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Dominican Republic • North America
In partnership with: Primary and secondary schools
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Want to foster brighter futures through English language learning? There’s a community waiting for you in the Dominican Republic.
English proficiency remains a significant challenge for many communities in the Dominican Republic. Historically, public education has focused primarily on Spanish, leaving students with limited exposure to English language learning. This gap is particularly critical because the country’s economy relies heavily on tourism and hospitality—industries where English is a key skill for employment and advancement. Additionally, many young Dominicans aspire to study abroad or participate in international exchange programs, but lack of English proficiency often restricts these opportunities. The Ministry of Education recognizes this challenge and has launched the “English for a Better Life” initiative to address both linguistic and pedagogical gaps among teachers, ensuring that students graduate with strong bilingual skills.
As an English Teacher, you will collaborate with local educators to share strategies that strengthen English language instruction and proficiency levels. Together, you will motivate students to view English as a gateway to opportunities and encourage families to sustain learning beyond the classroom. With your support, the Ministry’s initiative will open doors to higher-paying jobs, greater academic mobility, and increased participation in global markets. This means financial stability and an enhanced quality of life for families, and a more competitive workforce for the country as a whole.
Learn more about what Volunteers do in country by visiting our Dominican Republic project page.
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 (from any combination of roles).
Language: There are no pre-requisite language requirements for this position.
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
How you and the community will make an impact together:
Plan and teach student-centered, engaging English lessons.
Facilitate teacher workshops to strengthen English instruction.
Exchange classroom management strategies with school staff.
Design and adapt interactive English learning materials.
Lead tutoring sessions and educational activities for students.
Organize community-based English practice initiatives.
Support family engagement in student learning through school activities.
Collaborate with local groups to promote positive school culture.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as English conversation clubs and art or music classes.
Volunteers will live with a host family for the first three months at their assigned site to support language learning and integration. While you may transition to independent housing afterward, availability is not guaranteed and living conditions vary widely. Homes may lack running water, reliable electricity, or consistent cell service, but these conditions offer opportunities to experience authentic Dominican culture and build resilience.
Learn more about the living conditions, including detailed information on culture, communications, housing, and health/crime statistics on our Dominican Republic country page. You can also delve into stories about local communities by reading our blog or Volunteer stories.
Community Economic Development Facilitator
"Most Dominicans have never encountered a person of my ethnicity before. It is truly a unique opportunity to see how locals perceive me and to teach them more about India."
See full Volunteer profile
As an English Teacher, you will be trained on effective English language acquisition practices, classroom management techniques, and making instructional materials with limited resources. Peace Corps Dominican Republic will teach you Spanish to help you comfortably live in and connect with the community. You will also receive language resources to continue your language learning during service, and you may have the opportunity to learn Haitian Creole.
After 9 weeks of training, you will move to a rural or peri-urban community where you will collaborate with staff at primary or secondary schools. You will work with the community to assess the local needs and develop solutions based on English language learning methodologies and the priorities of the Ministry of Education.
Only heterosexual couples can be accepted for this program. Each person must apply separately and must qualify for a position in either the same or 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). Cohabitating couples are highly encouraged to present themselves as married throughout service due to cultural expectations.
To learn more about serving as a couple in Dominican Republic, visit the country page.
From application to departure takes around nine months. Learn about the application process for Volunteer opportunities.
You will need to be cleared medically and legally in order to serve in Dominican Republic. Review information on medical clearance and legal clearance to learn about the process.