Citizenship Instructor and ESL Provider

Posted by District 1199C Training & Upgrading Fund on January 12, 2021

Job Title: P-CAN Citizenship Instructor – Immediate Fill
Supervisor: District 1199C Program Coordinator
Status: Part-time, 5 hrs. wk., March – May 2021
Salary: Instruction: $35/hr., Administrative/meetings: $25/hr.
Schedule: TBD: previously: Tu/Th, 9:30am-12pm for 10-12 weeks

Overview

HIAS Pennsylvania is the lead organization of the Philadelphia Citizenship Action Network ((P-CAN), a collaborative of seven adult education providers and two DOJ recognized organizations formed to expand services to residents in Philadelphia, Delaware, Montgomery, Bucks, and Chester counties in need of citizenship instruction and application assistance. District 1199C Training & Upgrading Fund seeks a Citizenship Instructor to lead the students through the process of learning and practicing the content necessary to pass the Naturalization Interview and Exam.  Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, all classes are held online using Zoom, Google Classroom, and other online course support services.

Summary of Responsibilities: Instruction:

• Take class attendance and submit daily to program coordinator; give weekly civics quizzes and collect documentation for USCIS review; notify coordinator of students who may need tutor support or classroom issues.
• Coordinate with ESL Program Coordinator re: learner issues, etc.; meet weekly with coordinator to ensure implementation of high-quality instruction and provide support for issues as they arise.
• Update pre-existing curriculum to meet needs of new (12/1/20) Naturalization Exam requirements, employ best practices and facilitate integration of English language learning and citizenship instruction.
• Some additional attendance may be requested for USCIS webinars, seminars, and coordination meetings.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in TESOL; Master’s degree preferred.
• Three to five years of adult ESL instruction experience.
• One year or more years’ experience conducting online instruction.
• Experience with civics instruction and familiarity with naturalization process.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, data projection, Smart Board and
• Excellent organizational and time management
• Ability to work in a team and work with diverse professionals and literacy
• Ability to pay close attention to
• Ability to work with diverse
• Able to manage classes of 15-30 students in an online forum.

Curriculum Objectives:  P-CAN’s curriculum has five objectives: (1) educate students on the civics content and vocabulary covered during naturalization interview and civics test; (2) increase students’ competency in reading, writing and vocabulary for the naturalization literacy test; (3) prepare students to answer questions on the N-400 and the 128 Civics Questions; (4) educate students on the interview process and “day of” logistics and (5) educate LPRs on rights and responsibilities of citizenship to successfully assimilate and embrace both American culture and values. These objectives facilitate PCAN’s goals of successful passage of the U.S. citizenship test/interview, increased knowledge and awareness of the constitution and the American political process, and increased engagement in safeguarding the American way of life.

Classes are multi-level (intermediate – native speaker); enrollment 15-30 students; students are foreign-born and are from both non-native and native English-speaking countries. The program will apply 5 differentiated learning strategies in each classroom: knowledge of student level via needs assessment (CASAS); focused lesson topic per class (see Curriculum); universal in-class coverage of topic; flexible student groupings; and all-inclusive class openings and ends.  Volunteer classroom aides will assist with classes with large enrollment (when available).  Flexibility is permitted in material presentation, based on student composition of each class, especially as proficiency levels allow.

Students will be assessed pre- and post- on the CASAS and the USCIS AACE.  During the class, multiple tests, quizzes and exercises are used to ensure progress; documents are collected and retained for USCIS review.

Send resume and cover letter to: Arlyn Freed, ESL Program Coordinator, afreed@1199ctraining.org