Becoming a Volunteer ESOL Teaching Assistant (Level 1 Award)

Course Title: Becoming a Volunteer ESOL Teaching Assistant (Level 1 Award)
Hours per week: 2.5 hours

More Course Details: Prospectus List | ontrack: Learner Hub

Brief course description:

This is a 27-week course for learners who want to become confident, skilled volunteers in ESOL and educational settings. It is suitable for those working towards a Level 1 or Level 2 qualification and leads to the Ascentis Award in Volunteering to Support English Language Teaching (Level 1).

Are you interested in supporting English learners in schools, colleges, or community classrooms? Would you like to gain practical skills in helping others to learn English, while developing your own communication, teamwork and safeguarding knowledge?

This course helps you understand the role of the ESOL volunteer, including how to assist in the classroom, maintain professional boundaries, support social integration, and work within safeguarding guidelines. You will learn about the Adult ESOL Core Curriculum, practise helping with reading, writing, and speaking tasks, and explore real-life examples of inclusive, respectful support for learners from diverse backgrounds.

You will build a portfolio of evidence and take part in observations to demonstrate your skills and learning. It is ideal for people who want to volunteer in education or community projects and those considering future work or training in ESOL or support roles.

Objectives:

Understand the role of an ESOL volunteer, including responsibilities, professional conduct, and how to support both teachers and learners in the classroom.
Follow safeguarding procedures confidently by recognising risks such as hate crime, domestic abuse or FGM, understanding the DBS process, and knowing when and how to refer concerns.
Maintain clear professional boundaries by knowing the limits of the volunteer role and practising respectful, supportive behaviour in diverse learning environments.
Support adult ESOL learners with reading, writing, speaking and listening tasks, using simple strategies such as role-play, visual aids, phonics and prediction techniques. This may include applying to run a lunch time reading group with lower level ESOL learners.
Gain awareness of the Adult ESOL Core Curriculum, including how learners progress through levels and how to help with common classroom tasks and activities.
Use effective communication skills to build trust with learners, give encouragement, and correct mistakes in a positive and supportive way.
Work as part of a team in the classroom, supporting the teacher’s aims, giving appropriate help to learners, and contributing to a positive learning environment.
Encourage learners to use English in real-life situations, including using public services, visiting local places of interest and talking to others in their community.
Promote inclusion and integration, by supporting learners from different cultural backgrounds, recognising barriers they face, and helping them gain confidence in using English.
Build a reflective portfolio of evidence, including classroom observations, written reflections, and examples of how you have supported learners and worked within professional guidelines.

Entry requirements:

This course is suitable for people working at Level 1 or above. You should be confident communicating in English and want to help others learn languages, ideal if you:

Have personal experience of learning English and want to give back
Want to volunteer in ESOL, school or community education settings
Are not yet working in education but want to explore it as a future option
Need to understand how language learning is affected by social, emotional, or practical factors

You will need to complete a short pre-course assessment to check your level and suitability.

Equipment required:

Please bring:

A folder
Pens & pencils
Lined A4 paper
A smartphone (if you have one)
A reusable water bottle

WIFI details will be given in your first lesson.

What courses can I go on to:

After completing this course, you may go on to:

Functional Skills English Level 1/2
Digital Skills
Level 1/2 Speaking & Listening or Reading & Writing Exam Classes
IELTS Preparation Course

Please ask your tutor for more information or contact ESOLAdvice@towerhamlets.gov.uk

What qualification do I get on completing this course:

You will receive the Ascentis Award in Volunteering to Support English Language Teaching (Level 1), depending on your portfolio and level of work submitted. All assessment is based on in-class activities, your written portfolio, and observed tasks.

How will I know I am making progress:

At the start of the course, you’ll agree individual learning goals with your tutor. You will:

Receive regular feedback on your classwork and portfolio
Take part in peer and tutor observations
Review your learning in tutorials
Keep a portfolio of evidence based on real volunteering and classroom tasks
Learn how to reflect on your progress and apply feedback effectively

You need to attend regularly and complete all course tasks to receive the qualification. If your attendance drops below 80%, you may lose your place.

Other info:

This course helps you build the confidence, knowledge and skills needed to volunteer in ESOL classrooms and other educational settings. You will:

Learn about UK education and safeguarding systems
Gain confidence in communicating with teachers, students and the wider community
Improve your digital, literacy and organisational skills
Contribute positively to learners' development and integration
Prepare for future paid or voluntary roles in education, teaching or community work

Extra support:

If you have a learning difficulty, disability or need extra help, please let us know when you enrol or in your first class. We will support you to achieve your goals.