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Program Description
Ratings and Reviews

Program Description

WorldTeach - Volunteer Teaching with the Costa Rican Ministry

Description

Summer volunteers teach in rural high schools called Telesecundaria schools. Because of the severe shortage of teachers available to teach in these remote areas, the Costa Rican Ministry has implemented a distance-learning curriculum (Telesecundaria), using videos to introduce subjects from math, to science, to English language. The commitment of this Central American nation to the education of all its residents is virtually unmatched in the developing world, and some 40 schools have now been constructed in rural areas where there had previously been no educational opportunities at all.

WorldTeach summer volunteers and interns will become the "human element" of these video classes, teaching the English portion of the curriculum in partnership with a local educator and using the video as a supplement to their own classroom lessons and activities. WorldTeach summer volunteers typically teach 1-3 classes per day to 7th, 8th and 9th grade students who may range widely in age. In addition to teaching, volunteers are encouraged to develop a community project in their host town. This may involve the school and its students or members of the wider community.

Qualifications

* Fluent in English
* Comfortable working in cross-cultural environments
* Independent worker
* Good people skills and organizational skills
* Flexibility and creativity in problem solving
* Teaching experience, volunteer experience
* Interest in international education and development
* Willingness to live with a family

Further Information

Experience Required:

Languages Learned/Spoken:

English

Cost Description:

Because WorldTeach receives no government or significant outside funding, we must ask volunteers themselves to cover most of the expenses associated with their placement, travel, training and support. Your fee enables us to provide a variety of important services, not the least of which is finding someone like you who is qualified and willing to serve as a teacher in an under-resourced school in a developing country. WorldTeach services are also primarily designed to support you, the volunteer. Whether it is pre-departure preparation, in-training, support, or help in the case of an emergency, all of these services are provided in an effort to enhance your safety and security while enabling you to become the most effective teacher that you can be.

Living Arrangements:

Home-stays

Travel Arrangements:

Participants Travel to Costa Rica in Groups

Application Process:

Letters of Reference, Physical Exam/Health Records, Resume, Written Application

Ratings and Reviews

3 of 6 people found this review helpful

WorldTeach Year in Costa Rica

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WorldTeach also offers year-long volunteer positions in public elementary schools throughout rural Costa Rica. I lived with a local family in a very remote town and taught daily English classes in the town's elementary school. Despite being an obvious stranger to the area, over the course of the year I became part of my rural town’s close-knit community as I held meaningful conversations and formed lasting friendships with Costa Ricans.

I received excellent support from WorldTeach staff throughout my year-long experience. Plus, WorldTeach is affiliated with the reputable Harvard University Center for International Development, helping to make your experience look great on a resume. I highly recommend volunteering with WorldTeach in Costa Rica.