English Tutors

Teaching language skills may allow clients to establish roots, build community, and encourage self-sufficiency as they communicate and connect with others, set ambitious employment and career goals, and pass their naturalization test.

Expectations of English Tutors-

  • Consider your time with the client supplemental to other structured learning they may have experiences either in an ESL classes and self-directed practice. Contribute to the client’s listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in English. Help the client understand the structure and rules of the English language.  Tailor lessons around goals that are practical and relevant to the client. Provide constructive feedback for client on their progress. Report your volunteer hours at least monthly

  • Tutors are expected to spend one hour a week for six months with clients. Cancelations will occur from both sides, and we ask that you do your best to reschedule or make-up sessions that were missed so that a client still receives six-months worth of instruction. We ask volunteers to be as flexible as possible and to communicate with our team if there are consistent scheduling issues. It is possible to extend a match for up to one year if both parties agree.

  • Our clients have diverse learning styles, educational backgrounds, and goals. Because of this, we encourage volunteers to be flexible in creative when planning sessions. Utilize the English Tutor kit provided, the resources and recorded trainings in our portal, and reach out to our team when you need support. We do not expect tutors to spend more than 30 minutes on average preparing for lessons.

  • Communication is critical in having a successful 1:1 match. Please ensure you are checking emails and text messages from our team and responding to check-ins. It is best to not make assumptions and over communicate with both the client and our team, to ensure everything is up-to-date!

  • Our clients often face many challenges and obstacles as they are navigating life in Richmond. Please keep in mind that we are asking you to be an English tutor and not a social worker! As client requests or needs arise, please refer back to our team to help navigate the situation and connect to resources. Even if you are not able to provide direct support on an issues, focus on the language learning opportunities in the situation. When in doubt, reach out for support and remember our boundaries policy and best practices for forming healthy helping relationships.

Getting Started as an English Tutor

Resources for Teaching English:

Questions?

Please reach out to volunteers@reestablishrichmond.org for any further questions.