The Literacy Council of Palm Harbor Library
The Literacy Council of Palm Harbor Library is an all volunteer outreach program of the Palm Harbor Friends of the Library.
We serve adults who read below eighth grade level or for whom English is a second language. It is our belief that we can make a difference by improving an adult’s ability to read, write, and speak English through one-on-one tutoring.
We are an affiliate of Pro Literacy America (Pro Lit). All tutors are trained and certified in compliance with Pro Lit requirements. Pro Lit has been teaching adults to read and write for more than 60 years. It is the world’s largest literacy organization.
Our services are free to all. No tax money is used for the Literacy program. The Friends is a non-profit organization that serves the Library in many significant ways and they subsidize the cost of providing our service. Please patronize the Book Nook. The proceeds benefit the Library in many important way.
How We Do It
A tutor works with only one student at a time. They meet twice a week for 1.5 hours each lesson. Scheduling is at their mutual convenience. Student and tutor books are loaned by the Friends of the Library.
If You Can Read, You Can Teach!
In addition, tact, patience, and caring are required. You MUST complete a training workshop to be certified as a tutor. Pro-Literacy online training is offered through out the year.
Please call 727-784-3332, ext. 7034 for more information.
Our Mission
Our Mission is to teach adults to read, write, speak and understand English well enough to cope, enhance and enrich their daily lives.
If interested in becoming a student, please fill out this Student Enrollment Form.
If interested in becoming a tutor, please complete our online application.
Student Resources
Reading Horizons Online – Online resource for students and tutors. Current tutors can contact us for login information.
Dave’s ESL Cafe – Lessons about idioms, grammar, phrase verbs and slang.
IIP Digital – A collaborative English language video game experience. Learn English and explore American culture through puzzles, games, and adventures in an interactive world.
Pronunciator A self-study language program includes ESL lessons in a variety of languages.
The Internet TESL Journal Self-Study Quizzes – Offers self-study quizzes on grammar, idioms, phrasal verbs, slang, etc. Has links to other sites for both students and tutors.
Learn American English – Learn about expressions that are popular in the United States.
TOEFL – Information about the Test of English as a Foreign Language.
US Citizenship Resources – Videos, practice tests and study guides are available for free to download and stream.
USA Learns. Self-paced ESL Lessons
Tutor Resources
Pro Literacy – Information about Pro Literacy programs. Tons of free information, handouts, and other tools to help tutors. Pro Literacy training and educational videos are now on their YouTube Channel
Literacy Online – Training programs, R&D projects, and more Cyber Resources including Lesson Planning for ESL – great lesson planning and a lot more for helping you prepare to work with your student
Intercambio Pronunciation Guides & Immigrant Guide Resources – They’ve compiled a list of helpful links to provide extra information about the topics covered in the Immigrant Guide and provide great videos on common Pronunciation issues (ex. p vs. b). In addition, teaching strategies from the experts.
Learning Chocolate – Vocabulary Building Platform.
Mini-Pages – The Mini Page will teach your readers about that week’s topic using word puzzles, connect the dots, recipes, drawings, and pictures.
Additional Resources for Literacy Tutors Google Doc
Past Tense Pronunciation Helpsheet by Tom Spaid
Ventures Online – Supplemental materials to the book series
Using Pictures with English Learners – Guide to creating lessons around pictures.
Using Pictures with English Learners a Video by ProLiteracy – A demonstration on how to effectively build a lesson around a picture.