ESOL Teacher - Newcastle (Minimum Qualification CELTA Or Equivalent)

Volunteer teachers help us develop our work by committing to prepare and deliver regular lessons (face-to-face or online) and by preparing self-study materials for learners.

Teachers will work with learners at a specific ESOL level, and with volunteer assistants, so inclusivity and teamwork is vital.

Time Commitment in Newcastle: 2 hours per week on Tuesday, plus preparation.

The following points are a guide, rather than a definitive list, to help with role definition. ESOL Teachers are expected to:

• Plan and prepare lessons at an appropriate level for their allocated student group;
• Deliver English teaching to groups of approx. 10 - 20 students in classrooms and online classes (though numbers may vary);
• Prepare self-study materials for students which can be posted out and/or uploaded to our website;
• Attend sessions at the times agreed in advance with the ESOL Project Officer;
• Attend appropriate training sessions or meetings (with the Project Manager or Officer), including online;
• Respect the privacy of the students;
• Maintain appropriate professional relationships and boundaries with staff, volunteers, and students; (do not swap phone number with the student)
• Treat all students equally and be sensitive to cultural and religious differences;
• Report any concerns/difficulties regarding students directly to the Officer or Project Manager as early as possible; · Implement Action Foundation’s Safeguarding Policy, and ensure that students are made aware of the policy including who they can report/talk to;
• Treat all information about students as confidential (except for safeguarding concerns which should be reported to a staff member / Safeguarding Lead);
• Abide by the values and ethos of Action Foundation.

It is important to understand there are certain roles that a teacher must not undertake - these include:

• Counselling and advice;
• Legal advice (if don’t have OISC Levels that are registered with our organisation);
• Any role that is usually done by a skilled professional, e.g. taking responsibility for someone’s financial legal affairs; · Physical help of any kind if you have not been trained;
• The role of a healthcare professional;
• Pro-actively sharing your personal beliefs.

Skills

Knowledge/Understanding 

• A genuine desire to support asylum seekers and other migrants
• An understanding of the need to maintain safe professional boundaries when volunteering
• An understanding of the need to maintain confidentiality (except for safeguarding reporting)
• Knowledge of safeguarding and supporting vulnerable adults (desirable)
• Some basic awareness of the issues facing asylum seekers and other migrants (desirable)
• Experience with vulnerable people in a similar capacity, paid or unpaid (desirable)

Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge and experience of teaching English to groups of non-native speakers
• A commitment to empowering and enabling others
• Warmth, understanding, sensitivity and a willingness to listen
• Strong interpersonal/communication skills
• A flexible approach to students whose needs may vary or change over time
• The ability to be supportive and non-judgemental regardless of students’ age, race, sexuality, religion or disability
• To be willing to learn from own and others’ experiences
• To maintain strong lines of communication with the Project Manager and Officer

Requirements:

• DBS check (fees covered by Action Foundation)
• 2 Character references
• Completing safeguarding and prevent training
• CELTA (or equivalent)