Benefits and Challenges

CLO’s survey also asked community literacy agencies to identify the benefits and challenges of 1-1 and small group programming.

The most commonly identified benefits of1-1 programming:

• Has the ability to meet individual learner needs
• Provides a highly supportive, safe, private, non-threatening environment for students
• Convenient for learners (flexible times and locations)
• Provides effective support to lower level students
• Offers individualised attention and support
• Allows students to move at their own pace
• Builds self-esteem and confidence
• Is highly learner-centred

The most commonly identified challenges of1-1 programming:

• Volunteer recruitment
• Limited hours of instruction
• Volunteer coordination
• Volunteer retention
• Provides less contact hours
• Time needed for follow-up and monitoring
• Tutor training
• Funding

The most commonly identified benefits of small group programming:

• Group support, encouragement and assistance
• Peer group interaction increases a wide variety of skills
• Peer learning and exposure to varied ideas and opinions
• Can serve more learners
• Helpful for transitioning students to future goals
• Provides more contact hours
• Group dynamics give energy, confidence and motivation
• Students can attend for more hours
• Can develop programming targeted to group needs
• Provides networking opportunities for students

The most commonly identified challenges of small group programming:

• Meeting multi-level needs and goals
• Time needed for preparation and follow-up
• Paid instructors are usually required
• Lack of space
• Group dynamics (personality conflicts, disruptive students)
• Some students cannot keep up or work in group setting
• Less individualised support
• Funding