Ready to be
a teacher
or tutor?

Become a Volunteer and Make a Difference!

Would you like to share your expertise, meet people from diverse backgrounds, and contribute to a meaningful cause? Join our extraordinary team of volunteers at Washington English Center and empower others while enriching your own life. We offer both in-person and online volunteer opportunities.

Whether you're a new volunteer or returning, take the first step by completing our Spring Volunteer Sign-Up Form. New volunteers will receive an email from our staff to schedule an orientation phone call. We eagerly anticipate your involvement!

"Being with the students gives me that connection with the world that I also got when I traveled. And so I feel like I don't need to travel as much because I have my international understanding, learning, and opportunities right here in the classroom."

- Claire Kevill, WEC Volunteer

Stay Connected with Our Newsletter

If you're unable to volunteer at the moment, sign up for our weekly newsletter to stay informed about WEC activities. Get updates on volunteer opportunities, teaching workshops, and social events, along with helpful tips and inspiring stories from our community.

Current Volunteer Opportunities Include:

Online ESOL Co-Teachers
In-Person ESOL Co-Teachers
Substitute Teachers
Online Citizenship Co-Teachers
Online Conversation Tutors
Online Writing Tutors
Online Club Leaders
Social Coordinators
WEC Ambassadors
Online ESOL Conversation Class Co-Teachers (summer only)
In-Person ESOL Conversation Class Co-Teachers (summer only)

Volunteer Commitment

The fall, winter, or spring volunteer commitment for both Online and In-Person ESOL Co-Teachers is 11 weeks, following our term schedule. Co-teachers teach with their partner once a week for two hours, and spend 30 minutes to one hour lesson planning, Monday-Thursday, and focus on communication, including speaking, listening, reading and writing.

The volunteer commitment for Online Tutors and Club Leaders is 11 weeks starting at any time. Online Conversation Tutors and Online Club Leaders hold one-hour sessions at the same time each week, plus spend a little time preparing between sessions. Online Writing Tutors spend the equivalent of one hour per week with their student, but mostly communicate asynchronously. Volunteers interested in additional hours are welcome to tutor more than one student, or lead more than one club.

English Literacy Education

Qualifications for Teachers and Tutors

No teaching experience is necessary! We welcome individuals who are passionate about working with diverse communities and willing to learn. You just need to be at least 18 years old, enthusiastic about cross-cultural engagement, proficient in English, and comfortable with technology.

Term Information

For ESOL Co-teachers, our Winter 2025 term runs from April 14 to June 26, 2025. Choose a schedule that suits you best.

Sign-up to co-teach once a week at the day and time that works best for you.

FALL, WINTER AND SPRING TERMS
(11 WEEKS)

Mondays through Thursdays:

Daytime online group ESOL classes: 10:00 AM ET to 12:00 PM ET

Daytime in-person group ESOL classes: 10:30 AM ET to 12:30 PM ET

Evening online group ESOL classes: 6:30 PM ET to 8:30 PM ET

Evening in-person group ESOL classes: 7:00 PM ET to 9:00 PM ET

Citizenship group classes (online only): 5:30 PM ET to 6:30 PM ET

SUMMER
TERM
(6 WEEKS)

Mondays through Wednesdays:

Daytime online group ESOL classes are 10:00 AM ET to 12:00 PM ET

Daytime in-Person group ESOL classes are 10:30 AM ET to 12:30 PM ET

Evening online group ESOL classes are from 6:30 PM ET to 8:30 PM ET

Evening in-person group ESOL classes are 7:00 PM ET to 9:00 PM ET

TUTORS AND CLUB LEADERS CAN MAKE AN 11-SESSION ONLINE COMMITMENT AT ANY TIME

Available Tutoring Hours:

Mondays through Fridays: 1:30PM ET to 2:30 PM ET OR 5:00 PM ET to 6:00 PM ET

Saturdays and Sundays: 12:30 PM ET to 1:30 PM ET

Club hours are flexible.

FY25-FY26 ACADEMIC CALENDAR: KEY DATES

WEC observes all federal holidays. Our offices are also closed the Friday after Thanksgiving, and from 12/23 through 1/1. There are no classes the entire week of Thanksgiving, though staff are available Monday through Wednesday of that week.

Winter
2025 Term:

First Day:
Monday, January 13

Last Day:
Thursday, March 27

Spring
2025 Term:

First Day:
Monday, April 14

Last Day:
Thursday, June 26

Summer
2025 Term:

First Day:
Monday, July 14

Last Day:
Wednesday, August 20

Explore our website to learn more about volunteering opportunities and how you can contribute to our mission. Together, we can create positive change and transform lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Online tutors must be willing to make a 11-session commitment. Each session lasts one hour. You can begin your service at any time.

Online ESOL co-teachers commit to 11 weeks (Fall, Winter and Spring) or 6 weeks (Summer), for 2 hours a week in class, plus one hour outside of class spent on lesson planning. We offer classes year-round, so select a term and schedule that works for your schedule and one that you are sure you can commit to.We also have the opportunity to substitute teach!

Group Class Terms:

Fall: Mid-September to early December

Winter: Mid-January to late March

Spring: Mid-April to late June

Summer: Mid-July to late August

Group Class Schedules*:

Weekdays Online: Monday through Thursday, 10 AM ET to 12 PM ET

Weekdays In-Person: Monday through Thursday, 10:30 AM ET to 12:30 PM ET

Evenings Online: Monday through Thursday, 6:30 PM ET to 8:30 PM ET

Evenings In-Person: Monday through Thursday, 7:00 PM ET to 9:00 PM ET

*There are no Thursday classes or Citizenship classes during the summer term.

All volunteers must:

be 18 years of age or older

make an 11 week commitment (6 weeks for summer group conversation classes)

participate in volunteer training

have regular access to email

have the desire to work with adults from different cultural, educational and economic backgrounds

be comfortable with technology or willing to learn

speak English proficiently (many of our current and former students are teachers!)

If you meet the above requirements, then we look forward to welcoming you as a volunteer in the future. Please note that some programs, in particular PM In-Person Co-Teaching, often have more volunteer interest than we can accommodate in a given term. In this case, volunteer placements are prioritized based on a range of factors including time of sign-up, availability and preferences indicated on the form, and WEC’s commitment to having volunteers from a range of backgrounds and experiences. The earlier you sign up, and the more options that you are open to, the more likely it is that we can find a spot for you. If you do end up waitlisted for a particular term, we will prioritize your placement for the following term. While waitlisted, you are still welcome to get involved by attending WEC’s training workshops or social events, or by joining our substitute teacher list or becoming a tutor.