LitNet’s Foundation:
Our 1:1 Tutoring Programs

Program Overview

LitNet has been offering its free, individualized 1:1 tutoring since 1991. In 2024, LitNet grew to support 324 individuals in its 1:1 tutoring programs. These include English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), U.S. citizenship test preparation, high school equivalency, and basic education for adults. Learners enrolled in our tutoring programs ranged in age from 17 to 80, came from 32 different countries, and spoke 18 different languages collectively. Ninety percent were enrolled in LitNet’s ESOL Tutoring.

LitNet’s waitlist averaged about 40 individuals throughout the year—the most we’ve ever had. Due to the growing demand for ESOL in the Berkshires in recent years, LitNet made the major step of opening a satellite office in Pittsfield, located in Volunteers in Medicine’s (ViM’s) new South Street location. This shift has allowed us to be in better touch with our tutors and learners in the Pittsfield community, where close to 200 learners who worked with LitNet in 2024 live!

Alongside our exciting northward expansion, our Susan Weintraub Tutor Resource Center continues to be a bustling hub, housing LitNet’s educational and administrative headquarters and serving as a meeting place for tutors, learners, and our community partners. Supporting our Lee home base in 2025 and beyond will continue to be just as crucial as supporting our Pittsfield endeavors!

LitNet Learners at a Glance

A view into our diverse adult learner community.

Swipe to view the full charts.

Where LitNet's Learners Are From

Languages Spoken

Spanish	Portuguese	French	Creole French	Dari	German	Khmer	Russian	Creole	Filipino	Nzema	Romanian	Sinhala	Turkish	Twi	Ukranian	Urdu
268.00	15.00	13.00	4.00	3.00	2.00	2.00	2.00	1.00	1.00	1.00	1.00	1.00	1.00	1.00	1.00	1.00

Education Levels of Learners
(Upon Intake)

Unknown	No Formal Education	Less Than 6th Grade	6th-11th Grade	High School Diploma or Equivalent	Some College	Associate's Degree	Bachelor's Degree	Specialist's Degree or Technical School	Master's Degree	Doctorate's Degree
6.00	6.00	10.00	50.00	118.00	28.00	8.00	54.00	22.00	16.00	1.00

See What Our Learners Achieved in 2024

What the Tutors Have to Say

On the quarterly tutor reports, when indicating a learner has improved in a certain area (speaking, comprehension, reading, or writing), we ask tutors to provide evidence for their claim. Here are some examples of what tutors reported about their learner’s progress this year. They reveal the vast range of impact a LitNet tutor can have on a learner’s progress.

"She is beginning to speak in complete sentences and tries very hard to understand grammar."
"My learner's test taking anxiety has greatly diminished because her English comprehension is improving and her ability to analyze the question is more accurate."
"He is getting better at speaking and using words that he gets tripped up on, such as words that end in ‘ed’ or past tense, future tense, and present tense. He stops himself to make sure he is using the correct tense, and it is great."
"I was able to understand the story my learner was telling me in English about her workplace. She asked for $17 per hour. She was given $16.75. While not the full dollar more she asked for, I thought it important that her request was almost fully granted."
"My learner seems to be becoming more interested in reading for reading's sake, and her comprehension of the story she is reading seems to be improving."
"She's determined to improve her already-strong English so is doing several lessons on her own between our sessions."

Partner with LitNet: Ways to get involved!

Donors, Tutors, Business Partners

At the Literacy Network of South Berkshire (LitNet), we are dedicated to empowering adult learners through personalized education. Our mission thrives on the active involvement of community members like you. Whether you're interested in volunteering, donating, or partnering with us, your contribution makes a significant impact.