LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Library Literacy Program is in need of volunteer bilingual tutors for its English as a Second Language, or ESL, program.

This program offers one-on-one tutoring to learners ages 16 and older to improve their English language reading, writing, and conversation skills.

Program staff also plan to create new conversation clubs for learners to practice conversation and build peer support with other learners.

Volunteer tutors bilingual in Spanish are especially needed, though the program also has enrolled learners whose first languages originate from Turkey and Afghanistan.

No experience is necessary to become a literacy tutor as long as one has patience, a desire to help others, and a good command of the English language.

Tutor training, where volunteers learn useful techniques for teaching adults to read, is provided free of cost, along with ongoing support.

Upon completion of tutor training, tutors will be matched with learners, with tutoring hours being flexible for both the tutor and learner; sessions are typically held once per week for one hour.

Becoming a tutor can help someone to a better future. Many adults want to improve their reading and writing skills so they can access better jobs, further their own education, advocate for their children, and overall improve their way of life. Through hard work and perseverance, adult learners can change their own, and their family’s lives, for the better.

For English as a second language learners waiting for tutors, the Lake County Library offers a free online resource Mango Languages, a language learning service available on the web and as an app for Android and iPhone, free with your library card.

Mango Languages is a personalized, adaptive language-learning experience that provides the tools and guidance you need to expand your language skills wherever and however you learn best. Mango has over 70 world languages, including Endangered and Indigenous languages, and more than 20 specialized English courses.

Access Mango Languages for free through the Lake County Library by visiting https://www.lakecountyca.gov/1551/Mango-Languages.

The program is supported in part by the California Library Literacy Services and by the Lake County Literacy Coalition.

If you are interested in becoming a literacy tutor or know someone who could benefit from our services, please call 707-263-7633 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Your volunteerism could help change a life.