BANGOR, Maine – Literacy Volunteers of Bangor (LVB) is recruiting new volunteer tutors to teach Bangor area adults who want to speak and understand English as well as read and write better. Certification training for new tutors will begin on September 17th with an information session from 6-8 p.m. at Eastern Maine Community College. A combination of in-person and online classes will follow over the following four weeks. LVB’s redesigned Tutor Certification Course is flexible and engaging. The course includes a blend of online and in-person training as well as clear, self-directed learning assignments. Interested volunteers will need access to the internet and will attend some classes via Zoom. Staff are available to help prepare interested volunteers. The same Certification course is also available completely online. Many people may think tutoring requires teaching experience or the ability to speak another language. It requires neither. LVB seeks individuals who simply have the desire to help. [See story below for how one volunteer couple came with no teaching experience and love this new role.] “Adult students waiting for a tutor remains very high,” explains Mary Marin Taylor, Executive Director. "In particular, we’re looking for volunteers to tutor English to immigrants. Additionally, we need tutors to help adults with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities or who may advance slowly and who really value the social aspect of reading to improve memory, learn words, and connect with others.” Better English literacy affords a higher standard of living, access to better decision-making information, and a sense of belonging – all things we value. Volunteer tutors make this work possible by dedicating time and helping adult students develop fundamental skills. Tutoring requires about 1-2 hours a week. Tutors meet with a student on a one-on-one basis, either in-person or remotely using a virtual meeting platform like Zoom. Examples of goals for adults who reach out to LVB include receiving a high school diploma, obtaining a driver’s license, securing a better job, voting for the first time, reading to children, or becoming a U.S citizen. A training schedule, a registration link, and additional information are available on our website (LVBangor.org) or call us at 207-947-8451.