|
The
world comes together at Emily Griffith Opportunity School
The English as a
Second Language program at Emily Griffith Opportunity School
serves immigrants, visa students, and refugees from around the
world.
Our refugee students
come from many troubled areas of the globe, including Bhutan, Burma,
Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iraq, and Somalia. Each year,
more than 1,000 refugees participate in our program to study English,
learn about American culture, and prepare for employment. All
instruction is in English.
The students truly
benefit from the time they spend with volunteer tutors and conversation
partners. Our volunteers share their time and culture and help
students navigate through a new life.
Community
members contribute every day
Volunteers in the
regular and refugee English as Second Language programs at Opportunity
School put in hundreds of hours each month helping our students
learn and adjust to life in the U.S.
This contribution
of time is an invaluable resource for our program and our students.
Classroom
or Conversation
Volunteers assist
in the classroom, work one-on-one with students, or tutor small
groups outside the classroom. All work is under the supervision
of the regular classroom teacher.
Conversation Group
volunteers meet with advanced-level refugee students in a casual
setting to chat and share ideas. The students have the opportunity
to practice the English they have learned in a friendly, fun,
relaxed environment.
Volunteer
Responsibilities
- Complete an application
and return it to the Volunteer Coordinator
- Complete informal
interview and classroom observation
- Attend training
workshop offered at the school
- Tutor students
on a regular basis
- Work closely with
the classroom teacher and follow the lesson plan provided
when working with students
- Be reliable and
punctual, and notify the Volunteer Coordinator when you have
a schedule conflict.
Who
can volunteer?
There is a place
in our program for almost anyone who wishes to volunteer. Previous
teaching experience is not required, nor is it necessary to
speak a second language.
Qualifications
- Strong desire
to help recently arrived refugees and immigrants improve their
English language skills
- Sensitivity to
cultural differences
- Ability to tutor
on a consistent basis for two hours a week for a minimum of
four months
- Patience, understanding,
and flexibility. You must be reliable.
|
