Vita Education Services has a long history of delivering free instruction to adult learners with the help of well-trained, volunteer tutors.
Volunteer tutor opportunities include:
- Adult Basic Education
- English as a Second Language Tutoring
- Serving as an ESL/Basic Literacy Classroom Aide
- Working in our Decisions program as a Decisions For Living Tutor
- Working as an Office Volunteer in our Doylestown Office
Our tutor training equips you with essential techniques to become a highly effective tutor. Additionally, our professional staff is dedicated to providing continuous support as you engage with your students.
Adult Basic Education (ABE) and English as a Second Language (ESL)
Adult Basic Education (ABE)
Students in Adult Basic Education (ABE) classes come from a variety of backgrounds and have a wide range of skills. Some ABE students had their education interrupted and are now seeking to gain their GED or High School Equivalency degree. Others are non-native English speakers able to speak and understand basic conversational English. ABE students’ difficulties lie in reading and writing, particularly with more complex material.
Volunteer tutors work with ABE students individually and in small groups, helping them learn to read, understand progressively more complex material, and communicate effectively in writing.
English as a Second Language (ESL)
Vita’s ESL tutoring program helps adults learn to speak English or improve their English proficiency. Students come from all over the world seeking a better life for themselves and their families. Vita offers classes at varying levels, from Beginning to High Intermediate.
Volunteer tutors work with ESL students in small groups to practice listening, speaking, reading, and writing to effectively communicate in English. Students learn everything from basic vocabulary and grammar to language that will assist with pre-employment and work situations, accessing community resources, achieving citizenship, and preparing for post-secondary training and education.
Requirements
Vita asks that tutors commit to a minimum of three hours of instruction one day or evening per week for 12 to 14 weeks. ABE and ESL tutors are required to have a college degree and complete criminal background checks and child abuse clearance. Curriculum materials and lesson plans are provided and tutors receive ongoing training and support.
For ABE information please contact: Pat Stansfield at:pstansfield@vitaeducation.org
For ESL information please contact: Douglas Green at:dgreen@vitaeducation.org
Office Volunteers
Office Volunteers
Provide support to Vita staff by assisting them with a variety of projects and tasks, which may include filing, documentation, organizing materials, and helping to meet project deadlines.
Requirements
We welcome office volunteers who are at least 21 years old and can easily commute to our central office in Doylestown. At Vita, we’re looking for friendly individuals with good computer skills, especially in Microsoft Office and internet navigation, along with excellent interpersonal and communication abilities.
For more information please contact: Christine Serino at:cserino@vitaeducation.org
Adult Basic Education and ESL Classroom Aides
Adult Basic Education and ESL Classroom Aides
Work with our professional teaching staff by providing additional support for small groups or individuals within the classroom. Teaching staff will provide guidance and materials for the classroom aide to use with adult learners.
Training
Provides classroom aides with an understanding of the adult learner, techniques for tutoring and the responsibilities of a Vita volunteer.
Requirements
Qualified volunteers must have a High School or High School Equivalency Diploma and be at least 18 years old. They need to be willing to work under the guidance of the classroom teacher and commit to volunteering at least once a week, for 2.5 hours each week for 12 to 14 consecutive weeks. Classroom aides must complete the Criminal Background checks and Child Abuse Clearance prior to starting their assignment.
Support
Materials and instructions for the day’s work will be provided by the classroom teacher, ensuring clarity and structure. Teachers and tutor coordinators will be available to offer continuous support throughout the day.
For ABE information please contact: Pat Stansfield at:pstansfield@vitaeducation.org
For ESL information please contact: Douglas Green at:dgreen@vitaeducation.org
Decisions for Living
Decisions for Living
At the moment, we do not have any openings for tutor positions. We encourage you to return to our site in the future for updates on availability.
Training
A 10-hour classroom training, plus supplemental video training, and an orientation to the Bucks County Correctional Facility, which may be conducted remotely over Zoom. The training provides tutors with an overview of the DFL course, methods of effective tutoring, and the responsibilities you have as a Vita volunteer. After training, tutors are individually interviewed. The tutor’s availability and personal interests are used to place a tutor with a client.
Requirements
Tutors must be a minimum of 21 years old. According to Bucks County Corrections regulations, tutors are required to undergo a Criminal Background Check that shows no involvement with the criminal justice system in the past two years. Vita asks that our tutors commit to at least two hours of tutoring per week for a duration of six to eight weeks.
Support
The Decisions For Living Facilitator’s Manual is provided in the training to guide you in teaching the course. Tutor-client matches are supervised and supported by Vita staff.