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Volunteer with RALC!

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Thank you for your interest in making a difference in the lives of adult English language learners in our community. Volunteering is a powerful way to invest your time and talents.

 

Volunteer opportunities include teaching, office duties, and event planning. 

Please complete the form below and click “Submit” to start your volunteer journey with Richardson Adult Literacy Center. We can't wait to meet you!

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Questions about becoming a volunteer English as Second Language Teacher?

Read our FAQ.

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  • #1 HOW LONG/FREQUENT ARE THE CLASSES I WOULD BE TEACHING?
    RALC follows the Richardson ISD semester system; consequently, the majority of our classes are offered in the fall and spring semesters. Classes vary in duration and length depending on the course. Leveled ESL Classes The leveled ESL classes are each 2 hours long and held twice a week during the spring and fall semesters. Volunteers teach 1 session for 2 hours each week for 15 weeks. A co-teacher will teach the other 2-hour session during the week. Ancillary Classes (Conversation and Book Club) Conversation classes and Book Club meet for 1 hour each week during the semester. Advanced Writing meets for 1 1/2 hours each week during the semester. These classes usually last for 11 weeks. Book Club and Advanced Writing are only offered during the fall and spring semesters. Conversation Classes are offered all year long.
  • #2 WHAT IS THE PROGRAM DURATION?
    RALC follows the Richardson ISD semester schedule. Our ESL classes for adults is a 15-week program offered each fall and spring semester. The fall semester starts at the end of August and continues through mid December. The spring semester starts at the end of January and continues through mid May. RALC Volunteers are asked to commit to teaching for one semester.
  • #3 HOW MANY DAYS/HOURS WOULD I BE TEACHING EACH WEEK?
    You will teach one day a week for 2 hours for the duration of the semester. A co-teacher will teach the other 2-hour session during the week.
  • #4 WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS FOR WHEN TO TEACH?
    We offer daytime and evening classes, both online via Zoom and in-person at participating RISD schools, local public libraries and partner organizations. Days and times vary each semester depending on class locations, but we generally offer classes according to this schedule: Online classes are usually offered on Mondays and Wednesdays. In-person classes are usually offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Class locations are in Richardson and sometimes Dallas. The greatest need is for volunteer teachers to teach evening classes from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
  • #5 DO YOU HAVE CLASSES ON THE WEEKEND?
    At the moment, we only offer one class on the weekend. The Intermediate/Advanced Conversation Class meets at Network from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturdays during the spring and fall semesters.
  • #6 I’D LOVE TO VOLUNTEER, BUT I HAVE A FEW DATES I’LL BE TRAVELING. DOES THIS WORK?
    Volunteers are asked to commit to teaching for the entire semester. Of course we understand that emergencies happen and scheduling conflicts occur. At the beginning of the semester, you are encouraged to work with your partner teacher, co-teachers, and leveled teachers to cover each others absences during the semester. Contact RALC’s volunteer coordinator, to discuss your specific situation by emailing volunteer@ralc.org.
  • #7 IS IT A PROBLEM THAT I DON’T SPEAK ANOTHER LANGUAGE?
    All classes are taught in English. Our students represent 25+ different languages so even if you speak a second language, we encourage you to only speak English in class in order to reach everyone equally.
  • #8 WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE ANY TEACHING EXPERIENCE?
    RALC is a well known and respected program in that it provides extensive training and support to all of our volunteer teachers. Many of our teachers hold a TEFL certificate or are currently working on obtaining one, but some of our best teachers come from backgrounds other than teaching. We will provide the training that you need to be effective. We also hold regular roundtable discussions with our teachers to share best practices and any additional support or updates. Coming prepared for class, engaging your students and showing kindness and consideration are the keys to being successful in this role.
  • #9 DO YOU PROVIDE CLASS MATERIALS AND CURRICULUM?
    RALC provides everything you need to teach and be successful, including teaching materials (teacher’s guide, workbook, pacing guide), classroom materials, supplies, and a student roster.
  • #10 HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO PREPARE FOR CLASS?
    As you begin the process, it may take a little longer, but the goal is that your preparation will be about 30-60 minutes per class.
  • #11 IS IT REQUIRED TO HAVE EMAIL TO TEACH?
    We use Google Classroom as an information hub and portal for our teachers each semester; so to volunteer, you need a working Gmail account that you check regularly.
  • #12 WHEN IS THE NEXT TEACHER TRAINING WORKSHOP?
    New Teacher Training workshops are held the second Saturday in August and January each year. The August training is in preparation to teach in our fall semester, and the January training is in preparation for our spring semester. For specific dates and times, please complete our Volunteer Interest Form.
  • #13 IS LUNCH SERVED AT THE WORKSHOP?
    Yes, it is, but if you have dietary restrictions please plan to bring you own lunch.
  • #14 IS THERE ANOTHER OPTION IF I CANNOT ATTEND THE TEACHER TRAINING WORKSHOP?
    Teacher training is required of all new RALC volunteers who would like to teach with our program. We offer in-person teacher training twice a year on the second Saturday in August for the fall semester and the second Saturday in January for the spring semester. Make up trainings are available on the third Saturday of both August and January at the RALC office, but limited space is available.
  • #14 ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL TRAININGS?
    Yes, you will have a Kick-Off meeting 1-3 weeks after the teacher training workshop. Here you will pick up your materials, meet your co-teachers and learn more teaching tools. In addition, we hold regular Roundtable Discussion events throughout each semester. This is a chance for teachers to share best practices, challenges, and for everyone to learn from each Roundtable. We also provide any updates and announcements at those times.
  • #14 IS THERE ANY SUPPORT PROVIDED ONCE I BEGIN TEACHING?
    Absolutely! New volunteer teachers are matched with a volunteer mentor who has significant, formal teaching experience. This person is there to support you throughout your teaching experience. Additionally, RALC holds teacher roundtables throughout the semester, encourages collaboration and sharing of teaching activities with partner teachers, co-teachers and leveled teachers, and provides additional teaching resources through our office resource library and online resource hub.
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