Virtual Volunteer English as a Second Language (ESL) Tutor

2024 Summer Trimester: June 3, 2024 – August 15, 2024

*All tutoring sessions are via Zoom*

ESL Program: mission and objective

Canal Alliance’s ESL Program prepares Latino immigrants to feel empowered, supported, and motivated to lift barriers to their success through a communicative language framework alongside strengths-based learning.

Our ESL Program integrates relevant teaching practices in grammar, writing, listening-speaking, and reading in an inclusive environment that develops students’ language as well as the cultural awareness that they will need to thrive. Through the lens of empowering the whole person, the ESL program complements the wraparound services Canal Alliance provides so that very low-income, adult immigrants can improve their access to education, employment and entrepreneurial opportunities to ultimately get on the pathway out of poverty.

ESL Tutoring: mission and objective

Canal Alliance’s ESL Tutoring program aims to improve students’ academic progress and improvement in all four skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing through one-on-one sessions with tutors who are culturally responsive, responsible, and dynamic. Students are at the center of this program and their needs will guide what is worked on and covered during the tutoring sessions.

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

Program dates

• 2024 Summer trimester dates: June 3 – August 15, 2024 
• Tutors assist in one 1-hour session per week via Zoom in addition to 30 minutes of prep and 15 minutes to document tutoring notes (1 hour and 45 minutes total per week)
• Minimum volunteer commitment is one 11-week trimester (or if you start part way through, then until the end of the trimester)

Required Onboarding and Training for New Volunteers (training is via Zoom)

1. Sign volunteering paperwork via DocuSign
2. Watch two orientation videos and take an online quiz on each one
3. Attend virtual Classroom Techniques training via Zoom on Wednesday, May 15, 7:30 – 9:00 PM (Pacific Time)

Required Onboarding and Training for Returning Volunteers (training is via Zoom)

1. Sign 2023-24 volunteer agreement if not signed yet
2. If the most recent time you volunteered was Summer 2023 or earlier:
   • Watch two orientation videos and take an online quiz on each one
   • Attend virtual Classroom Techniques training via Zoom on Wednesday, May 15, 7:30 – 9:00 PM (Pacific Time)

Overview

As an ESL tutor, you meet with an ESL student for an hour per week via Zoom to help them practice and improve their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. You will have access to the student’s book, the teacher’s and student’s contact information, and other resources. Tutoring sessions are student-centered: the student might tell you what they want to work on (homework, class assignments, study for an assessment, role-play, etc.) or the teacher might email you her lesson plan. Regardless, tutoring sessions should always focus on meeting the student’s needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide a nurturing and supportive learning environment with high expectations for students
• Motivate students to continue with their ESL class
• Help student(s) review material they have covered in class and complete assigned homework 
• Help student(s) improve their speaking, listening, writing, and reading skills
• Communicate with tutoring supervisor by submitting tutoring notes after each session
• Communicate with tutoring supervisor if the student(s) need additional help or services by submitting a Wrap-Around Services Referral
• Respect and follow program policies and Adult Education staff instructions
• Prepare and deliver lessons in line with communicative language and culturally responsive teaching 
• Scaffold materials for students who have limited or interrupted formal education (SLIFE)
• Respond promptly to communications from teacher, team, and staff
• Honor trimester-long commitment unless work schedule changes or an unforeseen emergency arises

Skill and attributes

• Culturally responsive, culturally humble, committed, and respectful
• Friendly, outgoing, calm, patient and attentive with student(s)
• Comfortable working with people of varied cultural and socio-economic background
• Ability to explain vocabulary and grammar in ways that student(s) understand
• Ability to identify areas that need extra support, and adjust teaching to meet student(s) need(s)
• Ability to function with minimal supervision and follow guidelines
• Ability to effectively communicate information to the tutoring supervisor
• Ability to build positive relationships with student(s), staff, and other volunteers
• Ability to look for outside resources using the internet
• Knowledge of Zoom, WhatsApp/text message, required
• Knowledge of ESL content helpful, but not required
• Knowledge of Spanish helpful, but not required

Requirements

• Age 18 or above
• Reliable internet and access to a computer with a camera
• Alignment with Canal Alliance’s mission and Adult Education program goals
• Commitment to assist in at least one 1-hour tutoring session per week for the trimester, with minimal absences, and attempt to arrange a make-up session if missing a session
• 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 
• Experience in teaching or tutoring
• Completion of onboarding and training listed above

 If you have previously volunteered as an ESL tutor, please use the Returning Volunteer form below instead: