About this role
Middle and High School English Teacher
Project Description: Bring your love for language learning to Colombia and position students for a successful future.
In Colombia, English proficiency is the pathway to global academic and professional opportunities. However, schools often lack sufficient educators trained in the student-centered methodologies needed for effective language acquisition. To meet this need, Colombia’s national bilingualism program aims to introduce dynamic teaching methods, supportive classroom resources, and innovative ways to integrate English into daily school life. Adults are equally excited to develop English skills with a native speaker. As a Middle and High School English Teacher, you will collaborate with educators to enhance English instruction and boost language retention in alignment with the national English language curriculum. Through engaging clubs and camp activities, you and your colleagues will encourage students to practice English, building their confidence in using the language. You will also create meaningful opportunities for fellow teachers and the broader community.
Required Skills: Associate degree in any field and at least two years of full-time, post-high school work experience (from any combination of roles). OR Bachelor's degree in any field. OR High school diploma or GED and four years of full-time post-high school work experience (from any combination of roles).
Living Conditions: Volunteers will live in small, rural communities or medium-sized, semi-urban towns within the Caribbean and Andean regions, typically no more than six hours from a major city. Volunteers live with host families during training and the first six months of service. Volunteers may then move to independent housing. Volunteers walk, bike, or take public transport to reach their work sites, which are typically less than 30 minutes from their homes.
Activities: Plan and teach interactive English classes that support a variety of proficiency levels and learning styles.
Facilitate teacher workshops on instructional strategies, classroom management approaches, and successful technology integration.
Host engaging English conversation groups for teachers and students.
Lead extracurricular activities for additional English practice such as clubs, tutoring, or projects.
Facilitate English classes for adults in the community.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as career guidance and youth summer camps.
Training: As a Middle and High School English Teacher, you will be trained on lesson planning, effective classroom management strategies, and student-centered methodologies. Peace Corps/Colombia will teach you Spanish technical vocabulary to help you comfortably live in and connect with the community.
After 10 weeks of training, you will move to rural or semi-urban community where you will collaborate with teachers and the community to assess language needs and develop long-term solutions.
Job Highlights: Develop instructional expertise by applying effective classroom management techniques and student-centered methodologies to teach a second language overseas.
Advance your Spanish proficiency through daily collaborations and community interactions. Immerse yourself in Colombian culture and cultivate lifelong friendships