APPLY BY
April 1, 2024
KNOW BY
June 1, 2024
DEPART BY
October 1, 2024
DURATION
2 years, plus 3 months training
APPLY ONLINE: English Education Teaching (peacecorps.gov)
Project Description
Timor-Leste is a vibrant and youthful democracy that achieved independence in 2002, following over 400 years of Portuguese colonization and 25 years of Indonesian occupation. The nation's rich cultural diversity is reflected in its variety of languages, including Tetun (the most widely spoken among the 30+ local languages), Portuguese, Bahasa Indonesian, and English, which is a strategic priority for the government.
English Education Teachers and Trainers play essential roles in enhancing English education in Timor-Leste. Volunteers are placed in rural middle and high schools, working closely with local teachers and school directors to improve the quality of English education within the classrooms. Volunteers typically collaborate with up to four English teachers, engaging in co-teaching to develop English proficiency, student-centered teaching methods, lesson planning, classroom management, and student assessment through a collaborative, side-by-side approach.
Volunteers may encounter unique challenges in Timorese schools, such as limited classroom resources, occasional teacher shortages, and difficulties faced by students in accessing schools. However, Volunteers are instrumental in setting positive examples through their classroom teaching and in building strong, supportive relationships with local colleagues. Through active collaboration, Volunteers can help schools address these challenges and contribute to creating an improved learning environment. Embracing these differences and partnering with the local community can lead to enriching experiences and enduring positive changes in Timorese schools.
Beyond co-teaching, Volunteers are encouraged to seek opportunities to co-lead supplementary training activities for local teachers, participate in youth development initiatives like clubs and camps, and respond to community requests for both formal and informal English lessons. Past Volunteers have organized a wide range of activities, from cooking classes to Zumba sessions, translated children's books into Tetun, and established libraries in their respective schools. Furthermore, English Education Volunteers receive training on nutrition and climate change issues in Timor-Leste, which may open up additional avenues for service within their assigned sites.
Required Skills
Qualified candidates will have a:
• Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any discipline and a strong desire to teach English
