Description

Guanacaste Literacy/Abriendo Mentes is currently seeking a volunteer ESL teacher with past teaching experience for our newest project in Playa Brasilito on the North Pacific Coast of Costa Rica for Spring/Summer 2012. This volunteer will be leading a elementary aged ESL class. Classes are held in the public school from 2:30pm - 5pm four days a week. Housing options for volunteers are located in Playa Potrero, and bus fee to and from Brasilito (15 minutes) will be provided. The volunteer is needed from April 16th and a minimum three months commitment is required.

The original Abriendo Mentes project is operating in the small village of Playa Potrero, Costa Rica - the next town over from Playa Brasilito. Volunteers also have the opportunity to be involved in the Abriendo Mentes extra-curricular programs, which focuses on developing creativity and critical thinking, as well as emphasizing physical activity, environmental and global awareness.

Extra- curricular activities include:

* Art Classes
* Pen-pal Program
* Experiential Learning Excursions
* Sustainable Garden Project
* Beach Clean-ups
* Traditional Dance Classes

Abriendo Mentes background:

Abriendo Mentes is a community development initiative under the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Guanacaste Literacy. Abriendo Mentes works to empower rural Costa Rican communities to further their own economic development by providing educational, social and technological programs to families and youth in need.

We offer a range of innovative programs to the children and adults of Playa Potrero, Costa Rica: classes in ESL and computer literacy, extra-curricular activities, and environmental awareness projects; in an effort to enhance education and "open minds".

Impact of English classes:

Our exciting and creative teaching approach generates excitement about education and encourages continuation of schooling into High School and beyond. With a focus on English, we are able to supplement the curriculum being taught in the public school with applicable language skills needed in real life, which results in higher marks in school and important job skills for the future. It also fills the after-school hours that would otherwise be spent idle without any structured educational activities.

AM is able to offer classes 200 days a year, with an average of 1.5 hours per day, resulting in 300 hours per year. This totals to more than the amount of time the kids spend in the public school

Logistics:

Affordable housing options, including homestays, are available for all Abriendo Mentes Interns and volunteers. All accommodations will be set up prior to Interns' and volunteers' arrival.

Qualifications

* Knowledge of the Spanish language
* Fluency in the English Language
* Outgoing, personable personality
* Organized and dependable
* Preferably having spent time in Latin America living or traveling

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

Program Fees Include:

There is no charge to volunteer with Abriendo Mentes. We only ask that you pay for your travel expenses to and within Costa Rica, housing and food while you are in Costa Rica.

Short and long term housing is available for volunteers. We offer homestay options with a local family for USD 15 a night with breakfast and dinner included. There are also options for private housing that range from USD 200-400 a month.

Experience Required

yes

* Teaching ESL, preferably to young children * Planning lessons and curriculum development

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

The majority of the volunteers are in their twenties, taking a break from their own education. Open, kind, passionate, creative and always ready to have fun.

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat
• Home-stays

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 2+

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume
• Written Application

Abriendo Mentes/Opening Minds's Mission Statement

The mission of Abriendo Mentes is to empower rural Costa Rican communities to further their own economic development by providing educational, social, and technological programs to families and youth in need.

Year Founded

2009