Description

Although Moldova is the poorest country in Europe, recent expansions of the European Union have made the Moldovan people increasingly aware of the importance of the English language. This is apparent with the growth in the number of language centers around Chisinau, the capital of Moldova.

The commercial nature of these centers means that they can pay higher wages to the teachers than a normal state school can, and this has inevitably led to the draining of talented English teachers from local schools. But by volunteering as an English teacher in Moldova, you can help us to redress the balance!

Volunteer English or French teaching in Moldova is an incredibly rewarding experience and a real chance to live and work in a culture that has barely changed since it has emerged from behind the Iron Curtain. You can volunteer with us even if you don't have previous experience, and we do not ask you to have a TEFL qualification.

Whether you want to volunteer during your gap year, career break or extended vacation you will receive a traditionally warm welcome and you will have an important role to play. The impact you have on the lives of your students will be obvious, but you will also be part of a large network of volunteers, making a positive and ongoing contribution to the wider community.

Volunteers tend to live in the typically Soviet style tower blocks that fill the suburbs on the edge of the city. It is a short trolley bus ride into the center of the capital, Chisinau, where there are a wide range of restaurants and bars to suit all tastes and budgets. There is certainly plenty for you to see and do outside of working hours!

Most volunteers work in a high school where students start to learn English at about ten years old. There are typically thirty students in a class with a wide range of language skills. Volunteers are expected to work at least three hours per day in the classroom.

Your main focus is on teaching conversational English and the local staff are eager to have volunteers help out. Moldovan students are enthusiastic to find out about life outside of Moldova as most haven't had the opportunity to.

Highlights

Volunteer teaching projects in schools in Moldova take place in local high schools. Most of the schools were constructed in the Soviet era and appear similar to schools across the former Soviet empire. Facilities are basic with the main resources being a blackboard and a piece of chalk although increasingly schools have computers as well as video recorders. The Projects Abroad Moldova staff will be eager to provide you with extra resources if you require any.

Volunteers work mainly in language lessons although if you have other skills let us know and we can see if you can help out in those areas. It may be that you want to coach the soccer or basketball team or help with the music department, and you can always spice up your language classes by drawing on any areas that you have a particular interest in, such as arts & crafts. Who knows, you might be responsible for pioneering a sister placement for our Drama in Romania project!

Over the summer vacation - which runs from late June to August - volunteers can teach English at different organizations within the city. There are volunteer opportunities at orphanages, disabled centers and a center for African children based in Moldova. For more information on these volunteer opportunities please see our Care in Moldova project information. We also have other volunteers joining groups of students going to summer camps based in the countryside not far from Chisinau.

As a native English speaker, you will be much in demand to teach English not only from the students and teachers but also from your Moldovan host family. The families are welcoming and are eager to improve their English language skills, doubtless providing you with a better understanding of their own language at the same time, whether it be Moldovan - which is closely related to Romanian - or Russian. You can also learn both in a more formal capacity on one of our Language Projects.

Volunteers can also choose to teach French at various Lyceums or schools in Moldova. Depending on the school, the age at which the children begin to learn French varies, though it's common to start in 4th Grade, at around 11 years old. Volunteers can get involved with teaching the very basics of the language to these younger students, or can choose to teach more advanced French to older teenagers - with such a broad range of ages and abilities in one school, you'll be sure to find a suitable challenge!

Qualifications

none

Languages

• English
• Romanian
• Russian

Cost in US$:

Please go to our website for prices.

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Medical services
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

The price of each placement includes all your food and accommodation, transfers to and from the airport, full travel and medical insurance plus support and 24 hour back-up from our staff based around the world.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Education
• English Teaching
• Teaching

Typical Volunteer

open minded with a desire to travel

Age Range

16-80

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

10 days

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement

As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded

1992