APPLY TO BE A VOLUNTEER
Fill out our Online Volunteer Application
OUR VOLUNTEERS
One of the things that makes Language, ETC so special is our volunteers. It is the dedication of our volunteers that allows us to provide such a great service; making an invaluable difference to the immigrants we serve. Most of our volunteers find it such a rewarding experience they return term after term, many having been with us for years.
Volunteering is good for your career and for your social life!
A recent volunteer survey found that….” 87% said volunteering was helping their careers, 34% found a job or changed careers as a result of volunteering and one in four said they met a romantic partner through volunteer work!” Reported in The Chronicle of Philanthropy, April 2004.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
As a volunteer, you can assist as:
An ESL teacher
A citizenship teacher
A tutor
A Language Lab teacher
A computer lab aide
A Spanish literacy teacher (native or fluent Spanish-speaker)
A Conversation Group leader
Assisting students with resume and interview preparation (by appointment only)
Assisting with our newsletter
Office Duties
Outreach and Fundraising
SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR
There are three 12-week terms per year and an abbreviated 6-week summer session:
• Fall Term: mid September – early December
• Winter Term: mid January – end of March
• Spring Term: mid April – end of June
• Summer Term: mid July – end of August
During the three 12-week terms classes meet at the following times:
• Monday-Thursday, 7 – 9pm
• Tuesday and Thursday, 10am – 1pm
• Saturday and Sunday, 2 – 5pm
• Sunday, 9am – 12pm
Classes during the 6-week Summer session meet at the following times :
• Monday-Wednesday, 6:30 – 8:30pm
• Tuesday and Thursday, 10am – 1pm
• Saturday and Sunday, 2 – 5pm
Volunteer Commitment:
The volunteer commitment for teaching is 1 day per week, 2-3 hours per week for the 12-week term. In addition, teachers must attend an orientation and one additional training workshop during the term. The volunteer commitment for tutoring is 1 day per week, 1 hour per week through the end of the current term.
Volunteer absences are discouraged, but in the event of an emergency, we ask that you notify the Volunteer Coordinator immediately so we can attempt to find a substitute.
Volunteer Qualifications:
All Volunteers must:
• Be 20 years old or older;
• Be a native or near native English speaker;
• Be willing to make a 12-week commitment;
• Be willing to attend training before and during each session;
• Have access to email at least once per week
• Have the desire to work with adults from different cultural, educational, and economic backgrounds
Language ETC does NOT require volunteers to have prior teaching experience. We require volunteers to attend at least one of the two trainings provided before the term begins and we provide additional training and on-going support throughout the term. We also encourage new volunteers to observe a class, when possible.
Volunteering does NOT require that you speak a second language. Our ESL classes are taught in English and students are encouraged to use only English in the classroom.
We provide teachers with a class syllabus, quizzes, tests, and a teacher’s guide, according to the level being taught. Our Program Director and Volunteer Coordinators are available for questions and support before and during each class session. We also have a variety of additional materials, resources, and books that are available for volunteers to use in their classes.
APPLY TO BE A VOLUNTEER
Fill out our Online Volunteer Application
Feel free to contact one of our volunteer coordinators to discuss volunteering:
DIRECTOR OF VOLUNTEER SERVICES
Steven Whites
TELEPHONE: 202-387-0023
EMAIL: swhite@languageetc.org
MANAGER OF WEEKEND PROGRAMS AND VOLUNTEER PARTNERSHIPS
Lee Griffith
TELEPHONE: 202-387-0023
EMAIL: lgriffith@languageetc.org
LETC TEACHER’S CORNER BLOG
To read our LETC Teacher’s Corner blog, which is by and for our teachers, click the BLOG button at the top of each page of this website.
VOLUNTEER STORIES
Judie Guy, 2B
I began volunteering at LETC as a tutor just last year after a long career in communications with the Federal government. When I first met the delightful student assigned to me, I couldn’t imagine why she had come to LETC – her English conversational skills were that good! But I soon learned she’d had little formal schooling either here or in her native country, so she was anxious to work on reading and writing English. We laughed about the fact that I have the opposite challenges as I struggle with her language (Spanish) — I’ve got the grammar down, but stumble in conversation.
While I continue to enjoy my tutoring, I’m thrilled to be teaching a 2B class this year as well. And what I’m finding most fascinating about the classroom is the range of skills, learning styles, and backgrounds students bring. Each student is unique. A few are like the student I tutor – quick to speak but without much experience writing and reading. Some aren’t literate at all in a first language. Others arrive with plenty of education, but no experience with the Roman alphabet. Still others have a fair grasp of written English, but aren’t at all confident speaking. And they come from so many different countries and speak so many different languages! The 20 or so students in our 2B class this term come from 15 different countries and speak at least five different languages. Meeting the needs of such diverse students really keeps the teacher on her toes! But helping them work toward a common goal is immensely satisfying. And watching them come together and help each other along the way thrills me and gives me such hope for our shrinking world.
Karen Saville, 4A
This fourth semester at Language ETC and I am consistently impressed at what a fantastic organization it is. I have taught ESL at other schools both in the U.S and abroad, but have not found any to be as well-run as this one. The students are always positive, optimistic and upbeat, even after long days at work. The staff is always available and responsive, making sure we have the resources and training necessary to provide our students with the best education possible
The other teachers have also enhanced my Language ETC experience, my co-teachers and teams are altruistic, down-to-earth people who are eager to give back to the community. I always look forward to the night I teach because I know it will be an evening surrounded by quality people and challenging fun.
Sheila Madhani
This is my second quarter at Language ETC as an Instructor. Last quarter I taught Level 1A and this quarter I am teaching Level 1B. This is my first real teaching experience and I absolutley love it. At first I was apprensive because I was not sure if I was up to the challenge and a quarter and half later I think I am still trying to figure it out. I feel like I learn something new every class. I have found the Web to be a treasure trove f ideas to make class more fun; the Language ETC staff as well as my fellow volunteer teachers are also a wonderful resource. Making the students laugh- even when it is at me and not with me- goes a long way. Using choclate to encourage class participation does not hurt either.