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Connect with the Peace Corps
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The application process begins by selecting a service model and finding an open position.
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If you are flexible in where you serve for the two-year Peace Corps Volunteer program, our experts can match you with a position and country based on your experience and preferences.
Serve where you’re needed mostElementary and Middle School English Teacher
Education
Job highlights
- Develop Tongan language skills from skilled Language and Cross-Cultural Facilitators.
- Strengthen learner-centered teaching skills and teacher coaching skills.
- Enjoy island life while strengthening school-community partnerships with the friendly people of Tonga.
Tonga • Pacific Islands
In partnership with: Ministry of Education and Training, elementary schools, middle schools
Get answers live — every weekday at .
Apply by
November 15, 2026Know by
January 1, 2027Depart on
June 14, 2027Duration
2 years, plus 3 months trainingAbout the project
English teachers are needed in the South Pacific. Will you help strengthen English language and literacy instruction?
Tonga’s education system is vital to the nation’s future, yet many schools face significant challenges in providing effective English instruction. Limited resources and teachers’ varying skills and confidence with the language often hinder learning. Classrooms frequently operate without sufficient books, teaching materials, or opportunities for students to hear fluent English speakers. Strong English proficiency is essential for students to succeed on the competitive exams that determine entry into government high schools. With literacy recognized as a national priority, communities across Tonga are eager for practical support and clear guidance to help their children thrive academically.
As an Elementary and Middle School English Teacher, you will support students to strengthen their language skills while also strengthening the capacity of teachers. You’ll have the chance to lead tutoring sessions, run clubs, and bring learning to life through creative extracurriculars. You’ll strengthen language skills outside the classroom by engaging with families and community members in daily life. Your contributions can open doors for students, strengthen schools from within, and inspire long-term change across the country.
Learn more about what Volunteers do in country by visiting our Tonga project page.
Required skills
Qualified candidates will have one or more of the following criteria:
Associate degree in any field and at least two years of full-time, post-high school work experience (from any combination of roles).
OR
Bachelor's degree in any field.
OR
High school diploma or GED and four years of full-time post-high school work experience (from any combination of roles).
Language: There are no pre-requisite language requirements for this position.
Required behavioral competencies
These competencies are essential for all service assignments and are assessed in the application and interview process:
Motivation for and commitment to service
Adaptability and open-mindedness
Problem solving and resourcefulness
Behavioral maturity and professionalism
Photos from Tonga
How you and the community will make an impact together:
Teach English to improve speaking and writing skills among students.
Lead after-school tutoring sessions, clubs, and activities.
Coordinate English and literacy promotion activities.
Strengthen classroom instruction and share instruction strategies for English and literacy.
Design and deliver professional development opportunities for teachers to practice new teaching techniques.
Engage parents and community members in student learning.
Plan and assist with community-driven school improvement projects.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as promoting environmental education and organizing youth camps.
Volunteers will either live in a private room within a host family’s home, with a shared bathroom and kitchen, or in an independent house, depending on availability. All Volunteer housing has electricity and running water, except in communities on the more remote outer islands.
Learn more about the living conditions, including detailed information on culture, communications, housing, and health/crime statistics on our Tonga country page. You can also delve into stories about local communities by reading our blog or Volunteer stories.
Meet a Volunteer in Tonga
Steph S.
English Language Facilitator
"The adaptability I mastered while teaching in a remote village allows me to thrive in fast-paced IT environments where I must resolve precedent-setting technical issues."
See full Volunteer profile
As an Elementary and Middle School English Teacher, you will be trained on the student-centered teaching practices, classroom management skills, and community-driven development in education. Peace Corps/Tonga will teach you Tongan to help you comfortably live in and connect with the community.
After 10 weeks of training, you will move to a rural community where you will collaborate with schools, teachers, and a parent-teacher association. You will work with the community to assess the local needs and develop solutions based on student learning needs
Only heterosexual couples can be accepted for this program. Each person must apply separately and qualify for a position in a different sector than their partner. Cross-sector couples will live with different host families who may reside in different communities during training. Cross-sector couples may see each other for joint-sector training days or on the weekends but neither are guaranteed. Couples who are selected for the same sector will live together but work with different local partners which may be in the same community or in neighboring communities (not more than 30 minutes apart).
To learn more about serving as a couple in Tonga, visit the country page.
Application process
From application to departure takes around nine months. Learn about the application process for Volunteer opportunities.
Medical/legal clearance
You will need to be cleared medically and legally in order to serve in Tonga. Review information on medical clearance and legal clearance to learn about the process.
