Who Is A Learner?
Our learners are adults who speak their own languages fluently but need support to develop their English skills. Many feel isolated and vulnerable due to language barriers.
Whether you’re considering a career in teaching, looking to gain experience, or simply want to make a positive impact in your community, LEAH is the place for you.
We teach both online and in person.
How Can You Help?
- Teach English one-to-one or in small groups
- Support our administrative team
- Help organise community events and trips
Who Can Volunteer?
We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and age groups. You do not need teaching experience – we provide full training and support.
To Volunteer You Need To:
- Commit to at least one hour per week
- Be willing to complete our training programme
- Have good English language skills
- Be patient and supportive
Volunteer Stories
Laughter and learning
Meet Caroline from Kingston who has volunteered with LEAH since 2017 and seen her learners through the pandemic and beyond.
FAQs
LEAH is one of the main charities supporting ethnically diverse adults in Kingston, Richmond and Hounslow who do not have English as a first language. Many people living here are unable to communicate in everyday situations which often leads to extreme isolation, low confidence, health issues and marginalisation. Not only can this have a devastating impact on the individual but also on their whole family.
We help to improve their English language skills and enable them to access local services, education, volunteering and employment. To reach our aims and objectives we require volunteer tutors to teach our learners on a 1:1 basis and in a class.
The majority of our volunteers are paired with a learner to teach them English on a 1:1 basis. Some volunteers lead or support our in person and online classes. The focus is on the English language skills that the learner will need in their everyday life. Our co-ordinators support volunteers and teaching resources are provided. Volunteers support their learner on a weekly basis up to an hour.
Volunteering at LEAH is extremely rewarding. Our volunteers receive comprehensive training which has had very positive feedback. Volunteers comment on feeling extremely happy that they can make a huge difference on not just one person’s life but on a whole family. Enhanced confidence, new friends and job opportunities are other benefits volunteers attribute to LEAH.
Anyone who is interested in helping others to learn and enjoys finding out about different cultures. You need to flexible, non judgemental, available during the working week and over 18. Your own spoken and written English must be of a high enough standard to teach others.
We ask you to fill our online application form. Once we have received your form we will invite you for an interview over Zoom. If you are successful you will be sent information about the forthcoming course. During the course, we will contact the two references you provided on your Application Form. Once you have completed the training course, we will arrange a DBS check.
No. we do have some other opportunities including volunteering in our office. Please contact us directly about these.
Yes – we offer a six week online training course. We run this course approximately six times a year. This includes an introduction session, 4 sessions with an ESOL tutor and an induction session. The courses covers teaching speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. You will also be expected to complete an online Adult Safeguarding training course which takes around 2 hours and an online Diversity and Inclusion course which takes about an hour.
Yes, we ask you to complete a DBS check.
We expect you to volunteer on a weekly basis – each lesson takes around an hour along with some planning and preparation time, so a maximum of two hours a week.
We ask for a minimum commitment of six months once you are paired with a learner, but most of our learners work with their tutor for a year so ideally you would be able to offer 12 months commitment.
Once you are paired with a learner, you can volunteer anytime between Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, although most learners prefer their lessons to be in school hours.
You are very well supported during your journey with LEAH. You will be supported on the course by our ESOL tutor and Volunteer and Training Manager. Once you are paired with a learner, your nominated 1:1 coordinator will support you during the whole relationship. Support is given by email, phone and we also run regular volunteer get togethers over Zoom.
All tutor-learner pairs have a six month review as well as end of year review.