English Language Learning

Adult and Family Literacy Services

Adult Literacy Services at the Simi Valley Public Library offers a free, one-on-one literacy tutoring program that helps adults improve their skills in reading, writing, speaking and understanding English so they can reach their potential as workers, parents, community members and lifelong learners.

Regular Hours

Monday 10:30a-7p
Tuesday 10:30a-7p
Wednesday 10:30a-7p
Thursday 10:30a-7p
Friday 10:00a-4p
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

 

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Welcome to the Simi Valley Public Library Adult Literacy Program

In our Literacy Program, staff members along with carefully selected volunteer tutors work closely with adult learners who are seeking to either better their current English skills or become proficient with English as a second language. Interested learners can meet with Literacy Program staff in order to go through a short assessment; this helps us figure out how to best tailor the program to the needs of our learners and to match our learners with a tutor who is most suited to help them. These assessments can be done in the language in which you are most comfortable.

Once a student has been matched with a tutor, they will work together to build a set of goals and a roadmap of what they are hoping to accomplish as part of their learning experience. Our literacy lab is equipped with a collection of books and workbooks to help our learner’s skills grow.
 

Meet Our Literacy Staff

 

Julie Wang

Adult Literacy Coordinator

Jimena Jaramillo

Adult Literacy Coordinator

Interested in being a learner or a tutor?

Please click here
 
For Tutors

Join us in our mission to promote literacy! Literacy is not just about opportunity–it is an essential skill that affects all areas of a person’s life including self-esteem, employment, family life, and community involvement. Empower an adult learner today by providing one-on-one support needed to improve their life, working together to achieve tangible, real-life goals through tutoring in reading, writing, and/or speaking and communication.

You do not need to have prior experience, speak another language, or even have a college degree to be an effective tutor, only the desire to help and be a lifelong learning peer. The Simi Valley Public Library is looking for tutors who are empathetic, patient, and ready to tutor with a learner-centered approach. If this sounds like you, then get ready to build a powerful and life-changing connection.

Tutoring takes place in-person at the Simi Valley Public Library.

As a tutor, you will be:

  • Trained to provide free one-on-one reading and writing instruction.
  • Paired with an adult learner.
  • Expected to commit a minimum of two hours per week, for at least 6 months or longer.
  • Expected to complete brief monthly tutor reports.

The benefits of tutoring include:

  • Helping change someone’s life and positively impacting the community.
  • Building tutoring experience and developing a professional network in adult education.

We are affiliated with:

  • California Library Literacy Services (CLLS) – https://www.library.ca.gov/services/to-libraries/clls/
  • ProLiteracy – proliteracy.org

For more information, please email [email protected].

For Students

The library offers free services to help adults improve their English! We can help with speaking, reading and writing, and also basic math and computer skills. Tutoring will be in the Literacy Lab, which is the glass room to the left of our customer service desk.

We can match you with a tutor that will meet with you one-on-one for about 1-2 hours every week. You will set your own goals, so you work on what’s important to you. Some common goals we can help with are reading a book, getting a license or certificate, or improving communication in everyday conversation or medical settings. The schedule is flexible, and depends on you and your tutor. Please note that there may be a waiting time as we find the right tutor to help you.

You are also invited to attend our English Conversation Group sessions in the library community room every Monday 5-6 PM (except holidays) to practice speaking and listening. Everyone is welcome, no registration needed. Please join us if you are able!