Esol volunteer roles

About IRMO

IRMO works to enable the development, agency, and participation of Latin Americans and other Spanish and Portuguese speakers, by responding to both immediate needs and structural inequalities. We do this by offering high-quality information and advice services, opportunities for development and training, and a platform to seek social and systemic change. Our work is organised across three main operational areas - Advice and Casework; Education, Training and Employment; Children and Young People - and a cross-cutting area - Advocacy, Research, Policy Mapping and Campaigning. 

About our Education, Training and Employment Programme

Our comprehensive Education, Training and Employment (ETE) programme runs various activities to improve our beneficiaries' social and cultural integration in the UK. These activities include 12-week English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses for adults and online conversation classes. 

We also deliver one-to-one employment support, mentoring, vocational training, and workshops on a range of topics to support the Latin American community in navigating the UK system. Additionally, our volunteer scheme provides volunteers with valuable work experience to enter London’s competitive job market. As well as being integral to the smooth running of our organisation, the scheme helps volunteers to develop their skills by working in a multicultural, collaborative and inspiring environment.

About the role

We are looking for a motivated ESOL Teaching Assistant to support the smooth delivery of our ESOL classes at Pre-Entry and Entry 1 levels for Latin American migrants and refugees. You will assist the ESOL Teacher with classroom delivery following our pre-prepared syllabus and teaching materials, along with a variety of audio-visual aids to improve learners’ speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in English.

As an ESOL Teaching Assistant, you will encourage learners to communicate using the structures and vocabulary they have learnt, with a strong emphasis on dialogue and role-playing, alongside more formal exercises and language games.

We are seeking a volunteer holding either a formal teaching qualification (e.g. CELTA, CertESOL or similar) or prior experience in teaching English to speakers of other languages. 

Main tasks and responsibilities

• Support with the planning, preparation and delivery of high-quality ESOL lessons in a community setting

• Mark and provide appropriate feedback on oral and written work

• Guide the class according to the syllabus and learning outcomes as instructed

• Ensure learners participation during class and monitor attendance

• Create a safe and inclusive learning environment, identify gaps and adapt activities to learners’ needs

• Provide one-to-one learner support in class as required, to ensure needs relating to learning difficulties and disabilities are met

• Prepare and set exercises, materials and examination papers as necessary

• Undertake administrative tasks, such as keeping student registers and attendance records

• Provide logistical support with arranging the room, setting out refreshments and class tidy upContribute towards outcome and impact measurement for learners at the end of each term

We are looking for

• A recognised ESOL qualification, such as those listed on the TESOL website, is essential (e.g. TEFL or CELTA) or equivalent experience

• Verbal and written communication skills in English and either Spanish and/or Portuguese

• A flexible and enthusiastic person who is confident working in a multicultural and multilingual environment

• An empathetic approach to working with beneficiaries whose needs may vary or change over time

• Ability to work resourcefully and in collaboration with others

• Good IT skills, including in using Microsoft and Google suite packages, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and databases

• Good interpersonal and communication skills with attention to detail

• A caring, sensitive and non-judgemental manner

• Knowledge of how to deal with sensitive and confidential information

• Ability to learn quickly and adapt to CRM systems

• Committed to IRMO's mission, vision and values

Additional requirements

• Two references from current/previous employers

• Enhanced DBS Check (completed through IRMO)

• Safeguarding Level 1 certificate (completed through IRMO)

• One month trial period

Benefits of volunteering at IRMO

• You will get the opportunity to help others and to give back

• You will learn new skills and gain experience working in a multicultural, cooperative and inspiring environment

• You will contribute to the Latin American Community and increase your knowledge of the situation of Latin American migrants in the UK

• You will gain valuable experience and strengthen previous skills to help prepare yourself for the UK’s competitive job market

• You will enhance your CV and get references (after a 3-month period) for further support with employability

• You will have the opportunity to participate in training sessions with high-quality learning outcomes (in-house and external) in areas related to the role

• You will receive regular supervision and support

At IRMO, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. We actively encourage applications from individuals with protected characteristics, including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and age. 

We particularly invite Latin Americans, those who identify as members of underrepresented and marginalised communities, and individuals with lived experience of the immigration and asylum system, to reflect the community we serve. 

We are dedicated to ensuring accessibility in our recruitment process and volunteer opportunities. If you have specific accessibility needs, please let us know, and we will make necessary accommodations.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

About IRMO

IRMO works to enable the development, agency, and participation of Latin Americans and other Spanish and Portuguese speakers, by responding to both immediate needs and structural inequalities. We do this by offering high-quality information and advice services, opportunities for development and training, and a platform to seek social and systemic change. Our work is organised across three main operational areas - Advice and Casework; Education, Training and Employment; Children and Young People - and a cross-cutting area - Advocacy, Research, Policy Mapping and Campaigning. 

About our Education, Training and Employment Programme

Our comprehensive Education, Training and Employment (ETE) programme runs various activities to improve our beneficiaries' social and cultural integration in the UK. These activities include 12-week English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses for adults and online conversation classes. 

We also deliver one-to-one employment support, mentoring, vocational training, and workshops on a range of topics to support the Latin American community in navigating the UK system. Additionally, our volunteer scheme provides volunteers with valuable work experience to enter London’s competitive job market. As well as being integral to the smooth running of our organisation, the scheme helps volunteers to develop their skills by working in a multicultural, collaborative and inspiring environment.

About the role

We are looking for a motivated ESOL Teaching Assistant to support the smooth delivery of our ESOL classes at Pre-Entry and Entry 1 levels for Latin American migrants and refugees. You will assist the ESOL Teacher with classroom delivery following our pre-prepared syllabus and teaching materials, along with a variety of audio-visual aids to improve learners’ speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in English.

As an ESOL Teaching Assistant, you will encourage learners to communicate using the structures and vocabulary they have learnt, with a strong emphasis on dialogue and role-playing, alongside more formal exercises and language games.

We are seeking a volunteer holding either a formal teaching qualification (e.g. CELTA, CertESOL or similar) or prior experience in teaching English to speakers of other languages. 

Main tasks and responsibilities

• Support with the planning, preparation and delivery of high-quality ESOL lessons in a community setting

• Mark and provide appropriate feedback on oral and written work

• Guide the class according to the syllabus and learning outcomes as instructed

• Ensure learners participation during class and monitor attendance

• Create a safe and inclusive learning environment, identify gaps and adapt activities to learners’ needs

• Provide one-to-one learner support in class as required, to ensure needs relating to learning difficulties and disabilities are met

• Prepare and set exercises, materials and examination papers as necessary

• Undertake administrative tasks, such as keeping student registers and attendance records

• Provide logistical support with arranging the room, setting out refreshments and class tidy upContribute towards outcome and impact measurement for learners at the end of each term

We are looking for

• A recognised ESOL qualification, such as those listed on the TESOL website, is essential (e.g. TEFL or CELTA) or equivalent experience

• Verbal and written communication skills in English and either Spanish and/or Portuguese

• A flexible and enthusiastic person who is confident working in a multicultural and multilingual environment

• An empathetic approach to working with beneficiaries whose needs may vary or change over time

• Ability to work resourcefully and in collaboration with others

• Good IT skills, including in using Microsoft and Google suite packages, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and databases

• Good interpersonal and communication skills with attention to detail

• A caring, sensitive and non-judgemental manner

• Knowledge of how to deal with sensitive and confidential information

• Ability to learn quickly and adapt to CRM systems

• Committed to IRMO's mission, vision and values

Additional requirements

• Two references from current/previous employers

• Enhanced DBS Check (completed through IRMO)

• Safeguarding Level 1 certificate (completed through IRMO)

• One month trial period

Benefits of volunteering at IRMO

• You will get the opportunity to help others and to give back

• You will learn new skills and gain experience working in a multicultural, cooperative and inspiring environment

• You will contribute to the Latin American Community and increase your knowledge of the situation of Latin American migrants in the UK

• You will gain valuable experience and strengthen previous skills to help prepare yourself for the UK’s competitive job market

• You will enhance your CV and get references (after a 3-month period) for further support with employability

• You will have the opportunity to participate in training sessions with high-quality learning outcomes (in-house and external) in areas related to the role

• You will receive regular supervision and support

At IRMO, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. We actively encourage applications from individuals with protected characteristics, including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and age. 

We particularly invite Latin Americans, those who identify as members of underrepresented and marginalised communities, and individuals with lived experience of the immigration and asylum system, to reflect the community we serve. 

We are dedicated to ensuring accessibility in our recruitment process and volunteer opportunities. If you have specific accessibility needs, please let us know, and we will make necessary accommodations.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

About CARAS:

Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a charity that supports refugees and people seeking asylum who live in south London. We offer a range of individual and group support to improve the holistic wellbeing of people who have a background of forced migration, providing them with tools to build lives filled with value, meaning and purpose in the UK. Our activities for young people currently include: ESOL classes (English for Speakers of Other Languages), study group, youth club, swimming lessons and football.

About Youth Club:

Youth Club is a place for young people aged 14-19 to come and play games, learn new skills, make and strengthen friendships and build a sense of belonging. Regular activities include classic youth club games such as table tennis, pool, foosball, board and card games. We also work in partnership with a range of organisations to run a rich programme of workshops within our youth club. Some of these have included creative visual arts, drama, music and workshops on rights and entitlements of young asylum seekers. We also cook a hot meal from time to time and offer a range of snacks each week. Our casework team are also on-site to support young people with a range of advice and signposting needs, usually by-appointment.

Youth club takes place at Furzedown Youth Centre. Welham Rd, London SW16 6TJ

About the role:

As a Youth Club volunteer, you would be helping young people to feel welcome, join in with activities and be a great role model.

Youth Club takes place every Wednesday at 6.00-8.30pm. We ask for a commitment of at least 2 sessions per month for a minimum of 6 months.

Tasks and responsibilities:

· To attend and contribute to volunteer de-briefs which occur 15 minutes after each session.

· To act as a positive role model and set standards of behaviour when volunteering with young people.

· To encourage and inspire young people to reach their full potential.

· To assist young people to both recognise and celebrate their achievements.

· To challenge young peoples’ negative attitudes and behaviour in an appropriate manner.

· To adhere to CARAS Child Protection procedures, Confidentiality policy, Health & Safety policy, Equal Opportunities policy and all other policies as relevant.

Requirements:

To be 18 years or older;

· To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse cultural backgrounds;

· To be reliable and punctual;

· Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English;

· The ability to volunteer on Wednesday evenings for a minimum of six months;

· Current resident of the UK;

· Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check;

· Able to attend compulsory volunteer induction training (online) general and safeguarding prior to the start of role

Volunteer induction training currently takes place online once a month on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings from 6pm - 8pm. we offer the same trainings on Tuesday and Wednesday daytimes online between 12noon - 2pm once every 3 months.

Your availability to attend 1 general and 1 safeguarding online training session at these times within 3 months of your application would be a prerequisite of being accepted as a volunteer at CARAS.

Desirable:

· Knowledge of community languages, such as (including Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali and Spanish).

Through volunteering with us you will:

· Meet new members of your local community;

· Learn about different cultures;

· Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum;

· Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team;

· Develop your skills and competencies;

· Be able to access relevant training;