ESOL Volunteer Floater Teacher

**Please note that this volunteer opportunity is currently filled. Our next semester will begin in Fall 2026. Please feel free to indicate your interest in this opportunity so we can reach out when we begin volunteer recruitment for this role.**

ESOL Volunteer Floater Teacher Role Description

About Us

The Esperanza Center is a comprehensive resource center whose mission is to welcome immigrants by offering hope, compassionate services, and the power to improve their lives. Since 1963, immigrants from all over the world have trusted the center to help them navigate life in a new country. Our dedicated staff and volunteers provide services related to education, health care, immigration legal matters, family reunification, and general community support to thousands of immigrants each year.

Esperanza Center’s Educational Services offers low-cost, in-person English for Speakers of other Languages (ESOL) classes to adults. Volunteers in Esperanza ESOL program have been teaching English to adults in Baltimore since 1963. Students in our program come from all over the world, though the majority of our students are from Central and South American countries. The program is entirely taught, and partially designed, by volunteers from the community. 

Description

ESOL Floater Teachers provide essential support to our Volunteer-teachers and students. They are assigned to a primary group to support throughout the semester but may support different groups if a teacher is absent or a student needs additional support. ESOL Floater Teachers communicate with Volunteer-Teachers about class support, engage in conversations with students, lead class activities, reinforce class materials, provide individualized support to students, and completes other tasks as assigned. All volunteers commit to volunteer for at least 3 hours each week (2.5 hours of class time, 0.5 hours for planning) for 13 weeks (1 week of training and 12 weeks of class). Floater Teachers do not need to know a language other than English.  

 

This volunteer position provides valuable experience in collaboration and adult education. It also provides volunteers with the unique opportunity to develop an intercultural learning community while teaching English language skills that will help students in their daily lives.     

 

Requirements

  • 18 years of age or older
  • Able to volunteer for at least 3 hours/week for 13 weeks during entirety of ESOL semester
  • Fluent in English
  • Certification or experience in TESOL or TEFL preferred but not required
  • Able to adapt to student levels and needs
  • Strong communication and collaborative skills
  • Demonstrates patience and compassion
  • Committed to diverse work environment
  • Background check required

Physical Demands

  • Able to remain in stationary position for majority of volunteer time
  • Able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information with staff, patients, and other volunteers.
  • Able to observe details at close range (within a few feet of observer) 
  • Frequently operates a computer and other office productivity machinery such as a copy machine and computer printer  
  • Sometimes positions self to access resources on bookshelves
  • Sometimes moves about the inside of the office to access office machinery, office supplies, bookshelves, etc. 

Schedule

This is an in-person volunteer position with Esperanza Center Educational Services at 430 S Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21231. We offer an in-person ESOL classes on Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:30am-12pm. There will be the same group of students on Mondays and Wednesdays. Volunteers can choose one class time or select both class days. Priority may be given to teachers who can volunteer twice a week. Please sign up to attend a volunteer information for up to date information on the class schedule and semester dates. 

 **Please note that the first step in the process of becoming an ESOL Volunteer Floater Teacher is to attend a Volunteer Information Session, which can be scheduled through the volunteer application**

Any Questions?

Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at VEsperanzaCenter@cc-md.org.