Visit the webpage for your local language centre to find out when it opens in January. In the meantime, all the information about our courses and volunteer opportunities are on our website.
Our national office in Wellington is closed from 1pm on Tuesday 24 December and will reopen at 9am on 3 January 2024.
Tutor English and help a refugee background or migrant learner gain the skills and confidence they need to settle successfully in Aotearoa New Zealand.
When you volunteer to tutor someone with a migrant or refugee background in English, you give them the world. Your support will help them gain the skills and confidence they need to settle successfully in Aotearoa New Zealand.
With over 1,000 volunteers tutoring our learners in English in their own homes across the country, you’re in good company. You might be surprised to hear that our volunteers often tell us that they get just as much out of tutoring as their learners do!
“Being part of the volunteering experience has been great! I have definitely gained a lot of experience and personal development through this process. Plus, I am glad that I had the opportunity to enrich someone else's life.”
Priyesha Mendis (Volunteer)
Anyone can step up to become a volunteer tutor. You don’t need to have teaching experience but you should bring a good understanding of everyday English and a genuine interest in supporting someone from another culture.
You will receive comprehensive NZQA-approved training (free), ongoing support from our passionate teams, and access to a supportive online community of volunteers who are impacting the lives of our learners.
If you already have a relevant teaching qualification and/or experience, you may qualify for our fast-track your training.
When you volunteer with us as an English language tutor you will help people develop life-changing confidence to integrate well into their communities.
You will find volunteering with English Language Partners hugely rewarding because it is about so much more than being an English tutor. By helping people with refugee and migrant backgrounds learn about life in Aotearoa New Zealand, you will help them navigate their new world.
Our community of over 1,000 dedicated volunteers across the country are changing lives by connecting with learners to help them learn the language and skills to engage in their communities.
We have 21 centres around Aotearoa New Zealand – most centres run training multiple times through the year. Some areas have learners waiting for a new tutor right now so are urgently looking for amazing people like you to start volunteering. Reach out to your nearest centre today to find out when the next training will start.
As a volunteer tutor, you will learn about different cultures, broaden your horizons, and make meaningful connections with people you might not otherwise have met. As much as you teach your learner, you will learn and be inspired too.
“I love interacting with people from other cultures. Our journeys through life are so different! I’ve learnt a lot from the irresilience, courage, humour and patience.”
Eleanor, Volunteer.
Yes! Anyone can volunteer to become an English language tutor. You don’t need to be a teacher or speak another language. We will provide all the training and resources you need to successfully support our learners.
If you have a good understanding of everyday English, are genuinely interested in supporting someone from a refugee or migrant background, and are open-minded about other cultures, we’d love to hear from you.
You may be able to fast-track your training if you have relevant teaching experience.
When you have successfully completed your training, you’ll need just 1-2 hours per week for planning and lessons with your learner in their home. We do ask that you commit to your learner’s lessons for six months.
We set our volunteer tutors up for success with comprehensive training which is the most time-intensive part of your journey.
The course will take 60 hours of part-time study in a mix of face-to-face learning and self-directed study. This includes the training course, teaching practice, and assessments.
The team at your local English Language Partners centre will support your through your training and as you volunteer in a learner’s home. If you have questions, you are welcome to phone or visit your local centre.
Once you’ve made the amazing decision to volunteer, your journey to meeting and tutoring your first learner begins with an online application form. The team will then contact you for an interview – this is a great time for you to ask questions, and for us to learn more about you.
Once you’ve been approved for the training, you will complete the NZQA-approved Certificate in ESOL Home Tutoring.
Our teams across the country are passionate about supporting not just our learners, but our amazing volunteer tutors as well. Your local team will be there to guide you through every stage of your volunteering journey and check in regularly.
Your safety and well-being are important, and your training will teach you about maintaining healthy boundaries with your learner and/or when to ask for help.
We also love to see our volunteers come together and share their experiences. We have a safe, invitation-only, space online where you can connect with volunteer tutors like yourself from across the country. You can access the group via a secure app and/or web browser to share stories and resources and support each other.
Before you are matched with a learner you will complete the NZQA-approved Certificate in ESOL Home Tutoring (unless you already have relevant teaching experience).
Read more about our training programme.
If you already have a relevant teaching qualification and/or experience, you may be able to fast-track your training and complete only 20% of the training instead of the full course. We are short of volunteers and encourage anyone who is eligible for the fast track to contact your local centre.
Read more about our training programme.
If you’re in the Wellington region, find out about volunteering as a job mentor.
Wellington centre
How real volunteers have found their experience
