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The Office of Belonging

English Language Center (ELC) Internship

The ELC Internship gives BYU students an opportunity to support English language learners from around the world while helping create a welcoming community at BYU’s English Language Center (ELC). Through tutoring, language practice, classroom participation, and ELC activities, interns gain hands-on experience working with students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds while fostering Christlike belonging.

Students earn variable credit through StDev 214R (Building Communities of Covenant Belonging Through Service Internships), using an add-code to add the course.

No prior experience is required. All interns receive basic training and ongoing supervision from ELC faculty or staff and are invited to participate in ELC activities and field trips. Select students may also serve on the ELC Leadership Council, helping plan activities and initiatives at the Center.

Students may participate in one of three roles:

1. English Language Tutor (0.5–2 credits)

Tutors provide individualized or small-group support to help ELC students strengthen their English skills and confidence. Most tutoring focuses on grammar, vocabulary, and speaking.

Tutors will:

  • Hold regularly scheduled tutoring sessions.*
  • Review course concepts and practice relevant language skills with students.

2. Study Buddy (0.5–1 credit)

Study Buddies provide peer support and informal language practice outside the classroom. Rather than focusing on assignments, they build supportive relationships through conversation and English practice. ELC students may also help BYU interns practice a language they are learning.

Study Buddies will:

  • Meet regularly with an assigned student or small group.*
  • Provide opportunities for conversation and language practice.
  • Maintain supportive relationships and appropriate professional boundaries.
  • Participate in ELC activities and field trips, as desired.

3. In-Class Specialist (1–2 credits)

In-Class Specialists use their advanced or native English proficiency to help ELC students participate more confidently in classroom activities and conversations. They encourage interaction without speaking for students or replacing the instructor.
In-Class Specialists will:

  • Participate in instructor-approved discussions and activities.
  • Model respectful listening and constructive conversation.
  • Facilitate paired or small-group conversations.
  • Encourage interaction among students with different experiences and perspectives.
  • Coordinate with instructors to support course objectives.
  • Participate in ELC activities and field trips, as desired.

ELC classes meet Monday–Thursday at 8:30–9:35 a.m., 10:45–11:50 a.m., 12:00–1:05 p.m., 1:15–2:20 p.m., 5:00–5:50 p.m., and 6:00–6:50 p.m. In-Class Specialists attend one or two classes each week, with responsibilities varying by course and proficiency level.

*Because of the ELC class schedule, Tutor and Study Buddy sessions generally need to be scheduled sometime Monday through Thursday, either at 11:00 a.m. or after 2:20 p.m.

Belonging through Service-Learning

Through the ELC Internship, students can strengthen communication, teaching, intercultural, and relationship-building skills while learning from ELC students’ varied experiences and perspectives. The internship may be especially valuable for students interested in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), education, languages, international studies, immigration law, or other service-oriented professions.

Interested students are encouraged to apply now, so that they can be considered for the Fall Semester internship starting September 2026. For questions, please contact Scott Goodwin (Scott.Goodwin@byu.edu).

Apply Here