Frequently Asked Questions

 

Get answers to the most common questions we hear. If you need direct assistance please reach us through our contact page.

+ Where are you located?

We are located in the Bergen Community College Ciarco Learning Center at 355 Main Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601 in Rooms 105, 106, & 107.

+ What are your hours?

We are open from 9:30am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday and later on some evenings- it is best to call first.

+ How do I get a tutor?

First, please phone or email to make an appointment. When you come in to our office we will help you fill out an application and talk about your goals. We will asssess your level and match you with a tutor.

+ How do I become a literacy/ESL volunteer tutor?

Please call or email to let us know you are interested! We want to speak with you to get to know you and discover what subject you want to tutor.

+ How often do I meet with my tutor/student?

Once you are matched with your tutor or student, you will meet once a week for one and one-half hours.

+ Is there training for tutors?

We offer training for tutors of basic literacy and English as a second language. We have found that training math tutors is not necessary, we just need to review some guidelines.

+ What is the tutor training schedule?

Our tutor training sessions are flexible.

+ What is the content of the training?

We follow the Literacy Volunteers of New Jersey Training for Adult Literacy Tutors program. During the training course we talk about the tutor-student relationship, goal setting, techniques and approaches for teaching skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, how to determine what your student is able to do and what they need to learn, how to plan lessons, and how to use materials.

+ Who are the trainers and what are their qualifications?

Our tutor trainer is Antonio Brugnoli. Antonio has been working with adult students for many years and has successfully completed the Literacy Volunteers of New Jersey training.

+ Is there support for tutors? Materials?

We offer ongoing tutor support. If you and your student/tutor have a question or a problem, please let us know! We are here to help. We also have a library of workbooks and reading materials available for tutors to borrow as aids in working with their students.

+ Are there any costs involved?

There are no costs.

+ Who do you serve?

Our students come from the greater Bergen County area. All of our students are adults. They range in age from 18 to 80, and all want to improve their reading skills, their writing skills, and/or their speaking skills. Many of our students want to earn a high school equivalency diploma and continue to college. Most of our students want to get a job or a better job. All of our students want to improve their lives.