Co-facilitate Classroom English for Teachers and College Students
Activity/project background
Partner: Bonga College of Education, ELIC (Government)
At the Bonga College of Education in Ethiopia, college instructors deliver most of their lessons in local languages. With the college now upgraded to offer first degree courses, it is imperative for them to meet the standard of teaching using English as the medium of instruction. To get there, teachers require refresher courses, trainings, and practical sessions to use English for classroom teaching. The assumption is that if teachers are taught and shown phrases, expressions, sentences, and questions to use when managing their classes or delivering their lessons, they can apply them when needed and turn the class into an English-only learning environment for students.
Bonga College is requesting the support of a Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to assist teachers in learning to use English in the classroom for teaching English as well as other subjects that require English as a medium of instruction. The VSPP would serve as a resource person to maximize teachers use of English, (and English language expressions) in the classroom.
The college has had very good experiences working with Peace Corps Volunteers in the past. They understand that the role of a VSPP is very different than that of a two-year Volunteer.
Virtual service engagement and tasks
The VSPP will engage in the following tasks, in collaboration with their Host Country Partners:
• Build relationships with enrolled teachers
• Collaborate with their counterpart to assist each participant teacher to set personal goals
by finding out what kind of classroom English they currently use
• Co-design activities for training of teachers
• Track progress of each teacher’s personal plan
• Compile all classroom English activities for submission to the ELIC and Peace Corps Ethiopia for future use
This engagement is expected to be approximately 26 weeks. VSPPs are expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5-15 hours per week.
Meetings between VSPPs and Host Country Counterparts will take place during normal office hours, 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Ethiopia time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.
The Host Country Counterpart will have access to computers, internet connectivity and virtual communication apps such as Zoom and WhatsApp for regular communication and collaboration.
Per the Child Protection Code of Conduct, when engaging online with minors (0-18), two adults must be present.
Optional additional activities
The Peace Corps mission is to promote world peace and friendship by fulfilling three goals:
- To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
- To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
- To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
Goal 1 will be achieved through the VSPP's engagement and completion of the above tasks. The counterpart and VSPP may also choose to identify an activity that aligns with Goal 2. Additionally, the VSPP may identify a Goal 3 activity to implement during their engagement. See recommendations and tools for Goal 3 activities.
Essential qualifications
Education:
• Bachelor’s degree in education, English, or related field or TEFL/TESOL/TESL/Cambridge certification
Experience:
• 1 year of experience teaching English
• 1 year of experience teaching overseas in secondary or foreign language environment
• Experience working with schoolteachers
Intercultural skills and motivation: Flexible, strong cross-cultural agility, high tolerance for ambiguity, able to work independently, resourceful, creative, and genuinely motivated and capable to serve virtually
Desired qualifications
Education: Master’s degree in education, English, or related field
Technical Skills: Familiarity with virtual engagement and communication
Experience:
• 2 years of experience in teaching English or EFL
• Experience in adult education
Terms and conditions of engagement
VSPPs will be engaging with the host country partner, in coordination with Peace Corps post staff, remotely from the US. They should have access to a computer, internet, and telephone in order to enable direct engagement with the Peace Corps overseas office and the Host Country Counterpart assigned by the host country partner.
Orientation with the host country partner will be provided, within the designated virtual service hours, during the first week of virtual service via an online presentation and discussion. The host country partner will provide an overview of its organization, the local context, and how they envision collaborating with the VSPP.
The VSPP will have regular check-ins with their counterpart and bi-weekly check-ins with Peace Corps staff. Spending unstructured time with counterparts can be critical to relationship-building and is encouraged through activities such as coffee chats and informal calls within the weekly 5-15 hours.
Engagement-specific safety and security
The VSPP will receive an orientation on Peace Corps’ Child Protection Policy and how it relates to online engagement along with IT security best practices. The VSPP will be expected to follow safety and security guidelines for online engagement to ensure their safety and that of the Host Country Partner and their counterpart, and any beneficiaries of the engagement.
Supervision requirements
The VSPP will report to a designated Peace Corps staff member. The VSPP will be expected to abide by the Virtual Service Pilot Participant and Donation Agreement and Participant Principles of Engagement. The VSPP will also be expected to check in with the designated host country counterpart as assigned by the host county partner.
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