Description

Are you an effective, positive, motivated, adventurous and energetic teacher? If so, join us in Solentiname to coordinate and teach in our ESL program. This ESL internship will be an assistant to the Director, and you will be teaching different levels of English (to adults and children).

Currently we offer English class in the Capitation para Universidad, as well as in our voluntary classes - 4 afternoons a week, and you will team teach in the colegio (high school) ESL class as well with a Nicaraguan professor. This ESL internship will involve teaching different levels of English (to adults and children), refining our curriculum, creating class resources and materials, developing new activities to use during the lessons and give conversational classes. Lessons will focus on basic grammar and as a native speaker concentrate on conversational English. While our primary focus is teaching ESL and computer skills, there is an opportunity to teach/tutor Math, Social Science, Humanities with motivated students. In addition, you will be able to participate in other community development projects.

The focus will be refining the curriculum as well as daily teaching. Our philosophy is to teach entirely in English, and handouts and phonetic vocabulary lists are valuable for the student. While you don't have to be a certified teacher to be a volunteer-teacher, teaching experience and/or attendance in a TEFL/TESL course is desirable although not essential. Learning will be in as varied and fun way as possible with games, songs and activities to really interest and motivate the students

Primary Responsibilities
1. Assist in ESL classes and team teach with other ESL teachers.
- Assist in Leer Solentiname, our fundamental reading program.
- Refine curriculum and develop teaching materials
- Integrate ESL into regular Colegio by team teaching in the colegio and working closely with the Director of the Colegio.
- Assist in developing our virtual classroom and on-line courses.
- Collaborate with the Alianza Executive Director and other staff and volunteers.
2. Community Activities:
- Assist the Alianza, and the newly formed Education Committee as well as the Director of Colegio and others in innovative, progressive ways to transform the presently rudimentary educational system in Solentiname,
- Student Guidance Councilor to help students develop good study habits and research skills, as well as improve their organizational and writing skills
- Special tutoring for other students needing additional help in both remedial tutoring and Advanced Placement courses of CPU

This volunteer opportunity is designed for an Internship and the ideal candidate will be able to commit for 2 to 3 months

Highlights

The Archipelago of Solentiname has a rich past and reputation, not only for its primitivist art colony and its semi-revolutionary activities, but also for its unique natural world, the hospitality of the people and peaceful style of living. It is a small group of 36 islands, situated in the southern end of the great fresh water Lake Nicaragua. The famous poet Ernesto Cardenal, set up a contemplative community here in the early 60s and still has a house here. The natural history and community of painters and wood carvers are major attractions for visitors. For others, the secret of Solentiname may simply be its serenity.

The Alianzia has been involved in education and the community since 2001. We have offered ESL classes in Solentiname since 2004, but Lights and Computers is our most ambitious project. In 2006 the project started by setting up a community lab, and providing computer instruction. Due to the rural isolated nature of Solentiname, students are spread out and transportation is difficult. The focus now is providing laptop computers in the casa to colegio professors, primary school teachers, Sobresaliente students as well as adult community members. Lights and Computers is an ideal project for a small disadvantaged rural village. Since there is no conventional electricity in Solentiname, we are organizing microloans to finance solar systems for individuals and the schools. A computer was something almost unimaginable for these people. It not only offered a source of education and job skills, but also symbolized entry into a modern world that was closed to them. For the younger generation, the new school computers have been magnets. Our final objective will be setting up a wide area wi-fi network to connect Solentiname to the internet.

Even though very poor, Nicaraguans understand the importance of education, and that is why there are students 16 years old in the 3rd grade. Most Nicaraguan children start working soon after they can walk - carrying water, washing clothes, working in fields, caring for siblings, selling things. There are 6 primary schools, and the Colegio in Solentiname was organized 4 years ago and presently has 95 students who attend class every other weekend. Nicaragua has a system of Colegio Secundaria a Distancia designed for students who must work during the week. Nicaraguan schools receive minimal funding by the government and teaching resources are very limited. In rural areas, schools have few books; therefore the teacher usually writes the lesson on the board and students copy it into their notebooks. There is a lot of lecture, dictation, and memorization because of the lack of books. Our long-term goal is to enhance education by providing books on computer, as well as internet access in each school.

Our mission statement guides our programs by recognizing the delicate nature of the culture and community. We accept that by disrupting the existing system, even if it is flawed, with temporary solutions or hand-outs can often do more harm than good. We strive to empower local residents, as partners with a sustainable approach to their project work that recognizes the long-term impact and viability of their efforts. This is done through much collaboration with the local community, whereby we and volunteers listen and learn from the community before acting on their behalf.

Qualifications

While you don't have to be a certified teacher to be a volunteer-teacher, but ideally, teachers should already have a bachelor's degree and be willing to make a minimum commitment of three months. Some teaching experience and/or attendance in a TEFL/TESL course is desirable although not essential. Solentiname Solidarity Alliance welcomes the support of many volunteers and interns each year and we look forward to receiving your information.

Intern Types

• English as a Second Language

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

Room and board will range from 150 to 300 monthly. A 300 application fee is normally requested which will be applied to room and board fees, or returned if not accepted.

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing

Program Fees Include:

We request a deposit of USD 300 for your application to be considered, which serves as a deposit for your room and board, and will be applied to your final months of lodging and fees. The full USD 300 will be applied to living expenses and direct program support. If you are not accepted, or you decide not to come to Solentiname for any reason, the deposit of USD 300 is returned in full.

Salary/Pay

Especially well qualified long-term volunteers or professional interns with a minimum commitment of six months may receive a small reduction in the cost of room and board, or receive a small stipend for special projects.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Adult Education
• English Teaching

Typical Volunteer

* Short-term volunteer * Internship * ProCorps Solentiname Solidarity Alliance coordinates four different volunteer and intern programs for students, professionals, and retirees of all skill levels. 1. Short term volunteer ships generally are from 2 weeks to six months to support existing projects. Volunteers begin their experience getting oriented to their new surrounding and are soon assigned to service projects that match their interests and skills. 2. Internships are a more formal arrangement and generally last between 9 and 52 weeks and interns generally have a specific job responsiblity and goals. 3. ProCorps are generally between 1 week up to 1 year. ProCorps is designed for professionals and retirees with professional experience and able to provide technical expertise. 4. We organize Study Tours of 2 to 4 weeks for professors and students that include in-country logistics and local resources to support development-related courses and study-tours abroad. You do not have to speak fluent Spanish, but if you do it will ensure that you will be able to contribute fully to the community. Typically Solentiname Solidarity Volunteers and Interns are dynamic, motivated and enthusiastic about their work, flexible about the kind of work that they do and able to adapt quickly to a new environment and new people. There are a variety of living arrangements available to volunteers. Most are basic rooms generally with a bathroom, but no kitchen, however meals are available. Room and board will average USD 150 to USD 300 monthly, however you may want to supplement your diet with bottled water and fruits and vegetables which are considered a luxury. Homestays may be arranged after you arrive and the community has had a chance to meet you. "There are private lodges and hospadage available in Solentiname, where meals are served. These are more tourist-oriented and more comfortable, but more expensive. Medical: It is recommended that all volunteers will come with standard vaccinations and medical coverage. We may be able to help volunteers find medical insurance; however it is not provided or included. Solentiname is over two hours to nearest clinic and basic hospital in San Carlos. Major medical problems must go into Managua. We recommend that volunteers bring all prescriptions and a small first aid kit.

Age Range

21-65

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays
• Other

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Phone/Video Interview
• Resume

Typically The Application Process Time is

2 weeks

Solentiname Solidarity Alliance's Mission Statement

The mission of Solentiname Solidarity Alliance is to be in a collaborative partnership with the people of Solentiname and other organizations to promote social and economic justice through alternative models of sustainable community development and activism. We affirm a shared membership in one human family and commit ourselves to work for justice and peace, honoring the dignity and strengths of each person guided by the principle of consensual decision making. The vision is different than the conventional charity model. Our goal is to work for independence, self- sufficiency and sustainability within our community, steering away from continued dependence on external donations and outside assistance.

Year Founded

2004