YES and FLEX students are eligible to receive tutoring assistance for the English language. AFS volunteers or host families are responsible for identifying potential tutors. The tutor is required to provide the following to AFS-USA staff:
- Resume
- Hourly rate/Compensation
- Proposal template for teaching the student (includes type of tutoring, an assessment of the needs of the student, the goals for the student, the frequency of tutoring (how many times per week) and the total amount of hours student would need)
- W-9 form
AFS-USA staff will decide if tutoring is approved upon review of the aforementioned items. If approved, AFS-USA will secure a contract with the tutor before tutoring begins. Please note that the budget is limited, and the average rate is $25-30/hour. The total number of hours given for tutoring will depend on the rate of the tutor.
Acceptable instruction methods include one-on-one professional tutoring or group language programs, in or outside the host community conducted by trained professionals. The curriculum should focus on oral proficiency including conversation practice, comprehension, pronunciation, vocabulary development, and sentence patterns. Less emphasis should be placed on grammar, as the English curriculum of schools in sending countries is primarily grammar-based. Unacceptable instruction methods include language tapes, online courses, and other self-directed forms of study.
FLEX Language Program
Some FLEX students may be eligible to participate in the FLEX Language Program to receive local, individualized English language tutoring in the first three months of their program. Should the student, host family, or volunteers feel that the student would benefit from additional language support, please identify a local tutor to work with the FLEX student using the guidelines below.
FLEX students who are identified as needing additional English language support is offered a minimum of 20 hours of intensive tutoring at the start of their exchange program and up to 60 hours maximum. In general, language program tutoring should be continued as long as the student and tutor feel it is necessary for the student to succeed on the program. Note that some students may need the full 60 hours of tutoring. AFS will spend up to, but not exceed, $1,500 for this tutoring.
Once a tutor has been identified, please reach out to the AFS FLEX Specialist with the following information prior to starting the tutoring session to set up payment.
- Resume
- Hourly rate/Compensation
- Proposal template for teaching the student (includes type of tutoring, an assessment of the needs of the student, the goals for the student, the frequency of tutoring (how many times per week) and the total amount of hours student would need)
- W-9 form