Teacher’s Aide for English as a Second Language (ESL) Classes (Online)

2023 Trimesters: Spring, Summer, Fall (dates below)

All classes and trainings are via Zoom 

Mission and Objective
Our Adult Education Program offers ESL classes that integrate relevant teaching practices in grammar, writing, listening-speaking, and reading in an inclusive environment that develops students’ language as well as the cultural awareness they will need to thrive. Through the lens of empowering the whole person, the Adult Education Program creates the basic building blocks that allow very low-income, adult immigrants to improve their access to education, employment and entrepreneurial opportunities and ultimately get on the pathway out of poverty.

The volunteer ESL teacher’s aide role is an excellent opportunity for someone interested in language teaching or in learning about the ESL field. Volunteers gain experience working in the digital classroom, working with multicultural adult learners, and assisting teachers in an adult education program. It is also a rewarding experience for anyone with a desire to support the immigrant community.

Please note: Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.

Program Dates and Class Times

• Fall trimester dates: September 18 – December 14, 2023 
• Aides assist in an online class once a week – either Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday — from 7:45 pm to 10:00 pm Pacific Time
• Minimum volunteer commitment is one 13-week trimester (or if you start partway through, then until the end of the trimester)

Required Onboarding and Training for NEW Volunteers

1. Sign volunteering paperwork.
2. Watch two orientation videos and take an online quiz on each one (total time required = 1 hour).
3. Attend training on Classroom Techniques for Volunteers, Wednesday, September 13 from 7:30 to 9:00 pm Pacific Time via Zoom.
4. Attend DEIJ training via Zoom on Thursday, October 5 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm Pacific Time via Zoom

Required Onboarding and Training for RETURNING Volunteers

1. Sign 2023-24 volunteer agreement.
2. Attend DEIJ training via Zoom on Thursday, October 5 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm Pacific Time
3. If the last time you volunteered was Fall 2022 or earlier:
   1. Watch the Adult Ed orientation video and take a brief quiz on it (30 minutes total)
   2. Attend the Classroom Techniques for Volunteers training via Zoom (September 13, 7:30 – 9:00 pm Pacific Time)

Aide Responsibilities

• Help the teacher provide a nurturing, supportive, and positive learning environment with high expectations for students
• Assist the teacher with management of the online class, as requested: help the teacher model conversations and activities, take attendance, write in the chat, mute students, etc. 
• In breakout rooms:
  • Following teacher’s instructions, lead activities in lesson plan, and monitor and assist students
  • Using Zoom, share your screen, annotate shared documents, and use the chat
• Help to ensure all students are participating
• Monitor class and advise teacher of students who are struggling, or topics that need clarification

• Respect and follow program policies and teacher’s instructions
• Respond promptly to communications from teacher, team, and Adult Education staff

• Be culturally responsive and culturally humble in the classroom
• Honor trimester-long volunteer commitment  

Skills and Attributes

• Friendly, outgoing and flexible; able to bring energy to the classroom
• Patient and attentive with students
• Enjoy interacting with people of all ages and ethnicities
• Able to build positive and respectful relationships with students, teachers and staff
• Comfortable working with people of varied cultural and socio-economic backgrounds
• Willing to independently learn about and troubleshoot own technical issues 
• Helpful but not required:
  • Knowledge of, or previous experience with, ESL content and students 
  • Personal experience learning another language as an adult
  • Knowledge of Spanish 

Requirements

• Age 18 or above
• Alignment with Canal Alliance’s mission and Adult Education program goals
• Commitment to assist in one 2-hour class per week plus attend pre-class team meeting 
• Commitment to assist for at least one trimester, with minimal absences, and attempt to find own substitute from within team when necessary
• Completion of onboarding and training listed above
• Reliable internet and access to a computer with a camera 
• Commitment to cultural responsiveness and cultural humility
• Full proficiency in English (native speaker or near-native ability, ILR Level 4 or above)
• Ability to use the tech tools needed for class (some training provided): Must be able to download and navigate the digital textbook, access documents provided by the teacher (pdfs, Word documents, videos); share those documents on Zoom via screen share (including video and sound); annotate shared documents; use the chat function