Description

Marshallese is the native language, but English is commonly spoken throughout the islands. Since 2001, the country policy has been that English will be the primary language of instruction from Grade 1. Primary education is compulsory for Grades 1-8, yet many children are out of school. Many do not attend high school, and only a few enter college.

Following a month of in-country orientation, volunteers will teach for one academic year at their assigned school. The school year begins in late August and runs through late May.
Volunteers teach in public elementary schools, high schools, and occasionally vocational schools in Majuro and on the outer islands.

Volunteers should be prepared for the challenges of teaching in the Marshalls. Schools on the outer islands lack basic supplies. Volunteers often purchase pens, paper, and markers before leaving for the country. Furthermore, volunteers may have to teach students with a wide range of English skills. While these circumstances may be frustrating at first, successful volunteers will be adept at finding solutions that enable them to teach effectively despite the limited resources of the islands.

Highlights

The Marshall Islands program is almost two different programs rolled into one. All volunteers teach English in public schools around the country. Outside of that one united theme, the volunteer experience depends on placement. An urban placement on Majuro, the capital atoll, or Ebeye, an island that serves a U.S. military base, is defined by the city and its influence. An outer island placement on a remote atoll will be defined by the confines of the island and all that is lacking.

Volunteers in urban placements usually live in teacher housing on or very near the school. The housing is basic but satisfactory. Urban volunteers have access to supermarkets, internet, telephones and other modern convenience. Their classes tend to be larger and more advanced. They have access to a variety of food and usually cook for themselves.

The outer islands are a very different story. Pristine and remote, these placements are in small communities living on atolls that have remained largely untouched by modernity. Life here is beautiful and very difficult. Internet and telephones are largely the stuff of dreams. Necessities as basic as water can be hard to come by. Food consists of fish from the lagoon and fruit that can be grown on the island. Volunteers live with a host family who provides a doorway into the complex and all consuming social structures that allow these communities to function. Classes are smaller and usually not as advanced. School supplies are limited at best. The outer islands are, by all accounts, a true adventure.

Qualifications

* Bachelor's degree 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 experience, volunteer experience
* Interest in international education and development

Minimum Education

Bachelors

Languages

• English

Languages Used as a Medium of Teaching

• English

Cost in US$:

Volunteers pay a deposit of USD 2,000 that will be returned upon completion of the program.

Cost Includes:

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

Program Fees Include:

This program's volunteer commitment is funded by the Marshall Islands' Ministry of Education. This generous funding covers the costs of pre-departure information and preparation, round-trip international airfare from a US departure city, one month in-country orientation, health insurance for volunteers aged 18-49, meals and housing during orientation and throughout your teaching service, and 24-hour in-country support. There is a $2,000 required deposit which will be refunded to volunteers upon completion of the program. During your stay, you will receive a monthly stipend to cover some of your daily living and teaching expenses.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

21+

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays
• Group living

Participants Travel

in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• In-Person Interview Required
• Letters of Reference
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Resume
• Transcript
• 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 that provides opportunities for individuals to make a meaningful contribution to international education by living and working as volunteer teachers in developing countries.

Year Founded

1986