Adult Literacy Tutor - Phonics

The Boroondara Volunteer Resource Centre is advertising this role on behalf of Carringbush Adult Education.

Carringbush is a not-for-profit Adult Community Education and Registered Training Organisation based in Richmond. We have been providing language, literacy, digital literacy skills and a range of community development programs in Richmond for 40 years.

Our EAL program has several students who need extra support with their literacy due to their unfamiliarity with the sounds of English and how they relate to letters. Many of these students are learning to become literate for the first time in any language. The Phonics Specialist will work with these students on a 1:1 or small group basis, to build phonemic awareness and phonics knowledge. They will focus on letter recognition and sound-letter correspondences to enable the student to learn to decode words to support their developing literacy. Students’ speaking and listening skills vary from complete beginners to confident communicators. Additional skills covered in the 1-hour session will necessarily include some vocabulary, pronunciation and letter formation/handwriting.

Volunteer tutors are trained and supported on an ongoing basis by the Adult Literacy Coordinator. After training, tutors are matched with students according to availability, experience and preference.

The Adult Literacy Coordinator assesses and interviews each student, and develops a learning plan, based on the needs and goals of the student.

Tutors are required to:

* Independently tutor a student or small group of students to develop their English literacy through phonemic awareness, spelling, reading and writing skills
* Support students to identify their learning needs
* Support students to use a range of learning resources and technology
* Support students to build their confidence, motivation and independent learning skills

Volunteers need:

* Excellent phonological awareness and knowledge of phonics
* Ability to listen to students and respond to their learning needs
* Ability to plan activities for developing reading and writing skills
* Ability to use learning resources and technology to assist students
* Effective interpersonal and communication skills in a diverse community setting
* Effective team member - ability to work cooperatively with staff and students
* Strong self-management skills and ability to show initiative and work independently

Desirable skills and knowledge:

* Experience in speech pathology, the science of reading, linguistics OR a recent primary school teacher / graduate
* Experience in working with people from disadvantaged backgrounds OR diverse cultural and linguistic background
* Tutoring, teaching, training or counselling experience
* Experience in working with people from disadvantaged backgrounds, diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, previous tutoring, teaching, training or counselling experience

Support:

* Orientation and induction
* Training and ongoing professional development opportunities
* Feedback and evaluation processes
* Resources for tutoring activities
* Ongoing support from Adult Literacy Coordinator

Benefits specific to the role:

* Learn practical skills in the EAL and community education sectors
* Develop skills in teaching phonics to adult EAL learners
* Make a meaningful contribution to the lives of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
* Participate in community events and social activities
* Gain references relevant to study and employment

Carringbush is committed to ensuring an inclusive and safe work environment that enables volunteers to fully participate in program activities. We recruit people based on their skills and abilities, and offer individualised support for people with disabilities, chronic health conditions or additional needs. We encourage people from language backgrounds other than English to volunteer.

To apply, please register your expression of interest and we will be in touch with next steps.

Thank you for your consideration.

** Category **
Education & Training

** Commitment **
Regular - less than 6 months

** Type Of Work **
Education & Training,Tutoring & Coaching,

** Time Required **
Weekly commitment:

Tutors will meet the student(s) for 1 hour a week during school terms at a mutually convenient time. Up to an additional 1 hour per week may be required for preparation time and recording of session details.

Duration:

A commitment of at least 2 terms (20 weeks) is preferred.

** Training **
Suitable applicants are given full induction and training, ongoing support, as well as orientation to sites.