Volunteer FAQ

While ESOL instructors are our greatest volunteer need (both in-person and online), there are several other volunteer opportunities available both in and out of the classroom. 

Volunteer positions include:

• Office volunteers
• Site Managers
• Registration assistants
• Interview Coaching
• Resume Coaching
• Technology facilitators
• Tutors for GED preparation
• Tutors for teaching reading to native English speakers
• Customizable roles based on specialized backgrounds such as teacher trainers, video editors, writers, event planners or fundraisers. 

To learn more about our current volunteer opportunities please reach out to Seth Mazzaro at smazzaro@osbva.org. 

We welcome volunteers with all levels of teaching backgrounds. Volunteers are provided training and ongoing support to be successful in their volunteer role. Click here to learn more about our new volunteer orientation and see upcoming training dates. 

Yes, in fact, all of our classes are taught only in English. Our students come from over 40 countries and speak more than 24 languages. During class, we ask all students and teachers to speak English only. 

Students come from over 40 different countries and speak more than 24 languages. 

Volunteers teach a two-hour class once or twice a week. That commitment includes lesson planning, which averages between a half hour and an hour for each class. We love when teachers can teach for the entirety of the school year (fall, winter, and spring), however we understand that is not possible for everyone and ask that volunteers commit to a twelve-week class. 

Morning classes meet Monday and Wednesday from 9:30-11:30 AM. Evening classes meet Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7:00-9:00 PM. Opportunities are available both in-person and online. Click here to see our next class session dates and locations. 

​Each BEACON class meets twice a week; teachers who commit to teaching once a week, commit to the same day for 12 weeks (for example Tuesdays) and are paired with a team teacher, who teaches the other class day (Thursdays). Both teachers are required to remain in regular communication, sharing what lessons were completed in the book to allow the other teacher to pick up where they leave off. 

​BEACON offers 8 levels of language instruction- four levels of beginners, two intermediate levels, and two advanced levels. Each student takes an informal oral assessment and a formal reading assessment at registration. Both results are taken into consideration to place students into a class that fits their needs.   

Language learners are enthusiastic, eager to learn, and very appreciative of your time. Teaching adult language learners can be a very rewarding experience, especially when you see their confidence flourish under the right amount of practice and encouragement. Despite their enthusiasm, as adults, jobs and families can interfere with their learning and cause attendance to be sporadic. 

​Lower levels require more patience, more picture/visual aids, more animation, more scaffolding and modeling, and a lot more repetition. Volunteers must be able to rely on nonverbal communication to communicate meaning and to understand students. This is a good fit for volunteers who have learned another language by immersion, have the ability to speak slowly and adjust their language complexity, enjoy teaching speaking skills, and someone who is comfortable with silence and a lot of repetition. 

​Higher levels are ready for more grammar and feedback (corrections). Volunteers can rely more on giving good instructions and asking students for input. This is a good fit for volunteers who enjoy teaching grammar, high level vocabulary, teaching reading comprehension and writing skills, or someone who is a little hesitant with the language barrier. 

​Online classes are conducted via Zoom. Volunteers who want to teach online should have a good internet connection, a microphone and a camera, preferably on a laptop or desktop computer. Online teachers should be willing to either learn Zoom features and electronic resources for teaching online or be willing to be paired with a technology facilitator who can support the teacher during class. 

Yes, at this time we are only accepting volunteers who currently live in the United States. 

Yes, we use a formal curriculum that includes teacher textbooks, student textbooks, and come with additional supplemental resources. The teacher textbook shows the student pages and includes teaching tips and detailed step-by-step instructions for each activity. Volunteers must use our provided curriculum to develop a complete lesson plan for each class spending approximately an hour in the textbook, a half hour with interactive activities, and a half hour of additional conversation practice. Over the years, BEACON teachers have developed additional material for our classes, which are available to all teachers through our Knowledge Network (only available to current teachers). Teachers are strongly encouraged to get to know their students in order to adapt the curriculum to student individual needs/interests. 

If your schedule does not allow for a two-hour class for twelve weeks, or you have a significant amount of travel planned (more than 2 planned absences), we always have a need for substitute teachers. As a substitute, you will receive a lesson plan from the regular teacher and you can take as many or as few sub requests as your schedule allows. 

All volunteers must attend a Volunteer Informatin Session, complete a volunteer application, go through a background check, and attend a volunteer training. Volunteer instructors training includes lesson planning and using teacher resource material, observing a class and attending ongoing professional development opportunities. All volunteers sign a code of conduct and review and agree to following policies outlined in our volunteer handbook. 

For further questions, please contact Seth Mazzaro, Volunteer Coordinator at smazzaro@osbva.org or 571-428-2524.