OCLC Programs and Services

All OCLC programs are designed to work with the individual needs of adult students. Our programs include:

Adult Literacy and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

Our Adult Literacy Program is designed to help adult learners improve their reading, writing, math and computer skills in order to meet educational, professional or personal goals. Our ESOL Program helps adult, non-native speakers who want to improve their comprehension of written and spoken English in order to become more self-sufficient and engaged, better informed and better able to participate in the life of the community.

Our Process

For Tutors – We train our tutors using a combination of short lectures, online classes and hands-on activities. As a potential tutor, you’ll begin by attending a two-hour introductory session. This first session provides an overview of OCLC, adult literacy, and our learner-centered approach to instruction. Then, based on your interests, skills, and preferences, you’ll choose two of four short, self-paced online classes to complete on your own. These online classes lay the groundwork for our second two-hour session. In the second session, you’ll participate in role-playing and other interactive activities designed to provide you with the skills and resources necessary to work effectively with students. After you complete training, we’ll work with you to gauge your strengths, interests, concerns and availability, and match you with a compatible student or group. And once you get started, we’ll provide continued support to you both individually and through regular in-service programs.  To complete an application, please click here.

For Students – We work with each prospective student to determine the level of tutoring support he/she will need. We begin the process by scheduling an interview, an easy and informal meeting between you and our staff to address your concerns, goals and expectations. As a part of the process, we administer basic skill assessments to determine the your educational levels and skills. To become a student, click here.

Together – Based on tutor availability and student need, OCLC staff place each student in their optimum tutoring environment. Students and tutors meet twice weekly for 1.5 - 2 hours each time. Students and tutors commit to meet for a six-month period (excluding holidays, vacation, and illness).  Tutors work with staff to measure student progress on a regular basis.

Types of tutoring sessions

  • One-on-One
  • Small groups
  • Special topic workshops
  • Conversational groups (ESOL only)

Locations

  • Public sites throughout the county – such as libraries, community centers
  • OCLC offices
  • Orange County Correctional Center
  • Worksites

Family Reading Workshops

Through funding provided by the Orange County Partnership for Young Children, the OCLC provides highly interactive workshops to encourage parents to read to their young children. The Family Reading Workshops help parents, particularly those with low literacy skills, become more comfortable and adept at reading to their children. Attendees participate in choral reading, expressive reading, discussions about integrating reading into daily activities and make-a-book sessions (complete with glitter). The workshops, which can be held separately or as a four-part series, are offered to existing parenting groups throughout Orange County. To complete a tutor application, click here.

Creative Writing Workshops

The Creative Writing Workshops are an outgrowth of our reach into the community. Literacy skills that go unused fade. The Creative Writing Workshops serve to help those in the area homeless shelters keep their minds active in productive ways. Each week volunteers provide one-hour workshops at both the men’s and women’s shelters. The workshops often result in useful discussions-and especially as a reminder that it is important to write about one's thoughts and to share some of them with others. We often publish writings from our shelter participants in the Council newsletter and on the website. To complete a tutor application, click here.

Eligibility Requirements

Any adult, 18 years or older, who is either lives or works in Orange County, is eligible for free services. OCLC adult learners may include non-readers, persons who want to improve their literacy or English skills, or persons who want to pass a particular test such as the driver's license test, GED exam, or other work-related tests. To become a student, click here.