Are you interested in helping non-native English speakers build confidence and polish their language skills? The Shrewsbury Public Library is seeking a creative, compassionate individual to be its new English Conversation Circle Coordinator, helping to promote its English Conversation Circle program and facilitating an ECC session in 2023. The position involves running a 60-minute weekly ECC session one afternoon a week in which the facilitator will lead a series of semi-casual discussions on English vocabulary, pronunciation, and diction, as well as topics that are culturally relevant to those living in the United States. Ideal sessions are run as friendly conversations punctuated by the occasional group activity, not as formal ESL classes. Initial sessions will be held in person at the Shrewsbury Public Library, with the eventual intent to host hybrid in-person/virtual sessions. Coordinators will also be expected to assist library staff with promotion of the ESL program via social media and e-mail listservs. Other duties may be assigned as required.

The ideal candidate will be someone patient, flexible, and empathetic with excellent verbal and written communication skills, who is very comfortable dealing with language barriers. Creativity and a knack for problem solving are musts. Moderate teaching experience and comfort using virtual meeting platforms such as Zoom preferred. Fluency in additional languages is ideal but not required.

The coordinator will be paid a $300 stipend per quarter. Continuation of the position will be determined annually as funds allow.

Please submit a letter of interest to Mike Zeller ([email protected]) by December 15th.

Do you love your library? What can we do to be a better community hub and serve all our residents? Please complete a survey by December 20th to help us in planning future services. Whether you're a Shrewsbury resident or not, whether you use the library or not, we want to hear your feedback.

Visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SPLSurvey2022 to complete the survey online (in English) or visit the library’s homepage (https://shrewsburypubliclibrary.org) for printable versions of the survey in English, Spanish, and Mandarin. Completed paper surveys can be returned in person to the library; pre-printed copies are also available at the library.

We thank you for your time and look forward to your help!