I have been training, working with, and supervising literacy volunteers for 17 years. This is what I have learned:
  --Volunteers who are not adequately trained will rely on tedious and questionable instruction that gets them through their lessons.  The most common examples of this are bad phonics instruction that goes on forever and tortured reading aloud with no pre or post activities and no support.
  --Volunteers do better when their responsibilities are clear and somewhat narrow.  For example, I have had success with volunteers facilitating conversation groups (not teaching the entire English language) for ESOL students, and with volunteers using the Language Experience technique with beginning readers.  Starting with one specific activity gives them a strong foundation that they can build on. 
  --Good volunteers want to be guided and support.  They welcome training and resources. 
  Bruce Carmel PhD
  Turning Point
  Brooklyn NY

 		
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