Wanted: Women to teach women English

Chicago-area women are needed to help women learn English reading, writing and speaking skills at the Dominican Literacy Center in Aurora.

Alison Brzezinski, the center's tutoring coordinator, said free tutor-training sessions will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, Jan. 12 and Jan. 26, at the center, 260 Vermont St.

Lunch is included.

No experience is necessary.

Classes are conducted in English by Brezinski and Dominican Sisters Kathleen Ryan, OP, Dominican Literacy Center director and Jane Ann Beckman, OP.

Brzezinski said she seeks 25 new tutors to join 154 current tutors. About 150 women are on a waiting list for tutors.

Starting in February, tutors will work one-on-one with students in free, weekly 90-minute sessions.

Training will include planning lessons, using textbooks, conducting oral drills and what to expect at the first class. Additionally, current tutors and previous students will discuss the program and the immigrant experience.

Tutors receive information about prospective students, including years in the U.S., previous education and how often a student speaks English at home and on a job.

Center support staff are available to assist, answer questions and resolve issues.

Teaching aids include picture dictionaries and other materials for vocabulary, writing, conversation, grammar and group activities. A training manual is $20.

Founded in 1993, the Dominican Literacy Center matches female volunteers one-on-one with women learning to read, write and speak English. Another program uses volunteers to prepare women and men for the U.S. citizenship test.

Call (630) 898-4636 or email Alison@dominicanliteracycenter.org for more information.