English Conversation Facilitators Needed! (Natomas area) Training provided

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Do you love interacting with people from different cultures and languages? Are you great at making others feel welcome and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds?

English Conversation Group Facilitator (for adults) at Sacramento Public Library may be the volunteer position for you!

Not a teaching position, no teaching experience required, and bilingual not required but helpful. No specific education requirement. Training and ongoing support provided. Participants are often native speakers of a variety of languages (not one dominant language).

This is intended to be an informal, friendly, relaxed conversation group that is based on a particular theme/topic for each session and has some structure but only minimal direct instruction, if any. It is not meant to be a class. No teacher lecturing, please! Facilitator talk should be minimized in order to maximize participants' fluent speaking opportunities. Think of it as creating a social space for participants to speak and connect with each other, and even have fun.

If you are more interested in teaching, we do also need ESL Tutors throughout Sacramento County.

Top personal qualities and skills desired:

• Humble, curious, patient, creative, flexible, culturally competent, self-aware
• Comfortable with beginner level English speakers
• Values participants' interests and needs over own
• Fluent in English and easily understood by others
• Excellent facilitation skills or willingness to learn, encourages peer interaction
• Willingness to incorporate interactive activities
• Models activities and instructions (vs. explains only), even if feels outside of comfort zone (e.g. role play)

The group meets once a week, for one hour. Some preparation time should also be factored in, although the length of time may depend on the person. A minimum of 15-30 min should be expected. The group currently meets Friday evenings at 5:00.

This recruitment is specifically for the North Natomas library, in person, but we will have openings at other Sacramento library locations in the future, and we also have virtual opportunities available.

We hope to have at least two volunteers per group who can work together or lead independently, as needed, if one person is unavailable. Library staff support is also available as needed.

Please contact us if you are interested in this opportunity or have questions.

If you are more interested in tutoring, see our "Help an Adult English Learner..." posting or use this posting to contact us and make a note in the comments.

We look forward to hearing from you!