FAQ
You say that the Volunteer Literacy Project is a revolutionary approach to teaching reading to adults. Why?
Our program actually teaches reading to adults.
Teaching reading to adults requires a specific set of skills — by both the tutors and the students.
Our volunteer tutors are trained to explicitly and methodically teach the sound-to-symbol relationship that makes up the reading code.
In addition to decoding, we teach vocabulary, reading comprehension, fluency, and content knowledge. Students are assessed in every lesson, and every lesson spends a significant block of time reading real text.
We have taken these methods and made them accessible to adult students, and teachable by volunteer tutors.
So…”phonics”? Isn’t phonics boring?
Somehow the idea spread that phonics is boring and that it’s more exciting to “just read.” This led to the widespread adoption of a method of teaching reading known as “Whole Language” or “whole word teaching” or its step-child, “balanced literacy”, all of which have been discredited after leaving generations of students behind. More and more schools are going back to explicitly and directly teaching the reading code. It’s not boring! What’s truly exciting and deeply satisfying is the mastery of an essential skill.
Are the students illiterate?
It is rare to encounter an adult who is completely illiterate. Our students mostly arrive knowing some words and having some literacy skills. For this reason, we don’t like the word illiterate, and prefer to discuss skills: Most of our students are lacking the literacy skills that would enable them to function efficiently or independently in our ever-more literate society.
Most of our students start the program unaware that there is a code — a logical system of connecting sounds to symbols. Many think that you just have to memorize all the words.
Most of our students arrive reading at first- to second-grade level. Essential skills such as reading mail, applying for a job, or traveling alone on an unfamiliar route are not possible.
You’re using volunteers? Does that work?
The Volunteer Literacy Project’s original curriculum is intended to be taught by volunteer tutors. We look forward to the day that this most overlooked sector of the population receives prioritized funding that allows for a certified professional reading specialist to serve each and every student'’s needs.
Until that day comes, we are training volunteers to use this program.
Our volunteers have little or no experience with teaching reading. Over the course of at least four training sessions they learn to use our scripted curriculum.
My child learned to read with _________. Why don’t you use that program?
There are numerous excellent reading programs on the market, but the vast majority were written for children. Adult reading students have some issues and needs that are different from those of children learning to read. It’s our belief as well that adults shouldn’t have to suffer the indignity of using childish materials meant for a six-year-old.
Our materials were designed for adults. Our texts were written for adults, about adult situations. The drawings and icons were made with adults in mind. With more than 36 million adults needing help learning to read, there is no reason to use materials meant for children.
My students are recent immigrants, and their English is not good. Can I use this program for them?
In a perfect world, these students would learn to read first in their native language, then perfect their English, and THEN learn to read in English. But most adults don’t have the time or resources to do this. We use the Volunteer Literacy Project curriculum with these students, with an extra focus on vocabulary — teaching reading and English simultaneously.
Who are the students, and why didn’t they learn to read when they were young?
Many of our students exhibit signs of dyslexia, a language-based learning disability that makes learning to read very difficult. Most of them went to schools, either in the U.S. or elsewhere, that were not equipped to teach reading to dyslexic children.
Other students, especially those raised outside of the U.S., had their education interrupted or denied at an early age for a variety of reasons.
Do tutors meet with the students in person or online?
We are currently meeting 100% online with the students. It is possible for the students to do the work on a smartphone, although a tablet or computer is better. Students and tutors must have a device and a wifi connection. We can help most students obtain a tablet.
I want to join! What do I do?
There are three levels of participation:
Organization/Foundation
We will collaborate with organizations and foundations to set up a basic literacy program using volunteers. We can train your staff, or you can request a team of volunteers. Training, materials, and support are provided.Small Group
Smaller local groups — like churches or libraries — can start a program in their own community. Training, materials, and support are provided.Individual
Finally, individuals can obtain our in-house certification on their own and volunteer weekly on a team with their own regular student.
I can’t volunteer at this time, but I deeply believe that literacy should be available to all. How else can I help?
We rely on financial support to run this program, and to share the tools of literacy with anyone who wants them. Please consider joining forces with us this fight against one of the worst forms of social injustice — as a donor. We need you on our team! You can make a tax deductible donation here.