Volunteer as a Tutor

We bring the community into ILI by providing a Volunteer Tutor Program.

Prospective Tutor Information:

For Current Tutors:

All tutors who are working with a learner need to record their tutoring hours. Download and print the form by clicking on the link below. Please return the completed form to Amy at ILI. If you encounter a problem, please inform Amy. Thank you.

General Program Information

The Volunteer Tutor program, begun in 1990, matches ESOL learners with community members for language and cultural exchanges. Learners come from a wide variety of places around the world such as Brazil, Cambodia, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Congo, El Salvador, Germany, Honduras, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Morocco, Poland, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russian, Taiwan, Thailand, and Zaire. They range from young adults to seniors and have diverse backgrounds and educational levels.

ILI provides a free 15-hour ESOL Tutor training. Tutors are required to attend 3 consecutive free training sessions, observe 3 ESOL classes taught here at ILI (at least 6 hours), attend one in-service follow-up session 1-2 months later, and continue observing classes and assisting teachers after placement.

Next Tutor Training:

  • Dates: September 29th, October 6th and 20th
  • Time: 6-9pm
  • Place: ILI, Northampton

Volunteers work with students on a one-to-one basis. Tutors supplement rather than substitute for classroom instruction. Language skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing are practiced. All tutoring is done in English so it is not necessary to speak another language. Often tutors act as mentors who provide assistance with daily survival skills and/or cultural adjustments. The tutor program promotes intercultural understanding and cross-cultural appreciation.

Volunteers are required to make a 6-month or 2 semester commitment. We ask for a minimum of one session per week, usually an hour to an hour and a half. The schedule and location are negotiated between the learner and tutor.

The only qualifications one needs to become a tutor are: the ability to speak, read, and write fluently in English, have cultural sensitivity and openness to different values/beliefs, and patience and willingness to provide encouragement.

For people who have an interest in becoming a volunteer ESOL tutor at the International Language Institute we recommend that you read the information for prospective tutors provided above, fill out the Volunteer Tutor Application and return it to the Coordinator of Volunteer Tutors, Amy Ben-Ezra at International Language Institute 17-15 New South St. Suite #113 Northampton, MA 01060. Thank you.

Questions? Please contact:

Amy BenEzra at (413) 586-7569 x 100 or e-mail: amy@ili.edu

AAIEP ACCET IALC