Eugene Said:

How many illiterrate adults in southeast Tennessee?

We Answered:

You brought out some misinformed and ignorant people by this question. I've in Signal Mountain, Tennessee and we have some of this highest education levels in the country. My children go to a public elementary school that is in the top 1% in the state. The middle school is #1 in the state and our new high school will be #1 when it opens next fall.

I've lived in various parts of the U.S. and I can tell you that literacy is a problem all over the country particulry with the urban minority and the remote rural areas.

If you are interested in volunteering, go to READ of Chattanooga. It is a worthy cause.

Nathan Said:

Learn to read/write software for young adults?

We Answered:

Information about software that you seek is below./

Shirley Said:

Teaching adults to read?

We Answered:

Literacy Volunteers of America works with many libraries throughout the country. They train you first, but you have to pay in advance for the packets. It is a bit different from teaching kids. The biggest problem is getting students. Unless you live in a place with lots of immigrants or are willing to work in a prison as a volunteer, you'll probably find there are few adults who seek reading help. Anyway, check out the LVA website. They were excellent when I set them up to teach prisoners to teach other prisoners to read.

Lena Said:

What types of material do I need to teach an adult to read and write english?

We Answered:

To answer your materials question. The obvious books, papers, pens, etc. Also there are many online sights for ESL and TEFL. Which is what you are doing, As long as it is only a few people and you are not taking pay it should be okay. IF you are getting paid for it then you need to contact your local state-department to check the local laws. If it is your business then you will probably have to have some sort of certificate at least. Get a TEFL takes one month or less online i think.

Debbie Said:

Should the goal of a literacy volunteer be to teach reading to adults who cannot read ; or to?

We Answered:

I think the gift of reading in general is one of the best things you could give someone, so if i had to chose, i would say to teach reading to adults. My reasoning would be that at least immigrants can probably read in their original language, and people who can't read at ALL, are worse off. That's my weird reasoning, but seriously- i think teaching someone to read- esp. an adult- is priceless and an awesome goal to set, and to take part in.