Co-facilitate English Conversation Clubs for Colombian Students

Activity/project background

The Marina Orth Foundation is a non-profit educational organization that has been working to strengthen education in Colombia for more than 21 years. The foundation operates through six key areas: English, new technologies, robotics, socio-emotional and life skills, volunteers, and scholarships. Over the years, the foundation has made a significant impact to public education in communities such as Medellín, El Carmen de Viboral, El Retiro, La Ceja, Barbosa, and El Bagre. To date, it has positively transformed the lives of more than 33,000 people and continues to expand its reach and impact across the country.

Target communities face limited access to high-quality English instruction and opportunities to practice the language in real-life contexts, which affects students’ readiness for higher education and employment. Additionally, there is a need to enhance student engagement through more dynamic and interactive learning experiences. To address these challenges, the foundation is requesting the support of Virtual Service Pilot Participants who will co-facilitate English learning and conversation sessions, support the development of engaging educational materials, and reinforce language skills.

While the foundation regularly works with international volunteers, this engagement represents an opportunity to strengthen virtual collaboration and expand access to consistent English language support. The virtual format provides a flexible and sustainable approach to complement in-person activities, while promoting intercultural exchange and supporting ongoing program development.

The organization has previously collaborated with the Peace Corps. They understand that the role of a VSPP is very different than a Peace Corps Volunteer or Peace Corps Response Volunteer.

Engagement and tasks

The VSPPs will engage in the following tasks, in collaboration with their host country partners:

• Co-assess the English language levels of student participants during the first two weeks of engagement
• Co-design session plans for four English club sessions, focused on conversational skills and interactive learning activities
• Co-facilitate one 90-minute virtual English session per week with approximately four students, focused on speaking, listening, and cultural exchange
• Participate in a biweekly coordination and feedback meeting with the host country partner to review progress and adjust activities (1 hour every two weeks)

VSPPs are expected to engage in the tasks listed above for an estimated 5–15 hours per week. This engagement is estimated to be nine hours per week.

Online collaboration will generally occur after 5:00 p.m. Colombia time. Specific meeting times will be confirmed during the orientation process.

The host country partner will use Zoom, Google Meet, WhatsApp, and email for 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:

1. To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
2. To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
3. 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

Language: Intermediate Spanish

Experience: 3 months of TEFL/TESOL teaching for primary or secondary school 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, secondary education, or related field or relevant certification: TEFL, TESOL, Cambridge, or similar

Experience: Virtual engagement and communication

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 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.