Tutor Information Session
August 27th 7-8pm
To sign in-
Please share (in the chat) something you would like to learn from this session.
Agenda
-Types of Tutoring
-Places Needing Tutors/Schedules
-Find Opportunities
-Questions
-Stay in touch
What do you see in this picture of my classroom?
Tutoring a family - What do you see?
Torus- Watch- what do you see?
You may already be an ESL tutor!
Tutoring Settings and Expectations
Class or Lab Asst. | Drop-In | One-on-One | Small Group |
Follow the teacher’s lead. No lesson planning. Just help students. Don’t just give the answer. Prompt learners to figure it out. | Learners usually have specific need No lesson planning.
Be ready to field a range of questions. Have resources ready. | Tutor and learner work as a team. Lesson planning is flexible. Respond to learner’s needs in each class. | The tutor is in charge. The tutor plans lessons in advance. Content based on the group’s needs. |
GED
ESL
I was an engineer in my country. But in the U.S. my only chance for a job is to work in a bakery. I won’t be able to have those things here like I had there.
I like my job. But I work overtime a lot. I don’t have time to be with my children. I am very tired after work. I need to change my job to help my family.
I am in a hurry to learn English, but out of class it is hard to practice. I work with my family and almost all the people around me speak my language.
Our Students
Motivated, mutually supportive
Who are our students?
Recent Survey of Tutors: What do you wish you had known when you started tutoring?
Recent Survey of Tutors: What do you wish you had known when you started tutoring?
None of the experienced tutors said, "I wish I'd known more grammar."
Instead, they consistently said things like:
Places to Tutor
Beaverton Literacy Council
Volunteer Requirements
BLC Students
Level determined by placement test �and teacher recommendation
Intro | 22% |
Level 1 | 24% |
Level 2 | 15% |
Level 3 | 14% |
Level 4 | 11% |
Level 5 | 9% |
Level 6 | 4% |
Timeline: 2026-27 school year
Places to Tutor- Community Colleges
Places to Tutor- Community Colleges
Portland Community College (PCC)
MHCC- NE/Troutdale
Clackamas Community College
Clark College- Vancouver
Places to Tutor- Torus Transforms
Community Classes (at libraries)
Multi-level
Or
1-on-1
Torus Transforms
Places to Tutor- Citizenship (SOAR/LCSNW)
A few words from my volunteer Sue
Places to Tutor- Citizenship
Places to Tutor
Lutheran Community Services
Has Shrunk to one class on zoom
Would love
Places to Tutor
TIELLA
Eastside ESL Class
Libraries
Find Opportunities Near You!
Questions??
Stay in Touch!
-Portland Literacy Council Mailing List/ Quarterly Newsletter
-Portland ESL Network Resource Sharing Facebook Group
-Volunteer Literacy Tutor Conference (April 2026)
Teaching Tips
Speaking clearly and simply
Slow down speech: Tutors who speak too fast lose learners; this is especially critical for
low-level students.
Use simple language: Avoid extraneous explanations—tutors should be able to “talk about
their own weekend in a way that a low-level learner would understand.”
Reduce teacher talk: Learn to explain concepts using very few words, showing and eliciting
rather than explaining at length.
Teaching Tips
Cultural Sensitivity and Safety
Student-led sharing: Let students choose what they want to share about their background
and experiences
Avoid sensitive questions: Never ask about immigration status, documentation, or how
students came to the U.S.