Co-facilitate English Learning and Teachers’ Community of Practice
Activity/project background
Partner: MTsN 2 PONOROGO EAST JAVA INDONESIA (Government)
MTsN 2 Ponorogo is a public school located in Ponorogo, East Java, Indonesia and services students in the Grades 7-9, ages 13-15 years old. The school has one international class program at every grade level, where students learn about 5-6 hours of English in addition to receiving 5 hours of English instruction weekly, whereas students receive 4 hours of English instruction in other class subjects. Non-English subject teachers are encouraged to use basic classroom instructions in English to facilitate language growth for students.
Because language is a foundational skill for the international class program, a Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) is requested to support teachers with programming and lesson development in addition to co-facilitating sessions for students in grade 8 and 9 (ages 14-15 years old). The teachers specifically aim to develop new methodologies that improve the students’ speaking skills, strengthen their vocabularies, and their cross-cultural understanding. MTsN 2 Ponorogo also plans for the VSPP to support the English teachers’ community of practice. The school has seven English teachers who are eager to learn new teaching approaches, methods, and practices. The VSPP would co-lead a virtual session for the English teachers at the school every other week throughout engagement.
The organization has previously worked with a Peace Corps Volunteer. They understand that the role of a VSPP is very different than a two-year Volunteer.
Virtual service engagement and tasks
The VSPP will engage in the following tasks, in collaboration with their Host Country Partners:
• Co-develop a simple syllabus for the engagement period for the international class program
• Co-plan and co-teach grade 8 and 9 international class program lessons (160 minutes teaching time)
• Identify topics for community of practice sessions with English teachers and co-lead a 1-hour session every other week
This engagement is expected to be approximately 12 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, 7:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Indonesia time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.
The Host Country Counterpart will have access to WhatsApp, Zoom, and email 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 any field
Experience: 2 years of experience teaching English to ESL students
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: Bachelor’s degree in education, teaching, or related field
Technical Skills: Familiarity with virtual engagement and communication
Experience: Experience conducting training sessions or communities of practice for adults
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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