VES Teaching Assistant Job Description

Our VES teaching assistants really are the heart of what we do, and enable us to be ‘more than a language class’.

Here’s what a good volunteer will ordinarily do:

• Keep up with VES communications, and be aware of key dates.

• Attend VES team meetings (usually a Monday evening once a term)

• Arrange with Andy which days and venues you are serving, and let him know in advance if it won’t be possible for you to be at a class when expected.

• Arrive at the class venue around 30 minutes before the start of class and help to set up.

• Welcome all students and engage them in conversation before the start of the class.

• Sit in amongst the students, perhaps choosing to sit next to one of the weaker students.

• Follow along with the teacher’s instructions - sometimes posing as a ‘model student’; sometimes as a conversation partner; sometimes as a ‘tutor-by-the-side’ to a weaker student. Always push the students to ‘do the work’ themselves, and avoid simply ‘giving them the answer’ as much as possible.

• Be a positive presence in the class - laughter and encouragement are two really valuable things you can bring!

• Be ready to help out practically when required e.g. grabbing resources for students, shifting chairs around etc

• At the end of the class continue to engage students in conversation. Is there an extra step we can help someone to take? (e.g. help with practicalities; an invite to church; an offer of prayer)

• Help with set-down as required.

If you regularly take the steps outlined above you really will be doing our students a huge service!