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English Conversation Groups: Facilitator

Virtual Program 

Every Tuesday 
From 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Via Zoom

Harness the power of conversation – virtually – to help newcomers learn English and succeed in the workplace!

English Conversation Circles are offered through a collaboration between the SFU Surrey-TD CEC and S.U.C.C.E.S.S. BC Settlement and Integration Services (BCSIS). BCSIS is a settlement service that supports newcomers to settle and integrate into the community. Participants include temporary foreign workers, refugee claimants and immigrants who have now become Canadian citizens but may still be facing language barriers. By removing language barriers, through weekly conversations, BCSIS clients can integrate better into their workplaces and understand more about their rights and responsibilities at work.

Your role:

We are looking for enthusiastic and committed volunteers to help facilitate our English Conversation Groups program this Fall!

In this role, you will:

  • Acquire knowledge about the goals of the English Conversation Groups and the challenges faced by newcomers in the workplace; 
  • Acquire knowledge about the English Conversation Groups curriculum;  
  • Apply learned knowledge of the program curriculum by facilitating engaging and participatory conversations; 
  • Apply learned knowledge of English Conversation Groups curriculum by coming up with new ideas, or by altering existing conversation topics to meet the needs and interests of the participants attending the program; 
  • Apply communication, interpersonal and professionalism skills by facilitating conversations where all participants are able to practice their English skills.

Other benefits:

  • Develop interpersonal, communication and teaching skills;
  • Help others while improving your own soft skills;
  • Obtain credit on your SFU Co-Curricular Record.

This opportunity is recognized on the Co-Curricular Record (CCR)! The CCR is an official university document that tracks your co-curricular involvement at SFU. Learn more about the Co-Curricular Record at www.sfu.ca/students/get-involved/recognition/co-curricular-record

Program dates:

The English Conversation Groups will run every Tuesday.

  • Sessions will run from 10:00am to 12:30pm 
    • There is some prep work to be completed outside of these hours, at your own convenience. Volunteers will often dedicate 1 hour per week to this prep work.      
  • Virtually via Zoom 

Terms:

  • Spring: February 4th to March 25th, 2025
  • Summer: May 20th to June 24th, 2025

Students are encouraged to volunteer for more than one term, to get the most benefit out of this opportunity! 

Mandatory Training:

Volunteers must attend a mandatory training session with the ECG Lead Volunteer and the SUCCESS Coordinator on:

  • Tuesday, January 28th
  • From 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
  • Via Zoom

Requirements:

Please note, students from other universities & colleges may apply, but priority is given to current SFU students (undergraduate, graduate, or continuing studies) and SFU alumni.

To thrive in this role, applicants should:

  • be fluent in English (CLB level 9-12);
  • be respectful and non-judgmental;
  • be friendly and reliable;
  • be encouraging and patient;
  • have access to the internet and computer;
  • Education or experience related to teaching or adult learning is an asset.

TO BEGIN YOUR APPLICATION:

If you are interested in this opportunity, please click the 'Apply Now' button below and submit your initial expression of interest.

You will then receive an email from SurveyMonkey containing our full application form which must be completed as soon as possible.

Deadline to apply: Wednesday, Sept 18, 2024 | 11:59 PM

Please Note: If the required number of volunteers for this opportunity is reached before the above deadline, this posting may be taken down.

 

Collection Notice: The information collected as part of the application process is under the authority of the University Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c.468). It is related directly to and needed by the University to administer the volunteer program through the SFU Surrey – TD Community Engagement Centre. The information will be used to screen volunteer applicants, refer applicants to opportunities of interest, and update applicants with information related to volunteer opportunities. If you have any questions about the collection and use of this information please contact Associate Director, Partnerships and Programs, 250-13450 102 Avenue, Surrey BC, V3T 0A3, 778-782-8082.

Ready to learn about volunteering with the community as an SFU ambassador? Join the Community Engagement Volunteer Training Program.

Learn more

This opportunity is recognized on the Co-Curricular Record (CCR), an official university document that tracks your co-curricular involvement at SFU. Learn more about the Co-Curricular Record at www.sfu.ca/students/get-involved/recognition/co-curricular-record.