Let’s turn the page on adult literacy.

The science of reading isn't new. What's different about the Volunteer Literacy Project is that we've adapted evidence-based reading instruction specifically for adults and made it accessible to volunteer tutors and educators.

Our structured literacy approach explicitly and systematically teaches how sounds correspond to letters, how words are decoded, and how reading becomes fluent. We also emphasize vocabulary, comprehension, and background knowledge.

Our curriculum provides step-by-step lessons, ongoing assessment, and age-appropriate reading materials. Tutors receive practical training so they can deliver effective instruction without needing a background in reading education.

Not when it works! For adults who have struggled with reading for years, the discovery that written words follow patterns can be enormously satisfying.

Our lessons are structured and systematic, but they're also interactive. Students practice decoding words, reading sentences, and applying their new skills to meaningful texts. As they begin to read words they once had to guess at or memorize, they experience something that makes learning genuinely engaging: success.

Yes. Adults come to us with a wide range of reading skills. Some can recognize familiar words but struggle to sound out anything unfamiliar. Others can read simple sentences but have difficulty with longer or more complex texts. Some are proficient enough to have gotten into a GED class, but find their reading skills are to low to allow for meaningful progress.

We begin with a screening to determine whether our program is a good fit. Our instruction then starts with the fundamentals, teaching students to approach written words by connecting letters with sounds rather than relying on whole-word memorization or guessing. Through explicit, systematic instruction and plenty of guided practice, students develop the decoding skills they need to become more accurate, fluent, and independent readers.

There are many reasons adults reach adulthood without becoming proficient readers. Some have dyslexia, a language-based learning disability that makes learning to read especially difficult. Many attended schools that lacked the knowledge or resources to provide the explicit, systematic instruction they needed. Others were taught to recognize or guess words rather than learning how to decode them.

Some adults, particularly those who grew up outside the United States, had their education interrupted or were denied the opportunity to attend school at all.

Whatever the reason, struggling readers can make progress when they receive effective instruction—even after many years.

Yes. Adults who are learning English can also benefit from structured literacy instruction, although their needs may be different from those of native English speakers.

Ideally, students would have the opportunity to develop strong literacy skills in their first language while building their English proficiency. But many adults don't have the time or resources to pursue these goals separately.

We use the Volunteer Literacy Project curriculum with these students, placing additional emphasis on English vocabulary and comprehension. This allows students to develop their English language skills while learning to decode and read written English.

There are numerous excellent reading programs on the market, but the vast majority were written for children. Adult reading students have some issues and needs that are different from those of children learning to read. It’s our belief as well that adults shouldn’t have to suffer the indignity of using childish materials meant for a six-year-old. Our materials were designed for adults. Our texts were written for adults, about adult situations. The drawings and icons were made with adults in mind. With more than 36 million adults needing help learning to read, there is no reason to use materials meant for children.

The Volunteer Literacy Project curriculum is designed for both online and in-person instruction. Each program can decide which format works best for its students and tutors.

Both approaches have advantages. Online tutoring can make it easier for adults to participate without traveling, and our one-on-one lessons work well over video. However, students and tutors need a reliable internet connection and a suitable device.

In-person instruction may be preferable for students who are less comfortable with technology or who benefit from working together in the same room. The instructional approach and curriculum are the same in either setting.

Yes—but training matters. Teaching someone to read requires specific knowledge and skills, and good intentions alone aren't enough.

Our volunteer tutors receive rigorous training in structured literacy, including how to teach sound-letter relationships, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. They also learn to use our carefully sequenced curriculum, which provides explicit instructions, guided practice, and regular checks for understanding.

We don't expect volunteers to arrive knowing how to teach reading. We give them the training, materials, and support they need to become effective instructors.