2. The Nashville Adult Literacy Council has helped local adults
learn to read since 1982. We are a private 501(c)(3) non-
profit organization. The generous contributions from
foundations, grants, and private individuals enable us to
serve 1,500 adult learners annually.
3. The NALC serves adult Americans who are learning to read
& write and adult immigrants who are learning English.
4. 1 in 8 Nashville adults reads below a first grade reading level.
Most Americans who can’t read or write go to great lengths
to hide their struggles, making illiteracy a much larger
problem than most of us realize.
Our literacy learners recognize that the ability to read &
write affects much of their daily lives. They come to the
NALC so they can accomplish everyday tasks. For example:
• Help their child with homework
• Read their mail, the newspaper, or a recipe
• Write a birthday card to their friends
• Fill out a job application
5. 12% of Nashville’s population was born outside of the United
States. Some of these people are immigrants wishing to establish
permanent or temporary residency here, and others are refugees
fleeing persecution they faced in their home country.
Our English learners recognize that the ability to speak English
affects much of their daily lives. They come to the NALC so they
can accomplish everyday tasks. For example:
•Talk to their children’s teachers
•Interview for a job
•Make a doctor’s appointment
•Order food at a drive-thru
6. The NALC conducts 25 classes throughout Nashville along
with offering two tutoring programs that serve adult
learners in a one-on-one setting.
7. The NALC instructs low-level readers and low-level
English speakers throughout the county. We teach:
•Reading & writing to adult Americans
•English to adult immigrants
•GED preparation to adults at Probation and Parole offices
•Citizenship test preparation to adult immigrants
•Workplace literacy classes tailored to a company’s needs
We also encourage learners to attend conversation
clubs and to work independently in our computer lab.
8. Each year 500 volunteers help us serve learners at the
NALC. There are a variety of ways to get involved, but right
now our biggest need is for new volunteer tutors.
9. The NALC offers two tutoring programs that serve adult
learners in a one-on-one setting:
•One-on-One Program
•Start Now Program
No experience is necessary to become a volunteer tutor. All
volunteers are required to attend training regardless of
previous experience.
The One-on-One Program and Start Now Program each
require a different commitment from volunteers. The
following chart outlines what is involved in each of our
tutoring programs.
10. One-on-One Program Start Now Program
When? You set a recurring time to
meet when you’re available.
You set one-hour appointments
during Start Now hours.
Where? You can tutor at any public
location.
You can tutor at our offices in
West Nashville and in Antioch.
Who do I
help?
You help the same person each
time, either a literacy or
English learner.
You help a different person
each time, both literacy and
English learners.
How
often?
You commit to 2 or 3 hours
each week for 6 months.
You sign up to tutor as often as
you’re available.
How
involved?
NALC staff provides a guide at
your first meeting. You are in
charge of lesson planning.
A lesson plan prepared by NALC
staff will be ready for you each
time you tutor.
11. While teaching is the heart of our program, the NALC has
a variety of other volunteer opportunities to serve our
basic operating and administrative needs. These
opportunities include:
• Board Service
• Computer & Technology Support
• Event Planning
• Fundraising
• Graphic Design
• Office Administration
• Web Design & Maintenance
12. 30 million adult Americans struggle to read each day.
Together we can change that. Help us today.
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