English language teachers

VSO has worked in China since 1981 and aims to improve the quality of primary and secondary education in the poorer provinces of Western China. The focus has been on English Language Teaching (ELT) at both pre-service and in-service level. With the changing situation in China VSO made the decision for China to phase out of ELT by 2009 and pilot work directly targeted at Basic Education in order to more effectively reach disadvantaged children.  

In March 2007 VSO China launched its Basic Education Pilot Programme.  The aim of the Programme is to improve opportunities for learning through basic-education for disadvantaged girls and boys in three selected counties and prefectures of Gansu and Shaanxi provinces.  We are working with our partners, international and national volunteers and are bringing people together to share skills, knowledge and best practices in education in order to improve teaching and learning outcomes, improve school management capacity of our partners and encourage community participation in education.   

What does the role involve?

• Undertake a needs assessment of the teachers in collaboration with the Shanyang Education Bureau
• Design training courses in collaboration with the Shanyang Education bureau
• Conduct lesson observation and deliver model lessons for local teachers as ways of training
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of the training in schools in collaboration with the bureau
• Cooperate with volunteers from Shangluo College in implementing the Pre-service-In-service-Exchange project and support teachers continuous professional development

Skills, qualifications and experience required

You will possess a minimum of 5 years classroom teaching experience using child-centered method and teacher training skills. You will have experience in teaching and training course design. You will also need an education related degree and ELT experience. Autonomy, pro-activeness, patience and flexibility are all important assets for success in this placement.

And the rest...

You will be based in Shanyang, located in the southeast of Shaanxi province. The area is about 3535 square meters, population is 440,000 of which 390,000 are rural population. Shanyang is the biggest county in Shangluo prefecture and it’s population is ranked third.  However, it is important to note that in China counties are relatively small administrative entities. Food supplies are excellent all the year round with a wide variety of vegetables and fruits. There are numerous department stores and super markets in the city, with variety of stocks. There are plenty of local restaurants in Shanyang if one chooses to eat out, and the cost is very reasonable.

We’ll ask you to commit to 12-24 months to make a sustainable contribution to our development goals. In return, we’ll give you comprehensive financial, personal and professional support. We'll provide you with extensive training before your placement, and our financial package includes a living allowance, return flights, accommodation, insurance and more. When you return to your home country, we'll help you to resettle and many of our returned volunteers stay involved with us long after their placement ends.

The English Language Improvement Programme (ELIP) was set up by the Ministry of Education in 2002 to tackle the low levels of English proficiency amongst students and teachers. English Language Improvement Centres (ELICs) are now being established in teacher training institutes and universities across the country. These ELICs will plan and develop curricula for ELT and English for specific purposes. As an ELIP trainer you’ll plan and implement training courses in ELICs to improve English Language skills and support the continuous professional development of teachers.

What does the role involve?

• Carrying out English language learning needs assessments of academic and support staff
• Providing English language training to academic and support staff and students
• Providing additional training in teaching methodology and materials development
• Participating in ELIP workshops and conferences, working in a team with other VSO volunteers and Ethiopians to evaluate and improve the programme

Skills, qualifications and experience required

You’ll be a qualified teacher with at least three years’ teaching experience. You’ll have strong student centered and active learning methodologies and experience in mentoring other teachers. With strong leadership and communication skills, you’ll be creative, flexible and able to work in close partnership with colleagues. As you’ll be working alongside other volunteers and Ethiopian colleagues, there’ll be plenty of professional and personal support.

And the rest...

Landlocked Ethiopia is situated in North Eastern Africa, bordering Eritrea, Sudan, Kenya, Somalia and Djibouti. The Simien Mountains are arguably the most spectacular mountain range in Africa, and Lalibela, with its 13th century rock-hewn churches, the medieval castle of Gondar, and the multitude of different tribes of the Omo Valley make for a very different experience from most other African Countries. You’ll be based in Robe, a town of approximately 40,000 people in south-central Ethiopia. You’ll most likely live in a single story house with electricity and water supplies close to the university campus.

We’ll ask you to commit to 24 months to make a sustainable contribution to our development goals. In return, we’ll give you comprehensive financial, personal and professional support. We'll provide you with extensive training before your placement, and our financial package includes a living allowance, return flights, accommodation, insurance and more. When you return to your home country, we'll help you to resettle and many of our returned volunteers stay involved with us long after their placement ends.