Join the LiteracyCorps

LiteracyCorps: ELL Tutor

This is a national public service opportunity--a paid volunteer opportunity. Requires 100 or 300 hours of service before December 31st, 2024.

Schedule:

  • 10-15 hours a week

  • Includes: planning time during work day, evening availability for ELL classes

What is the difference between 100 and 300 hour service terms?

AmeriCorps service has members complete a certain number of hours over a defined service term. Selected members can create the schedule that works best for them by choosing the total number of hours to serve and defining the period over which to serve them. For example, a member might choose the 100 hour term and wants to serve for two months from late May to early August. This member would need to complete about 15 hours a week to make that happen. All members must complete service by December 2024. The service terms come with different living allowances and education awards—check out the “Benefits” section for more information.

What is the goal of this program?

ELL LiteracyCorps tutors seek to build the English-language skills of adult learners in the Memphis area. Literacy Mid-South provides English language learning classes for adults through volunteers trained in English Forward. English Forward is the nation’s first comprehensive, research-based training system for adult ELL instruction.

What will I be doing?

rained & provided materials by Literacy Mid-South in the English Forward system, members will provide 10-15 hours of service a week working with LMS staff to recruit learners, schedule classes, provide instruction, and engage families. ELL classes typically take between 45 and 90 minutes with the rest of a member’s time spent recruiting learners, managing classes, and collaborating as a cohort. Members, supported by LMS staff, will work with learners to identify the right space for classes utilizing Literacy Mid-South’s vast network of partners as well as virtual options. Members will provide two in-person and one virtual class times to accommodate the highest number of learners. Instruction will be offered over eight week sessions with week-long breaks in instruction for continuous quality improvement.

How many hours a week will I be serving?

Members will provide approximately 10-15 hours of service a week. In addition to planning time, members will engage ELL adult participants in at least 45 minutes of English Forward instruction twice-weekly over 10 weeks.

Where will I be serving?

Literacy Mid-South’s adult learners meet with tutors in public, community spaces like libraries, community centers, and schools.

    • Master the English Forward curriculum through training by Literacy Mid-South

    • Recruit English-language learners with a focus on families of Literacy Mid-South partners

    • Facilitate 8-week sessions of English Forward instruction

    • Engage ELL adult participants in at least 45 minutes of English Forward instruction twice weekly

    • Host up to 2-3 classes each week

    • Manage cohort of ELL adult participants including learner data, assessment results, and learning questions

    • Conduct CASAS assessments of ELL adult participants

    • Conduct pre- and post-surveys to determine attitudes toward participation in English language spaces

    • 100 or 300 hour service term

    • Before December 31st

    • Part-time

    • Classes scheduled with your availability

    • At library/community location(s)

    • Be at least 17 years of age; have a high school diploma or GED; and be a U.S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident alien.

    • Documentation of age, education and citizenship are required.

      • Social security number is required to complete I-9 and enroll in the AmeriCorps program.

    • Reside in the Greater Memphis area in order to submit their federal I-9 documents in person and serve on site at Literacy Mid-South and partner programs.

    • Embraces the AmeriCorps Spirit of Service; seeks to serve where needed in order to support Literacy Mid-South and its partners programming & youth participants

    • Experience working with elementary-aged youth

    • Effective communication skills such as active listening, body language, clear and concise expectations, etc.

    • Effective interpersonal, intercultural, and leadership abilities

    • Possess strong time management skills and the ability to accurately maintain required program documentation and record keeping

    • Effective computer skills with experience emailing, word processing, entering data, etc.

    • Reliable transportation (public or private)

    • Available afternoons and evenings

    • Occasional weekend availability

    • Preferred: experience working with adult learners

    • Preferred: experience working with English-language learners

    • Physical demands:

      • While performing the duties of this service position, the AmeriCorps member is required to stand, walk, run, sit (in chairs and/or on the ground); use hand to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climbing stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch; talk and hear. The AmeriCorps member must be able to occasionally lift and/or move 20 to 25 pounds unassisted and 75 pounds assisted. Specific vision abilities required by the position include close vision, distance vision.

    • 300 hours: $3,000 stipend divided into bi-monthly pay periods

    • 100 hours: $1,500 stipend divided into bi-monthly pay periods

    • Qualify for the Segal Education Award

      • 300 hours: $1,565.08

      • 100 hours: $416.17

    • Qualify for student loan forbearance throughout service term

    • Whole-family literacy trainings

    • English Forward trainings

    • Networking: exposure to broad networks of nonprofit, foundation, and public partners

  • Upon accepting an offer to serve:

    • New service members must create an account in the My AmeriCorps Portal.

    • Returning members will need to update their account with any new contact information including email address.

    • Our program will submit an enrollment invitation to the member found in their My AmeriCorps portal (member social security number and birthday needed).

    • Electronically complete and submit required service member onboarding paperwork.

    • Complete required criminal history checks including but not limited to a state & federal fingerprint check and National Sex Offender Public Registry check two weeks prior to service start date.

Apply for this opportunity here.

Address all comments, questions, or concerns to Johnny Blount.