{
  "id": 6192380,
  "title": "A lawyer by profession, a reading tutor by passion",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/a-lawyer-by-profession-a-reading-tutor-by-passion-6192380",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-07T23:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2026/09/08/a-lawyer-by-profession-a-reading-tutor-by-passion"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Lauren Tan is a lawyer by profession and a reading tutor by passion. Despite the fact that reading is often effortless for many, UNESCO estimates that over 739 million youth and adults worldwide lack basic literacy skills, with four in ten children lacking minimum reading proficiency. This issue, highlighted on International Literacy Day, is a sad and alarming reality, especially in Penang.\n\nLauren Tan, a practising advocate and solicitor of the High Court of Malaya, has turned her passion into action through her project, “My Literacy Advocate”. This initiative offers reading intervention and tutoring services to children facing learning challenges, including dyslexia, autism, and speech and hearing impairments. Tan volunteers at schools, social enterprises, and online, dedicating two to three days a week to helping learners.\n\nHer journey began when her sons were in primary school, leading her to volunteer at their school, reading with small groups of children. Witnessing the emotional distress of a child struggling with reading was a turning point for Tan. This experience prompted her to learn more about special education, which ultimately led her to volunteer at a social enterprise in Penang that provides skills training to young adults with autism.\n\nDuring the pandemic, Tan completed an Advanced Certification in Special Education. She established “My Literacy Advocate” in 2021, offering one-to-one tutoring sessions using a tailored learning approach rather than a fixed curriculum. Her sessions incorporate visuals, scenarios, reading clubs, and outings to help learners apply what they've learned.\n\nLauren's approach is rooted in empathy and patience, aiming to help children gain confidence in their basic literacy skills, rather than preparing them for exams. She has worked with around 12 learners so far, focusing on functional literacy for young adults, such as helping them read and write for everyday tasks and navigate the world more independently.\n\nDespite the impact of her work, Lauren has no intention of expanding \"My Literacy Advocate\" into a large-scale business. For her, it remains a passion project, driven by the joy she derives from helping others and the service she provides to those in need. Lauren Tan's work exemplifies how a lawyer can bring her legal acumen and passion for reading to make a significant difference in the lives of children and young adults struggling with literacy.",
  "summary": "Founded by Penangite Lauren Tan in 2021, ‘My Literacy Advocate’ offers personalised literacy support for those in most need of it.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "A lawyer by profession, a reading tutor by passion",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/a-lawyer-by-profession-a-reading-tutor-by-passion",
        "published": "2026-09-07T23:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}