EAL Teacher Volunteer (English as an Additional Language)
Organisational context
The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) is a leading advocacy organisation for people seeking asylum in Australia. We are a values-driven organisation that strives to be part of a movement that helps people seeking asylum by providing direct services such as assistance with accommodation, food, casework, employment, education and legal services. We campaign and lobby with our sector to drive law reform and policy change.
At the heart of the ASRC strategy is the people we serve, and our commitment to ensuring that their voices of lived experience are embedded in all that we do. The ASRC exists for refugees and asylum seekers, and we are in the service of this community of people. It’s important that our work and focus is led by what this community needs, expects and wants from us.
About the Program: Vocational Empowerment Pathways
The Vocational Pathways Program supports people seeking asylum to plan, access and pursue meaningful vocational (life, study and work) pathways to meet their needs, enhance their skills, and reach their goals. We enable people seeking asylum to understand and advocate for their work and study rights and options. In addition, we collaborate with external partners and service providers to improve access, equity and inclusion for people seeking asylum within the VET and Further Study sector, mainstream employment services, and the local labour market.
Position Purpose
The English as an Additional Language (EAL) program provides free English lessons for
adults seeking asylum, four days per week at the Centre. Through a work-focused curriculum, the program aims to empower people seeking asylum to build the practical language skills and confidence needed to navigate employment, education and everyday life in Australia with greater independence and agency.
The EAL Teacher Volunteer plays a key role in planning and facilitating engaging English classes that support these outcomes, alongside the EAL team. Rather than delivering traditional teacher-led instruction, the role supports people to build their English language skills through active participation in an inclusive and welcoming learning environment that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of people seeking asylum.
This is an excellent opportunity for current or aspiring TESOL/EAL practitioners to apply and strengthen their skills in adult English language teaching and cross-cultural facilitation while making a genuine difference to the experience of people seeking asylum at the ASRC.
Supervisor: English Program Coordinator
Key Responsibilities
- Plan and deliver engaging group English lessons to support clients in building language skills for employment and everyday life
- Develop and adapt lesson materials aligned to the work-focused curriculum to ensure lessons are relevant and effective for clients
- Create a welcoming, inclusive and culturally responsive classroom that encourages participation and confidence
- Assess and monitor client progress to identify learning needs and adjust teaching approaches accordingly
- Foster an inclusive and supportive classroom environment to encourage client participation and confidence
- Collaborate with the EAL team to share feedback and contribute to the ongoing development of the program
- Participate in volunteer training, supervision and ongoing feedback to support your development in the role
What We’re Looking For:
Essential:
- Current study, qualification or demonstrated experience in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), English as an Additional Language (EAL) or a closely related field.
- Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to create an inclusive and encouraging learning environment.
- Experience working with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
- Reliability and the ability to commit to a regular volunteer shift (or provide relief support when available)
- A genuine interest in supporting people seeking asylum and refugees, and a commitment to the ASRC's values.
Desirable:
- Experience or knowledge of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT)
- Lived experience as a person seeking asylum, or from a refugee background
- Knowledge of the policy context of practice with asylum seekers visa categories/conditions, and the barriers faced by people seeking asylum in Australia
The ASRC values lived experience, passion and commitment to justice and human rights for people seeking asylum over formal qualifications. You are encouraged to apply even if you do not meet every criterion.