FT ESOL Instructor

Job Title: FT ESOL Instructor

FSLA Classification: Exempt (Salary)

Reports to: ESOL Program Manager

Direct Reports: None

Anticipated Start Date: Sep. 2, 2025

Who We Are:

Founded in 2003, The Welcoming Center (TWC) works to open doors of economic opportunity for immigrants of all education and skill levels and build immigrants’ individual and collective agency to address barriers to integration and wellbeing. TWC promotes inclusive economic growth through immigrant integration. TWC collaborates with its participants, a broad spectrum of organizations, and public and private sector institutions to advance learning, shape policy, and grow the economy. To learn more about our programs and what we offer visit The Welcoming Center.

Position Overview:

The Instructor will provide English instruction integrated with digital literacy and other critical workforce and life skills to adult learners in the Philadelphia area, with a particular focus on Northeast Philadelphia. As part of this role, the Instructor will coordinate and teach a range of TWC's contextualized ESOL classes that integrate English with digital skills training and goal-oriented content. Classes may include:English for Job Search, English for Workplace Communication, and English for Entrepreneurship. The Instructor will work with the ESOL Program Manager to refine curriculum, engage volunteers, and support participant engagement. The Instructor will also collaborate closely with Intake Coordinators and the Participant Support & Intake Coordinator to ensure that ESOL participants gain language proficiency, job opportunities, and social and economic integration. As a key part of the ESOL and Digital Skills Training team at The Welcoming Center, the Instructor will also contribute to the vision for the ESOL program, including identifying meaningful ways to engage participants in leadership and volunteer opportunities within the organization and beyond.

Position Requirements:

• Teach in-person and/or online lessons using existing curriculum, making modifications as needed.
• Provide English and digital skills instruction using strategies that are effective with participants of various linguistic, educational, cultural competence, and ability levels.
• Use both standardized and authentic assessment methods to measure student progress.
• Develop warm, welcoming relationships with participants and provide regular feedback.
• In collaboration with the ESOL Program Manager and the Director of ESOL & Digital Skills, develop and implement contextualized ESOL opportunities that are integrated with other TWC program areas and goals.
• Coordinate volunteers to support ESOL classes and workshops, and work collaboratively with volunteers who provide classroom and individual assistance to participants.
• Collaborate with other Welcoming Center staff regarding participant goals, progress, and employment opportunities/career pathways. Establish and maintain connections with other TWC programs and staff that strengthen ESOL support organization-wide.
• Refer participants as necessary to TWC participant support resources.
• Support recruitment, outreach, and program administration activities for classes and workshops, including the collection of various forms of data from participants, volunteers, and employers. Maintain high attention to detail, privacy, and data integrity.
• Keep current enrollment, attendance, and service delivery records in Salesforce and other platforms for all class participants. Provide data to supervisor, as requested.
• Work with the ESOL Program Manager, Director of ESOL & Digital Skills, and the Strategy and Impact Coordinator to develop and conduct assessments and evaluations for ESOL activities, and report results.
• Share information and promote the program in outreach efforts to local institutions, organizations, community groups and potential employer partners.
• Support the ESOL Program Manager and other TWC staff to develop and pilot initiatives to enhance language learning, practice, and feedback opportunities for participants.
• Support the ESOL Director and ESOL Program Manager in expansion of ESOL program to other locations.
• Support ESOL team and other TWC staff on events and opportunities that promote TWC participant engagement, leadership development, intercultural sharing, and community-building.
• Cultivate partnership opportunities that strengthen The Welcoming Center’s ESOL and digital skills training work – including presenting at conferences, attending networking events, and developing connections with area adult education providers, immigrant community organizations, and advocacy groups.
• Stay informed of developments in the arenas of adult ESOL, digital literacy and digital equity, integrated education and training (IET), language access, and immigrant integration.
• In all duties, demonstrate a commitment to organizational core values which uplift the skills, experiences, and aspirations of program participants and recognize their role as agents of the change they seek.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Education & Attributes:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree and certification in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL / TEFL); a combination of education and experience will also be considered.
• 2-3 years experience teaching adults in a community-based setting.
• Familiarity and experience with a range of adult education pedagogical approaches.
• Strong commitment to and demonstrated experience with participant-centered, asset-based, relational approaches to education and community-building.
• Excellent verbal, written, and telephone communication skills. Comfortable adapting communication style to a diverse range of participants. Demonstrated evidence of ability to navigate conversations which may be difficult due to language, culture, and other circumstances which may lead to misunderstanding.
• Strong computer skills, including an understanding of cloud-based computer platforms. Familiarity with Google Drive, Microsoft Office Suite and SharePoint, online job search tools, and digital literacy & remote learning tools.
• Willingness to work at TWC’s satellite locations in Northeast and South Philly, as well as in TWC’s Center City office.
• Detail-oriented, creative thinker with strong sense of initiative and commitment to equity.

Preferred Education & Attributes:

• Lived experience from immigrant and refugee communities and/or communities of color.
• Master’s degree preferred – or five years of progressive experience in ESOL instruction, adult education, training, facilitation, or workforce development fields.
• Previous experience teaching digital literacy - including using internet, email, word processing, and online job searching – especially to English Language Learners.
• Experience in workforce development, such as teaching job search skills such as job interviews and resume and cover letter development, a plus.
• Experience in cross-team collaboration.
• Experience using Salesforce.
• Bilingual ability is a plus, though not required.
• Curriculum design experience a plus.
• Reliable transportation a plus.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The Instructor will be expected to spend 25-50% of their time working out of TWC’s satellite offices. Instructor will also be expected to work from TWC’s main office in Center City 3 days per week when teaching in Center City and 1-2 days per week when teaching at satellite locations.

Work environment:

• Operates in a professional office environment or remotely. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.
• Dynamic, fast-paced, and sometimes ambiguous environment.
• Satellite offices located at Bok Building (South Philadelphia) and PATH Center (NE Philadelphia).

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 5-10 pounds at times.
• Standing for extended periods.
• Walking, sometimes over uneven surfaces or long distances.
• Climbing stairs or ladders.
• Bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching.
• Reaching overhead or at shoulder level.
• Pushing or pulling objects (carts, equipment, etc.).
• Driving to satellite offices, as needed.

Benefits:

• Paid Vacation
• 401(k)
• Sick Time
• Personal Days
• Health Insurance
• Healthcare FSA
• Commuter Benefit Program
• 12 Paid Holidays

Affirmative Action/EEO statement

The Welcoming Center does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. The Welcoming Center will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.

Application Process

This is a full-time / 40 hours per week position that may require occasional evening or weekend hours. To apply, please send your resume and a cover letter to: jobs@welcomingcenter.org, with the subject “ESOL Instructor.”

Applications due by Monday, August 4. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Starting salary range for this position is $52,000–$54,000 a year based on skills and qualifications.