THE ALTA TUTOR

 

Trainer Lystra Hazarie guides tutors on the ALTA training course

 

ALTA welcomes volunteers to train as tutors. As an ALTA tutor you will be responsible for completing 150 hours of ALTA instruction with a group of 6-10 students over the age of 16. This requires a commitment of 2 hours' voluntary teaching, twice a week, for at least one academic year.

ALTA gives tutors an opportunity to choose a venue, but at the same time expects tutors to be willing to teach where they are needed. ALTA provides all teaching materials for the class, but teachers buy their 3-book tutor set of the ALTA Adult Workbook at the discounted price of $25 (reg. $60).

ALTA offers a free training course for volunteer tutors. This course is open only to those who can make a commitment to teach for at least one academic year. Education has failed to meet the needs of our adult students at least once already. They have been brave enough to try again in the face of past failure and the distress this brings. If after training you do not go to class at all or go irregularly, the students will be without a teacher and will be discouraged. You will be responsible for closing the door to their future a SECOND TIME.

BECOMING A TUTOR

Here is what WE do:

  • Give volunteers special training in teaching adults to read.
  • Produce all the books and other materials for our special teaching curricula, that are provided to volunteer tutors at a discounted price.
  • Support and guide you throughout the time you teach.
  • Give you a graded ALTA certificate after you complete your required volunteer teaching commitment (150 hours: a 2-hr class twice a week for one academic year starting the September after your training).

If you are interested, here is what YOU do:

  • Call ALTA for an interview (624 2582). We interview interested volunteers, who have a pass in CXC English, between October and February of the following year.
  • When you come for your interview, complete our application form for the 6-day ALTA Tutor Training course conducted in April-May.
  • Observe 8 ALTA classes to find out more about ALTA teaching.
  • Buy the course handbook ($60) and deposit $100 with ALTA. This $100 deposit will be returned when you complete your 150 hrs. voluntary teaching.

Preference is given to applicants who indicate a long-term interest in promoting adult literacy and are willing to teach in areas where tutors are needed.

Click here to download a list of the locations where ALTA 's free classes are conducted

ALTA TUTOR TRAINING COURSE

The tutor training course is six full days from 8 am - 4 pm, one day per week for six weeks, and takes place between May and June. Three courses are offered, each limited to 36 participants. Course participants complete written, graded assignments between course days. After training, new tutors are assigned to an ALTA class, based on their preferences. Upon completion of 150 hours of volunteer teaching, the tutor receives a graded certificate.

The course gives an understanding of the skills involved in reading and writing, and how to effectively teach these to adult and teen students at differing literacy levels. The course includes:

  • A study of the characteristics of adults as learners.
  • A comparative study of Standard English and Caribbean Creole English.
  • Analysis of reading, writing and spelling processes.
  • Instruction in current teaching methods and techniques used in adult literacy.
  • Assessment and planning a learning programme for mixed-ability groups.
  • Practical experience using the ALTA Adult Workbook and creating teaching aids suited to the needs of the students.

An ALTA tutor explains syllable division

 

ALTA patrol, Mrs. Zalayhar Hassanali presents a certificate to tutor Sarah Williams
upon her completion of one year volunteer teaching

 

PARTICIPANTS' COMMENTS

"Lovely - intense but informative."
"This was a great eye-opener for me."
"I have been made aware of many things I took for granted."
"Excellent course - good time management, facilitators were well prepared and professional."
"I thoroughly enjoyed the course. It has extended the horizon of my thoughts."
"This has been a tremendous experience. I look forward to putting all I have learnt into practice."
"The ALTA programme is very effective, encouraging and motivating. Everything is done with love."
"The ALTA trainers couldn't have conducted a better programme than this one."
"I think that this method should be introduced to primary schools, if not all of it, then certainly some parts."
"You are filling an urgent need. May you have the support to sustain and improve the programme."
"ALTA must be given praise for their selflessness to make Trinidad & Tobago more literate. I nominate them for a national award."

Up to the end of 2008, ALTA had conducted:

  • 53 Tutor Training Courses for volunteer tutors
  • 2 for the Ministry of Education in 1995
  • 5 for Servol (1995-8, 2003)
  • 2 for teachers in primary and secondary schools
  • 5 for prison inmates
  • 6 in Grenada for NEWLO (New Life Organisation) and the Ministry of Gender and Family Affairs
  • 2 in St. Vincent and one in Antigua