Volunteers travel to the camps in the evening with a Migrant Education teacher and hold group and individual English lessons with those workers that are interested in learning more English. Often, the teacher will hold a short group lesson and then volunteers will break up into pairs with a migrant worker and work one-on-one in the classroom area. Volunteers will cover Basic English survival topics, such as money, shopping, food, health, and employment. Volunteers are provided with worksheets covering several survival topics. Each migrant camp will receive two nights of tutoring from two different groups of volunteers. The Migrant Education teacher will always be present to provide teaching tips and offer general support for the volunteers and students. Volunteers should be aware that tutoring usually takes place outside, in open-air porches next to the dormitories or houses. The Adult Tutoring Program serves to provide migrant workers with Basic English survival skills, while also offering an enriching exchange between American college students and migrant workers.
The Albemarle County area supports a surprising amount of migrant farm workers. Most workers in this region harvest apples or peaches. After the Virginia harvests, many of the workers travel to other states to work in other industries or crops for the winter, returning north in summer to begin picking peaches and apples again. Many are very young, but many also have wives and children in Mexico to whom they are sending money. To learn more about the population that we serve, please see the "Who We Serve" section.
Who can volunteer?
Any UVA student!! No Spanish is required, although many tutors find some knowledge of Spanish helpful, as most of the guys do not have any previous knowledge of English. However, some of our best tutors have not spoken a word of Spanish! Just sign up at Madison House during the first two weeks of classes. Please see "Get Involved".
Note: A training session is required for all volunteers before they can begin tutoring.
When do volunteers go out?
The program requires a 3-hour commitment one day a week from Mid-September until the end of October or Mid-November, depending on the camp. Tutoring opportunities are usually from 6:30-9:30 pm, Monday through Thursday. Carpools will be arranged by the Program Directors. If you are a driver, we will compensate you for gas.
Where do volunteers tutor?
Volunteers will tutor at the migrant camps, in a group setting (although tutoring is often one-on-one). Tutoring usually takes place on the open-air porches of the dormitories or houses. Tutors should dress as if they are going to be outside for three hours. Migrant camps range in driving distance from 30 to 45 minutes. A Program Director or a Migrant Education employee will take you out to the camp on the first night. Directions will be provided.
What else?
Please note that attendance for each weekly tutoring session is MANDATORY. Our students really rely on us!!! (Of course, illnesses and emergencies will be excused).
