Sign up and start teaching!
If you are interested in teaching refugees online on a flexible basis, you've come to the right place! We are looking for teachers who can help with general English, conversational English and English exam preparation for students of all ages.
To get started, fill out the sign-up form below and, once there is a suitable student, RefuNet will get in touch to connect you. You are then free to arrange the classes at a time that suits you both. We ask teachers to commit to at least one hour of lessons a week for at least three months, plus lesson planning time, although the time of the classes can vary between weeks. For new teachers, planning an hour long lesson can take an hour, but it should get easier as you get more confident.
RefuNet prioritises matching qualified and experienced teachers to ensure students receive the best possible lessons. However, RefuNet still welcomes sign-ups from volunteers without experience or qualifications to help us reach as many people as possible. Teachers with less experience will likely be matched with students looking for conversation practice.
Teachers are responsible for lesson planning, but our resource pack contains lots of links to free resources and worksheets you can use. There is also a forum for RefuNet teachers on Facebook where teachers share resources and ask for advice, although this is not compulsory to be part of.
All lessons take place online. We recommend using Zoom to conduct lessons, although you're welcome to use another platform if you prefer. This helpful video provides some advice on teaching using Zoom.
We will be in touch regularly to see how the classes are going, check if there are any issues and see if we can help in any way. Please get in touch if you have any questions.
Here are some teachers' experiences of volunteering with RefuNet:
Ramya
"I’ve been volunteering at RefuNet for close to a year now and I have learnt so much from my students. I am inspired by their enthusiasm, strength and resilience. My students are like my friends and I try to make our English lessons informal and fun. A student of mine and I are currently working towards her successful completion of the IELTS examination so that she can get a university scholarship. She has faced several obstacles in life but is determined to ensure that these don't stop her from achieving her goals. RefuNet is also a great platform for cultural exchange because my students and I share pictures of food that we eat, festivals celebrated or interesting things about our cities. RefuNet is helping the world erase borders and build bridges."
Rohan
"I decided to start volunteering with RefuNet because I knew I had a bit of knowledge, a little bit of spare time, and it made so much sense to help someone help themselves. At first I didn’t know what to expect and wasn’t sure if I had the right skills to do a good job of it. We’re now six months in to our weekly Physics sessions and it’s the most rewarding part of my week knowing someone is able to do better for themselves in part because of me. To anyone considering joining but is maybe a little apprehensive, my advice is to just go for it. I find the system very flexible, you see tutees progress in real time, and teaching is also great for my actual day job in science, as I get loads of practice communicating seemingly complex ideas simply to non-experts."
And here are Noora's experiences of having lessons with RefuNet:
"When I first started studying in English, I had a depression that I had never had before as I struggled with understanding because my English level was a barrier. Having the luck to meet RefuNet and then the amazing tutors who helped me all through the way, I could make it again and I could see my excellent grades again. I could never be more grateful to Bethany and all of the tutors who helped me a lot and were explaining and teaching not only content but also English grammars and vocabularies. RefuNet and all its components have inspired me to work harder as well as helping others free of charge."