ILI - Volunteer Training

Volunteer Tutor Program

We bring the community into ILI by providing a Volunteer Tutor Program. This 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 9-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, TBA
Time: 6-9pm
Place: Northampton, TBA

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 3-month or 1 semester commitment, preferably 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 following information, fill out the Volunteer Tutor Application form and return it to the Coordinator of Volunteer Tutors, Amy Ben-Ezra at International Language Institute 17-15 New South St. Northampton, MA 01060. Thank you.

Prospective Tutor Information:

Current tutors need to record their tutoring hours with a Volunteer Tutor Report. Please click on the link and print the form to fill it out, then return it to Amy at ILI. If you encounter a problem, please inform Amy. Thank you.

For more information on the Volunteer Tutor Program, please contact:

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

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Next Tutor Training:

Prospective Tutor Information:

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