TFW you see the volunteer lounge in Kiev for the first time 💞#peacecorps #ukraine
This could be you! Apply by January 1 to teach English in Ukraine and be hanging out with new friends this time next year.
“This week, Peace Corps Kosovo Volunteer Wendy and her counterpart Vlora are teaching their first graders about what’s in their school bag. They’re learning the words eraser, sharpener, bag, pencil, pencil case, book, and notebook. They especially love the part of the lesson where they get to color!
Wendy and Vlora hope to put together an English language coloring book for the first grade level using material they’ve put together from last year and this school year.” (x)
Peace Corps Costa Rica Volunteer Evan uses technology to teach English in indigenous communities by helping students create comic strips on the computer.
“How is a yoga club an English club? There’s anywhere from 10 to 25 girls that consistently show up (not always on time) with their blankets and towels knowing that it’s going to be a whole hour of me speaking English. Before we start, we go over the words that I’m going to be using and then we take it from there. It is honestly my favorite club and it gives me a chance to get to know these amazing young women and encourage them to be anything they set their minds to.” – Peace Corps Armenia Volunteer Alicia
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” – Benjamin Franklin
Numerous education positions close soon! Apply by October 1 to be overseas next spring.
The primary grade classrooms in my school are super adorable
Ready to have your own classroom in Mongolia? Now hiring secondary education English teachers. Apply by October 1 to be overseas next May.
U.S. Ambassador Max Baucus attended the swearing-in ceremony for 82 new Peace Corps China Volunteers, who will teach English for two years. Since 1993, Volunteers have been an important part of the U.S.-China relationship, building people-to-people ties while improving access to English education.
Want to teach English in China? Apply by October 1 to be overseas next June.
peacecorps.gov
Meet the English teachers of Tigray
It’s hard to remember to see the big picture when you’ve got your head down at site and are focused on one school, one class or even just one student, so I just want to say cheers to all those Peace Corps teachers out there.
In 2015, Peace Corps Volunteers in Ethiopia taught 12,358 students. That’s enough to fill 882 minibuses!
This could be you! Apply by October 1 to teach English in Ethiopia and you could be overseas next summer.
peacecorps.gov
So you want to join the Peace Corps and teach folks to read? Here's what you'll be doing.
Ready to go? We’re hiring for many Education positions. Apply by October 1 and you could be overseas by next spring.
peacecorps.gov
Meet the English teachers of Tigray
It’s hard to remember to see the big picture when you’ve got your head down at site and are focused on one school, one class or even just one student, so I just want to say cheers to all those Peace Corps teachers out there.
In 2015, Peace Corps Volunteers in Ethiopia taught 12,358 students. That’s enough to fill 882 minibuses!
Lessons learned as a 1st semester TEFL teacher
1. Get to know your Chinese counterparts/colleagues. Building guangxi (relationships) is very important to becoming integrated into your community. By taking time out to learn about your Chinese counterparts, you can experience China through their eyes. They can help you with the language and learn about the community you live in. Also it’s a great opportunity to practice your language skills; even though you might not be good at it, they see your effort and appreciate you for trying. In China, relationships are a big deal here, so it’s key to learn the names of people who you work with and see on a daily basis, and even get to know them outside of school. If you ever need any help, they are more than willing to assist you.
2. It’s okay to say NO. Okay, so I know this seems like the total opposite of building relationships, because how can you connect with people if you’re always turning down their invitations. That’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying that you do not have to accept every offer from everyone because you are a foreigner and everybody wants to get to know you and your life story, especially when they find out that you’re American. You can pick and choose what you give your time to. By all means, if you have papers to grade and lesson planning to do, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT go out with colleagues or students. Take care of your priorities first. I know, especially here in China, it can be hard to get out of some situations, but remind them that your priority is to be a teacher and in order to be the best, you must handle your business, but that you would love rescheduling so that you will have time to spend together.
3. Be patient with yourself and students. Patience is a virtue and you will need a lot of it working with students and people who speak English as a second language. Sometimes it can be very frustrating living in a country where you can barely communicate in the language, and on top of that you teach a language that your students barely use to communicate outside of your classroom. I’ve learned to be patient. Learning a new language is like riding a bike: at first, it’s hard because you keep falling off and making mistakes, but you must get back on every time you fall off. Also, I think what’s helped me is empathizing with my students when they have trouble speaking English, because I am studying Chinese. I encourage them to try their best and give all they have.
Lessons learned as a 1st semester TEFL teacher in China
I have one complete semester of Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) under my belt. This semester has been eye-opening. I’ve learned so much from other teachers and colleagues about teaching here in China, which has its difficulties, but I’ve learned different coping mechanisms to help. Below I’ve listed some of the lessons I’ve learned in my first semester as a teacher in China.
1. Get to know your Chinese counterparts/colleagues.
Building guangxi (relationships) is very important to becoming integrated into your community. By taking time out to learn about your Chinese counterparts, you can experience China through their eyes. They can help you with the language and learn about the community you live in. Also it’s a great opportunity to practice your language skills; even though you might not be good at it, they see your effort and appreciate you for trying. In China, relationships are a big deal here, so it’s key to learn the names of people who you work with and see on a daily basis, and even get to know them outside of school. If you ever need any help, they are more than willing to assist you.
2. It’s okay to say NO.
Okay, so I know this seems like the total opposite of building relationships, because how can you connect with people if you’re always turning down their invitations. That’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying that you do not have to accept every offer from everyone because you are a foreigner and everybody wants to get to know you and your life story, especially when they find out that you’re American. You can pick and choose what you give your time to. By all means, if you have papers to grade and lesson planning to do, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT go out with colleagues or students. Take care of your priorities first. I know, especially here in China, it can be hard to get out of some situations, but remind them that your priority is to be a teacher and in order to be the best, you must handle your business, but that you would love rescheduling so that you will have time to spend together.
3. Be patient with yourself and students.
Patience is a virtue and you will need a lot of it working with students and people who speak English as a second language. Sometimes it can be very frustrating living in a country where you can barely communicate in the language, and on top of that you teach a language that your students barely use to communicate outside of your classroom. I’ve learned to be patient. Learning a new language is like riding a bike: at first, it’s hard because you keep falling off and making mistakes, but you must get back on every time you fall off. Also, I think what’s helped me is empathizing with my students when they have trouble speaking English, because I am studying Chinese. I encourage them to try their best and give all they have.