There are many TESL-related volunteer opportunities in the Champaign-Urbana community. Volunteering is a great way for you to get experience teaching ESL, work with different student populations and proficiency levels, and meet people from different cultures. Please go to the organizations’ websites to learn more about their mission and how to volunteer with them.
If you or your organization would like to add an opportunity to this page, please contact one of the TESL-UIUC leaders.
The Education Justice Project (EJP) is a college-in-prison program that offers higher education to incarcerated people at the Danville Correctional Center, about a 30-minute drive from Champaign. In order to become a volunteer ESL Instructor (Language Partner), you must submit an application (e.g., apply by March to volunteer in the Fall semester). Find out more about the application process and deadlines at their website (Get Involved > Apply to EJP).
English Corner is an RSO at UIUC that gives international students opportunities to practice conversational English with native speakers and gives American students opportunities to engage with other cultures. Undergrads, grads, and visiting scholars are all welcome. Fluent English speakers are needed to mingle with English learners before the Thursday meeting, to facilitate conversation groups, and to join in on special events. No TESL experience is needed–just willingness to come and be social! To find out more, visit the English Corner website or contact Gary Umphrey at garyumphrey@gmail.com.
International Teaching Assistant Program and Pronunciation Classes
The International Teaching Assistant Program (ESL 504 and ESL 506) and the pronunciation classes (ESL 110/510) at UIUC need volunteers each semester to do any of the following:
- Ask questions and give feedback to prospective ITAs in mock teaching sessions.
- Be part of an undergraduate panel that gives students in the ITA classes a chance to ask questions about university life.
- Watch and discuss movies that have educational themes (Mona Lisa Smile, School of Rock) with prospective ITAs.
- Be a conversation partner..
There are no specific requirements or qualifications necessary to participate. This is a great way to gain some experience in the field of ESL, get to know amazing students from all over the world and give service that directly impacts the UIUC campus community. To sign up as volunteers, please complete a short survey or contact Brad Miller at bbmillr2@illinois.edu or Chelsea Coronel at ccorone2@illinois.edu
Parkland College – Project READ Volunteers
Project READ, a not-for-profit literacy service, provides free tutoring to adult learners seeking to improve their reading, writing, and/or English as a Second Language skills. To become a volunteer tutor, you must attend a 15 hours of formal training. At the end of the training, you will receive a certification in tutoring adults. Volunteer tutors work one-on-one with adults students in public locations throughout C-U and assist Parkland College teachers in ESL classes. Project READ also works with adults on basic reading, writing, and math skills. Call (217) 353-2662 for more information and to find out when the next certification training is.
Located in downtown Urbana, the Urbana Adult Education Center offers ESL classes at the Beginning through Advanced proficiency levels. Classes are offered during morning, afternoon, or evening times and focus on listening, speaking, reading, and writing. If you’re interested in volunteering as a teaching assistant at the center, fill out this interest form: http://urbanaadulteducation.org/volunteer/
Vis-A-Vis provides an opportunity for enthusiastic and dedicated UIUC students to tutor children one-on-one or to be a classroom aide in a local Champaign-Urbana elementary, middle, or high school. Vis-A-Vis can place you as a volunteer in an ESL class.
