Volunteer tutors to teach adults to read, write, speak, and understand English are needed in Lee County, says Tess Murphy, executive director of Literacy Volunteers of Lee County. She said that 27 adults in Lehigh Acres are waiting for tutors.

Adults (age 18 and over) who are willing to commit a minimum of two hours tutoring time per week are encouraged to attend upcoming ESL tutor training on Saturday, May 21, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Lehigh Acres United Way House, 201 Plaza Drive, Suite 103.

The training is free; however, $30 is requested to cover the cost of materials. To learn more or to register for the training in Lehigh Acres contact LVLC at (239) 415-3621 or programdirectorlvlc@gmail.com.

About 90 percent of LVLC students are speakers of other languages and require ESL (English as a second language) tutoring. The remaining students are English speakers who want to learn to read, and require basic reading and writing tutoring, Murphy said.

The inability to read or speak English impacts the entire community and economy in such areas as safety, productivity, health and social interaction, Murphy said.

It is not necessary to speak the student’s language to teach them English. Prospective tutors must be over 18, be a high-school graduate and fluent in English. All students are adults over the age of 18 and are matched with a tutor living in the same area of Lee County. All matches meet in public places.

LVLC is an affiliate of ProLiteracy America, a member of the Florida Literacy Coalition, and a United Way partner agency. LVLC provides case management for all matches.