Part-Time ESOL Instructor - Lowell, MA - International Institute of New England

The mission of the International Institute of New England (IINE) is to create opportunities for refugees and immigrants to succeed through resettlement, education, career advancement and pathways to citizenship. One of the oldest and largest human services organizations for New Americans in the region, IINE serves more than 9,000 people each year in Boston and Lowell, Massachusetts, and Manchester, New Hampshire. Our programs include case management, youth and family services, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), employment and skills training, and immigration legal services.

A dynamic, forward-looking, and rapidly growing non-profit organization, we seek well-qualified, solutions-focused candidates who are experts in their respective fields. Successful candidates will join a committed team of professional staff and volunteers who are devoted to welcoming and serving new Americans.

Position Title: PT ESOL Instructor

• Department: Education
• Reports to: Education Manager
• Supervises: N/A
• Status: Full-time; Non-Exempt

Benefits:
Full-time employees will be eligible for all benefits including vacation, personal, sick days and twelve paid holidays. You may participate in all benefit programs that IINE establishes and makes available to eligible employees, under (and subject to all provisions of) the plan documents that govern those programs. Currently, IINE offers medical, dental and vision. Company-paid life insurance, company-paid short term disability (STD), long term disability (LTD), accidental death and dismemberment and disability coverage, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), other benefits including 403(b) with company match plan(s) pursuant to the terms and conditions of company policy and the 403(b)-plan document. Other perks such as discounts through our vision plan, fitness reimbursement and more.

Overview

The ESOL Instructor provides English and computer instruction to adult speakers of other languages in the ESOL Program. The ESOL instructor is responsible for creating lesson plans, providing quality instruction, and maintaining and inputting student attendance data into Apricot and/or LACES databases. The ESOL Instructor receives one hour of prep for every two hours of instruction for a 2:1 teaching/prep ratio. Instructors attend a minimum of two required meetings per week: one-on-one with the supervisor and a weekly Education team meeting. Full-time instructors additionally attend weekly staff and Dispo meetings. Instructional methods reflect a student-centered teaching philosophy. Classes are held remotely or in-person depending on student needs. Evening hours may be required.

Responsibilities

• Provide classroom instruction that reflects a cohesive approach to listening, speaking, reading, writing, and grammar.
• Work with students on foundational phonics, spelling, reading, and writing.
• Maintain attendance records and reports, as required. Contribute to the overall retention of students in assigned class(es).
• Prepare lesson plans and classroom materials according to curriculum, utilizing program contextualized textbooks and supportive resources.
• Plan a syllabus appropriate to assigned class level according to ESOL curricula guidelines and student needs.
• Contribute to the on-going curriculum development. Review and adopt new materials as needed.
• Full-time instructors should become certified and maintain certification to administer standardized test(s).
• Coordinate instruction with other programs within workforce development to ensure that clients have maximum opportunities to improve their communication and job readiness skills, gain employment, and advance toward career goals.
• Assist in the assessment and placement of students in appropriate levels. Evaluate and document student progress; make placement recommendations and changes in accordance with the National Reporting Service (NRS) descriptors for Student Performance Levels and program class levels/focus.
• Assess students’ needs and goals.
• Refer student and classroom issues/needs to the Program Assistant and/or Education Manager
• Coordinate activities for interns/volunteers, including creating materials for small group sessions and field trips.
• Attend regularly scheduled program meetings and periodic professional training sessions. The Institute requires a minimum of 20 professional development hours per year for full-time staff and 10 hours for part-time staff.
• Perform all other duties assigned by supervisor.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Outstanding writing, communication, and presentation skills, particularly concerning ESOL student audience.
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point required.

• Cultural sensitivity and interest in international, refugee, and asylee issues.
• Extremely well organized, detail oriented, flexible, and able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to prioritize duties in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to speak other languages is a plus.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field or TEFL certification required; related Master’s Degree strongly preferred.
• At least one year of ESOL teaching experience preferably with adult immigrant populations (experience working with literacy students is a plus).

Work Environment Conditions

• Requires occasional night work.
• Exposure to bright, overhead office lighting, use of office technology such as laptops, printers, mail machines, and other in-office equipment.
• Frequent interactions with students and colleagues.

Physical Demands

• Occasional lifting, pushing, and pulling materials (boxes, equipment) of 50 pounds or more.
• Continuous sitting (or standing) at a desk for long periods of time.
• Occasional driving to and from IINE offices as needed.
• Frequent bending, reaching overhead, and reaching at or below shoulder level required.

Covid-19 Policy

IINE does not require applicants for most positions to show proof of Covid-19. Some federal contracts, however, require IINE staff to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination, and some immigration status adjustments, such as a Green Card, require proof of Covid-19 vaccination as well. Consequently, for some positions, IINE staff may be required to show proof of vaccination, and in others, IINE staff will be supporting clients who are required by law to have proof of vaccination in order to adjust their status in the United States.

US Work Eligibility Notice

This position requires lawful authorization to work in the United States, and IINE is unable to provide visa sponsorship in connection with this.