Publication Date
1976
Abstract
Adult illiteracy in the United States is a grave national problem. One organization attempting to solve this problem is Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc., a private, non-profit organization with affiliates in nineteen states. A tutorial approach to instruction through the use of volunteers trained in teaching basic reading to adults on a one-to-one basis is the method employed in this effort. Volunteers are trained in an 18-hour workshop highlighting four basic techniques and their effective utilization: experience story, sight words, phonics, and phonics-in-pattern. In-services, follow-up sessions, and consultations with volunteer reading specialists are available to tutors. A tutor training manual and a diagnostic evaluation have been developed and published by Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc. Emphasis is placed on a description of Literacy Volunteers of New York City, Inc., an affiliate of the national organization. Administration and content of the program are discussed, including: tutor recruitment and training; student recruitment, diagnosis, evaluation and placement; tutor-student relationship; benefits, drawbacks and effectiveness of one-to-one tutoring of adults in basic reading by trained volunteers.
Disciplines
Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching | Education
Recommended Citation
McGillen, Marilyn, "Adult Illiteracy and Literacy Volunteers: a report of the efforts of one organization to alleviate the problem of adult illiteracy in the United States" (1976). MA TESOL Collection. 219.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/ipp_collection/219