Description
Armenia has been in transition politically, socially, and economically since the collapse of the Soviet Union, and is a country with tremendous possibilities. Students in Armenia, especially in rural areas, lack access to equal educational opportunities for a variety of reasons, including geographic location, socio-economic status, and lack of social mobility.
Volunteers are needed to assist teachers and students in Armenia to improve access to personal, professional, and academic opportunities through English. Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Volunteers work to promote new methodologies that emphasize critical thinking skills, cooperative learning, and greater understanding across borders. Armenia is moving away from the centralized Soviet model and is establishing its own identity.
Educators recognize the need for a wide range of reforms in the educational system and the need to interact with the rest of the world in order to access the wealth of information available through the English language.
Volunteers serve in primary, middle, and high schools (grades 3-12) and universities, where they team teach with the local English teacher(s). Volunteers focus on developing students’ speaking skills using student-centered methodologies. In addition to classroom teaching, Volunteers conduct after-school clubs and activities that identify and address specific school and community needs. TEFL Volunteers also work with youth in their community through a variety of formal and informal avenues, including clubs and camps, during summer and school breaks.
All Volunteers selected for Armenia’s TEFL project are enrolled in the TEFL Certificate program, regardless of previous experience. After successful completion of 27 months of service and satisfaction of the technical requirements, Volunteers will receive a TEFL Certificate. The program starts before arriving in Armenia with a 3-month online pre-departure course and continues in Pre-Service Training (PST) with technical TEFL trainings. Teaching observations are conducted during the Volunteer’s service to offer feedback and support for the Volunteer’s professional growth. Also, to help Volunteers enrich their teaching repertoire, they participate in six Online Learning Community (OLC) events and submit written assignments. Volunteers with previous teaching experience use their skills and knowledge to facilitate training and to support other Volunteers.
Community integration is an indispensable part of Volunteer work. To be successful in service, Volunteers must be accepted by their communities. The responsibility for integration rests on Volunteers and host communities, and that includes learning the Armenian language. During Pre-Service Training, Peace Corps Armenia provides tools and strategies for Volunteers to enhance their community integration and language acquisition. The Volunteers’ main assignment during the first three months is community integration. By devoting attention to community integration at site and to language learning, Volunteers lay the groundwork for their future community work.
Armenia has been in transition politically, socially, and economically since the collapse of the Soviet Union, and is a country with tremendous possibilities. Students in Armenia, especially in rural areas, lack access to equal educational opportunities for a variety of reasons, including geographic location, socio-economic status, and lack of social mobility.
Volunteers are needed to assist teachers and students in Armenia to improve access to personal, professional, and academic opportunities through English. Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Volunteers work to promote new methodologies that emphasize critical thinking skills, cooperative learning, and greater understanding across borders. Armenia is moving away from the centralized Soviet model and is establishing its own identity.
Educators recognize the need for a wide range of reforms in the educational system and the need to interact with the rest of the world in order to access the wealth of information available through the English language.
Volunteers serve in primary, middle, and high schools (grades 3-12) and universities, where they team teach with the local English teacher(s). Volunteers focus on developing students’ speaking skills using student-centered methodologies. In addition to classroom teaching, Volunteers conduct after-school clubs and activities that identify and address specific school and community needs. TEFL Volunteers also work with youth in their community through a variety of formal and informal avenues, including clubs and camps, during summer and school breaks.
All Volunteers selected for Armenia’s TEFL project are enrolled in the TEFL Certificate program, regardless of previous experience. After successful completion of 27 months of service and satisfaction of the technical requirements, Volunteers will receive a TEFL Certificate. The program starts before arriving in Armenia with a 3-month online pre-departure course and continues in Pre-Service Training (PST) with technical TEFL trainings. Teaching observations are conducted during the Volunteer’s service to offer feedback and support for the Volunteer’s professional growth. Also, to help Volunteers enrich their teaching repertoire, they participate in six Online Learning Community (OLC) events and submit written assignments. Volunteers with previous teaching experience use their skills and knowledge to facilitate training and to support other Volunteers.
Community integration is an indispensable part of Volunteer work. To be successful in service, Volunteers must be accepted by their communities. The responsibility for integration rests on Volunteers and host communities, and that includes learning the Armenian language. During Pre-Service Training, Peace Corps Armenia provides tools and strategies for Volunteers to enhance their community integration and language acquisition. The Volunteers’ main assignment during the first three months is community integration. By devoting attention to community integration at site and to language learning, Volunteers lay the groundwork for their future community work.
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Benefits
Health coverage, Housing, Living allowance, Non-competitive eligibility (federal jobs), Stipend, Training
Education Benefits
College Degree
Education Requirements
College Graduate
Desired Languages
English
Other Conditions
Subject to criminal background check