Volunteers Line Up To Train Immigrants in English

The Aquinas Literacy Center has continued to add to its corps of English language tutors through regular training sessions that create qualified volunteers to meet the burgeoning need for immigrants to learn English.

Through two training sessions on August 26 and October 14, 2023, a dozen new volunteers joined the English Literacy Tutor Training program at Aquinas, which for years has trained tutors and provided English language instruction from its ever-growing headquarters at 1751 W. 35th St. in Chicago’s McKinley Park neighborhood.

“Without the support of many volunteers, Aquinas would not be able to carry out its mission of empowering adults to learn English and become more engaged in their community,” said Sabrina Poulin, the literacy center's associate director.

The Value of Volunteers

New Aquinas tutors from the October 14, 2023, training session include, from left to right, Steve Koslovsky, Viviana Gonzalez, Lisa DeAngelis, Stephanie Wilk and Dave Schmid.“Aquinas Literacy Center ... knows the value that volunteer tutors bring to our organization,” she said.

Once tutors progress through a day-long training program, held on Saturdays, they’re ready to start working with local adult English language learners, many of whom are recent immigrants to Chicago.

“All instruction is one-on-one, and training is provided,” Poulin said. “Tutoring can be in-person, online over Zoom or a hybrid of both.”

Next Training on Nov. 11

All instruction takes place in English, and knowledge of a second language is not required of volunteer tutors, Poulin said.

More than 30 adults are currently on the wait list, hoping to be paired with a volunteer who can help them learn English, Poulin said. "Please consider becoming a Volunteer English Literacy Tutor."

The next English Literacy Tutor Training session is scheduled for Saturday, November 11, 2023, with other sessions following on January 27, March 9, April 20 and June 1, 2024.

To sign up as a volunteer tutor, get more information about the program and be put on the Aquinas Literacy Center contact list, contact Poulin by sending email to sabrina@aquinasliteracycenter.org or calling (773) 927-0512.