ESL Teacher's Aide - In Person

In-Person Volunteer Teacher’s Aide for English as a Second Language (ESL) Classes

2024 Spring Trimester: January 22 - April 18, 2024

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 a 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

• Spring trimester dates: January 22 - April 18, 2024 
• In-person aides assist in an ESL class once a week on either Monday, Tuesday or Thursday from 7:45 pm to 10:00 pm Pacific Time
• Classes are held at the Canal Alliance Education Building, 86 Belvedere Street, San Rafael 
• Minimum volunteer commitment is one 13-week 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
3. Attend training on Classroom Techniques for Volunteers, Wednesday, January 17 from 7:00 pm to 8:15 pm Pacific Time via Zoom
4. Attend DEIJ training on Thursday, February 8 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm Pacific Time via Zoom

Required Onboarding and Training for RETURNING Volunteers

1. Sign 2023-24 volunteer agreement if not already signed
2. Attend DEIJ training via Zoom on Thursday, February 8 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm Pacific Time
3. If the most recent time you volunteered was Spring 2023 or earlier:
4. Watch the Adult Ed orientation video and take a quiz on it
5. Attend the Classroom Techniques training on Wednesday, January 17 from 7:00 - 8:15 pm Pacific Time via Zoom

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 class, including distributing materials, taking attendance, helping the teacher model conversations and activities, writing on the board, and helping the teacher clean up at the end of class
• Per teacher’s instructions, work with individual students or small groups: help them complete exercises and activities, lead games, answer questions, and provide general assistance
• 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 adaptable
• 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
• 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 class per week
• Commitment to assist for at least one trimester, with minimal absences
• Completion of onboarding and training listed above
• Commitment to cultural responsiveness and cultural humility
• Full proficiency in English (native speaker or near-native ability, ILR Level 4 or above)

To Apply

Please go to https://tinyurl.com/Volunteer-ESL-Aide-Application and fill out the application form. 

Returning volunteers! If you have previously volunteered as an ESL Aide, please use the Returning Volunteer form instead: https://tinyurl.com/Returning-ESL-Aide-Survey