Are you interested in becoming an ESL tutor or a Conversation Partner?
PROGRAM STATISTICS
- ESL stands for English as a Second Language
- Typically about 300 students and 45 tutors are active each year
- At any given time, we have around 150 students active in small group classes (~10 students per class) or one-on-one pairs
- Students range in age from 18-86
- About 85% represent the global majority, and 44% have dependents
WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS TO BE AN ESL TUTOR?
You must be 18 or older and a high school graduate. Tutors must complete a 3-day, 9-hour Tutor Training Workshop at CFLC. Teaching experience is not required, and you need not be familiar with another language to teach ESL.
WHERE DO WE MEET WITH OUR STUDENTS?
All group classes meet at CFLC. For one-on-one tutor pairs, we recommend having your first meeting with your student at the Literacy Council. Most pairs continue to meet here at the Council; the alternative is to meet at another public location convenient to you both, such as one of the library branches, a bookstore, a coffee shop or restaurant, or a local church. It is against CFLC policy for pairs to meet in your or the student’s home.
HOW LONG DO WE MEET WITH OUR STUDENTS?
Group classes are 1.5 or 2 hours long, depending on the type. Some class instructors teach two class sessions per week, while others team-teach and conduct one class session per week. Tutor pairs meet once or twice weekly, depending on the student’s goals and schedule.
HOW LONG DO WE WORK WITH OUR STUDENTS?
For a group class, an instructor should be available for all/most sessions during the 8-week class cycle. For tutor pairs, the time will vary according to each student’s needs and motivation to reach their goals. Some tutors work with students for two to three years or longer, while some only work with a student for a few months. You will be in regular contact with program staff regarding the progress your student is making and your and your student’s availability.
HOW DO WE MEASURE PROGRESS?
Adults enrolled in our programs are assessed usually once per year or after a minimum of 40 instructional hours. Staff will contact you when it is time for your student to post-test. These evaluations are essential to give your student some tangible measure of progress and for CFLC to receive grant funding. Informal assessments are built into the classroom curriculum, and one-on-one tutors may develop their assessments to match what they have been working on with their students. Staff will ask for periodic updates on student achievements and “real-life” progress.
If any of the above sounds daunting, remember: We offer excellent tutor training and provide continued support from the moment you become engaged with our program! Contact Joanne Cheng, ESL Coordinator, at jcheng@cfliteracy.org or by calling (910)251-0911 for additional assistance.