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Serve where you’re needed mostEnglish Literacy Educator
Education
Job highlights
Applications are now closed. View current openings.
Apply by
January 1, 2026Know by
March 1, 2026Depart on
July 11, 2026Duration
2 years, plus 3 months trainingAbout the project
The Peace Corps works with the Samoan Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC) to promote English literacy teaching and learning in primary schools across the country. Peace Corps Samoa is focused on the long-term sustainability and impact of Volunteer projects and therefore follows a six-year project cycle in each school and community. The cycle starts with a First Generation Volunteer and ends with a Third Generation Volunteer. All Volunteers will work on the following set of goals (building upon previous progress), but individual tasks, assignments and opportunities for secondary projects will vary depending on the work of previous Volunteers (if applicable), needs and goals of the host community and school, and skillset and interests of the Volunteer.
Improve Students’ English Literacy:
• Volunteers will independently teach small “pull-out groups” (students with the lowest test scores, who would benefit from extra, small group English literacy lessons) in grades 1 to 8.
• Many Volunteers host before- and after-school tutoring and extra-curricular activities to engage additional students with English literacy, homework assistance, computer literacy, and other topics.
Build Local Capacity in English Literacy and General Teaching Skills:
• In their second year, Volunteers will also begin co-teaching student-centered participatory learning techniques with an assigned co-teacher at their school.
• Throughout service, Volunteers host professional development trainings and learning opportunities for local teachers and administrators, focused on teaching techniques, library use and engagement, computer literacy, and other areas of the Volunteer’s expertise.
Increase Access to Literacy Learning Materials and Activities for Teachers, Students, and Community Members:
• Volunteers will work on library development, sourcing and organizing books, developing a book lending system, and creating fun before- and after-school reading programs to engage students and community members with the library. Intensity of focus on each of these tasks will depend on the status of the school’s current library and host community’s goals.
• Volunteers will coordinate with principals, teachers, students, and community members to promote responsible and sustainable practices to ensure that the libraries and love of English literacy continue long into the future.
• Volunteers and their counterparts engage parents and other community members in English literacy by initiating family literacy activities and inviting parents to school-based events.
Volunteers also often engage in secondary projects at their schools or in their communities. While some Volunteers initiate their own activities based on community requests and interests, other Volunteers may also be tasked with continuing or closing out community projects from previous Volunteers and counterparts, with a focus on ensuring teachers and community members are identified and trained to provide continuity and sustainability.
Peace Corps Samoa champions initiatives that promote girls’ and boys’ education, and leadership development. Volunteers receive in-depth training on using analytic methods to understand the societal roles of men, women, boys, and girls and find culturally appropriate ways to incorporate girls’ and boys’ leadership and empowerment into their work. Samoa was the first Peace Corps country to have GLOW (Girls Leading Our World) clubs in schools that are co-run by Volunteers and local counterparts. In addition, GLOW clubs have been managed by a board composed of Volunteers and prominent Samoan women leaders. Prior to the global evacuation of Volunteers, Samoa had more than 20 primary schools with active GLOW clubs and five primary schools with BUILD (Boys United In Leadership Development) clubs that met weekly. These clubs are supported by the local communities and schools, as well as our main partner agency, MEC.
Learn more about projects in Samoa here: https://www.peacecorps.gov/samoa/projects/.
Learn more about what Volunteers do in country by visiting our Samoa project page.
Required skills
Qualified candidates will have one or more of the following criteria:
Qualified candidates will have a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any discipline and a strong desire to teach English.
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 Samoa
How you and the community will make an impact together:
Samoa is an island nation of about 200,000 people. Reefs fringe the shores and there are mountains in the center of the two main islands. Most Volunteers do not live on the ocean, but it is never far away. Samoa is hot and humid with two main seasons – rainy and dry. The country’s small size also means Volunteers’ travel and activities are scrutinized by community members. Living in a “fishbowl” environment can be challenging. Volunteers who are committed to their community integration and their work can build meaningful relationships in their communities and have a successful service. Integration into a community will help mitigate the attention Volunteers experience, create trust, and help the Volunteer and the community have an enriched, memorable experience.
Clothing:
Personal appearance is important to Samoans. The dress code is business casual. Women are expected to wear a wraparound “lavalava” or an ankle length sarong/skirt and top with sleeves, or an ankle length dress. Men can wear a wraparound lavalava and shirt with sleeves. Dressing appropriately will help Volunteers gain respect in their community, facilitate integration, and increase your credibility and effectiveness.
Housing/Transportation:
Volunteers live with host families during both the 11 weeks of PST and the entire two years of service. Volunteers live in a private room in a family’s house. Transportation to and from the villages is usually by bus. Taxis are available but are more expensive. Within the village, Volunteers get around on foot or bicycle.
Food/Diet:
The diet in Samoa consists primarily of taro, breadfruit, yams, potatoes, rice, canned corned beef, fish, chicken soup, seasonal fresh vegetables and fruit and various meats. Vegetarians can fare well in Samoa with patience and creativity. For strict vegans or Volunteers with specific food allergies, it can be harder, but doable.
Connectivity:
While internet is becoming more widely available throughout the country, access is still expensive and may be limited by location and cost. Peace Corps Samoa does not provide Volunteers with a cell phone or data. Volunteers may bring an unlocked phone from the US or buy one in country. Most Volunteers also bring a laptop or tablet to use in Samoa. It is the Volunteer’s responsibility to maintain and buy insurance for any electronics that they bring.
Culture/Religion:
Samoa is culturally Polynesian and the majority of Samoans are Christian. Religion plays a strong role in village and community life. Most Volunteers attend church at least once a week, regardless of their own beliefs as a way of integrating into the community and participating in village life.
Local Attitudes and Culture:
Volunteers who are of an American racial, ethnic, or national minority or whose religious or spiritual beliefs differ from the majority of their country of service may experience a high degree of curiosity or unwanted attention. Please be aware that American concepts of politeness and appropriate behavior are not universal. Ethnically, nationally, or racially diverse Americans may be asked where they are “actually from” or if they are “really” American. Many Volunteers have been able to turn these encounters into learning experiences, sharing American values and deepening local community members’ understanding of Americans.
Learn more about the living conditions, including detailed information on culture, communications, housing, and health/crime statistics on our Samoa country page. You can also delve into stories about local communities by reading our blog or Volunteer stories.
Meet a Volunteer in Samoa
Elizabeth H.
English Literacy Educator
"Some days we collect cocoa beans to make Samoan chocolate or pick lychee and mango at our family’s plantation up the mountain — other days I might go fishing with my host dad on our paopao (wooden canoe) or explore the reef with the kids."
See full Volunteer profile
No couples are accepted for this position.
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 Samoa. Review information on medical clearance and legal clearance to learn about the process.
