Become a Tutor — Oakland Literacy Council

Do you want to make a difference in your own community?

You have neighbors who are struggling to read and do basic math.

Do you want to teach someone to fill out a job application?

Do you want to teach someone to read a book to their grandchild?

Do you want to teach someone to balance their checkbook or learn math to take the high-school equivalency exam?

You also have neighbors who are struggling to communicate because they don’t speak English.

Do you want to teach them how to have a conversation with their doctor or their child’s teacher?

Do you want to teach them to get a job and get a promotion?

Do you want to teach them to pass the citizenship exam?

Become A Volunteer Tutor And Make A Difference In Someone’s Life

Student/Tutor at “graduation” ceremony

Help them to become confident, achieve their goals and make your community a better place for all of us. Join us by becoming a literacy or a math tutor…give the gifts of reading, communicating, or calculating to someone who lives or works in your community. You will be able to tutor virtually or in person at a time that works for both you and your student.

We ask tutors to commit to tutoring for at least one year and to meet at least two hours per week year round (vacations are ok).

Making a positive difference in someone’s life, can make a positive change in our whole world. Many tutors report that they have learned so much more than they expected.

We Will Train You For This Important Task

No teaching experience? No problem.

We provide our incoming tutors with classroom training to prepare you for your first student assignment.

We also provide ongoing support to tutors in the form of a tutor coordinator, workshops, tutor-to-tutor events, an online forum and training materials. You won’t be alone.

Begin Your Journey Today

Ready to get started? Want to learn more?

STEP 1: Attend a virtual 30-minute information session to learn more about adult literacy and Oakland Literacy Council’s mission.

STEP 2: Register for a tutor training course. The training is in two parts. The training occurs every six weeks or so. At this time, the training is virtual. Click here to register for training.

Part 1: Required of all tutors. This training is virtual.
- Saturday, April 22, 9-11 am EASTERN
- Saturday, June 3, 9-11 am EASTERN
Part 2: Choose only the option for the type of training you wish to do.
- Targeted training for tutors working with foreign-born English Language Learners. You can attend this training in person or online.
  - Saturday, April 29, 9 am – 1 pm EASTERN
  - Saturday, June 10, 9 am – 1 pm EASTERN
- Targeted training for tutors working with math students
  - Contact the office
- Targeted training for tutors working with reading students
  - Basic Reading (for U.S.-born learners) on Tuesday, June 13 & Thursday, June 15, 10-11:30 AM. This training is virtual.

If the dates below do not work for you, call 248-253-1617 to learn about future dates.

STEP 3: Meet your student!

We look forward to welcoming you to the Oakland Literacy family.