ESL Literacy Teaching Assistant Intern

Are you a person of compassion? An advocate for justice? Someone who stands up for the rights of the vulnerable and speaks out for the marginalized, the exploited and the forgotten? Do you believe in our calling as Christians to welcome the least of these and love our neighbor?

If you answered ‘yes’, to any of the above, World Relief, and millions of people around the world need you.

At this pivotal moment in time, we are rapidly expanding and growing our team to meet the increasing needs of our world. We are looking for people who want to use their gifts and talents to make a real and tangible difference in our world and the lives of the suffering.

If you’re looking for a purpose-driven career in which you can grow your talents, while also standing up for the rights of the vulnerable, we want you to join us today.

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY:
World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization whose mission is to boldly engage the world’s greatest crises in partnership with the church. The organization was founded in the aftermath of World War II to respond to the urgent humanitarian needs of war-torn Europe. Since then, for 80 years, across 100 countries, World Relief has partnered with local churches and communities to build a world where families thrive and communities flourish.

Today, organizational programming focuses on humanitarian and disaster response, community strengthening and resilience, and refugee & immigrant services and advocacy.

POSITION SUMMARY:
This position supports World Relief Sacramento’s Education team in providing ESL literacy instruction to Afghan women who have little or no prior education. The intern will assist the ESL instructor during virtual classes, both in whole class sessions and in leading breakout rooms. This position calls for mastery of the program’s literacy teaching technique and the ability to follow the lead of the ESL instructor in order to provide seamless transitions between instructor and intern. The intern also assists with client testing, materials preparation, and general administrative support for the ESL Literacy classes. This position is for 6-12 hours per week for 3 months, requires a commitment to a set schedule, and is ideal for interns pursuing studies in Education or TESOL. The intern will gain cross cultural experience, become more familiar with the learning needs of preliterate refugees, learn effective teaching techniques for preliterate learners, and understand how learning goals drive lesson planning and assessment. The intern will gain practical supervised teaching experience working with small groups online and learn to work with a teaching team. This is an unpaid internship; however, university credit may be available with prior approval.

Responsibilities:
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Attend World Relief Sacramento’s ESL Literacy Tutor Training and shadow ESL Instructor in class
• Learn and implement literacy teaching techniques with preliterate Afghan learners
• Provide in-class support to ESL Instructor in virtual classes, including leading break-out groups
• Support ESL Instructor with various administrative tasks, such as attendance tracking
• Help organize and update online video resources for better access by clients
• Assist with testing and tracking clients’ learning gains
• Help prepare educational materials and learning packets (possible, for local interns only)
• Assist with material drop-offs (possible, for local interns only)
• General office support duties as required

Requirements:
• Committed to the mission, vision, and values of World Relief
• Desire to serve vulnerable communities
• Acknowledge World Relief’s faith statement
• Fluency in written and spoken English
• Strong digital literacy skills and familiarity with MS Word, Excel, and apps such as Zoom and WhatsApp
• Must be highly organized and attentive to details
• Commitment to a set schedule of at least 2 virtual class sessions per week from the following timeslots: 8:45-10:45 am Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday; and/or 11:15-1:15 pm Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.
• Able to start mid-December or early January and commit to at least 3 months
• Female-presenting only, in respect for the cultural values of the population served

Preferred Qualifications:
• Able to work effectively and sensitively with people of diverse cultural and religious backgrounds; cross-cultural and/or language learning experience a plus but not required
• Able to teach a small group of learners; prior teaching experience a plus
• Comfortable communicating cross-culturally with clients using limited English
• Able to follow written and oral directions, learn, and retain new information quickly
• Familiar with computers and phone apps such as Zoom and WhatsApp
• Able to work independently and self-manage tasks and time
• Outgoing, friendly, quickly build rapport, and put people at ease
• For local interns, a Valid Driver’s License and reliable personal transportation preferable
• Must be comfortable with technology; prior experience with Zoom strongly preferred

While some internships are unpaid, the program is competitive and you are encouraged to approach it in the same way you would a job. Applicants are required to submit a cover letter, resume, application, and to pass a Criminal Background Check. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Please note that an internship with World Relief does not guarantee a future job in the organization.