Join Our Volunteer Community

International Center volunteers play a vital role in our work supporting English language learners.
These efforts are more critical than ever & would not be possible without the generosity ​of our volunteer community of over 200 New Yorkers.

In 2018, the International Center reached 1,158 immigrants and newcomers in need of English classes, citizenship preparation, conversation practice, computer skills, social services & more. We extended our work beyond 80 Maiden Lane, serving 717 New Yorkers through our community programs, from Chinatown to the Upper West Side, from the South Bronx to Long Island City. Volunteers donated 5,980 hours as open class instructors, conversation partners, trip leaders, conversation group facilitators & front desk assistants. 

Below you'll find an overview of our current volunteer opportunities & more details about how to get involved.

Conversation Partners
  • Conversation Partnerships allow our members to practice speaking English in a real-life way & gain confidence in the communication skills they will need to succeed in New York.
  • Partners meet one hour per week for 10 weeks & partnerships can be renewed if desired.
  • Volunteers are paired with members based on time availability.
Please note: volunteers in partnership programs must be native-level speakers of English.

ESOL Instructors & Workshop Leaders
  • Volunteers lead Open Enrollment Conversation Classes on a wide variety of topics & skills, including: pronunciation, grammar, idioms, vocabulary, U.S. history & politics, American culture, music, literature, food & more.
  • Volunteers can also lead workshops focusing on the practical skills members need to succeed in the U.S., including: resume & cover letter writing, interviewing & networking, computer & internet training, financial literacy & more.

Read about our Teaching Philosophy here.

Community English Group Facilitators
  • The International Center’s ​Community Programs take place in neighborhood-based organizations & public schools throughout NYC.
  • English Group Facilitators lead small conversation groups for English learners at various levels. 
  • Community Programs are designed to create informal, welcoming opportunities for learners to practice their English in a safe, familiar environment.
  • Our programs serve as a complement to more formal English classes & are often a first step for learners who have had limited access to traditional models.

Trip & Tour Leaders
  • Each month, volunteers lead groups of students on trips & tours to museums, cultural institutions & other points of interest around New York City. 
  • Trip leaders meet student at the International Center & travel together to the site, landmark, or event. 
  • Previous trips have included: American Museum of Natural History, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Tenement Museum & many more.

How to Apply

1. Review our volunteer opportunities & programs

2. Contact us online (using the form below), by email, or by phone to express interest & set up an interview

3. Meet with our Volunteer Manager, Anna Petelka, in person at our office
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4. Complete our volunteer application & background check forms

Volunteer Resources

Upcoming Events & Workshops:
  • May 20 | Instructor Workshop: Strategies to Encourage Speaking - Open to current instructors only. Contact Elaine
  • ​May 31 | New Volunteer Training - All new volunteers must attend a training session before working with our learners. Contact Anna
  • Jun. 10 | Volunteer Workshop: Working with Beginners - Open to current volunteers only. Contact Elaine
Online Resources:

    Volunteer Inquiries