Literacy Volunteers of Methuen

needs your help!

Literacy
Volunteers
Literacy Volunteers of Methuen is an
adult literacy program based at the
of Methuen
Nevins Memorial Library aimed at im- Call
proving the speaking, reading, and 978-686-4080, ext. 32
writing skills of people who are Email
struggling with the English language. LitVolMeth@gmail.com
Volunteer tutors are trained to provide
Facebook
one-on-one instruction for English
facebook.com/LitVolMethuen
speakers of other languages (ESOL).
Website
nevinslibrary.org/adultliteracy.html
Tutors do not need to have any formal
teacher training or foreign European Union

language educationthe only Sponsored by

Literacy Volunteers of Massachusetts
requirement is that they be fluent
The Nevins Memorial Library A program
English speakers with a high school The City of Methuen based at the
diploma or equivalent.
Nevins Memorial Library

The most important requirement is a

305 Broadway
desire to make a difference in
someones life. Methuen, MA 01844
 Literacy
Literacy is not a luxury; it is a right and a responsibil-
ity. If our world is to meet the challenges of the twenty-
first century, we must harness the energy and creativity
of all our
citizens.
President Bill Clinton on International
Literacy Day, September 8, 1994
Low literacy levels affect individuals, families,
and communities. If an individual is unable
to communicate in English, it hinders his or
her ability to get employment or advance to a
better, higher paying job. If parents are
unable to communicate with their childs
doctor or teacher, they may inadvertently put
that child at risk. If an electorate is unable to
understand the issue put before them on the
ballot, the community is at risk of
underserving its own citizenry. By increasing
the literacy levels of its residents, the
community does itself a great service.
Tutor Volunteers
Volunteers are the backbone of the
Literacy Program at the Nevins Memorial
Library.
The tutors who volunteer to work with
students through LVM come from a
number of different backgrounds. While
many are current or former teachers, there
are many who begin as tutors with no
prior teaching experience at all.
Training is provided through the library,
with a program provided by Literacy
Volunteers of Massachusetts. After
completing a 19-hour training program,
the tutors are matched with a student.
Tutor/student pairs meet in the library
once a week for approximately two hours
at a time. Tutors make a commitment to
meet with their students for at least nine
months although many pairs continue to
meet for a year or more.
Adult Learners
With the assistance of their tutors and
with their improved English skills, the
students who work with LVM volunteers
are accomplishing great things. Many
students are working toward or have
earned citizenship. Several of them study
for the TOEFL exam so that they can
begin college or graduate level coursework.
Even the smallest gains are something to
celebrateparents who are able to
communicate with their childrens
teachers or doctors for the first time
experience a confidence that inspires them
to continue to learn and grow in their new
language.
The tutors provide periodic feedback on
their students. Some of the comments that
we have received include:
I continue to enjoy working with this poised
young lady. I think shes terrific!
[She] is making excellent progress...she was
timid to make phone appointments but she
recently made a dental appointment.
Love, love this program