ESL Teacher

Job Posting Organization:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a prominent international humanitarian non-governmental organization (INGO) founded in 1933 at the behest of Albert Einstein. The IRC operates in over 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities, focusing on responding to the world's most severe humanitarian crises. The organization aims to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and empowerment to individuals affected by conflict and disaster. With a mission to help people survive, reclaim control of their futures, and strengthen their communities, the IRC employs a diverse workforce dedicated to delivering lasting impact and hope to millions globally.

Job Overview:
The ESL Teacher position is integral to the Adult Education Program, which aims to support newly arrived refugees and immigrants in successfully starting their lives in the U.S. The teacher will be responsible for preparing and delivering three ESL classes that focus on English for everyday life and job readiness skills. The role requires the use of interactive, learner-centered activities and ESL strategies to engage students effectively. The teacher will also document attendance and student progress, follow up with students who miss classes, and assist with the intake and registration of new students. This position is short-term, running from September 1st until January 15th, 2026, with a commitment of 37.5 hours per week, including teaching, lesson planning, administrative work, and team meetings.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The ESL Teacher will have a variety of responsibilities, including: preparing and teaching rigorous ESL classes for immigrants and newly arrived refugee and asylee clients; documenting attendance and student progress according to funder requirements; following up with students who miss class to address barriers to attendance; supporting the intake and registration of new students; processing referrals and conducting participant outreach; actively participating in weekly check-ins with the Adult Education Supervisor and team meetings to discuss client progress; completing professional development hours as required by program funders; supervising ESL Assistant Interns; testing students' English language skills using appropriate assessments; and completing other tasks as needed to support the Adult Education Department. The breakdown of weekly hours includes 24 hours of teaching, 8 hours of lesson planning, 2.5 hours of administrative work, and 3 hours of team meetings/supervision.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the ESL Teacher position should possess a Bachelor’s degree and a TESOL certificate, although the latter is preferred rather than mandatory. Additionally, applicants should have at least 3 years of experience teaching ESL to adults from culturally diverse backgrounds, utilizing culturally responsive strategies. Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential, along with excellent organizational and time-management abilities. Candidates must demonstrate the capacity to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team. Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite is required, and fluency in English is mandatory. A second language proficiency in relevant languages such as Arabic, Farsi, Dari, Pashto, Spanish, Russian, or French is highly desirable.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree, ideally in education, linguistics, or a related field, along with a TESOL certificate. This educational background equips candidates with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively teach English as a second language to adult learners, particularly those from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of 3 years of experience teaching ESL to adults. This experience should include working with culturally diverse populations and employing culturally responsive teaching strategies. Candidates should be adept at creating engaging lesson plans and adapting their teaching methods to meet the needs of various learners.

Languages:
Fluency in English is a mandatory requirement for this position. Additionally, proficiency in a second language relevant to the student population, such as Arabic, Farsi, Dari, Pashto, Spanish, Russian, or French, is highly desirable and can enhance the candidate's effectiveness in the role.

Additional Notes:
The ESL Teacher position is based in New York City and operates in a hybrid work environment, requiring the teacher to work 3 days in the office and 2 days remotely. Classes will be conducted both online via Zoom and in-person at the IRC office or partner locations in New York City. The compensation for this role ranges from $26.50 to $28.04 per hour, depending on various factors such as labor market conditions, job type, internal equity, and budget considerations. The IRC offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, medical and dental insurance, a retirement savings plan, and an Employee Assistance Program. The position is classified as short-term, with a contract duration from September 1st to January 15th, 2026.