Adult English Language (EL) Instructor

Chinese American Service League•Chicago, IL

7d•$45,000 - $49,000•Onsite

About The Position

Join CASL as an Adult English Language (EL) Instructor and Make a Difference Are you ready to make a meaningful impact in your community? Join CASL as an Adult English Language (EL) Instructor, where youâll support adult learners by strengthening English proficiency and preparing students for U.S. citizenship. Through culturally responsive instruction and individualized support, youâll help learners gain the skills and confidence needed to thrive and fully engage in their communities. Your Mission: At CASL, we believe language access is foundational to equity, opportunity, and belonging. The Adult English Language (EL) Instructor plays a critical role in empowering adult learners by strengthening English proficiency, supporting citizenship readiness, and fostering confidence to fully participate in civic and community life. Through culturally responsive instruction and individualized support, this role advances CASLâs mission to build stronger families and a more inclusive society. About CASL: Founded in 1978, CASL is the largest and most comprehensive community-based organization in the Midwest, with deep roots in serving Asian Americans and a commitment to welcoming all. With over 45 years of experience, CASL supports individuals and families across four essential areas: health, human services, education, and advocacy. From early learning and senior care to legal assistance, housing support, and citizenship services, CASL helps thousands of Chicago-area residents build healthy, stable, and empowered lives. To hear about: CASL's history, watch here CASL's future, watch here Make a Difference, and Get the Support You Deserve Salary Range: $45,000 â $49,000/year | Full Benefits Package Included We value your expertise and commitment, and we invest in both. From competitive pay and comprehensive benefits to a culture that puts people first, youâll be supported while doing work that matters. This role is based in Chinatown, Chicago, with a standard MondayâFriday schedule. Scroll down for full details on salary, benefits, schedule and what it's like to be part of CASL. What Youâll Impact As an Adult EL Instructor, your work directly supports immigrants and permanent residents on their path to citizenship, employment stability, and community integration. Each lesson taught, assessment administered, and student coached contributes to measurable outcomesâincluding increased English proficiency, successful naturalization interviews, and long-term self-sufficiency. Your role strengthens not only individual lives, but the collective resilience and civic participation of the communities CASL serves.

Requirements

Bachelorâs degree in education, human services, or related field is required.
TEFL certification or equivalent required.
At least one year of experience teaching EL or citizenship to adults.
Completion of "New Teacher Orientation," "Citizenship Basics," and "CASAS Reading STEPS" provided by the Adult Learning Resource Center within 6 months of employment.
Strong interest in working with clients of all ages, demonstrating empathy and cultural sensitivity
Bilingual proficiency in spoken and written English and Chinese (Cantonese preferred; Mandarin and/or Toishanese a plus)
Strong speaking, reading, and writing skills in both English and Chinese
Must be able to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for extended periods, with occasional movement.
Occasionally moves objects weighing up to 20 pounds.
Required to conduct outreach activities using public transportation, walking, or driving, as necessary.
Work is performed during standard business hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am â 5:00 pm, with flexibility to work additional hours in the evenings or weekends, as necessary.
Work is performed in various settings including the office and outdoor environments.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual proficiency in spoken and written English and Chinese (Cantonese preferred; Mandarin and/or Toishanese a plus)

Responsibilities

Provide direct instruction to Adult EL students in a classroom setting, focusing on improving English listening, speaking, writing, and reading skills.
Teach students the naturalization process, including the interview components and knowledge of American history, government, geography, and civics.
Integrate American culture into lessons, educating students on their rights and responsibilities as Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs) and citizens.
Develop weekly lesson plans and teaching materials tailored to each level of EL and citizenship classes, aligning with program goals and objectives.
Administer standardized tests and create formal and informal assessments to monitor student progress, ensuring data-informed instruction.
Utilize technology to enhance the learning experience, incorporating computers and the internet into lessons.
Provide individual sessions to support students approaching their naturalization interviews, offering personalized guidance and preparation.
Maintain detailed student records, tracking learning progress, and preparing weekly attendance and end-of-term progress reports.
Enter studentsâ demographic information, attendance hours, test scores, and naturalization outcomes into CASLâs Salesforce database system for accurate data management.
Collaborate with the Adult Education Coordinator to provide data for agency reports, contributing to program evaluation and continuous improvement.
Enter client and program required information into Salesforce in a timely manner, ensuring accurate and up-to-date documentation to support transparency and data-informed decision-making.
Engage with other team members to share best practices and strategies for enhancing the overall educational experience.
Complete at least 12 hours of job-related training annually, including enhancing teaching skills and staying current on immigration laws and naturalization processes.
Seek opportunities for ongoing learning to maintain high-quality instruction and program excellence within the program allowed budget.
Contribute to additional responsibilities as needed to support the Adult Service departmentâs initiatives and overall organizational goals, ensuring flexibility and alignment with CASLâs evolving needs.