At Hawaii Literacy, we offer one-one tutoring on basic reading and writing skills to English-speaking adults free of charge. Volunteer tutors are trained and nationally certified in the Laubach Literacy method, which has been proven to be a most effective means to teach. “Students” of the Adult Literacy program are adults who come from various backgrounds. Some have dropped out in various grades whether in elementary, middle, or in high school. About 65% speak English as their primary language. English may have been learned as a foreign language but we require that those who have learned it as a second language have good verbal communication skills because the Adult Literacy program teaches reading and writing, not spoken English (Hawaii Literacy does offer free ESL classes in town where staff and volunteers teach spoken English in small groups. Later on, they can refer their students to the literacy program).
View the upcoming Orientation Schedule.
Before we match up students and trained tutors, each student completes a one-hour skills assessment and interview with the staff. This helps the staff learn about the student’s skills, motivations, and goals. Once a match has been made between the student and tutor, the two will determine when and where they will meet one-on-one; it is suggested that the pair meet in a public area such as a library, park, coffee shop, or a community center. Generally, the student and tutor will meet twice a week for an hour or an hour and a half but only the student and tutor will decide with one another.
Volunteer
Interested in becoming a tutor? Want to help someone improve their reading and writing skills? Did you graduate from high school? Before you can sign up, we ask you to attend an hour-long Orientation training session; this is followed directly by the first day of a 4-week, 16-hour training course, which you may attend then or at some time. You will be taught nationally recognized adult tutoring methods as well as how to use the materials and skillbooks. This training will also address common scenarios that could occur in tutoring. Upon completion of the training, the tutor will be nationally certified as a volunteer literacy tutor through our national affiliate, ProLiteracy. The tutor will be matched with an assessed student. A minimum commitment of six months is required.
Hours – O’ahu
Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
*Hours are the administrative office only. Tutoring takes place outside of the office.
View the Tutor Orientation/Training Schedule
Contact – O’ahu
Heidi Byrne, Adult Literacy Program Manager
E-mail: heidi.byrne@HawaiiLiteracy.org
Tel: 537-6706 Fax: 537-3072
Adult Literacy – Oahu Office
200 N. Vineyard Blvd., Suite 320
Honolulu, HI 96817
Directions
This is the location of the administrative offices only. Tutoring takes place outside of the office. To get to the office, WESTBOUND on H-1, take the Vineyard Blvd. exit; at the 5th signal light (A’ala St., just past Foster Gardens) turn right. The building (“Castle and Cooke Community Service Center”) is on the corner. EASTBOUND on H-1, take the Vineyard Blvd. exit; at the 4th signal light (A’ala St.) turn left. The building (“Castle and Cooke Community Service Center”) is on the corner.
Nearest Bus Stop
#2, #3, #13, #11, #93, B Liliha/Vineyard, 3 minute walk
#4: Nu’uanu Ave/Foster Botanical Garden, 5 minute walk
Contact – Kaua’i
Dennis Dresser, Adult Literacy Coordinator
E-mail: dennis.dresser@HawaiiLiteracy.org
Tel: (808) 332-5544
Adult Literacy – Kauai Office
P.O. Box 1101
Kalaheo, Kauai, HI 96741
