Adult ESOL Teaching Volunteer (Online, Wednesdays)

About CARAS Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a registered charity that has been supporting refugees and asylum-seekers since 2002 empowering them to integrate and engage in the local community. Arriving as an asylum seeker/refugee can be a disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. As an organisation we are committed to work alongside refugees to overcome those challenges, and to help them build their lives. We offer group support and targeted support work. We offer a range of activities including: ESOL classes; social and recreational activities such as youth club, drama, trips, and family activities; educational support for young people; and casework and advocacy support.

Our values are at the centre of all our work:

• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests.
• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society.
• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes.
• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do.

About the CARAS ESOL Team: Our award-winning ESOL project offers English language classes to adults at a wide range of levels. This provides vital skills, opportunities and social contact and is crucial for enabling people to attend college and access other services in the future.

About the Role: CARAS is looking for volunteer ESOL Teaching Assistants to support our online Zoom classes on Monday mornings: ESOL Entry 2+ level: 1:30 am to 2:30 pm (plus a 10‑minute debrief). Please note that ESOL classes do not run during school holidays, and we follow Wandsworth Council term dates. As a volunteer ESOL Teaching Assistant your role is flexible and varied. It will involve supporting the Adult ESOL Teacher in the delivery of online Zoom classes, as well as providing learners with one‑to‑one or small‑group support.

Volunteer tasks and responsibilities:

• Providing learners with one-to-one or small group support within ESOL classes.
• Helping to set up the classroom and provide learners with classroom resources.
• Attending and contributing to volunteer debriefs after each session.
• Making use of any community languages you may know to help students during the class.
• Working collaboratively as a team and helping to shape the project.
• Supporting people to develop their knowledge and skills, encouraging and inspiring participants to reach their full potential.
• Assisting participants to recognise and celebrate their achievements.
• Following CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management and all other policies as relevant.

Essential Requirements:

• To be 18 years or older.
• Able to travel to our community centre in Tooting (travel expenses can be reimbursed).
• An interest in education and English language teaching.
• To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse backgrounds.
• To be reliable and punctual.
• Excellent communication skills, especially with people who are new to English.
• The ability to volunteer on Mondays or Wednesdays during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of three months.
• Currently resident in the UK; has asylum‑seeker or refugee status.
• Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check.
• Able to attend volunteer induction training (online) prior to start of role.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of community languages, such as Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali or Spanish.

Through volunteering with us you will:

• Gain experience of English language teaching.
• Meet new members of your local community.
• Learn about different cultures.
• Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum.
• Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team.
• Develop your skills and competencies.
• Be able to obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months of regular volunteering.
• Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training.

To Apply: To apply for this opportunity, download and complete the volunteer application form using this volunteer role description to inform your answers. Email your completed form to Mirza at volunteering@caras.org.uk with the email subject header, “ESOL Teaching Assistant Volunteer”. Successful applicants will have an informal meeting with a member of the CARAS youth staff team and a community member. These meetings will be on a rolling basis so apply ASAP! All volunteers must complete an enhanced DBS check for working with young people and attend training with us before starting. You will also receive training and support relevant to your specific role.