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Volunteers Make the Difference

Marijke Geurts, Matthias Sturm, and Ron Lavoie
June 28, 2026
  • How can volunteers help bridge the gap in settlement language and employment programs during times of funding cuts?
  • What strategies make volunteers effective partners in supporting newcomers and instructors?
  • What training do volunteers really need to succeed in second language classrooms, conversation circles, and community programs?

TESL Basics for Language Volunteers (TBLV), its French version AFIB, and the new TBLV Works, are free, online trainings that equip volunteers with tools to help newcomers learn a second language. TBLV courses are co-created with instructors and have been piloted with multiple cohorts of volunteers. The training also includes topics like cultural awareness and supporting language learning at work.

Key learning outcomes:

  • Understand the role of volunteers in settlement language and employment training programs for newcomers.
  • Identify effective strategies for integrating volunteers into classrooms and employment training programs to support both instructors and newcomers.
  • Gain practical ideas and tools for onboarding and training volunteers, addressing barriers, and maximizing their impact without increasing workload.
  • Explore the TBLV and TBLV Works programs, including their purpose, content, and practical applications.

Webinar Type: Teaching Best Practices

Categories: Blended Teaching/Learning, Lesson Planning/Ideas, Online Teaching/Learning, Volunteers

Teaching Sectors: Adult ESL (credit), Continuing Education/Adult ESL (non-credit), LINC, OSLT/ELT, Program administrators

Participant Level: All levels

About the Presenter

Marijke Geurts (she/her) works with New Language Solutions (NLS) as a LIT2T mentor, online curriculum developer and TBLV coordinator. She has been a LINC instructor and employment trainer for over 10 years, and started working with NLS in 2014. She uses a creative approach to make engaging learning resources for learners, instructors, and volunteers alike.

Matthias Sturm has been researcher and evaluator for the Avenue-LearnIT2teach project since 2010, including the TBLV training courses. Matthias is also working on a PhD in digital inclusion and equity.

Ron Lavoie (he/him) is a consultant with NLS. He has worked in settlement language training as an assessor, TESL trainer, LINC manager, and consultant. He has a special interest in intercultural aspects of settlement and language training.

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