writing when you apply. You can keep office hours at Literacy Network or you can work from home at your leisure -as long as you are able to manage time wisely and respect deadlines.
Request more info
Newsletter Writer
Love to write? Interested in promoting adult literacy? Literacy Network is looking for experienced writers to contribute to our quarterly newsletter by interviewing people in our network and writing stories that illustrate the importance of adult literacy in Dane County and inspire readers to support our work through volunteerism or philanthropy.
Requirements: Strong communication and editorial skills required. Must provide non-academic samples of your writing when you apply. You can keep office hours at Literacy Network or you can work from home at your leisure -as long as you are able to manage time wisely and respect deadlines.
Request more info
Group Volunteer Opportunities
We occasionally have opportunities for groups to assist with:
• Distributing promotional material
• Our annual Literacy 24/7 event in March
• Our annual Run/Walk in October
• Assisting with other special events
Potential projects must be planned well in advance of your proposed date(s) -please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 244-3911 for details.
