Facilitate English Conversation Groups for female immigrants - MUJERES UNIDAS AVANZANDO

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Volunteer Position: ESOL Conversation Group Facilitator

When: Fall 2019

Where: Mujeres Unidas Avanzando (MUA)

54 Clayton Street

Dorchester, MA 02122

Agency Overview/Mission: At Mujeres Unidas Avanzando (MUA), our mission is to help adults break the barriers that stand in the way of their social and economic growth. Through our programs, MUA serves low-income residents from Dorchester and Boston’s surrounding neighborhoods, the clear majority of whom are Latina, although any woman is welcome to take advantage of our programs and services*. We offer English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes; High School Equivalency preparation in Spanish (Hi-SET); computer classes; health workshops and focus groups; HHA and Phlebotomy trainings; Citizenship Preparation; counseling; basic needs referrals and assistance; Family Literacy; one-on-one tutoring provided by volunteers; pull-out sessions for struggling students; and on-site child care for mothers with pre-school aged children participating in MUA’s program. Our day classes run from 9:30-12:00 and 12:30-3:00, and our evening program runs from 5:30-9:00. All services are free.

*Please note that our day program is open to women only, but our evening program is open to women and men.

Duties/Projects: (*Flexible. Volunteer ideas and creativity are encouraged!)

• Plan and facilitate a conversation group for students to practice their English speaking skills. (Groups should run for about one hour.)
• Ensure the participation of all students.
• Emphasize respect within the group. Allow everyone to be heard and respected.
• **Note: MUA has a number of resources volunteers can use for assistance in planning and executing their conversation groups.
• The Volunteer Coordinator will recruit students from our ESOL classes to join the groups, and will try to group students by speaking proficiency level as much as possible.

Time Commitment:

• We ask that volunteers commit to facilitating at leastone conversation group per month for the fall semester (September - December).
• Specific dates and times will be established with Volunteer Coordinator.
• If for any reason you cannot make your volunteer shift, please email or call us as soon as possible.
• ****Note: Conversation Groups are offered on Fridays only.

Requirements:

• Comfort facilitating a group of adults.
• Social, friendly, and creative!
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team environment.
• Organized, dedicated, and responsible.
• Desire and ability to work with people from diverse, cultural, linguistic, racial, and economic backgrounds.
• Self-driven and results-oriented, with a focus on high quality service.
• Open-minded and respectful.

*The following skills are preferred but not required.

• Bilingual (especially English-Spanish).
• Prior teaching experience (especially in ABE/ESOL).

Perks:

• Accessible via the MBTA and close to UMASS/Boston.
• An authentic environment to practice language skills.
• Gain valuable teaching experience.
• Casual work environment and flexible hours.
• Participate in special events according to MUA’s calendar, with free food and entertainment!