How does FELLOW work?
1:1 language sharing: two people are matched together to share the English language through conversation and activities. Learners are connected with a volunteer peer mentor who will meet weekly, ideally in person, for approximately 3 months. Here the focus is on using the language practically in community settings, in order to develop skills, gain confidence and create new connections.
Group classes: we recruit volunteer teachers who deliver classes in community settings such as community centres, our own hub in the Leys, and schools. This space allows adult learners who might otherwise struggle to access English courses to learn English together for free in a familiar, friendly space.
Our free, friendly format means that FELLOW is well-placed to overcome common barriers to language learning like cost and lack of confidence. The learning level and content can be tailored to learners’ needs, as the pair will decide what activities and subjects they would like to work on together.
For learners, these skills and connections can help them to access services and sources of support, increasing their social and financial security and improving their wellbeing. Some learners have gone on to become peer mentors themselves.
Oxford Hub has been running FELLOW since it began 2008, in response to the Oxford Living Wage Campaign.
“Volunteering with FELLOW has been one of the highlights of my time in Oxford. As a 1:1 peer mentor for English learning, it was not only rewarding to help someone else, but also to get to know them - our weekly meetings were really enjoyable. The experience provided me with new perspectives, and encouraged me to reflect more on my own way of communicating and interacting with others. I would definitely recommend the FELLOW programme.”
Get involved with FELLOW
Our members come from all kinds of different backgrounds. Some have teaching experience, whilst others have none. All we ask for is a passion for working with people from different cultures, a friendly approach, and willingness to learn!
Here’s what will happen when you sign up to FELLOW as a peer mentor or learner:
At the beginning of each cohort we pair a learner with a volunteer peer mentor.
You will meet in a public space, and discuss how best to share the English language based on what the learner wants to focus on.
We suggest each meeting lasts for approximately 1 hour, once or twice a week.
And here’s how we work with teachers:
We’ll set the class up in a community space, such as a school, community centre, or library, and we’ll advertise it to learners. A volunteer teacher then takes on the running of the class.
Read our volunteer role descriptions here.
If you have any questions, please get in touch at [email protected]
