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ESL Homefront Learning - Students and Volunteer Tutoring

Learn the basics of English at home for free. Trained volunteer tutors go into Vancouver and Burnaby homes to teach English language skills to beginners for up to two hours per week. Students can study at any level: beginner, intermediate or advanced. Students may stay in the program as long as they are eligible and a tutor is available.

Find out more about this program:

Program Description Admission Requirements Program Status

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Program Description

Tutors

This program trains volunteers to tutor in the homes of adult students who cannot attend ESL classes due to family commitments or health reasons. Tutors must complete a 12-hour training course (offered in the fall, winter and spring) at the Broadway campus, which includes a one-on-one tutoring practicum with an ESL student during the last session. Tutors are matched with a student who has been referred to the program. Our faculty will assess students before introducing them to a tutor and provide materials and books for tutors to use.

Tutors receive continued guidance and ongoing support from VCC instructors, as well as access to books, worksheets and tapes (available in the Homefront office or VCC libraries). Tutors also receive a quarterly newsletter and can attend instructor-led workshops.

Tutors are required to volunteer for a minimum of 50 hours (approximately six months), although most volunteers continue in the program beyond the six months.

Students

Students may be referred to the program or complete an assessemnt through the Homefront learning office. All students must complete an assessment before a tutor is assigned.

Start Length Credential Campus Part or Full‑time Varies Varies VCC Transcript for tutors Broadway and in-home Part-time

Admission Requirements

General

VCC welcomes applications from Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

As Vancouver Community College is a post-secondary institution committed to educating adult learners, applicants should be 18 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school.

Please note that you must submit official transcripts and educational documents to support your application; unfortunately, we cannot accept photocopies or fax versions.

Program Specific

Requirements for students:

• Unable to attend ESL classes due to family commitments or health reasons.
• Living in Vancouver, Burnaby or Central New Wesminster.

  Requirements for tutors:

  1. English 12 or equivalent.
  2. Fluency and accuracy in English.
  3. Criminal record check
  4. Two reference letters are required.
  5. Residency in Canada of at least one year.

Program Status

Accepting applications

VCC is not accepting applications from international students at this time.

Apply and Register

Volunteers and students must call 604.871.7277 to start the registration or volunteer process.