Mandarin Language Instructor (South Ozone Park; Summer; PT) - SAYA : Job Details

South Asian Youth Action (SAYA) is committed to providing its employees opportunities for growth in a supportive community environment. As an Activity Specialist, you will receive access to external opportunities and have considerable autonomy in designing and implementing new projects and curricula. With a school-day schedule and a generous benefits package, SAYA provides its employees a healthy work-life balance in a fast-growing youth development nonprofit.

SAYA: Belong. Grow. Thrive.

South Asian Youth Action (SAYA) is an inclusive, South Asian-focused 501(c)3 youth development organization. Through our innovative, holistic approach, we work toward educational equity by providing opportunities and resources to less privileged New York City youth, ensuring they are empowered academically, emotionally, and socially to become engaged community members.

Established in 1996, SAYA provides valuable life skills and holistic, impactful programming to underserved New York City youth. As one of the first South Asian organizations created in the United States, SAYA is the only organization of its kind in the NYC metropolitan area providing inclusive and secular comprehensive youth development services while centering our community's experiences. Today, SAYA provides programming at eight elementary, middle, and high schools in Queens and Brooklyn, along with our Elmhurst-based community center - serving a growing number of youths across all sites each year.

A key tenet of our work is cultivating vital social and emotional learning (SEL) skills such as belonging, confidence, and self-efficacy through intentionally designed, research-based curricula. Across our organization, services tailored for different age groups include leadership and identity development, academic support that bridges learning gaps, comprehensive college preparation, and activities that nurture creativity and build positive peer connections.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and passionate Mandarin/Chinese Language Instructor (Activity Specialist) to join our summer program team (with potential to continue to following school year). The ideal candidate will have a strong background in the language, a love for teaching, and a desire to inspire young learners. The position involves teaching students of various middle school grades and proficiency levels in a dynamic, engaging, and supportive environment.

Reports to: Program Director

Compensation: $30-$45 an hour, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Work Duration and Schedule: From July 2, 2025, to August 15, 2025; Monday to Friday; 20 hours/week. Candidates must be able to commit to the entire work duration and hours.

Work Arrangement: In-Person

• Supervise all activities to ensure the health, safety and well-being of program participants.
• Lead interactive Mandarin/Chinese language lessons for middle school students.
• Create and implement lesson plans that are engaging, educational, and culturally enriching by integrating cultural elements (e.g., music, art, history) into lessons.
• Foster a positive learning environment that encourages student participation and confidence.
• Tailor lessons to different proficiency levels, ensuring that all students are appropriately challenged.
• Manage the classroom and maintain a positive learning environment.
• Build positive relationships with youth and adults and serve as a role model with respect to demeanor, communication and overall attitude.
• Ensure proper care of all spaces and materials, organize room and report any misused or damaged materials to the Program Director.
• Complete and submit in a timely manner all program reports relative to this position, including but not limited to: supply request, lesson plans, incident reports, attendance, and timesheets.
• Assist Program Coordinator with ordering and maintaining equipment and/or supplies.
• Actively participate in training sessions, designated meetings and special events.

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Linguistics, or related field preferred (but not required); Current college students will be considered and are highly encouraged to apply.
• Fluency in Mandarin/Chinese (native or near-native proficiency required).
• Knowledge and understanding of youth development, after school and public education.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and manage multiple priorities, people and projects effectively.
• Experience in providing individualized and group instruction to meet the needs of youth with various levels of skills.

Ideal candidate will excel in the following areas:

• Mentorship: The candidate will enjoy mentoring youth to provide feedback in a manner that supports learning and develops academic skills.
• Communication: The candidate will have the ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of people including youth, teachers, school administrators, parents, and other staff. They will be able to work as part of a team with the school community and other SAYA programs. They will be able to consider situations from multiple perspectives in order to avoid and manage conflict.
• Flexibility: The candidate will be comfortable adapting to changing circumstances. They will be able to work with youth of various cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.

SAYA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.