About this role
Co-facilitate English Club for School Students
Description: Gymnasiums and lyceums in Moldova are secondary and high school educational institutions that provide formal curriculum education and afterschool activities for children (aged 11-14) and youth (aged 15–18) to foster their personal development (intellectual, emotional, and physical) and to ensure their social responsibility, civic engagement, and leadership.
As Moldova’s economy continues to grow and diversify, foreign language abilities are a critical skill for Moldovan youth development. Such proficiency enables youth to obtain and retain competitive jobs and make international connections. Because English is an international language that opens opportunities for communication, education, travel, and work, there is great demand among students to improve their English skills. To meet the national goal for a population trained and confident in English language skills, Moldova is committed to providing high-quality English education courses to children at the primary, middle, and secondary school levels across the country.
Seven educational institutions are each requesting a Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to co-teach an English club of 15–20 students each. VSPPs in this engagement will be assigned to one of seven educational institutions to enhance the students’ English communication skills, build their confidence to use English, and develop intercultural competencies all through virtual English clubs. By engaging with a VSPP, students and youth will immerse themselves in an English-speaking environment and get opportunities to communicate with native speakers.
Four of the educational institutions 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: Master's degree in any field and relevant certification: TEFL, TESOL, Cambridge, or similar
Language: Basic Romanian or Russian
Experience: • Virtual engagement and communication • 3 years of TEFL/TESOL teaching in the U.S.A. or abroad
Required Skills: Education: Bachelor's degree in any field and/or relevant certification: TEFL, TESOL, Cambridge, or similar
Experience: 1 year of TEFL/English teaching for primary or secondary school students
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: 1. Theoretical Lyceum Stefan cel Mare, Taraclia village, Causeni region POC: Aliona Chiriac, English Language Teacher Goal: To develop conversational skills essential for students’ future integration into academic and professional environments, inspiring cultural curiosity and increased academic success.
2. Theoretical Lyceum Tvardita, Tvardita village, Taraclia region POC: Natalia Jeleapova, English Language Teacher Goal: To provide quality education, encourage personal and intellectual development of students, promote skills and knowledge relevant to life and career, improve English education, and motivate students to become responsible and active citizens in society.
3. Theoretical Lyceum A.S. Pushkin, Chisinau POC: Oxana Abramova, English Language Teacher Goal: To support students’ academic and personal growth by developing students’ critical thinking, problem solving skills, and creativity.
4. Secondary school, Slobozia Dushka village, Criuleni region POC: Carolina Nicolaev, English Language Teacher Goal: To develop students’ English communication skills to increase the chances of their continuing studies in universities and better integrating into the modern labor market, both nationally and internationally.
5. Theoretical Lyceum Nicolae Donici, Dubasarii Vechi village, Criuleni region POC: Margarita Popa, English Language Teacher Goal: To improve students’ English skills to support their integration into modern society and labor markets and to provides access to global educational resources and intercultural exchanges.
6. Educational Center Secrets of Childhood, Chisinau POC: Diana Cretu, English Language Teacher Goal: To support the holistic development of children and youth through inclusive educational, cultural and social activities with a focus on improving English skills.
7. Department of Foreign Languages, Ialoveni region POC: Natalia Borta, English Language Teacher, Head of Department Goal: To develop students’ understanding of the importance of civic engagement, leadership, critical thinking, and soft skills.
Virtual Service Engagement and Tasks: The VSPP will engage in the following tasks, in collaboration with their host country partners:
• Co-assess current students’ needs, English skill levels, and available resources • Co-develop a curriculum for an English conversational club for students (aged 14–18) that includes intercultural sessions to enable students to learn about American culture, dance, music, games, art, education, and holidays (1-hour meeting/week) • Co-teach two 90-minute conversational English clubs per week to a group of 15–20 students for 20 weeks • Meet with host country partner on a weekly basis (2 hours per week) to monitor progress, adjust the curriculum, and update plans
VSPPs are 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.–7:00 p.m. Moldova time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.
The host country counterpart will have access to Google meets, Zoom, Teams, and WhatsApp for regular communication and collaboration.
Per the Child Protection Code of Conduct, when engaging online with minors (0–18), two adults must be present.