What does a volunteer tutor do?

Depending on the literacy program you choose, you might work one-to-one with a student, work with a small group, or work as a classroom aide.

Who would I tutor?

You would work with adult learners:  immigrants, refugees, and native English speakers with less than 8th-grade literacy skills.

See the list of Portland-area programs below that use volunteer tutors.

VOLUNTEER TUTOR TRAINING

What does it take to be a successful tutor?  What is the time commitment?

Can you answer Yes to the following questions?

• Can you commit to attending two 6-hour workshops held on consecutive Saturdays from 9 am-4 pm?
• Can you volunteer 2 to 4 hours per week for 6 months?
• Would you describe yourself as flexible, patient, and dedicated?
• Do you have a sense of humor?

If you answered Yes to all of these questions, you are a good volunteer tutor candidate, and we’d like you on our team.

If you feel that volunteer tutoring isn’t the right fit for you, and you still want to volunteer your time, let us know. Tutoring programs may need assistance with clerical tasks, computer work, or other functions.

Contact:  info@portlandliteracy.org

Workshop Fees

• Local Program Volunteer           $25
• Nonlocal Program Volunteer      $50

Payment is due upon registration. Pay online when registering or send a check payable to Portland Literacy Council.

 Send check to:

   Portland Literacy Council
   Attention: Tutor Training
   P.O. Box 2872
   Portland, OR 97208-2872

Tutor Training Attendance Policy

If you register for tutor training, we hold a spot for you and look forward to your volunteer service. 

If you are unable to attend training, you will need to notify us of your absence so that we can serve others on the waiting list.

REGISTER HERE

Registration for the September 17 and 24 Tutor Training workshop is OPEN.  

Registration closes when we have reached the maximum attendance, or at midnight the Thursday before each session, whichever occurs first.

To register, click here:

QUESTIONS? 

Contact Peggy Murphy, Registrar:  peggy.portlandliteracy@gmail.com

PORTLAND-AREA PROGRAMS NEEDING VOLUNTEER TUTORS

The following non-profit agencies are seeking volunteer tutors to work with adult students. Tutors can choose to work one-to-one, with a small group, or as a program assistant. To learn more about becoming a volunteer tutor for one of these agencies, please contact them directly.

• MULTNOMAH COUNTY:

• Portland Community College, Cascade Campus - Literacy Tutoring Services
  One-to-one and small-group tutoring. ABE/GED, ESL, and; possibly Citizenship.
  Rhianna Johnson, Coordinator, rhianna.johnson@pcc.edu
  
  
• Portland Community College, SE Center - Literacy Tutoring Services
  One-to-one and small-group tutoring. ABE/GED, ESL, and; possibly Citizenship.
  Gale Czerski, Coordinator, 971-722-6075, gale.czerski15@pcc.edu
  

• Portland Community College, Sylvania Campus - Literacy Tutoring Services
  One-to-one and small-group tutoring. ABE/GED, ESL, and possibly Citizenship.
  Mark W. Palmer, Coordinator, 971-722-4903, mark.palmer2@pcc.edu

• SOAR Immigration Legal Services - A Program of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon
  7931 NE Halsey St., Ste. 302, Portland
  Free citizenship preparation for legal permanent residents.
  One-to-one and small group tutoring.  www.soarlegal.org
  Katherine Anderson, Coordinator,503-384-2482, ext 113, kanderson@emoregon.org
  

• WASHINGTON COUNTY:
  • Beaverton Literacy Council (Beaverton)
    Multi-level ESL tutoring, Citizenship tutoring, and Book Group. Beaverton Community Center, Bethel Congregational
    United Church of Christ, and other locations. For class schedules see www.beavertonliteracy.org.
    503-520-8764.

• Centro Cultural (Cornelius)
  1110 N Adair St., Cornelius
  ESL, Adult Basic Education, INEA, GED classes, and citizenship classes for Spanish-speakers, year-round. Jessica Hanson, ESL Coordinator, 503-359-0446, jhanson@centrocultural.org
  Dagoberto Cerrud, ABE & GED Coordinator, 503-359-0446 x35, dcerrud@centrocultural.org

• PCC - Rock Creek Campus, Volunteer Literacy Tutoring Program
  Serving Beaverton and Aloha.  ESL classes, One-to-one and small group tutoring.
  Edit McDonald, Coordinator, 971-722-2578, emcdonal@pcc.edu

• St. Anthony Middle School
  9905 SW McKenzie, Tigard. 
  Multilevel ESL classes, free, no childcare.  Tues and Thurs eves, 10-week terms.  Allen Robinson, 503-675-3583, esol.allen@gmail.com 

• Tigard Methodist Church
  9845 SW Walnut Pl, Tigard.
  Free ESL classes, 3 levels, open-entry, 10-week terms. Free chilcare. Paul Colligan, 971-275-3775, info@tigardumc.com

• Tigard Senior Center
  Meals on Wheels office, 8815 SW O'Mara St, Tigard.
  Kris Magaurn, Coordinator, 503-953-8185, kmagaurn@gmail.com

• Tualatin Public Library
  18878 SW Martinazzi Avenue, Tualatin.
  ESOL; 1-to-1 with library patrons, 2 hours per week for at least 3 months.
  Lauren Furnish, Community Librarian, 503-691-3077, lfurnish@ci.tualatin.or.us

• CLACKAMAS COUNTY:
  • Clackamas Community College (Oregon City Campus and Harmony Campus)
    Michelle Culley, Volunteer Literacy Tutor Coordinator, 503-594-3624, michellec@clackamas.edu

*Learn more about becoming a volunteer tutor by visiting PCC's Literacy Tutoring Services website.

INTERNET RESOURCES FOR TUTORS

• English Listening Language Lab Online - A resource for improving English listening and speaking skills.

• Portland ESL Network Website/Wiki - an online resource that includes an ESL class map and ESL resource materials for students and tutors.

• Free ESL Flashcards - A resource for ESL learning materials.

• GED.com - The official site for the GED test.

• Learn Free.Org - A resource for basic learning and education.

To register, click here: Register Online
• LiveMocha - A resource for improving English skills.
  
  
• Open Educational Resources - high quality, free and low-cost educational materials.

• Tutor Help Center - A resource for tutoring materials and ideas.

• USA Learns - A resource for basic learning and education.

ESOL Tutor and Student Learning Packets: (Download Free)

These ESOL packets were compiled by Adult Basic Skills department and Volunteer Literacy Program Coordinators at Portland Community College. The ESOL packets were made possible with the permissions of Pro Lingua Associates and New Readers Press. They are made available to PLC courtesy of the Oregon Literacy, Inc. website.