LEWISTON – If you speak English, are patient, have a little time to spare and are interested in tutoring immigrants learning English, you qualify to become an English tutor.

Both the Lewiston Adult Education’s Learning Center and Androscoggin Literacy Volunteers are looking for volunteers to have conversations with beginner English-language students.

Volunteers don’t need to be highly educated or know the students’ native language to participate, agreed both Anne Kemper of Lewiston Adult Education and Mary Schneckenburger of Literacy Volunteers Androscoggin.

Joanne Poulin is a popular volunteer tutor, Kemper said. After getting her GED through Lewiston Adult Education, Poulin stayed on as a volunteer English tutor.

“She’s great,” Kemper said. “She walks into the room and students flock to her. She tutors here twice a week.” One day, Poulin’s students didn’t know what a brick was, so she brought one to class. “She’s fun and creative,” Kemper said.

At Androscoggin Literacy Volunteers, Schneckenburger said she’s able to give her class two hours every Monday. But if a second class could be led by another volunteer, “that would be so cool. Students would benefit by having more conversation partners and tutors,” she said.

Anyone interested in volunteering with Androscoggin Literacy Volunteers may call Schneckenburger at 344-6540, beginning Aug. 21. The office is moving from Lewiston to Auburn on Aug. 20. Schneckenburger’s class meets at the B Street Building, 57 Birch St., Lewiston.

Those interested in volunteering for the Adult Education’s Learning Center, located in the Lewiston Multi-Purpose Center, should call Anne Kemper at 784-2928, ext. 2.

– Bonnie Washuk