Talking Together Volunteer Language Trainer Specification
We are looking for volunteers to support UK residents – many of whom will be
women from Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Somali backgrounds - with informal
language teaching that will enable them to do vital, everyday things like visiting the
doctor or communicating with their children’s schools.
This opportunity is open to anyone over 18 who would like a challenging yet
enjoyable volunteering experience, to gain valuable new skills, and boost their CV.
TimeBank offers:
 Full induction and training.
 Supervision and support throughout the volunteering experience.
 Reimbursement of reasonable travel and lunch expenses.
 Valuable work experience showing employers that you are proactive and can
take the initiative – employers love to see voluntary work on a CV.
Brief description of role:
 Language Trainers will lead classes of up to 15 adults who have little or no
functional spoken English language.
 After receiving three-day training, Language Trainers will teach classes using
a specially designed functional English course, adapting it as necessary to the
particular requirements of the class.
 Talking Together Language Trainers are expected to teach two classes a
week for a period of six weeks, although some classes in Birmingham and
Leicester run once a week over twelve weeks.
 Classes will take place within various local community venues.
 Language Trainers will be expected to attend ongoing training sessions and
provide short updates on how the classes are going.
TimeBank, One KX, 120 Cromer Street, London WC1H 8BS and 201B The Big Peg, 120 Vyse Street,
Birmingham, B18 6NF
TimeBank is a ONE20 initiative. ONE20 is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and
Wales no. 3695114 and a registered charity no. 1073831; Scotland SC042413.
Skills, knowledge and abilities:
Essential
Desirable
Enthusiastic and self-motivated
An understanding of issues affecting people with
little or no functional English
Good listening and communication skills
Willing to travel to class locations
Reliable, punctual and organised
Confident using IT
Good team player and able to use initiative
Confident speaking in front of a group of people
Imaginative and able to think on your feet
Excellent spoken and written English
Requirements
 Attend a TimeBank induction day and a two day training course in teaching
the Language Training course.
 Live, work or able to attend classes in the relevant area.
 Available for at least three hours a week – please note that classes generally
run in the daytime during the week.
 Able to commit to the project for a minimum of six weeks (after training)
although some classes in Birmingham and Leicester run once a week over 12
weeks.
 Keep in regular communication and contact with Project Co-ordinators
including supervision sessions as relevant.
 Provide relevant monitoring and feedback information.
 DBS check (some participants will be classed as vulnerable adults).
Personal qualities
 Non-judgemental
 Friendly
 Open
 Understanding
 Adaptable
TimeBank, One KX, 120 Cromer Street, London WC1H 8BS and 201B The Big Peg, 120 Vyse Street,
Birmingham, B18 6NF
TimeBank is a ONE20 initiative. ONE20 is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and
Wales no. 3695114 and a registered charity no. 1073831; Scotland SC042413.