English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Tutor
ESOL success stories

 
ESOL tutors serve immigrant adults who want to learn English and/or prepare for the US Naturalization Exam. These students come to Literacy Together with a variety of literacy and English language skill levels. Tutors in this program work with their students two hours each week for at least one year and are supported by the program director throughout their tutoring commitment.
 
Tutors complete an 8-hour training (which is currently conducted online) before being matched with students. They then receive follow-up support and the option to attend in-service workshops throughout their tutoring commitment. Tutors in this program can work with students for one (1) two-hour session each week or two (2) one-hour sessions each week. Tutoring sessions may take place online or in person. The ESOL Program welcomes volunteers from Florida, New York, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Texas, Virginia, Oregon, Iowa, Vermont, Ohio, Tennessee, Spain, El Salvador, Brazil, Canada, and China! Read Barbara’s experience tutoring Maryna remotely, or Cecelia’s work from Germany as an ESOL tutor of six students.
 
ESOL tutors commit to working with their students for at least one year. Learn more about this program and sign up to volunteer.

ESOL Tutor Training Dates:

Self-paced option:

Watch recordings of previous live training sessions on Zoom, complete classwork and homework independently, and meet with the ESOL Director afterward for review/debriefing.

Live sessions (online) with ESOL Director: 

Feb 18, 20, 25, 27, 10:00 to 12:00 via Zoom
Mar 18, 20, 25, 27, 10:00 to 12:00 via Zoom
Apr 22, 24, 29, May 1, 10:00 to 12:00 via Zoom

Youth Literacy Tutor
Youth Literacy Program success stories

Youth Literacy tutors work with children from low-income families who read, write, and/or spell below grade level. Tutors in this program complete an initial orientation and 9 hours of training, which includes some pre-course work and/or homework ( short articles to read, short videos to watch). They then receive follow-up support and the option to attend in-service training throughout their tutoring commitment.

Tutors in this program work with their students in person twice per week for 50 minutes each session for at least one school year.

We are recruiting volunteers and paid interns for our academic year tutoring program. Our volunteer and intern tutors can choose from the following options: 
  • Tutors work 1:1 with elementary-aged students on literacy skills at our partner after-school programs (YMCA at West Buncombe Elementary, the Christine Avery Learning Center, or Youth Transformed for Life at Grace Presbyterian Church). Tutors work with their students for 45 minutes, two days a week, between 3:30 and 5:30 (M-Th).  
  • We have occasional opportunities for school-day tutors supporting elementary-aged or middle school scholars within Buncombe County Schools.
  • Work with middle school students during Community Nights for about an hour, between 5-7, at Enka Intermediate or AC Reynolds Middle School. Enka meets on Mondays, and Reynolds meets on Wednesdays. You’ll work with individual and small groups of students on any combination of homework help, reinforcing literacy skills, math support, executive functioning skills, etc.

Learn more about this program or email Elyse Hurley with questions. Sign up online to volunteer.  

Upcoming Training Dates 

Feb. 17 & Feb. 18 from 5-7 PM

Contact Elyse Hurley to register.

**​The Youth Literacy ​annual training takes place in September and is about 9 hours long; the program offers individual training for people joining after September. Please contact Elyse Hurley, Program Director, if you are interested in participating outside of training windows. 

Adult Literacy Tutor
Adult Literacy Program success stories

Adult Literacy tutors serve adults who struggle with basic reading, writing, or math skills. Tutors in this program work with their students for two hours each week for at least six months (GED track) or one year (Basic Skills track) and are supported by the program director throughout their tutoring commitment. Tutors receive 10-15 hours of tutor training, depending on the tutoring track. Training can be shortened if the tutor has previous teaching experience. The program director works closely with tutors through individual meetings. Tutors

 can also connect and learn from one another through Adult Literacy group meetings and in-services. Tutors in this program work with students for at least two hours each week.

Tutors who want to volunteer with this program must live in the Asheville area; they can work remotely or in person. Learn more about this program. Sign up online to volunteer.

The Program Director will contact you about training.

Other Ways to Volunteer

We have short-term volunteer opportunities for tutors who cannot commit to becoming tutors and tutors who want to get more involved. These are current non-tutoring volunteer needs:
 
  • Help us grow Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library by attending events and delivering registration forms around town!
  • Are you a native Spanish speaker? Help the ESOL Program staff make phone calls and send texts to check in with our students!
  • The Youth Literacy Program needs volunteers willing to deliver flyers around town, particularly in the spring.
  • Volunteers can also help at our Authors for Literacy Dinner & Silent Auction in the spring of 2026.

Email Volunteers@lit-together.org if you’d like to volunteer! 

Ways you can support Literacy Together’s mission and vision:

  • Become a corporate partner or tell someone about the possibility of becoming one. For more information about the opportunities, contact Linda Murphey at development@lit-together.org.
  • Come to our annual fundraising event in the spring. The event features a presentation by a New York Times bestselling author.  Learn more.
  • Your generosity provides literacy services to our neighbors of every age. Make a donation.
  • Do you support Blue Ridge Public Radio? Donating $180 or more annually allows you to share your on-air Day Sponsorship message with Literacy Together. 
  • ​You can shop our merchandise on our online shop!
  • Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, share our posts, and subscribe to our newsletter. 
  • Invite us to your circles (book and movie clubs, staff meetings, country clubs, churches, temples, etc.) so we can inform your people about Literacy Together. 
  • Leave us a review on Google, Facebook, or Volunteermatch.
  • Help us spread the word about Literacy Together and the work we do in the community. Download our PDF flyer to share!

Volunteer opportunities in Asheville | Tutoring | Literacy | Adult Literacy | Youth Literacy | English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)