Finding the Right Volunteer Opportunity at the English Skills Learning Center

9 minutes ago

4 min read

Many people reach out to the English Skills Learning Center (the ESLC) knowing they want to volunteer, but aren't quite sure which opportunity is right for them.

My advice is to look for a role that fits your strengths, interests, and availability, and that you feel confident committing to over time. The ESLC always has volunteer needs, but that doesn't mean every volunteer role is the right fit for every person. Finding the right opportunity takes a little reflection.

If you're exploring volunteer opportunities in Salt Lake County, here are a few questions to help you identify the kind of role that might suit you best:

What are my strengths and interests? Think about the skills and activities you enjoy using, whether that's teaching, organizing, communicating, or sharing your professional experience.
When do I feel most successful? Consider the environments where you feel confident and the situations where you appreciate additional guidance or support.
Do I prefer working behind the scenes or directly with people? Both types of work are valuable, and the ESLC offers opportunities to do each.
Would I enjoy leading a group or supporting someone else's work? You don't have to be the person in charge to make a meaningful contribution.
Do I prefer working independently or as part of a team? Consider the kind of working environment that helps you do your best.

Explore Volunteer Opportunities at the ESLC

The ESLC offers several ways to volunteer in support of adult English language learners. Some volunteers lead classes, others support classroom instruction, and others contribute their skills through administrative work or special projects.

Here's a closer look at three types of volunteer opportunities and what you can expect from each.

Lead Teachers

Lead teaching may be a good fit for someone who enjoys planning, guiding a group, and building relationships with learners over time.

Most ESLC lead teachers volunteer one day per week, with some teachers adding an additional day. This ongoing commitment gives volunteers the opportunity to get to know their students and see their progress.

Lead teachers typically spend 3–5 hours per week on their volunteer role. This includes approximately one hour of lesson preparation, two hours in the classroom, and travel to and from the class site.

The ESLC provides curriculum and lesson plans to help make teaching manageable. Volunteer lead teachers familiarize themselves with the lessons and adapt their preparation to meet the needs of the students in their classes. You don't need to develop an entire curriculum on your own!

Class Assistants

Interested in working directly with English language learners but not sure you want to take on lesson planning? Class assisting may be a good fit.

Class assistants support classroom instruction by following the lead teacher's guidance and helping students participate in class activities. This role offers a way to get involved in teaching and learning without taking on the additional responsibility of preparing lessons.

Class assistants generally don't need to do much, if any, preparation before class. Some eventually feel ready to transition into lead teaching, while others enjoy being class assistants for years. Both paths are valuable, and volunteers can find a meaningful, long-term role in either one.

Behind-the-Scenes Volunteers

Not every volunteer role involves teaching in a classroom. The ESLC also welcomes people who want to contribute their skills and experience through administrative support and special projects.

Some behind-the-scenes volunteers visit our main office regularly to help with administrative tasks. Others contribute their professional skills through projects such as taking classroom photographs, supporting social media, or helping students practice job interviews. All the photos on our website in our promotional materials were taken by volunteers!

These opportunities can be a good fit for people who enjoy using their existing skills to support a nonprofit organization. Depending on the project, volunteers may work directly with students, collaborate with ESLC staff, or contribute behind the scenes. Some projects can also be completed virtually.

An additional behind-the-scenes volunteer opportunity worth considering is joining our board! If you are interested in supporting the ESLC and building leadership and governance skills, board participation can be a great fit. You can learn more about the ESLC's board here: https://www.eslcenter.org/board

Volunteer Locations, Training, and Time Commitment

Where can I volunteer?

The ESLC offers in-person classes at locations throughout Salt Lake County, from Kearns to Millcreek and Midvale to downtown Salt Lake City. Classroom volunteers work at their assigned class sites. Some behind-the-scenes projects can be completed virtually.

Do I need previous teaching experience?

The ESLC provides training for classroom volunteers, so you don't need to figure everything out on your own. Our training helps volunteers prepare for their roles and support adult English language learners in the classroom.

Visit eslcenter.org/events to find information about upcoming volunteer training opportunities.

How much time do I need to commit?

The ESLC asks volunteers to commit to approximately six months or 100 hours of service. The time commitment and schedule vary depending on the role, with classroom positions generally involving a regular weekly schedule and some special projects offering more flexibility.

Many volunteers continue serving with the ESLC well beyond their initial commitment!

When do classes take place?

Most ESLC classes meet during the week, Monday-Thursday. Peak times are between 9 am to 12 pm and 6 pm to 8 pm. Some of our locations hold classes on Fridays and Saturdays.

Find Your Place at the ESLC

Choosing a volunteer opportunity is about finding a role that works for you and allows you to make a meaningful contribution. Whether you enjoy leading a classroom, supporting students alongside another instructor, or sharing your professional skills through a special project, there's more than one way to get involved with the ESLC.