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How Do I Become a Volunteer Tutor?

Christina Edwards
Christina Edwards

While many tutors can make an impressive wage, some prefer to volunteer their services. Like other tutors, a volunteer tutor helps teach children and adults specific subjects, like math or reading. If you become a volunteer tutor, you may work in a number of settings, including schools, community centers, or even developing countries. Tutors must have a thorough knowledge of their subject and many are college graduates with teaching degrees.

A tutor is a private teacher. Tutors usually just teach one student at a time, but they may also teach small groups of students. Generally, a professional tutor is able to make a decent amount of money, but some work for free as volunteer tutors.

Tutors are often recommended by local colleges, libraries, or community centers.
Tutors are often recommended by local colleges, libraries, or community centers.

There are several reasons why you might want to become a volunteer tutor. Volunteering as a tutor will often give you essential career experience that is helpful for becoming a professional tutor, teacher, or professor, for instance. You may also want to become a volunteer tutor simply to help others in need.

Before you become a volunteer tutor, you should decide how old you want your students to be. Tutors are usually available to teach students of all ages. While school-aged children and teenagers are usually most likely to need extra help with their academics, adults may also need help in some areas. A low-income adult with poor math skills may need the help of a volunteer tutor to secure better employment. Immigrants might also need help learning to read and speak the native language of their new country.

A volunteer tutor may help people who are struggling with math.
A volunteer tutor may help people who are struggling with math.

You will find volunteer tutor opportunities in many places. Many schools in low-income areas need volunteer tutors. Some community centers may also offer tutoring services to low-income families. A volunteer tutor may also be able to travel abroad to teach both children and adults in developing countries.

Like a professional tutor, a volunteer tutor will usually need to have several qualifications. First, you must not have any criminal convictions. This is especially true if you will be tutoring children in a school.

If you wish to become a volunteer tutor, you must also have an extensive knowledge of the subject you will be teaching. Most tutors usually have a degree from a post-secondary institution. Many also have teaching degrees or teaching certificates.

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    • Tutors are often recommended by local colleges, libraries, or community centers.
      By: Jacek Chabraszewski
      Tutors are often recommended by local colleges, libraries, or community centers.
    • A volunteer tutor may help people who are struggling with math.
      By: Gennadiy Poznyakov
      A volunteer tutor may help people who are struggling with math.
    • Some middle and high schools offer free tutoring programs for students.
      By: xalanx
      Some middle and high schools offer free tutoring programs for students.
    • Like professional tutors, a volunteer tutor will usually be required to have several qualifications.
      By: nikomi
      Like professional tutors, a volunteer tutor will usually be required to have several qualifications.
    • Volunteer tutors may focus on a certain area, such as written essays.
      By: Pixsooz
      Volunteer tutors may focus on a certain area, such as written essays.
    • Many libraries have volunteer tutoring programs.
      By: Lisa F. Young
      Many libraries have volunteer tutoring programs.