LiteracyCorps Adult English Language Learning (ELL) Volunteer Tutor

Program: Literacy Mid-South – LiteracyCorps/AmeriCorps State and National
Service Term: 300-hour, minimum-time AmeriCorps service term
Service Period: October 19, 2026 – July 30, 2027
Anticipated Commitment: 7–9 hours per week
Service Locations: Memphis Rise Academy; Bert Ferguson Community Center; Shelby Literacy Center/Peace Tree United Methodist Church
Minimum Age: 18+

About Literacy Mid-South

For more than 50 years, Literacy Mid-South (LMS) has remained committed to one core belief: literacy changes lives. Founded in 1974 to help adults strengthen essential reading skills, LMS has expanded to serve learners of all ages across the Mid-South.

Our mission is to ensure that individuals and families have access to the literacy skills needed to thrive—academically, economically, and personally. Through direct programming and regional collaboration, LMS works to break cycles of limited literacy and expand opportunity for generations to come.

At LMS, literacy is not simply an educational outcome—it is a pathway to empowerment, equity, and long-term community transformation.

About AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps is the federal agency for national service and volunteerism in the United States. Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations, schools, public agencies, and community groups, AmeriCorps members commit to services that address critical community needs such as education, economic opportunity, disaster response, environmental stewardship, and public health.

Members serve in structured programs designed to strengthen communities while gaining valuable professional experience, leadership skills, and workforce development opportunities. In return for their service, members may receive a living allowance, professional development, and an education award to support future educational goals.

Memphis is home to several AmeriCorps programs working collaboratively to strengthen the community, including programs such as Teach For America, City Year, and AmeriCorps VISTA, all of which contribute to addressing critical community needs through national service.

About LiteracyCorps

LiteracyCorps is Literacy Mid-South’s AmeriCorps program that provides valuable service opportunities for members who are passionate about improving literacy in Memphis. Through the program, we provide individuals with the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of families and children by working with community organizations, schools, and other literacy partners.

The program is designed to advance literacy equity across our region. Members work directly with elementary students in low-to-no-cost programs to prevent learning loss and strengthen foundational reading skills through structured, evidence-based interventions.

Position Summary

The LiteracyCorps: Adult English Language Learning (ELL) Volunteer Tutor supports adult learners in strengthening English reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills for everyday life, work, family, school, community participation, and citizenship.

Depending on placement, service may include small-group or one-on-one instruction, conversation practice, vocabulary development, digital literacy support, workforce-focused English instruction, citizenship preparation, learner goal-setting, and progress tracking.

Volunteers use instructional materials and tools provided or approved by Literacy Mid-South and/or the assigned service-site partner and work with LMS and site staff to provide a welcoming, respectful, culturally responsive learning environment. 

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead or support adult ELL sessions according to the assigned service-site schedule.
• Use approved ELL instructional materials, lesson plans, curricula, and tools, including Burlington English and other approved resources when applicable.
• Support learners in reading, writing, speaking, listening, conversation practice, vocabulary development, and digital literacy.
• Provide small-group and/or one-on-one learner support as appropriate.
• Support learner goal-setting and track progress over time.
• Prepare lessons and instructional materials and complete approved planning and preparation activities.
• Support career- and workforce-focused English instruction and citizenship preparation when applicable.
• Monitor learner assignments and Burlington English homework when applicable.
• Assist with learner recruitment, intake, follow-up, and communication when applicable.
• Maintain accurate attendance, learner progress, service, and learner-support records.
• Complete required AmeriCorps documentation and accurately record service hours in BambooHR.
• Participate in required LiteracyCorps orientation, training, coaching, meetings, check-ins, and professional development.
• Communicate with LMS and service-site staff regarding learner needs, class progress, schedules, logistics, and site updates.
• Coordinate with site staff and, where applicable, other AmeriCorps Volunteers to support smooth program operations.
• Maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality, and a respectful learning environment.
• Complete other allowable service activities directly related to Adult ELL programming and consistent with the Volunteer Service Agreement, LiteracyCorps policies, and AmeriCorps requirements. 

Service Commitment

This is a 300-hour, minimum-time AmeriCorps service term with an anticipated commitment of 7–9 hours per week. Volunteers work with their supervisor and the LiteracyCorps Program Director to maintain a schedule that supports completion of all required service hours by July 30, 2027.

Service hours may include direct instruction, approved lesson planning and preparation, learner documentation, required training, meetings, coaching, check-ins, and other allowable service activities.

Volunteers must follow approved schedules, attend required meetings and training, complete assigned service activities, accurately record service hours in BambooHR, and remain on track to meet their service-hour requirement. 

Required Qualifications and Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years of age by the start of service.
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent, or otherwise satisfy applicable AmeriCorps education requirements.
• Be a U.S. citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien.
• Satisfy applicable National Service Criminal History Check requirements.
• Be able to complete the 300-hour service commitment and assigned schedule.
• Be dependable, patient, culturally responsive, and comfortable serving adults from diverse backgrounds.
• Be able to communicate effectively and collaborate with LMS staff, service-site partners, fellow Volunteers, and adult learners. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience or interest in teaching, tutoring, languages, adult education, literacy, or community service.
• Interest in supporting adult learners and immigrant/refugee communities.
• Bilingual skills and/or cross-cultural experience.
• Interest in literacy equity and community-centered education.
• Comfort facilitating small-group and/or one-on-one learning activities.
• Ability to organize lesson materials, maintain accurate records, and communicate learner or site needs appropriately. 

Training and Support

Volunteers may receive LiteracyCorps orientation; Adult ELL-specific training and coaching; Burlington English and ProLiteracy training, as applicable; training on working with adult learners; support with lesson planning, learner engagement, and progress tracking; ongoing check-ins with LMS staff; site-specific orientation; and continued professional development. 

Program Benefits

• AmeriCorps living allowance: $3,000 total for the 300-hour service term.
• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of required service hours and applicable program requirements.
• Ongoing literacy training, coaching, and professional development.
• AmeriCorps gear and community networking opportunities.
• Experience serving adult learners in school- and community-based education settings.
• Limited mileage reimbursement for qualifying program-mandated travel between service locations, when applicable.

The AmeriCorps living allowance is not an hourly wage and is distributed in regular installments. It does not increase or decrease based on the number of hours served during a particular pay period. 

Performance and Service Expectations

Volunteers are expected to meet assigned responsibilities, maintain progress toward the required 300 service hours, comply with attendance and timekeeping requirements, participate in required training and meetings, maintain professional conduct, and follow LMS, LiteracyCorps, AmeriCorps, and service-site policies.

Less-than-full-time AmeriCorps Volunteers receive an end-of-term evaluation. 

National Service Criminal History Check

Selection and enrollment are contingent upon satisfaction of applicable AmeriCorps National Service Criminal History Check requirements. Required checks may include the National Sex Offender Public Website, applicable state criminal-history checks, and a fingerprint-based FBI criminal-history check. Required checks and eligibility determinations must be completed before service begins. 

AmeriCorps Service Requirements

While charging time to the AmeriCorps program, accumulating service or training hours, or otherwise performing AmeriCorps-supported activities, Volunteers may not engage in prohibited activities, including partisan political activities, attempts to influence legislation, union organizing, religious instruction or proselytization, voter-registration drives, or other activities prohibited by AmeriCorps regulations and LiteracyCorps policy. 

Equal Opportunity, Inclusion, and Accessibility

Literacy Mid-South LiteracyCorps is committed to maintaining an environment free from discrimination and harassment. LiteracyCorps prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, parental status, political affiliation, military service, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Literacy Mid-South LiteracyCorps is also committed to meaningful access for individuals with Limited English Proficiency and to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants, Volunteers, service recipients, and staff with known disabilities to support full participation in its programs and activities.