Multilingual Learning Specialist

Rhode Island School of Design - Providence, RI

Full-time - Mid Level

Providence, RI

Educational Services

About the position

The Multilingual Learning Specialist at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is a language teaching professional dedicated to supporting the international and multilingual student body through the Center for Arts & Language (A&L). This role focuses on enhancing students' linguistic skills and efficacy via peer tutoring, advising, and workshops, while also contributing to the institution's strategic goals related to multilingual learning and cultural diversity.

Responsibilities

• Provide instruction in rhetorical and mechanical academic literacy skills to undergraduate and graduate students in tutoring sessions.
• Provide ongoing instruction and advising for selected students requiring ongoing support, focusing on goal-setting, skill development, learning outcomes, and accountability.
• Lead co-curricular and in-class workshops for students on various topics related to academic skills, art, design language, and conversational English throughout the academic year.
• Conduct English-language proficiency assessments as needed, including in partnership with Admissions for select graduate program applicants.
• Collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data on multilingual student learning.
• Develop materials and provide training and consulting for Arts & Language peer tutors to support their tutoring of multilingual students.
• Conduct outreach, including classroom visits and orientation presentations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and certification in TESOL or a Master's in TESOL, linguistics, bilingual education, or a relevant discipline, and/or at least 3 years of experience teaching English at the college level.
• Experience teaching and/or advising multilingual students as an instructor or in a writing center or advising office in higher education.
• Fluency in college-level academic writing and rhetoric expectations.
• Familiarity with intercultural competence and language justice in higher education.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and follow-through.
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work, collaborate, and communicate effectively within a diverse multicultural and inclusive setting.
• Fluency in at least one language other than English, preferably Mandarin Chinese or another language highly represented in RISD's international student population.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience living and working internationally.
• Knowledge of art and design practice, education, history, theory, and vocabulary.
• Familiarity with multiple Liberal Arts disciplines.
• Experience collecting and analyzing data in an educational setting.
• Formal language assessment training and/or certification.

Benefits

• Supportive and collegial work environment.
• Competitive benefits package.