Are you looking for online English teaching experience? Want to use your teaching skills for good? Find out how you can volunteer to teach English online with Australian, New Zealand and International organisations in order to break into the field, or just give back.
How to volunteer
Each organisation below has their own particular criteria for volunteers so it is best to enquire directly. A few rules of thumb:
- Many organisations (especially those who work with children) will require you to pass a Background. or Police check and/or have a WWC (Working With Children Check). Volunteer WWC are usually free, but Australia has a regional applications for a WWC, so check your resident state.
- Make sure that you read the requirements and time commitment/s for the position carefully before applying.
- If you don’t find anything on this list that suits, you can also find positions on https://www.volunteer.com.au; many that are short-term or event based. This might be better than a long-term commitment for some.
- Finally, have fun and congratulate yourself for your contribution. Thank you.
Note: If you see the code [NFP] this indicates that this organisation is 100% not-for-profit.
Volunteering in Australia
Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) is a free service to help eligible migrants and humanitarian entrants with low English levels to improve their English language skills and settle into Australia.
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/settling-in-australia/amep/volunteer-tutor-resources
- AMEP (via TAFE NSW)
https://www.tafensw.edu.au/student-services/adult-migrant-english-program-amep/amep-volunteer-tutor-program - AMEP (via TAFE SA)
https://www.tafesa.edu.au/courses/education-languages/volunteer-tutor-scheme - AMEP (via TAFE QLD)
https://tafeqld.edu.au/courses/tells/adult-migrant-english-program.html - AMEP (via North Metropolitan TAFE, Perth)
https://www.northmetrotafe.wa.edu.au/employment-and-work-readiness-programs/adult-migrant-english-program-amep - AMEP (Melbourne)
https://www.melbourneamep.com.au/volunteer/ - AMEP (Tasmania)
https://www.multicultural.tas.gov.au/latest_news/adult-migrant-education-program-amep
Navitas (SW Sydney and Canberra)
The Volunteer Tutor Scheme encourages people to join us in supporting adult migrants and humanitarian entrants who complete our Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP), helping them develop their English skills and settle into life in Australia.
https://www.navitas-english.com.au/careers-and-volunteering/volunteering/
AMES (Victoria)
You will work alongside our newly arrived refugee and migrant clients and our committed and passionate staff, joining over 500 AMES Australia volunteers
https://www.ames.net.au/volunteering
Djerriwarrh Community and Education Services (Melbourne West, Ballarat)
Volunteering for Learning for Employment’s AMEP Volunteer Tutor Scheme involves meeting newly arrived migrants and refugees to help them learn English. [NFP]
https://djerriwarrh.org.au/
St Vincent De Paul Society
Refugee English Tutor (QLD)
https://www.volunteer.com.au/volunteering/118659/refugee-english-tutor-townsville
SisterWorks Inc. (Nation-wide)
SisterWorks is a partner of UN Women to deliver UN Women’ Second Chance Education pilot project in Australia. SisterWorks provides training programs to the most vulnerable women with little English of Refugee and migrant backgrounds. As an English Teacher Volunteer, you will be providing a training programme online, empowering migrant and refugee women by teaching them conversational English. [NFP]
https://sisterworks.org.au/volunteering/
STEPS (Darwin)
“We offer a number of flexible, part-time volunteer roles for anyone who wishes to get involved and help our students to gain English skills so they are more confident in accomplishing their future goals in Australia.”
https://www.stepsgroup.com.au/giving-back-by-teaching-migrants-and-refugees/
Volunteering in New Zealand
English Language Partners
Help former refugees and migrants learn English and join New Zealand society. Deliver language support in the learners’ own homes. [NFP]
https://www.englishlanguage.org.nz/volunteer
Help Tank
Volunteer with English Language Partners and help us provide free English lessons to former refugees and migrants.
https://helptank.nz/project/detail/2705
Let’s Talk Language Learning Groups (Auckland)
Did you grow up in New Zealand and did you use English in your home? University of Auckland students who use English as an additional language (EAL) would love to talk to you.
https://www.library.auckland.ac.nz/services/student-learning/ele/language-learning-groups
International Organisations
Language Linkers
We empower refugees with 1:1, digital language courses volunteered by professional language teachers. [NFP]
https://www.facebook.com/languagelinkers/
Stepping Stones China
With a mission to improve the education and general welfare of disadvantaged children in China, Stepping Stones has hosted numerous programs focused on children’s education and well-being since 2006. [NFP]
https://steppingstoneschina.net/volunteer/volunteer-individuals/
Good luck and happy volunteering!
Kate (GradCertEd TESOL) studied a TESOL certificate in 2010 and has been teaching English ever since. Tutoring ‘freelance’ for many years before starting an independent teaching business, she began Teach English Online to support Australians and New Zealanders to do the same. Just starting out, want to apply to one of the 300+ global companies or build your own small independent teaching business? She can help.
Here is another volunteer opportunity that I thought you might like to check out.
https://refugeetutoring.org/
Amazing Vivian, thank you.