Support Students’ Communication and English Skills Development

Activity/project background

Lyceums and gymnasiums in Ukraine are secondary education institutions that provide specialized academic training to prepare students for higher education at a university. Lyceum course studies take three years to complete, and students are typically aged 14–17. Gymnasiums are institutions with similar functions but are intended for students aged 11–17. Pedagogical college trains teachers for kindergartens and elementary schools, and students are typically aged 15–18. Recently, English has been introduced by the Ministry of Education at the kindergarten level.

As English is an international language that opens opportunities for communication, education, travel, and work, English proficiency among Ukrainians is incredibly important. Advanced English skills will accelerate European and global integration and strengthen cooperation with the international communities during and after the war. All fifteen sites requesting a Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) have an advanced English Language curriculum.

The participating lyceums, gymnasiums, or the pedagogical college hope that by collaborating with a VSPP, they will enhance the students’ command of English, increase their communication skills and confidence with the language, and develop intercultural competencies. Engaging with VSPPs will allow students to immerse themselves in an English-speaking environment by communicating with native speakers. The VSPPs will be assigned to schools during their post-led orientation at the start of the engagement.

Some of the partners have previously collaborated with the Peace Corps by working with in-person Volunteers or with VSPPs. Some schools have not previously collaborated with the Peace Corps, and working with the Virtual Service Pilot Participants will be their first interactions with the Peace Corps. All school partners understand that the role of a VSPP is very different than a two-year Volunteer.

Engagement and tasks

Each VSPP will engage in the following tasks, in collaboration with their host country partners:

• Co-develop and co-design a structured curriculum for a virtual speaking club with a strong emphasis on improving English-speaking and listening skills for pre-intermediate and intermediate English language learners
• Co-plan and co-facilitate a weekly 60-minute speaking club session online for a group of 15–20 high school students
• Integrate student reflections and feedback to enhance engagement and learning outcomes
• Incorporate cultural aspects of their home country into lessons to foster cross-cultural exchange and global awareness among students
• Compile and organize learning materials from the virtual speaking club to share with teachers for sustainable English club development

All 15 engagements are expected to be approximately 27 weeks, but schools have expressed their interest in cooperation with VSPPs until the end of the academic year (May 31, 2027). Continuation beyond the end date can be discussed as least one month prior to the end of the initial engagement.

VSPPs are expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5–15 hours per week. This engagement is estimated to be 5–8 hours per week including materials selection, planning sessions, and club session facilitation.

Online collaboration will generally occur between 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. Ukraine time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.

The Host Country Counterpart will have access to Zoom, email, and WhatsApp 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:

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

Experience: 1 year of TEFL/TESOL teaching in the U.S. or abroad

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: Master’s degree in any field

Experience:
• Virtual engagement and communication
• 1 year facilitating English club activities with secondary school students
• 2 years of TEFL/TESOL in the U.S. or abroad

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.