Adult literacy tutoring at Okanagan College in Revelstoke offers rewarding experiences

Being a volunteer tutor for The Revelstoke Volunteer Adult Literacy Tutoring Program at Okanagan College is a rewarding experience.

“I really believe that literacy is a really important thing,” said one of the program’s volunteer tutors. “Everyone should give something back to the community and this is where I choose to place my importance. In my life people have taught me how to do things, so giving back is a good thing.”

The program offers free and confidential tutoring to anyone 19 years or older. Volunteer tutors help learners who want to work on basic reading, writing, computer, English language and math skills.

Volunteer tutors are matched with learners and the tutoring sessions are between one and three hours, once or twice a week. The tutoring sessions all take place in a public space.

Learners get to improve their literacy skills while the volunteer tutors get to reap the rewards of seeing how these improved skills can change lives.

“I think it’s super important for people to be literate. Our world is a very literate world and if you can’t do basic reading or basic numbers than it’s a hard place,” said a volunteer tutor.

The tutor spoke about a learner she has been working with who wanted to improve his literacy skills.

“His confidence has just totally shifted over the last couple of years,” she said.

Volunteer tutors don’t need to have any previous experience, just patience and an enjoyment of people.

“Sometimes the progress is slow, and that’s fine,” said a tutor. “It’s great when you look back at the progress that someone has made. That’s always been rewarding.”

Volunteer tutors have the support of a program instructor and there are no special qualifications needed. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer tutor is asked to attend an orientation and training. Tutors are also asked to attend professional development workshops from time to time.

Volunteer tutors are asked to make a six-month commitment to the program as it takes time for the tutor-learner relationship to develop. The program has flexibility and allows the learner and volunteer tutor to meet on a flexible schedule.

“I had no literacy teaching training before this. Anyone who themselves is fluent as a reader or writer should be fine,” she said.

The volunteer tutor said it’s rewarding to see people taking steps towards improving their literacy.

“It’s been a huge, courageous effort just to get here. And really its important that there is someone there to help them with their big step in their career,” she said. “I’ve never had a negative experience with tutoring. I’ve never walked away from tutoring saying I’m so sad I went to tutoring. It’s always a positive in the day.”

To learn more about becoming a volunteer tutor contact Briana Sadler, Adult Literacy Coordinator at 250-837-4235 ex. 6504 or email [email protected]. The program runs from September until the end of April.