ESL TUTOR -  ESL Tutor (ORCAS – SEEC) 

Position: ESL Tutor (ORCAS – SEEC) 

Program Area: Oregon Refugee Children Assistance and Services (ORCAS) - Slavic & Eastern European Center (IRCO SEEC) 

Locations: Tutoring sessions are primarily conducted virtually to accommodate volunteer and student schedules. 
For Kindergarten students, in-person sessions may be required, as younger children often benefit from hands-on engagement and direct interaction. In-person sessions would take place at an agreed-upon community location or at the student's residence in coordination with program staff. 

Schedule: After-school tutoring, Monday-Friday for an hour between 3pm-7pm, (depending on student and volunteer availability). Weekend tutoring may also be possible. Each session lasts approximately ~1hour 

Time Commitment: Volunteers are asked to commit to at least one consistent session per week for a duration of at least 6 months - to ensure consistency and meaningful impact for students.   

Program Description: The Oregon Refugee Children Assistance & Services (ORCAS) program supports refugee and immigrant youth as they adjust to life and education in the United States. We serve students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds who are navigating new school systems, learning English, and adapting to a new community. Our goal is to promote academic success, social integration, and long-term stability for youth and their families.
Through individualized academic support, mentorship, and culturally responsive services, ORCAS helps students build confidence, strengthen English language skills, and achieve their educational goals. Many of the youth we serve face barriers such as interrupted education, language gaps, and limited access to academic support at home.
Volunteers play a vital role in this mission. By serving as tutors or mentors, volunteers provide consistent encouragement, academic assistance, and positive adult connections. Even an hour per week can significantly improve a student’s confidence, classroom participation, and overall success. Volunteers not only support academic growth but also help create a welcoming and empowering environment for refugee and immigrant youth in our community. 

Position Summary:  The Volunteer ESL/Academic Tutor will provide one-on-one tutoring to refugee and immigrant youth in grades K–12. Volunteers will support homework completion, strengthen English language skills, and help students build academic confidence.
Responsibilities include assisting with core subjects, practicing conversational English, encouraging positive study habits, and serving as a consistent, supportive mentor. Tutors communicate periodically with program staff regarding scheduling and student progress.
We are seeking reliable, patient individuals with strong English skills and a commitment to supporting refugee and immigrant communities. Experience working with youth is preferred but not required. 

 
Key Duties & Tasks 

  • Plan and lead weekly 60-minute sessions (flexible format: 30/30 or another split you both agree on). 

  • Use everyday topics (school, hobbies, community) to practice speaking, listening, and turn-taking. 

  • Model clear, patient communication; give gentle corrections and useful phrases. 

  • Suggest simple between-session practice (short prompts, new words, mini-goals). 

  • Track goals and note progress; share quick updates with the Youth Case Manager. 

  • Follow youth safety, privacy, and communication guidelines. 

  •  

Qualifications:  

Nice to Have:  

  • Familiarity with K–12 academic subjects  

  • Experience tutoring individual students ages (k-12) 

  • Experience developing & facilitating curriculum in a hybrid setting 

  • ESL Instructor certificate 

  • Cross-cultural communication skills or lived experience in immigrant and refugee communities  

  • Additional language skills: Ukrainian, Russian 

 

Must Have:  

  • Experience working with children or youth (tutoring, mentoring, teaching, etc.) 

  • Experience supporting English Language Learners (ELL/ESL) 

  • Must be 18 or older 

  • Must pass ORCHARDS background check (with in person fingerprinting step)

  • Ability to communicate consistently with program staff regarding scheduling and student progress 

  • Complete virtual role-specific training 

  • Able to perform remote work  

  • Strong English communication skills  

  • Reliable, punctual, and able to commit consistently for a minimum of 6 months  

  • Patience and the ability to work with youth from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds 

  •  

Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization | 10301 NE Glisan St. Portland, OR 97220   

www.irco.org 

Schedule Summary

This activity generally occurs on

  • Monday - Afternoon, Evening
  • Tuesday - Afternoon, Evening
  • Wednesday - Afternoon, Evening
  • Thursday - Afternoon, Evening
  • Friday - Afternoon, Evening
  • Saturday - Afternoon, Evening
  • Sunday - Afternoon, Evening

I would like to volunteer

Fill in an application

Already use MyImpactPage.com to volunteer with this organization?
Log in to your account

Get Social

Share this