Adult ESL Instruction Intern-UNPAID

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

INTERNSHIP OVERVIEW: The intern will play a crucial role in supporting a community-based English as a Second Language (ESL) program with adult students at varying levels of English proficiencies including preliterate beginners. The classes aim to empower students by gaining the literacy, language, and confidence needed to navigate everyday life in the US. Using engaging and student-centered lessons, the intern will provide classroom instruction, supervise volunteer instructors, and tutors, and assist with administrative tasks. The intern will be a key collaborator with IRC staff to ensure clients’ immediate educational needs are met.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Facilitate group instruction using provided curriculum for refugee and asylee clients
• Create a welcoming environment that fosters community and learning among program participants while interacting with diverse population
• Communicate with IRC staff to evaluate student progress and discuss weekly lesson objectives
• Coordinate with volunteer ESL instructors and tutors
• Assist with class preparation, record attendance, and submit teacher log after each class
• Support technology skills to enhance access to independent study tools

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• The intern will practice effectively managing a classroom and teaching English to students of various backgrounds and English language levels.
• The intern will gain experience working with adult learners from a variety of backgrounds, including those with limited formal education and/or literacy skills.
• The intern will learn to work as a team to effectively prepare and execute lessons and activities.
• The intern will gain experience managing volunteers.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to adapt to different learning skills and environments, has a passion for education
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and sound judgment
• Excellent classroom management skills and confidence facilitating groups
• An interest in or experience with teaching generally and teaching ESL specifically
• TESOL or TEFL certificate or working towards receiving TESOL/TEFL is preferred
• Fluent in spoken and written English.

SCHEDULE: 10-15 Hours per week, 1 semester or 4-month minimum

START DATE: January 7, 2026

TO APPLY:

Interested applicants should submit an online application here. Qualified applicants will be selected for an initial phone screening starting in late October and continuing through mid-December or until all positions are filled. Spring intern orientation will be held January 7, 2026.

QUESTIONS? Email ircdenver.volunteer@rescue.org

This is an unpaid internship position. No financial compensation, including compensation for relocation, is available.

Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

Cookies: https://careers.rescue.org/us/en/cookiesettings

US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $143 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

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