About this role
Co-facilitate Teaching English and Improving Students’ Soft Skills
Description: Vocational colleges in Ukraine – particularly applied pedagogical and electromechanical institutions – are committed to preparing resilient educators and technical specialists who sustain both the social and industrial workforce development during challenging times. Their aim is to equip students with advanced teaching and technical skills in fields such as pedagogy, social work, electrical engineering, mechanics, and information technology, while fostering a culture of innovation and lifelong learning. They combine practical training with applied knowledge to ensure students are prepared for immediate employment, ensure graduates can contribute to schools, communities, and critical infrastructure and will be able to meet the demands of the modern labor market.
As prospective educators and engineers, they would benefit from greater exposure to contemporary, student-centered teaching approaches and genuine American cultural contexts. While students receive strong theoretical grounding in English, there is a critical need for consistent interaction with native speakers to improve fluency, listening comprehension, and confidence, which is limited at the vocational educational establishments. By collaborating with the Virtual Service Pilot Participants, these colleges seek to empower students with intercultural communication skills, technical precision, and the ability to advocate for Ukraine on the global stage.
The vocational colleges in Ukraine are requesting three Virtual Service Pilot Participants to support the English language development of groups of approximately 15–20 high-achieving motivated students (aged 15–18). The VSPPs will collaborate with a local faculty counterpart to co-facilitate weekly 60-minute virtual sessions focused on art, social media, and youth life. The VSPPs will co-design interactive lesson plans and speaking activities aimed at boosting students' conversational confidence and cross-cultural understanding. This engagement will provide future teachers and technical specialists with a model of communicative language learning that they can later apply in their own professional careers and social interactions.
The organizations have previously collaborated with the Peace Corps. They understand that the role of a VSPP is very different than a Peace Corps Volunteer or Peace Corps Response Volunteer.
Desired Qualifications: Education: • Bachelor’s degree in education, TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), or pedagogy. • Certificates in online teaching or curriculum development
Experience: • Virtual engagement and communication • Working with pre-service teachers, student teachers, or conducting training for trainers workshops • Knowledge of secondary education • Familiarity of European educational standards • Proficiency using digital engagement tools
Required Skills: Education: Bachelor’s degree in any field
Experience: 1 year of TEFL/TESOL teaching in the U.S. or abroad
Intercultural skills and motivation: Flexible, strong cross-cultural agility, high tolerance for ambiguity, able to work independently, resourceful, creative, and genuinely motivated and capable to serve virtually
Host Country Partner’s Mission and Goals: Lutsk Pedagogical Applied College, located in Lutsk, Ukraine, is a state educational institution specializing in the professional training of future teachers for primary and secondary education. The college currently provides comprehensive academic and pedagogical instruction to students, with a significant emphasis on English language teacher preparation. Activities include theoretical coursework, practical teaching methodology, and classroom observations designed to equip pre-service teachers with the necessary skills for the national school system.
Ahatanhel Krymskyi Volodymyr Pedagogical Applied College of the Volyn Regional Council, located in northwestern Ukraine, in a town of Volodymyr, Volyn region is a state educational institution specializing in the professional training of future teachers for primary and secondary education. The college currently delivers a well-rounded academic and pedagogical program, placing particular focus on preparing future teachers of English. This includes a combination of theoretical studies, hands-on methodology training, and classroom observations, all aimed at developing the competencies required for work in the national education system.
Novovolynsk Electromechanical Applied College is a leading technical educational institution located in the industrial hub of Novovolynsk, Volyn Region that currently serves hundreds of students, providing them with hands-on training and theoretical knowledge in various engineering disciplines. The college is part of the country’s professional educational system, preparing skilled workers and junior specialists for industries such as construction, engineering, and services.
Virtual Service Engagement and Tasks: The VSPP will engage in the following tasks, in collaboration with their host country partners:
• Co-assess student needs and existing pedagogical resources to develop a comprehensive syllabus for 26 virtual English Club sessions • Co-design and adapt interactive teaching materials and multimedia resources focusing on American culture, youth life, and modern pedagogy • Co-facilitate a 60-minute virtual English-speaking session once per week for a group of 15–20 students to enhance their fluency and cultural awareness • Co-evaluate student progress and debrief with the Host Country counterpart to adapt future lesson plans and teaching strategies • Co-develop a final digital portfolio of the resources and lesson plans created during the engagement to ensure sustainability for the college's future curriculum VSPP is expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5–15 hours per week. This engagement is estimated to be five hours per week.
Online collaboration will generally occur between 4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. Ukraine time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.
The Host Country Counterpart will have access to email, Zoom, and phone for regular communication and collaboration.
Per the Child Protection Code of Conduct, when engaging online with minors (0–18), two adults must be present.