Get training to be a volunteer literacy tutor

McHenry County College is offering free training for anyone who is interested in becoming a volunteer literacy tutor.

MCC's Adult Education Department provides county residents with an opportunity to tutor adult students in reading, math or English as a Second Language. Anyone over the age of 18 with a desire to make a difference in someone's life is encouraged to join.

Training is a combination of online lessons and face-to-face sessions, including 13 online lessons (about 10 hours of training), and three face-to-face sessions (two hours each). Face-to-face sessions are offered from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, May 8-22 or 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, May 10-24.

A literacy volunteer tutor does not have to speak a second language or have any teaching experience to tutor in the adult education literacy program. Volunteer tutors will receive free basic training that provides the information and skills needed to work with literacy students.

Last year, more than 100 volunteers tutored over 400 adult learners at MCC. Tutors helped students improve their proficiency in English and provided basic reading and math skills. Instructional materials are also provided along with the support from MCC's Adult Education staff and faculty.

This project was made possible in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a Division of the Office of Secretary of State, using state funds designated for literacy.

To register, go to www.mchenry.edu/volunteer, scroll to the purple "Contact" heading and click on "ask Marie Day to contact you" and you will receive all the information needed to begin your training.

For more information, call Marie Day at (815) 455-8542 or contact her at mdayvolunteers@mchenry.edu or visit the website: www.mchenry.edu/volunteer.