Volunteer Tutoring

Volunteer Tutoring

Literacy Volunteer Tutors are trained to work one-to-one with adult Learners who are trying to improve their literacy skills in order to improve the quality of their life – working to gain better employment, communicate with their children’s teachers, talk to their health care providers, attain citizenship, read bedtime stories to their grandchildren, and so on. The Tutor’s job is to help the Learner reach their goals.

Each minute spent as a literacy tutor has the potential to bring hours, even years, of improved quality to someone’s life. Without the Volunteer Tutors, few of the goals of DLNS would be realized.

The Program Coordinator matches Tutors with Learners. The Coordinator attends the first meeting between Tutor and Learner. If the match is satisfactory, Tutor and Learner will decide where and when to meet. Two one-hour sessions each week are recommended.

  • Adult (Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Hearing).
  • Fluent in ASL/MSL.
  • Familiar with Deaf culture.
  • Possess good interpersonal skills.
  • Able to commit to at least 6 months and 2 hours a week.
  • Interview with DLNS Volunteer Coordinator.
  • Signed application form and statement of confidentiality.
  • Attendance of orientation session.
  • Completion of the Nova Scotia department of Education’s Tutor Training and Certification course.
  • Responsive to the needs of the individual Learner.
  • Respects the Learner and appreciate that the Learner brings skills and prior experience to the learning experience.
  • Creative in adapting teaching methods to suit the individual Learner’s needs.
  • Enthusiastic and willing to keep learning.
  • Respect the privacy of the Learner.
  • Give constructive feedback to advance Learner’s progress.
  • Open to the Learner’s suggestions and feedback.
  • Well organized for each lesson.
  • Prepare lesson plans based on Nova Scotia Adult Learning Program curriculum, appropriate to the Learner’s level of education.
  • Meet with assigned Learners at arranged times.
  • Notify the Volunteer Coordinator as soon as possible if unable to attend a tutoring session, and any other issues that may arise.
  • Submit a monthly Learner Progress Report to the Volunteer Coordinator.