UVA students, staff, faculty, or alumni interested in volunteering with VISAS, please fill out the form below. New volunteers will be directed to an application. Returning volunteers will be directed to a registration.
Learn more and apply to volunteer here.
Please thoroughly review each VISAS program below before filling out your application. For more detailed information on each of our respective programs, please visit the VISAS website. Students will be selected and contacted shortly after the deadline.
Why is the VISAS program needed?
If you've ever been abroad, you may know what it's like trying to adjust to a new language and culture. Many international members of our community report that they have trouble meeting American students, practicing their English, and asking questions about U.S. culture. Some of these international students have the additional challenge of teaching in a U.S. classroom where language and cross-cultural communication skills are critical. The Center for American English Language and Culture created the VISAS program to help international members of the UVA Community develop their English language and intercultural communication skills and to build bridges between domestic and international UVA community members.
An incredible opportunity, right in our own backyard...
We are lucky at UVA to have such a diverse representation of students, scholars, and staff from around the world. Many American students seek opportunities to travel in order to get to know another culture, but right here on Grounds is a hidden opportunity to build a personal connection to another culture. VISAS volunteers recognize the benefit of bringing together individuals of different cultural and linguistic backgrounds for their own personal growth and learning, as they welcome newcomers to UVA. For a video description of the VISAS program, check out this video created by our VISAS interns.
For more detailed information and resources, please visit the VISAS website.
Volunteer Opportunities:
- Language Consultants (LCs)
1-hour weekly meeting with 1-2 conversation partners. International graduate students, undergraduates, staff, scholars, and family members would love to meet with you to practice their English and learn more about American culture(s). LCs meet with 1-2 international partners for one hour a week for 10 weeks of the semester. Rather than a tutoring session, this is a time for relaxed English conversation on topics of mutual interest. VISAS interns provide support, topic suggestions, and check-ins. Commitment for LCs: A total of one hour per week with your partner(s) at a mutually agreed upon time.
Advanced to Superior proficiency in American English language and culture is required for the position of Language Consultant. Otherwise, an interest in getting to know people from other cultures and to share one’s own culture is the only requirement.- Classroom Consultants (CCs)
Work with a small group of international TAs in training. Either 5 or 10 times throughout the semester depending on the level of engagement you choose.
Through ESL 911, a course for prospective international TAs, Classroom Consultants assist graduate students as they prepare to teach (TA) in a new language and culture.
There are two types of Classroom Consultants: CC-5s who visit the class only 5 times throughout the semester, and CC-10s, who visit weekly, or 10 times throughout the semester.
CC-5s
Provide audience and feedback for international TAs' "Teaching demonstrations" four times throughout the semester and act as students for one "Mock Office Hours" event. Learn about TAs' field of study while interacting, observing, and giving feedback about the lesson.Time Commitment for CC-5s
- 1.5 hours for Mock Office Hours Event
- 2 hours per week for 4 Teaching Demo Events
CC-10s
Participate in Teaching Demos, Mock Office Hours, just as CC-5s do, but in addition, visit the class (for the final hour) in the weeks between, helping with classroom activities during the final hour of class. With this weekly position, volunteers and international students really get to know one another.Time Commitment for CC-10s
- 1 hour per week for 5 regular class weeks
- 1.5 hours for Mock Office Hours Event
- 2 hours per week for 4 Teaching Demo Events
Requirement for this position: English does NOT need to be your first language in order to volunteer as a Classroom Consultant. For our other volunteer positions, we require advanced to superior proficiency in American English language and culture. The position of Classroom Consultant, however, is also open to those newer to the language and culture.
- Teaching Consultants (TCs)
Observe and support an international TA who is new to teaching in a U.S. classroom. A few times throughout the semester, Teaching Consultants visit the course section of a new international TA who may need some extra support. Volunteers sit in on the class as a student and observe what seems to be going well and what areas the TA could improve upon in the classroom. Teaching Consultants then meet with the international TA to discuss their observations. This position also involves meeting with other TCs and the Program Director to discuss how best to work with each ITA.
Observe and support an international TA who is new to teaching in a U.S. classroom.
Time Commitment for TCs:
Generally 3-4 classroom visits followed by consultations, and 3 volunteer meetings per semester. You can sign up to visit a class that fits your schedule.
Schedule for TCs:
If selected for this position, you will be able to choose a class section that fits your schedule. You only visit class for the first hour.
Requirement for this position:
Advanced to superior proficiency in American English language and culture is required for this position. Otherwise, an interest in getting to know people from other cultures and to share one's own culture is the only requirement.- ESL Assistants (ESLAs)
Spend one hour a week assisting graduate students from other countries as they work on their oral English in CAELC ESL classes. Engage in class discussions, contribute your knowledge of English usage and slang, and provide helpful feedback as students perform oral presentations.
Time Commitment for ESLAs:
One hour per week, plus short debrief after class with instructor.
Schedule for ESLAs:
If selected for this position, you will be able to choose a section that meets your schedule.Requirement for this position:
Advanced to superior proficiency in American English language and culture is required for this position. Otherwise, an interest in getting to know people from other cultures and to share one's own culture is the only requirement.- Workplace English Partners (Workplace EPs)
Many UVA service employees are refugees and immigrants who have resettled in Charlottesville. VISAS Volunteers have an opportunity to welcome newcomers and to help them improve their English, literacy, and digital literacy skills. Training and supervision is provided for volunteers who meet weekly with learners, individualizing instruction within a larger, group workshop setting. Sessions are held during employees' break times.
Time Commitment for Workplace English Partners:
Total of 1.5 hours per week: 1 hour working with your workplace partner plus 15 minutes before and after with interns and other volunteers to plan and debrief.Schedule for Workplace English Partners:
When applying for this position, you will be able to choose a section that meets your schedule.Requirement for this position:
Advanced to superior proficiency in American English language and culture is required for this position. Otherwise, an interest in getting to know people from other cultures and to share one's own culture is the only requirement.- Conversation Facilitators (CFs)
CFs participate in VISAS Café, assisting the VISAS Café Coordinator with preparation, advertising, and setup/takedown. CFs interact with other VISAS volunteers and international participants in the casual café setting and facilitate small group discussions.
Schedule and Time Commitment for CFs:
CFs attend weekly cafés (Wednesdays from 5-6 PM in the Language Commons, NCH 298), helping with set up and clean up 15 minutes before and 15 minutes after.
Requirement for this position:
English does NOT need to be your first language in order to volunteer as a Conversation Facilitator. An interest in getting to know people from other cultures and to share one’s own culture is the only requirement.- Media Consultants (MCs)
MCs assist the VISAS Media, Outreach, and Volunteer intern, working on photography, multimedia projects, and social media outreach. Among other duties, MCs photograph VISAS events as their schedule allows, create designs in Canva to promote events, and assist the intern in interviewing for Humans of VISAS social media posts.
Schedule and Time Commitment for MCs:
There is no specific schedule for MCs, but expect to volunteer about 1-2 hours per week. Most of the work MCs do is completed independently. MCs are expected to attend VISAS events occasionally.Requirement for this position:
English does NOT need to be your first language in order to volunteer as a Media Consultant. An interest in media outreach, as well as getting to know people from other cultures and to share one’s own culture are the only requirements.