When you become a Potencia tutor, you’ll be matched with one adult immigrant student for 1:1 online English sessions tailored to their needs. You’ll meet once or twice a week on a flexible schedule that works for both of you.

You don’t need prior teaching experience—our training and resources will prepare you to succeed. Along the way, you’ll join a supportive, mission-driven tutor community committed to empowering learners and building more inclusive communities.

At the end of each semester (a 10-session packet), you'll see the impact of your work—whether it's helping someone land their first job, navigate daily life with more confidence, or take steps toward a new goal.

At the end of each tutoring packet, you can decide if you would like to continue teaching the same student, take a new student, or take a break.

Absolutely. Most Potencia tutors don’t come from teaching backgrounds. We welcome anyone who’s passionate about supporting adult immigrants and willing to learn.

Before you start tutoring, you’ll complete a short, self-paced training that covers everything you need to know, including lesson planning, communication strategies, and how to build trust with your student. You’ll also receive class guidelines, conversation prompts, and materials to help structure your sessions. Plus, our tutor community is always here to support you as you grow.

Each tutoring session is one hour long. We recommend starting with 1–2 sessions per week, depending on your availability.

In total, you can expect to spend about two hours per week per session: one hour teaching and about an hour for preparation, communicating with your learner, and writing brief progress notes. The schedule is flexible—you and your learner choose days and times that work best for both of you.

Potencia students are adult immigrants from a wide range of backgrounds, including Portuguese, Chinese, Korean, Haitian-Creole, and Spanish speakers. Many live in Greater Boston communities like Boston, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, and Malden—but we now welcome students from across the U.S.

Each student is matched with a tutor for 1:1 online sessions based on their English level, goals, and availability. Our students are motivated adults working toward greater confidence in their daily lives, careers, and communities.

We match each tutor with one adult student based on a few key factors: English level, learning goals, availability, and—when possible—a shared language.

Once you complete your tutor training, most matches happen within 1–3 weeks. Our team will reach out with your student’s background and scheduling preferences so you can coordinate your first session together.

Many Potencia students know some basic English, but not all. Some may be just starting out and feel more confident using their native language—especially at the beginning.

That’s okay! You’ll be matched with a student who speaks the same language as you whenever possible, and we encourage using that shared language as a bridge to build trust and support learning. Our tutor training also includes tips on how to teach English in simple, visual, and encouraging ways—even when communication feels challenging at first.

Over time, you’ll see your student gain confidence and rely more on English in your sessions. The most important thing is your patience, creativity, and willingness to grow together.