PEI Volunteers for Literacy

LEARN Line brochure (PDF 75k)

Since 2008 PEI Volunteers for Literacy have been matching volunteer tutors with adults who want to improve their literacy, everywhere in Prince Edward Island.

Trained tutors are working with a wide variety of learners. Those who are at the very beginning levels learn the basics of reading, writing, phonics, and spelling. Some learners are at a more advanced stage, and the tutors match the lessons with their requirements. Learners are sometimes working on academic credits, like GED, English, or math, and a tutor helps them to understand classroom material.

“I wanted to learn to read better just for me, to make my life better. But I have found that I can do my job much better, too. I can read recipes, and shopping is much quicker now that I can read the labels in the grocery store.” - a learner.

If you are a Learner:

If you (or someone you know) would like to improve your ability to read and write, please call us. Our Charlottetown number is 368-4695. Our toll-free number, from anywhere in PEI, is 1- 800-348-7323. We are located at 161 St. Peters Road in Charlottetown.

We will find out what your reading level is, so your tutor will know where to begin. All the information we collect will be shared with you and the people you want to know, like your tutor, your case workers, or your family. Your tutoring will be confidential and one-to-one, arranged to suit your schedule.

If you want to become a Tutor:

Please call us. Our Charlottetown number is 368-4695. Our toll-free number, from anywhere in
PEI, is 1-800-348-7323. We are located at 161 St. Peters Road in Charlottetown.

We provide a 12-hour training course, which includes information on literacy, essential skills, and adult learning. We introduce a number of different reading programs which are available for you to use. There are math materials which tutors may use as well. We also provide information on computer programs, library resources, and other materials which will help our learners gain the literacy skills they need. Tutors may work with the different reading programs, so that, when matched with a learner, the tutor can make a choice about which program will suit the learner best.

When we make a match:

We meet informally over coffee, to introduce a tutor and a learner. At that meeting, you will arrange together where, when, and how often to meet to learn. Tutors and learners usually meet once or twice a week, for a total of 2 or 3 hours.

Privacy and safety are very important, so tutors and learners meet in a public place - a library, a community meeting room, a school - where there will be privacy and safety for you both.