Support High School English Club and Teachers
Activity/project background
Partner: MTSN 1 Lumajang East Java Indonesia (Government)
MTSN 1 Lumajang is an Islamic junior high school located in Lumajang, East, Java Indonesia, that provides service to students on Grades 7-9, ages 13-15 years old. The school currently offers three types of programs: 1) science classes, 2) language classes, and 3) IT/multimedia classes. Students in each program complete additional coursework that is associated with building skills that relate to the respective framework. The language classes program was first offered to the students at the schools in 2007 as part of its full-day school roll-out program and those that participate receive more sessions focusing on English and Arabic.
A Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) is requested to support the delivery of English sessions in the language classes program for 60 students of grade 7 and 8 classes (30 students in each class, ages 13 and 14 years old) with the focus on increasing students' motivation to practice English skills especially speaking skills. The VSPP will also co-conduct cross-cultural sessions to increase students’ cross-cultural understanding.
MTSN 1 Lumajang 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 an assessment to evaluate the students’ English language level before and after the engagement period
• Co-design and develop simple syllabus as a workplan for the engagement
• Co-plan two English lessons every week, some of which will incorporate cross-cultural activities and learning
• Co-teach two English lessons every week for 90 minutes each
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. – 1:15 p.m Indonesia time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.
The Host Country Counterpart will have access to WhatsApp, Telegram, and Zoom 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: 6 months of experience teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)
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 OR TEFL/TESOL certification
Technical Skills: Familiarity with virtual engagement and communication
Experience: Experience facilitating or actively participating in session delivery with large audiences
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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