The English as a Second Language program sponsored by St. James Church in Mount Rainier, Maryland is seeking volunteer English teachers. No prior teaching experience is necessary -- this rewarding opportunity is open to everyone! Volunteers commit to teaching one night a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday night from 7-9 PM) for seven weeks during a single semester. The next ESL semester will run from February 5 - March 21. (Prospective teachers are still welcome to contact us after February 5, as they could fulfill other roles or teach during the following semester.)
All our students are adults (average age range is 20-55) and most are immigrants from Mexico or Central America (although our volunteers do not need to speak Spanish.) We seek to create a friendly and low-pressure environment for our volunteers and students (many of whom are unaccustomed to formal schooling). The curriculum focuses on oral communication and life skills, and teachers are given instructional materials and a detailed schedule so it's easy to get started. Volunteers are free to employ their own teaching methods and instructional materials, as long as the scheduled material is covered. Some of our past volunteers have later gone on to teach professionally or internationally.
Classes are held in Mount Rainier, MD, which is accessible by car or bus from the Red Line. Carpooling with other teachers is sometimes possible as well.
