Volunteer opportunities
Please Note:
Due to concerns with the COVID-19 DELTA variant and the rise in community transmissions across our service area, all EAL English programs will continue to be delivered online for the remainder of 2021. New volunteer placement is temporarily on hold, and we anticipate possible volunteer openings in early 2022. If you would like us to contact you then with information on opportunities, please fill out this interest form.
Questions? Please call our office at 781-395-2374 or email volunteer@englishatlarge.org
One-to-one Tutors
As a volunteer one-to-one tutor with English At Large, you will be:
- Trained in a 12-hour workshop series to learn the essentials of a successful tutoring relationship.
- Matched with an adult learner in your area.
- Encouraged to work with your learner for 1½ – 2 hours per week, always in a public space—usually a library. (You and your learner will agree on the time and place.)
- Expected to make a minimum commitment of 50 contact hours with your learner.
Beginner English Teaching Support
English At Large Beginner English classes are taught on Tufts University (Medford) and Brandeis University (Waltham) campuses by student volunteers. The 90-minute Beginner English classes meet two days a week during the fall and spring academic semesters. If you have a Masters in TESOL, a CELTA or TEFL ESL teaching certificate, or have experience teaching ESL in the U.S. or abroad, and are interested in supporting the student volunteers at either university with classroom observations and feedback, please contact our staff. This flexible volunteer role provides welcome support and development for the volunteer teachers, as well as an opportunity to see Beginner Classes in action.
Conversation Group Facilitator
Conversation Groups help English learners to build fluency skills and speaking confidence. Each Conversation Group of up to 12 adult English learners from intermediate to advanced levels is led by two co-facilitators. This is a weekly, 1½-hour commitment for a minimum of three months.
As a group leader, you will receive a four-hour training to learn how to:
- Create a constructive and engaging learner-centered environment
- Encourage active conversation among participants
- Work with multi-level English learners
- Select the most beneficial conversation topics
Book Club Group Leader
The English At Large Book Group provides opportunities for intermediate to advanced English learners to practice reading, speaking, and writing skills. Groups of 10-12 learners meet with their discussion leader and group each week for 1½ hours, for a 6-week session. Learners do the assigned reading before the meeting, and might also be assigned a different discussion role to prepare for the next meeting. Learner preparation includes 1-2 hours of reading and approximately 30 minutes of discussion role preparation each week.
The Book Group Discussion Leader’s main role is to facilitate book or short story discussion for groups of 10-12 intermediate to advanced English learners. Group leaders plan activities that promote interactive speaking practice and engage learners. Learners will be encouraged to develop the discussion topics and to participate in small and large group speaking activities. This role requires a 3-hour weekly commitment for 6 weeks, including 1½ hours of weekly meeting time. Discussion leaders read the short story or book prior to the start of session, and plan group discussion activities in advance.
Intake Assessor
Interview prospective learners to determine their eligibility for the English At Large tutoring program and test their English level. This role has a flexible schedule where volunteers can conduct as few as two interviews per month, or as many as you like.
As an interviewer, you will receive a one-hour training session to learn how to:
- Determine a learner’s goals for learning English
- Gather basic demographic information
- Administer a brief reading/writing and listening/speaking test
- Evaluate all of the information you collect to fully understand the needs of our learners.
Test Administrator
This important volunteer function helps English At Large track the language progress of our learners.
As a test administrator, you will complete formal state certification training and administer standardized speaking or writing tests to our learners. Test Administrators can administer as many or as few tests as they like per month, though much of the testing must be completed in May and June.
Career Access Lab (CAL) Volunteer
Our Career Access Lab (CAL) welcomes volunteers willing to share their experience in the U.S. workforce
CAL volunteers support the Career Readiness Group, a 15-week program that covers the skills needed to start a career in the US. The topics include resumes, cover letters, networking skills, job interview skills, and information about US workforce culture.
Volunteers may choose to:
- Visit the CAL Group to co-facilitate a career lesson
- Provide Career Mentoring to a CAL participant
- Offer feedback at the Resume Review Event
- Conduct interviews at the Mock Interview Event
- Participate in the Networking Event
For more information on volunteering in CAL, please contact the program facilitator at americorps@englishatlarge.org
Changing Volunteer Opportunities
If you don’t have time for a weekly volunteer commitment, consider one of our other volunteer roles:
Event Volunteer
Event volunteers lend a hand at our volunteer, learner, community, and fundraising events. Typical activities include staffing a raffle table, food table or information booth, greeting guests, registering attendees, or being part of the set-up/clean-up team.
Fundraising & Grant-Writing Volunteer
Help us grow to serve more newcomers by conveying why English At Large is important in your community through fundraisers and grants.
English At Large
800 West Cummings Park, Suite 5550
Woburn, MA 01801
tel : 781.395.2374
email : info@englishatlarge.org
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English learners! Today's video will help you understand passive and active voice in English! http://ow.ly/K0Jd50GqYue
English learners! Are you a people person? Or an early bird? Do you know someone who is larger than life or the life of the party? This week's idioms describe people and personalities! Which one describes you?
English Learners! Sharpen your GRAMMAR skills with a short daily video from the ELLLO website. You can choose a video based on your English level! http://ow.ly/XLwo50GpsPy
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English learners! Today hundreds of runners are participating in the Boston Marathon. In today's video from the BBC you will learn how these athletes train to finish the race: One step at a time! http://ow.ly/ajd650Gpsx5
English learners! On Monday, many communities will celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day, which honors the cultures and histories of the Native American people. Learn more here:
Indigenous Peoples' Day — October 11, 2021
Native American people are honored and celebrated on Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
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English learners! Today's video from Accurate English will teach you 20 common English expressions through a conversation with real people!
20 Common English Expressions with a Native Speaker
Learn 20 English Expressions with a native speaker - Conversations with real peopleNorth Lake Tahoe Boat Rental: <a ...
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English learners! What does it mean to weather a storm? Have you ever rained on someone's parade? Do you feel under the weather today? Learn 10 common weather expressions in this short video from English with Emma: http://ow.ly/DTtU50Gmgua
English learners! Do you want to speak more clearly and improve your English pronunciation? This short video from MMMEnglish has great advice and a worksheet you can use to get started! http://ow.ly/KLow50GlnXm
English learners! What does it mean to have a "gut feeling" about something? Does it make your stomach ache? Find out by watching this video from VOA's English in a Minute! http://ow.ly/1ex250Glnvg
English learners! Now that the weather is cooler, you may be thinking about doing some baking. In today's video, Let's Learn English Baking Cookies with Bob the Canadian! http://ow.ly/5XDt50GkhCl
Purchase a reusable bag at @StopandShop Woburn during the month of October to support local programs delivered by English At Large!
English learners! Have you ever gotten a wake-up call? This expression can be used in many situations. Find out more about this expression in this short video from English in a Minute. http://ow.ly/LsAX50GiQ6e
English learners! Today we are sharing a video lesson from Bob the Canadian featuring idioms and tiny things! http://ow.ly/ML9q50GiPGv
English learners! Today's video from Voice of America English at the Movies will help you learn a new expression used in the latest Marvel Movie! http://ow.ly/1pQI50Ghguc
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English learners! What are you doing this weekend? Fall is farm season in Massachusetts! Here is a list of family friendly farms that you may want to visit: https://bostonkidfriendly.com/farms-petting-zoos-near-boston/
English learners! Do you struggle to understand fast-talking English speakers? This video from MMMEnglish can help! Watch to the end and take the quiz, and download the pdf in the comments for more practice! http://ow.ly/jOZS50GdSqz
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English learners! As you learn English, have you ever wondered why it is hard to understand native English speakers, but you have very little trouble understanding English teachers like Bob the Canadian? In this video, Bob has tips that can help! ow.ly/pnK250GqYVk
Shopping for your watch parties? Stop and Shop in Woburn has everything you need! And when you purchase these bags, you support English At Large! Go Sox! Go Pats!
English learners! Today's video will help you understand passive and active voice in English! ow.ly/CuWZ50GqYud
English learners! Are you a people person? Or an early bird? Do you know someone who is larger than life or the life of the party? This week's idioms describe people and personalities! Which one describes you?
English Learners! Sharpen your GRAMMAR skills with a short daily video from the ELLLO website. You can choose a video based on your English level! ow.ly/FohW50GpsPx
The Stop and Shop Community Bag Program continues throughout the month of October!
English learners! Today hundreds of runners are participating in the Boston Marathon. In today's video from the BBC you will learn how these athletes train to finish the race: One step at a time! ow.ly/ObO650Gpsx4
We are proud to partner with this outstanding organization in support of our immigrant neighbors and friends! The Lenny Zakim Fund
English learners! On Monday, many communities will celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day, which honors the cultures and histories of the Native American people. Learn more here: ow.ly/BYZj50GndcW
Indigenous Peoples' Day — October 11, 2021
ow.ly
Native American people are honored and celebrated on Indigenous Peoples’ Day.A reminder that you can make a difference, help save the planet and support EAL - all with your purchase of this bag at the Woburn Stop and Shop!
English learners! Today's video from Accurate English will teach you 20 common English expressions through a conversation with real people! ow.ly/5f2e50GncGB
English Learners! Is your child receiving special education services through the public schools? Are you feeling anxious or confused about the process, or how you can support your child's success? Our Caregiver English Program can help!
English learners! What does it mean to weather a storm? Have you ever rained on someone's parade? Do you feel under the weather today? Learn 10 common weather expressions in this short video from English with Emma: ow.ly/cBlU50Gmgu9
Running to the Woburn Stop and Shop on your way home? Don't forget to pick up a new shopping bag to support EAL!
English learners! Do you want to speak more clearly and improve your English pronunciation? This short video from MMMEnglish has great advice and a worksheet you can use to get started! ow.ly/KBsW50GlnXn
English learners! What does it mean to have a "gut feeling" about something? Does it make your stomach ache? Find out by watching this video from VOA's English in a Minute! ow.ly/VVb350Glnvf
Purchase a bag at the Woburn Stop and Shop and support English At Large!Shopping at the Stop and Shop in Woburn? Purchase a reusable bag and support English At Large!
English learners! Now that the weather is cooler, you may be thinking about doing some baking. In today's video, Let's Learn English Baking Cookies with Bob the Canadian! ow.ly/sGoQ50GkhCm
Shopping at the Stop and Shop in Woburn? Purchase a reusable bag and support English At Large!
English learners! Have you ever gotten a wake-up call? This expression can be used in many situations. Find out more about this expression in this short video from English in a Minute. ow.ly/P3XY50GiQ6d
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