The Chester County Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) Adult Tutoring Program, which provides free one-on-one tutoring for adults from other countries who are looking to improve their English language skills, hosted its Volunteer Tutor Appreciation Dinner on April 26 at the Chester County Library in Exton. Because of the pandemic, this is the first time the dinner was held in person since 2019.

In attendance at the event were the program's volunteer tutors, students and OIC staff, including Joyce Chester, OIC president and CEO. "We had about 40 people, including tutors and some students, in attendance. It was a lovely event," said Robin Chiavetta, assistant program coordinator. "Several tutor and student pairs who have been working together long term spoke at the event."

Chester County OIC provides free adult basic literacy education and life skills programs that are designed to prepare individuals for employment and economic self-sufficiency. Students come from countries such as Ukraine, Venezuela and Pakistan.

The Adult Tutoring Program currently has a need for volunteers who are willing to work with an adult student seeking to learn English as a second language, study for the GED exam or improve basic literacy. A four-year college degree is required to tutor, but a teaching background is not needed.

"We have an ongoing need for volunteer tutors, as we have about 60 people on our waiting list," said Chiavetta. "These are mostly ESL students with a few (students in need of) Adult Basic Education as well."

Tutor training is offered online by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Tutors are asked to meet with their student three hours per week, usually done in two 90-minute sessions. Pairs can meet in person at the Chester County Library in Exton, where the OIC program is based; other libraries in the Chester County Library System; or other mutually convenient sites such as a coffee shop or the cafe section of a grocery store. They also may choose to meet virtually.

For more information about the program, including how to become a volunteer tutor, call the Adult Tutoring Program office at 610-344-4013; contact Debbie Rikess, program coordinator, at drikess@cc-oic.org; or visit http://www.ccoic.org/adult-education/adult-tutoring.