ESOL Volunteer 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 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

Volunteer-Teachers in the Adult ESOL Program co-teach in pairs with small groups of 4-12 students of the same level of English, the same students every week. All volunteers commit to volunteer for at least 3.5 hours each week (2.5 hours of class time, 1 hour for planning) for 13 weeks (1 week of training and 12 weeks of class). At least one volunteer in each co-teaching pair has experience teaching ESOL or is certified or pursuing certification in TESOL or TEFL. Volunteer-Teachers do not need to know a language other than English.  

 

As a Volunteer-Teacher in our program, you will use our online curriculum to lead activities, engage in conversations with students, teach new concepts, and reinforce materials. You will also coordinate lesson planning with your co-teacher before class and make notes about student progress after class. You may also supplement the curriculum with other materials and may be observed by staff or prospective ESOL teachers. 

 

This volunteer position provides valuable experience in lesson planning, 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 3.5 hours/week for 13 weeks during entirety of ESOL semester
  • Fluent in English
  • Certification in TESOL or TEFL preferred but not required
  • 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  
  • Frequently writes (or types) notes on student progress and topics covered during class session 
  • 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 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.