Volunteer Virtual English Teacher to Refugee Children | Sandblast Arts

The virtual English Teacher will work with a Saharawi refugee child one-on-one to support their language learning, focusing on improving conversational, reading, and writing skills.

What difference will you make?

You will enable Saharawi refugee children to learn English and be prepared to use their English to immerse into UK life. In addition, these skills are indispensable in giving them access to opportunities for further education and job access, in a place where there are very few opportunities for children and families to uplift themselves.

What are we looking for?

Qualifications Experience teaching English, preferably on a one-to-one basis TEFL/TESL certification not required, but highly preferred Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic teaching environment A friendly nature Expert level fluency in English

What will you be doing?

Sandblast Arts is excited about its plan to bring ten lovely refugee children who have beginner/intermediate English on a 6 week-long English language and cultural immersion programme in the UK this summer. In preparation, we would like to pair each of the students with an enthusiastic and committed English Teacher/Speaking Buddy with whom they can practice and strengthen their conversational and comprehension skills prior to their trip. Their English skills are generally at beginner’s level. The role of the English Teacher will be to meet online (through Zoom or WhatsApp Video Call) with their student (12-14 years old), two to three times a week for 45 minute sessions. They will engage their student in conversations, ideally related to real life situations, use role play and other activities to promote speech, and build their student’s vocabulary and improve their grammar and pronunciation. Optionally, the English Teacher may prepare grammar and vocabulary practice activities or games to use with the student to help them improve their skills. Most importantly however, the English Teacher will provide positive reinforcement and encouragement to the student, aiding them to become more comfortable and confident when speaking English. The English Teacher will be required to spend at least 10-15 minutes planning each session, preparing some conversation topics, new vocabulary they’d like to introduce, and/or one homework assignment to give to the student at the end of each session. The total time commitment will be about 3 hours per week.