Reflections of an Adult Literacy Tutor
Looking back on my time as an Adult Literacy volunteer tutor, having students who need one to one tuition, I realise how lucky I am to be able to assist adults, who for various reasons don’t have the ability to read, write or do maths well enough to live their lives as they would wish. This lack of basic skills tends to lead to a detrimental lack of self confidence.
Although an early school leaver myself, I was fortunate to be able to pursue my career at a time when entrance tests were a pathway for those who didn’t have the necessary qualifications. I also had the backing of my family and tutors who believed in my ability to get through college, which I did.
I love the challenge that each new student brings, drawing on any knowledge I have of a particular subject that interests them. This, I have found is the surest way of engaging adults and the trust they place in me is an honour to have. I find myself having to update knowledge regularly and that reminds me how difficult it can be for an adult who is approaching a subject for the first time and helps me to have patience when a subject I am familiar with is difficult for a student to grasp.
Each student has their own goal, their own reason for returning to education and although some do drop out on the way, I hope that what they have learnt will help them and maybe allow them to return when they are ready to do so. I have seen the ripple effect that can run through the family from my literacy work – it can be as simple as a parent understanding the importance of books in a child’s life or where one learner will spread the word at home, resulting in a member of the younger generation also coming forward for classes.
It takes a lot of courage for an adult student to look for help with gaps in literacy and each student has very, very different needs.