Description

WorldTeach volunteers work as English, Mathematics, Science, and Computer Studies subject teachers in a wide range of schools, including primary schools, secondary schools, and adult training facilities. Most volunteers will be responsible for 20-25 hours of classroom teaching, including lesson preparation and grading. Some may be asked to also work in the school library or computer room.

In addition to their subject teaching, interested volunteers are also encouraged to serve as HIV/AIDS Resource Teachers. As an HIV/AIDS Resource Teacher, you will help facilitate HIV/AIDS awareness programs, such as clubs or activities that build life skills and empower learners to make healthy decisions. You may work with teachers and administrators to integrate HIV/AIDS awareness into subject teaching and throughout the school.

Volunteers often engage in other secondary projects, such as teaching extra English classes, coaching sports, starting art clubs, developing the school library or computer room or establishing scholarship funds to help learners access further education.

Highlights

Placements & Housing

The majority of volunteers are placed at government schools, in rural areas where there the greatest shortage of qualified teachers. Occasionally, volunteers are placed at private schools as well as church-affiliated schools, which both follow the Ministry-approved curriculum. As mentioned, many teaching placements are in relatively remote areas, where the roads tend to be good but the public transportation and traffic limited. That said, volunteers are able to secure a ride to the nearest town when needed.

Placements are typically individual, so that the maximum number of schools can be served. While you are likely to be the only WorldTeach volunteer at your school, there may be other WorldTeach volunteers in the town or region, or teachers from other international volunteer organizations (e.g. Peace Corps) at your school or nearby. Though WorldTeach has placed volunteers in all 13 Regions throughout its history, currently volunteers are clusted in the northern regions as well as the coast; however, placements adjust from year to year as per the needs of the Ministry of Education and its schools.

Qualifications

* Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) required
* Native English speaker
* Comfortable working in cross-cultural environments
* Independent worker
* Good people skills and organizational skills
* Flexibility and creativity in problem solving
* Teaching or volunteer experience
* Interest in international education and development
* Willingness to live with a family
* 25 hours ESL service required before departure (after acceptance to the program).

Minimum Education

Bachelors

Languages

• English

Languages Used as a Medium of Teaching

• English

Cost in US$:

USD5,990

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• International travel
• Medical insurance
• Living stipend
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Most of the countries that host WorldTeach volunteers cannot afford to cover all of the costs associated with training, travel, insurance, and other expenses related to placing a teacher overseas. Because WorldTeach receives no income from government grants or an endowment, we ask each volunteer to contribute or fundraise the cost of their placement and training in these countries, while the host community provides housing and a small stipend to support you during your service. By requesting that volunteers help fund their service overseas, WorldTeach is able to provide volunteer educators to countries that would not otherwise be able to afford qualified teachers. All WorldTeach volunteers are provided with a fundraising guide and access to alumni with fundraising experience to help them raise money to meet these costs. Over 70% of WorldTeach volunteers end up fundraising some portion of their program cost.

Program Cost includes: pre-departure information and preparation, round-trip international airfare, health insurance, in-country orientation, transportation to your site, meals and housing during orientation and throughout your teaching service, 24-hour field support, and after-service support and networking.

Salary/Pay

Room and board; living stipend of about USD100 per month depending on location

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

Volunteers must have BA degree

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays
• Group living

Participants Travel

in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Transcript
• Resume
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

1-2 weeks

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

WorldTeach's Mission Statement

WorldTeach is a non-profit, non-governmental organization based at the Center for International Development at Harvard University that provides opportunities for individuals to make a meaningful contribution to international education by living and working as volunteer teachers in developing countries. WorldTeach offers summer and year-long programs in American Samoa, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guyana, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Namibia, Poland, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania and Thailand.

Year Founded

1986