Are you interested in helping someone become more confident, achieve their goals, and make your community a better place? Then, join CLC to give the gift of reading, writing, and speaking English to someone who lives in your community. Please check out your available options or apply below!
Are you passionate about helping others learn and practice English? Join our team of one-on-one tutors and provide essential language support to those seeking to grow in their English skills.
As a tutor, you’ll work directly with English learners, helping them improve their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills through personalized lessons. Your guidance can make everyday situations like going to the doctor, speaking to teachers, or applying for a job more accessible and less intimidating.
This is more than language tutoring. It’s an opportunity to build trust, offer encouragement, and support someone’s journey toward greater independence and confidence.
Are you someone who enjoys meeting new people and helping others feel at home? Our English conversation groups offer a casual, low-pressure environment where newcomers can practice speaking, build confidence, and connect with others, and we’re looking for friendly and patient volunteers to lead them.
As a conversation group leader, you’ll guide discussions on everyday topics like food, family, holidays, jobs, or life in the city. These sessions are less about grammar and more about giving learners a safe, supportive place to practice speaking and listening.
Your role is to spark conversation, encourage participation, and help everyone feel included, whether they’re beginners or more advanced speakers.
Are you interested in helping someone become more confident, achieve their goals, and make your community a better place? Then, join CLC to give the gift of reading, writing, and speaking English to someone who lives in your community. Our tutors may choose to work with students one-on-one or in a small conversation group setting.
Community Literacy Council has conversation groups at Canton Public Library, Plymouth District Library, Westland Public Library, Connection Church in Canton, St. John's Episcopalian Church in Plymouth, and Northville District Library.
Our one-on-one tutors meet with students in a public location, such as a public library, for 1.5 hours each week.
You do not need an education degree to become a CLC tutor. If you love to help people, are patient, and have a good sense of humor, then becoming an English tutor may be your calling.
Tutors are encouraged to commit to a minimum of one year of service.
Our tutors complete 10 hours of professional training in the nationally recognized LITSTART training model. We charge a $30 registration fee to cover the cost of materials and supplies. A portion of the training, three hours, is to be completed online followed by classroom training.
Our next tutor training classroom sessions will be held virtually on the following dates. You must attend both dates or make up the training on a future date:
Thursday, October 2, 2025 - 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 4, 2025 - 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
What inspired you to start volunteering as a literacy tutor?
I have been looking for opportunities for a couple of years. My husband and I were missionaries for 23 years. My life experience of arriving in a foreign country with no language skills, no cultural understanding, no family or friends, and with no resources available to learn the language. So, I identify with other women walking this path. I have a heart for them.
How do you think tutoring has impacted your learner's life?
She has expressed to me that she is so happy that she has me in her life and waits all week for our time together. She has expressed that she has been very sad and lonely, and that her life is now better because of my teaching. In her home country, she did not have every opportunity to learn. She is so happy now that she has someone who will teach her. - CLC Tutor
Have you noticed any changes in learner confidence since you began tutoring your learner?
Absolutely! When they have a lightbulb moment, it's like watching fireworks. When they "get it" it's amazing to see. They try so hard. My Monday gentlemen especially show such enthusiasm and delight after our lessons. Every little positive is monumental to them. - Kathy, CLC Tutor
When I talk to my learners, I sort of "see" myself from 40 years ago, when I first arrived here. I was fully literate in English, totally comfortable, and yet struggled with the loneliness of being in a new country without support systems. My learners now are highly educated professionals, but are still working towards the ease of communicating in English. They need fluency to make their mark professionally. My goal is to help these highly trained people make their mark in their new home. Along the way, it helps us make new friends, laugh, joke a bit and realize that we speak different languages, but we think, feel, and dream the same. - Meera, CLC Tutor