TUTORING
Become a tutor
The KLC offers one-on-one tutoring for native English speakers and English language learners. With just a few hours a week, you can help empower a highly motivated learner as they strive toward their academic and life goals. After training, you will be matched with an adult learner who meets your interests. You may choose to tutor in person or online. Every time somebody becomes a tutor for the KLC, we are one step closer to making Kalamazoo County 100 percent literate.
Related: Celebrating tutors and learners
We offer tutor training five times a year (January, March, May, September, November). Please review the available volunteer positions below, then contact us at (269) 382-0490 ext. 211 to sign up for tutor training. Thank you for your interest.
Two needed:
Work in a virtual classroom setting assisting the instructor with beginner level yet highly motivated English language learners. Choose to volunteer in either the morning or evening class.
Tuesday/Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Our training focuses on the Laubach Way to Reading and the Challenger series. You may be matched with a native English speaker or an English language learner and can choose to meet at a Community Literacy Center or online. Requirements:
- Weekly sessions, 1-2 hours
- Complete a monthly report
Four needed:
Work with a learner to enhance their English reading, writing, spelling, and speaking skills. Tutors will be given materials to assist learners in achieving their goals. Requirements:
- Weekly sessions, 1-2 hours
- Complete a monthly report
- Encouraged to attend monthly ESL Forums
The KLC needs trained reading tutors who are interested in helping students learn at our Community Literacy Centers. Tutors work with a range of students from Laubach to Challenger on a weekly basis. These students are often times waiting for their permanent tutor or are students who want more instruction time.
Two needed:
Help adult learners enhance their basic computer skills (turning on a computer, using a mouse, keyboarding, etc). Curriculum is provided, no experience necessary.
Class: Wednesdays, in person, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Requirements:
- Weekly sessions
- Record attendance and complete a monthly report
- Encouraged to attend monthly Workforce Literacy Forums
Two needed:
Help learners on a path to a GED and/or enrolling at a community college or university. Work in PLATO Courseware as well as various supplemental materials based on need and answer PLATO and pre-GED questions.
- Weekly sessions, 1-2 hrs
- Trained in Laubach and Challenger
- Trained in PLATO software (2 hrs)
- Record attendance and complete monthly report
- Encouraged to attend monthly Workforce Literacy Forums
Two needed:
Work with learners who are seeking employment; tasks include completing resumes, cover letters, online job searching, and building the confidence to become employed. Requirements:
- Observe one JOBS session (training)
- Assist with one JOBS session (training)
- Record attendance and complete monthly report
- Encouraged to attend monthly Workforce Literacy Forums
Two needed:
Assist learners with weekly activities and lessons in our “Parent Literacy Together” class, which helps parents become more confident “first teachers” of their children. Classes are Wednesdays in-person from 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Requirements:
- Encouraged to complete training as a “Trusted Messenger” by Talking is Teaching
- Attend weekly classes
- Record attendance and complete monthly report
- Encouraged to attend monthly Parent Literacy Forums
Two needed:
Work with English language learners in a weekly class to practice conversational English, share experiences, and build confidence. This lively class is perfect for someone with a few hours to spare to help adult learners reach their language goals. We provide training, curriculum, and ongoing support.
Class time will be based on volunteer availability.
Requirements
To become a tutor, please 
meet the following criteria:
- Be able to read and write
- Feel comfortable communicating with adult learners
- Participate in 14 hours of training
- Commit to a minimum of one year of service
- Meet with learner in person or online at least once a week at a time convenient for both of you
- Provide monthly updates on learner’s progress
Training
We offer hybrid training, so you can choose to participte in person or online. Use the form below to choose one that best fits your schedule. See available dates and times.