Fall 2026: Vocational English as a Second Language Plus Intern (Unpaid)

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

SCOPE OF VESL Intern’s WORK: The VESL Plus Program, a vocational English and work readiness training program, focuses on helping newly-arrived refugees to prepare for and find entry-level work. The VESL Intern will help to strengthen the VESL Plus Program and increase client learning by engaging with clients; teaching and/or developing classroom materials; providing administrative support; and carrying out other tasks as needed.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Depending on the experience, skills, and interests of the intern, the primary responsibilities of this position will be focused in the following areas:

Classroom Instruction and Materials Development

• Teaching/assisting the VESL teachers in classrooms as needed

• Assisting with on-going development of curricula, specifically with the research and development of materials

Administrative

• Assisting with program intake, and collection and copying of required documents

• Helping to maintain well-organized client and cohort files, both digital and paper

• Assisting with tracking of student attendance

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: The Intern will gain experience:

• Teaching/assisting in a non-traditional, multi-level, fast-paced, (on-line) English language classroom

• Working with refugee and asylee populations

• Meeting grant funding requirements, including the organization, filing, and tracking of client information and documentation

• Developing classroom materials to meet specific goals for a target population

REQUIREMENTS:

• Currently enrolled in undergraduate or TESOL/TFL Certificate program

• Overseas study experience and/or ESL teaching experience preferred

• Experience working with adults from diverse backgrounds preferred

• Strong computer skills

• Comfortable using on-line platforms (Zoom, Teams) to engage with clients and staff

• Must be flexible, organized, and a self-starter

This position reports to the Education and Training Supervisor

Compensation: This is an unpaid internship opportunity.

Working Environment:

• The VESL Plus Internship is in-person at the El Cajon office.

• San Diego office hours are scheduled Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm PST. Selected interns can choose their hours based on this window of availability.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

Cookies: https://careers.rescue.org/us/en/cookiesettings

US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $163 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.