Description

Come teach English to eager language students in Moldova!

Moldovans are increasingly aware of the importance of English to help them to trade with the West. This is apparent with the growth in the number of language schools around Chisinau. Many of them have taken the best English teachers away from the local schools.

Our volunteers work in local 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.

Most volunteers work in a high school where students start to learn English at about ten years old. Your main focus is on teaching conversational English and the local staff are keen to have volunteers to help out. Moldovan students are enthusiastic to find out about life outside of Moldova as most haven't had the opportunity to travel and you will find yourself a popular addition to the local teaching staff.

There are typically thirty students in a class with a wide range of language skills. 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.

Over summer vacation, which run from late June to August, volunteers will often work at different centers in the city teaching English. There are opportunities working at orphanages, disabled centers, and a center for African children based in Moldova. We have other volunteers joining groups of students going to summer camps which are based in the countryside not far from Chisinau. This is a good opportunity to combine teaching English with drama, music or sports.

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!

For other volunteer programs in Moldova, we have Journalism, Care Work and Medicine projects available for the participants to choose from.

Highlights

Chisinau, your base while volunteering abroad, is an enchanting old city, with tree-lined boulevards, vibrant markets, picturesque parks and plenty of other activities and attractions for the visitor. From the suburbs it is a short trolley-bus ride into the city center, where you will find a wide range of restaurants and bars to suit all tastes and budgets. Moldova has many surprisingly good attractions, especially its museums and art galleries. If you like the performing arts, you will love the opportunity to see some spectacular ballet and opera performances.

From this region it's also easy to explore the vineyards around Chisinau or the monasteries in Orhei. You might want to see the Trans Dniester region, which is still run unofficially as a self-styled republic. You can also travel further into the former Soviet Union and visit the Ukraine, which is only a few hours train-ride away.

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