Teach in the Republic of Georgia
85%
Overall Rating
2 Reviews
Program Description
Teach in the Republic of Georgia
Description
Teaching English in the Republic of Georgia is a unique opportunity that allows native-English speakers to work as volunteer English-language teaching assistants in a Georgian public school for six months to one year.
About the Republic of Georgia
The Republic of Georgia offers something for everyone. For cultural enthusiasts, metropolitan life provides a plethora of theater, live music and cinema, and history buffs will have ample opportunity to explore historical sites dating from the Byzantine Empire to Soviet rule. Georgian churches and monasteries are a distinctive feature along the skyline, providing tranquil settings to explore during your stay. Georgia is also an outdoorsman’s paradise. The Caucasus Mountains are situated along the northern border attracting trekkers and climbers, and providing a playground for anyone interested in horseback riding, rafting, or bird-watching. Skiing is also popular in the winter, while the Black Sea coast is full of beach activity in the summer. You can also travel internationally from Georgia during your time off. Turkey, Armenia, and Russia are accessible by land, and Ukraine is easily accessible by boat.
What if I don't speak Georgian?
Georgian language skills are not required (We certainly don’t expect that many people speak Georgian!). Basic Georgian language skills are taught during orientation.
Teacher Responsibilities
Volunteer teachers work 4-6 hours a day in a Georgian public school and are placed with a Georgian teacher as an English-language teaching assistant. The schools are equipped with all of the materials teachers need to perform their duties. Most schools are equipped with computers and internet access.
Highlights
- A free flight to Georgia, an additional flight and three weeks vacation during Christmas (for 12-month contracts), full room and board, medical insurance within Georgia, orientation and training in Tbilisi with other volunteers upon arrival, and a $500 Lari (approximately USD$300) monthly stipend.
- There is no program fee for this program. Optional travel insurance can be purchased through Greenheart Travel.
- A great opportunity to make a real difference by teaching vital skills to children in this former Soviet republic.
- A TEFL Certificate course is offered through Greenheart Travel at a discount for those who are interested in earning a TEFL certification prior to departure for Georgia.
- Visa assistance is provided to volunteers by the Ministry of Education upon arrival.
- Ideal for those who considered the Peace Corps, but not willing or able to make a two- year commitment, or looking for a more flexible program with more time off to travel.
- Minimum qualifications are an Associate’s degree, citizenship of an English-speaking country, and must be a native English speaker.
Qualifications
- Native English speaker
- Associates degree in any field
- You must be between the ages of 20-60 – NO EXCEPTIONS
- Citizenship in Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, South Africa, Australia or New Zealand.
Ratings and Reviews
6 of 9 people found this review helpful
Sarkartvelo: A True Adventure
I'm currently a teacher in The Republic of Georgia and I love every minute of this experience. I'm actually in school right now, doing this review before class begins. I highly recommend for everyone to experience this beautiful and beautifully challenging country. My journey began with finding a "Teach in Georgia" program link through Greenheart Travel.
I simply followed the steps provided, gave all of my required documentation, had my interviews and was swept away to this very foreign country. I hold a Bachelor's degree and teaching certifications so the process for me was fairly easy, also due in part to Greenheart Travel for streamlining the process for me. You don't need the qualifications I have in order to come to Georgia, but definitely visit Greenheart's site for more info inf you're interested: http://www.cci-exchange.com/travelabroad/program.aspx?id=5074
I arrived in Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, for a 7 day orientation with Teach Learn Georgia (TLG), the flagship program that is hiring all of the English teachers. They gave us Teaching Methodology and Georgian language lessons as well as providing some intercultural training. From there I was given my assignment, the beautiful coastal village of Bobokvati near Kobuleti city. Most teachers get placed in rural villages and other in larger cities. This is where the true adventure began.
Since then I have been eating amazing Georgian food, which consists mainly of beef, chicken, bread, cheese, lots of veggies and herbs. Almost everything is grown by the villagers in their gardens and it's extremely fresh. I have also tried the famous Georgian wine, which also is made by most Georgians: Georgia is the birth place of wine after all!!
Teaching here is rewarding and challenging. Since Georgia is still a developing country, your teaching materials such as projectors and the like will be rare or not even seen at all. You have to get creative with your lessons but TLG does provide you with new English lesson books through MacMillan publishers. Bring any kind of teaching material you can, books, pictures, posters and even learn some songs to teach your students, they go crazy for songs. The kids are some of the most eager I've seen and love to have English teachers in their schools.
As far as packing is concerned, pack for everything. I wish I had brought lots of medicine because as with any country, it will take some time for your body to adapt to the local climate and food. I would also recommend bringing laptops and movies and music to occupy some of your time. Traveling in this country is extremely cheap and I have already seen all of the country. I try to travel every weekend with my fellow TLG friends. You get to meet lots of wonderful people and fill up your picture albums for Facebook!
All in all the Georgian people are very welcoming and friendly and it's not unheard of to get invited into strangers homes for some food and wine. Georgian hospitality is bar none the best I've ever experienced. My local community was very welcoming and my co-workers here at my school have been amazing at helping me with everything I need. Greenheart also continues to provide my with all the assistance necessary and I can get help whenever I need it. I have definitely learned a lot while being here, become more open to meeting new people and learned that it's not what the country has to offer you, it's the people in it that make the experience.
You should come to Georgia, have the experience of a lifetime and enjoy everything Georgia and it's people have to offer! You get paid more than most teachers do but it's a modest sum compared to what you are probably used to. Still, it's more than enough to travel the country, eat what you want and enjoy your life in the unique and rewarding place. You can check out my blog for more info, I'm also on the blogroll of Greenheart Travel's site: http://qartveliwolf.blogspot.com/
6 of 9 people found this review helpful
Everyday is an Adventure
I always wanted to live overseas but never got the chance, so when I was job searching I always had the idea of teaching abroad as an option. I researched many programs, but found Greenheart Travel advertising for Teach and Learn with Georgia and decided this would be the program for me. I did as much research as I could, read several blogs that were provided to me by Greenheart staff, and went through the application process, which was fairly easy.
I arrived in Georgia last January and originally lived and worked in the East. When I arrived it was very cold, I was in a village where wood was the only source of heat, and in my room there was no heat at all. There was a week where I wore the exact same thing for 5 days because I couldn't imagine getting undressed and there were times I thought I would never be warm again. But the weather improved and soon Georgia turned into paradise, where the mountains provide the backdrop for mile after mile of vineyards, beautiful gardens, fruit trees, and flowers like you've never seen before.
The easiest thing to fall in love with in Georgia is the Georgian people, who automatically love you for coming to their country and speaking a little bit of their language. You get one week of language and cultural training before being placed in a host family, and then most people continue learning after that. Georgian is difficult for me to learn, but the basic phrases and alphabet are all essential to an easier life here.
By far the most challenging part of Georgia is the school. The Ministry of Education is working on sweeping reforms and we are right in the middle of change in action, which means there are times when the school seems to be stuck in time with teaching methodologies (some teachers still ascribe to "read, memorize, recite" theory. However, there is nothing better than the students who adore you and treat you like a celebrity. You will be greeted each day with enthusiastic "Hello Teacher!" over and over.
There were many challenges, but overall I would wholeheartedly recommend both Greenheart and TLG to interested participants. I would just strongly urge people to do their research before coming, as it's definitely not for everyone. You have to come with an open mind and flexible attitude. If you have those things, you will likely love Georgia and Georgia will love you right back.
Program Info
Country:
Georgia
City(s):
Tbilisi, Rural Areas
Length of Position:
3-6 months
6-12 months
Dates:
Start date: September 1, 2
Salary / Benefits:
A free flight to Georgia, an additional flight and three weeks vacation during Christmas (for 12-month contracts), full room and board, medical insurance within Georgia, orientation and training in Tbilisi with other volunteers upon arrival, and a $500 Lari (approximately USD$300) monthly stipend.
Cost:
There is no program fee for this program. Optional travel insurance can be purchased through Greenheart Travel.
I always wanted to live overseas but never got the chance, so when I was job searching I always had the idea of teaching abroad as an option. I researched many programs, but found Greenheart Travel advertising for Teach and Learn with Georgia and decided this would be the program for me. I did as much research as I could, read several blogs that were provided to me by Greenheart staff, and went through the application process, which was fairly easy.
I arrived in Georgia last January and originally lived and worked in the East. When I arrived it was very cold, I was in a village where wood was the only source of heat, and in my room there was no heat at all. There was a week where I wore the exact same thing for 5 days because I couldn't imagine getting undressed and there were times I thought I would never be warm again. But the weather improved and soon Georgia turned into paradise, where the mountains provide the backdrop for mile after mile of vineyards, beautiful gardens, fruit trees, and flowers like you've never seen before.
The easiest thing to fall in love with in Georgia is the Georgian people, who automatically love you for coming to their country and speaking a little bit of their language. You get one week of language and cultural training before being placed in a host family, and then most people continue learning after that. Georgian is difficult for me to learn, but the basic phrases and alphabet are all essential to an easier life here.
By far the most challenging part of Georgia is the school. The Ministry of Education is working on sweeping reforms and we are right in the middle of change in action, which means there are times when the school seems to be stuck in time with teaching methodologies (some teachers still ascribe to "read, memorize, recite" theory. However, there is nothing better than the students who adore you and treat you like a celebrity. You will be greeted each day with enthusiastic "Hello Teacher!" over and over.
There were many challenges, but overall I would wholeheartedly recommend both Greenheart and TLG to interested participants. I would just strongly urge people to do their research before coming, as it's definitely not for everyone. You have to come with an open mind and flexible attitude. If you have those things, you will likely love Georgia and Georgia will love you right back.