Vocational ESL Intern

Vocational English as a Second Language (VESL) Intern

The Vocational English as a Second Language (VESL) Intern will play a crucial role in supporting community-based VESL programs with adult students at varying levels of English proficiencies including preliterate beginners. The classes aim to empower students by gaining the literacy, language, and confidence needed to navigate everyday life in the US. These skills expand resource accessibility, employment opportunities, and self-sufficiency.

• Tasks may include setting up the classroom, making copies, answering clients’ questions regarding language and culture, assisting with classroom activities, data entry, and administering placement assessments during student registration appointments.

Learning Objectives

The Vocational English as a Second Language (VESL) Intern will:

• Learn how to effectively manage a classroom with students of various backgrounds and English language levels and deliver support services within the established requirements.
• Provide the best possible service to vulnerable populations.
• Gain experience working with adult learners from a variety of backgrounds, including those with limited formal education and/or literacy skills.
• Learn about barriers to education for refugee populations and research community resources that support increased learning.
• Develop critical thinking, client service, and social work skills and intercultural education.
• Learn about the IRC locally and globally, the available services to refugees and ORR-eligible clients in Salt Lake City, UT.

Responsibilities

• Attend and observe classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• Aid VESL Instructor with the enrollment, coordination, and implementation of classes, including attending registration appointments and providing support with assessments and data entry.
• Contacting students to confirm their availability to attend classes, navigating client barriers to education, communicating with local adult education services to connect students to appropriate classes, and supporting instructor in the preparation of the student materials for the classes.
• Collect data to support educational initiatives and encourage student success.
• Arrive a few minutes early to check in with instructor about the day’s classroom activities.
• Aid students with class assignments and help integrate digital literacy in the classroom.
• Help create a welcoming environment that fosters community and learning among program participants while interacting with diverse populations.
• Occasionally provide supervision when needed for young children when present during registration appointments.
• Adhere to IRC policies, particularly those related to confidentiality and client privacy, and practice sensitivity to cultural and personality differences of clients by respecting their beliefs and values.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervision & Mentorship

• The intern will report to and receive ongoing mentorship from IRC staff.
• Regular check-ins will be scheduled to review progress toward learning objectives to ensure a meaningful educational experience.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree or recent graduate (TESOL, TEFL, or related field and/or working towards receiving TESOL/TEFL certification is a plus).
• An interest in or experience with teaching generally and teaching ESL specifically.
• Cultural awareness of and sensitivity to vulnerable populations, and a desire to help refugees adjust to life in the US.
• Ability to adapt to different learning skills and environments, has a passion for education.
• Patience, understanding, and flexibility.
• Exposure to global environments and languages is a plus.
• Fully fluent in spoken and written English.
• Effective communication skills, especially in a multicultural environment.
• Engaged in learning about the IRC (mission, philosophy, global work, and local efforts) and willing to adhere to IRC volunteer and workplace policies.

Location & Duration

LOCATION: Salt Lake City, UT
DURATION: Fall 2026, 10-15 hours per week

Background

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a leading, non-sectarian, non-profit organization providing emergency relief, protection, rehabilitation assistance, resettlement services, and advocacy for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict. Domestically, our 29 offices across the U.S. ensure new arrivals have food, shelter, and clothing, and work with refugees to help them gain self-sufficiency.

Professional Standards

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

US Benefits

In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $163 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients. The IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.