Workshops
Combined Literacy Tutor Training Workshops Our tutor-training program is a comprehensive 10-hour online course designed to prepare volunteers to teach essential language skills to adults. We teach volunteers how to assess the life and literacy skills that adult students already have, how to determine which ones they want and need to acquire in order to overcome the obstacles they face, and how to design a plan of study that will help them achieve their goals. Along the way trainees discover how basic language is acquired, how adults learn effectively, and which techniques are most useful in developing listening, speaking, reading and writing skills for students of Basic Literacy and English for Speakers of Other Languages. Our training stresses working with multiple students in small groups in a patient, non-threatening environment in which tutor and student are equals.
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Tutor Support Workshops Our tutors complete a 10 hours training program considered rigorous and comprehensive. But, for those who feel they could use a little extra help along the way, our education program never really ends. Each month we offer a different professional development seminar, called Tutor Support Workshops, where adult education experts and skilled tutors walk our volunteers through new techniques that have proven successful in the adult classroom. The themes of the workshop vary: they run from teaching basic grammar, to pronunciation and accent reduction, to use of the graphic novel (similar to comics), to utilizing the lyrics of popular folk songs to teach vocabulary and comprehension, and everything in between.
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Winter & Spring 2026
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Online Training, by Ally Schmidt Platform: Zoom (sponsored by LNJ) Wednesdays, 6 to 8 pm Feb. 11, 18, 25, and Mar. 4 and 11, 2026 Online Training, by Marilyn Bellis/Laura Pistoia Platform: Zoom (sponsored by LNJ) Wednesdays and Mondays, 9:30 to 11:30 am Jan. 21, 26, 28, and Feb. 2 and 4, 2026 Online Training, by Jo Krish Platform: Zoom (sponsored by LNJ) Thursdays, 6 to 8 pm Jan. 15, 22, 29, and Feb. 5 and 12, 2026 |
"AI in Adult Education," with Jeff Arnott
Platform: Google Meet Monday, March 23, 2026, 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm Download PDF "Understanding Refugee Needs," with Lynn Sternstein Platform: Google Meet Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 10:00 am – 11:30 am Download PDF "Tips & Tricks: Reading Skills,"with Barbara Trueger Platform: Google Meet Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Download PDF |
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Summer & Fall 2025
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Online Training, by Barb Hathaway
Platform: Zoom (sponsored by LNJ) Wednesdays and Mondays, 6 to 8 pm Nov. 5, 10, 12, 17 and 19, 2025 Online Training, by Jo Krish Platform: Zoom (sponsored by LNJ) Tuesdays, 6 to 8 pm Sept. 30 and Oct. 7, 14, 21, and 28, 2025 Online Training, by Barb Hathaway Platform: Zoom (sponsored by LNJ) Mondays and Wednesdays, 6 to 8 pm Sept. 3, 8, 10, 15, & 17, 2025 Online Training, by Laura Pistoia Platform: Zoom (sponsored by LNJ) Tuesdays, 6 to 8 pm August 19, 26, & Sept. 2, 9, & 16, 2025 |
"USA Learns," with Alisa Takeuchi
Platform: Google Meet Thursday, November 13, 2025, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm Download PDF "Getting Started with Writing Prompts," with Dr. Erik Jacobson Location: Bloomfield Public Library, Conference Room Thursday, October 9, 2025, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm Download PDF "Pick Your Battles: Best Practices for Helping Students with Pronunciation," with Steven Reid Platform: Google Meet Thursday, September 18, 2025, 11 am - 12:30 pm Download PDF |
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For more information and to register for our workshops please contact us @
[email protected] or (973) 566-6200 ext. 216
[email protected] or (973) 566-6200 ext. 216
Tutor Learning Circle
with Cheryl Locastro
The quarterly coffee hour is an informal video call or in-person meeting where tutors can meet up to share experiences, discuss challenges and celebrate successes. Tutors are invited to bring resources to share with other tutors. Some sessions will have a theme and other will be specifically designed so that general topics can be addressed. The call will be facilitated by LVA's Tutor Support Specialist Cheryl Locastro, who will ensure information exchanged in the meetings is distributed to all tutors, including those who can't attend. Join us!
Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 3pm (General in-person meeting)
Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 3pm (Themed online meeting)
Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 3pm (General in-person meeting)
Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 3pm (Themed online meeting)
Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 3pm (Themed online meeting)
Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 3pm (General in-person meeting)
Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 3pm (Themed online meeting)
Our calendar of events may be subject to change due to weather emergencies or enrollment.