Literacy Services — Oakland Literacy Council

Our services offer eligible students free one-on-one tutoring to increase their literacy. Instruction areas are reading, reading comprehension and listening.

New Student Qualifications and Expectations

Enrolling students must meet the minimum criteria:

Live, work, or go to school in Oakland county
Be 18 years or older
Be reading below a ninth grade level and/or listening below an eighth grade level

Once admitted to the program, students must commit to tutoring for one continuous year, independent study and meeting a tutor two hours every week.

Literacy Services

Student Assessment
We review all requesting applicants for program eligibility. In most cases the applicant will be tested to determine the current reading level and listening level for ESL applicants. This information is the basis for tutor assignment, instruction and tutoring materials. An interview with a staff member covers all other eligibility and student requirements for the free tutoring program. Call now to get the review started (248) 253-1617 or fill out the Become a Student form on this page.

*There is a one-time $25.00 application fee. Oakland Literacy Council will review program entry for students who are financially unable to pay the entry fee.

One-on-one Literacy Instruction

Oakland Literacy Council provides free one-on-one literacy instruction to students 18 years of age and older living, working or going to school in Oakland County. We provide one-on-one tutoring and support for reading, reading comprehension and listening.

Oakland Literacy Council’s Resource Library

We have stocked our library with books and resources for readers at every level. Tutors can select books and learning materials that help their students to reach their literacy goals.

ESL Conversation Groups

Conversation groups give students the opportunity to practice what they are learning in a safe environment while surrounded by people who are ready to help.

Field Trips

Field trips offer our students the opportunity to experience and explore something first hand. The practice in real world situations will help them truly understand and make connections.

Social Events

Our social events are a favorite among our students and tutors. They are a wonderful way for students to show off the results of all of their hard work.

The International Potluck (held annually) allows tutors and students to gather and share a dish from their native country. The food is always outstanding and there is also a great chance that you’ll meet some new friends!

Lesley Tauro

12:43 05 Sep 24

I love being a English Tutor with Oakland Literacy Council on a one-on-one basis as well as for a conversation group. Through OLC, I have had the opportunity to meet so many incredible people, many who have become friends.

Cynthia Werstein

23:48 04 Sep 24

I have enjoyed my ESL tutoring with Oakland Literacy Council. We received training to help us, help our students. I feel like I can reach out for additional help if needed. Not to forget, they offer outside activities, on occasion, so that the students and tutors can do some typical, but fun activities! OLC is a great organization to volunteer with.

Lisa Burns

21:33 04 Sep 24

I've been volunteering with the OLC for about a year and a half, and it's been a great experience! I very much enjoy the tutoring sessions with the student whom they paired me with. She is a lovely person and I've learned a lot from her too. OLC makes tutoring easy for volunteers, with an easy-to-use curriculum, training, support, and social events. Highly recommend!

Qambar Ali Sarwari

19:50 04 Sep 24

Great team, motivational atmosphere, Thank you for your always support and help, especially the refresher training you provide to the tutors.Warm regards ,Ali

Brad Roth

19:07 04 Sep 24

When I retired in 2020 (in the middle of the covid pandemic) I wanted to find ways to volunteer. As a former college professor, I am particularly concerned about education and literacy. Working with Oakland Literacy Council has been a wonderful experience for me. The staff at OLC (particularly Laurie Weeks) is so helpful and appreciative. I've gotten more hand-written thank you notes from Laurie in the last four years than from everyone else throughout the rest of my life combined. Volunteering for OLC lets me give back to society but enjoy retirement too. I highly recommend it.

Kelly Turner

11:12 23 Aug 24

I would like to say How amazing Oakland literacy Council is I came in May To Continue my education and I thank god I found them they where at the bottom of the list when they should have been at the top of the list first off the staff is amazing they did everything by the book I did placement testing to figure out where to place me they took the time out to get the best tutors they also called and checked in on me and also motivated me to keep going and never give up they gave me the option to go online for tutoring or in person Stewart my tutor was amazing he took pride in educating me and never made me feel like I was bothering him patricia was amazing she stayed on me and stayed consistent they made me feel like familythe icing on the cake was how they acknowledged me on graduation day the whole team was there for me and my family and I was so happy and me and my kid's could feel the love it's nothing that I would not do for Oakland literacy I will be there spokesperson for life cause it's worth it and they have top notch tutors employees and the online tutor services is Phenomenal if you're seeking to continue your education look no more this is the place to go

Sanghee Han

11:59 22 Aug 24

I was so lucky to meet oakland literacy Council. Since OLC has been a great institute for me almost 2 years. And they helped my english improve and give me some good talking classes for learning new culture here as well. Now that I graduated from a reading program at OLC, I feel like I'm still with them. Really appreciate it.

BAIYANG LAI

19:36 15 Aug 24

In the past three years I learned English with Oakland Literacy. I met quite a few tutors in one by one tutoring and some conversation groups. Those tutors were so incredible and awesome! They really really helped me a lot in my English. My gratitude to all of them is beyond words!

jung min son

17:36 15 Aug 24

Thank you for having me with your excellent support.. I really enjoyed learning English and having conversation class with others. I made some good friends and I think Oakland Literacy Council is very good for people who need English support 👏 👍

Joseph Lee (Jo)

16:39 15 Aug 24

Oakland Literacy Council was a very good program for me as my second language. I evaluated my English ability through English listening and reading tests and matched my tutor accordingly. As a result, my English improved a lot. And most of all, it was free.