Teach English in Moldova with Projects Abroad

  Moldova

Chisinau

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: All Year Round (you choose the start and end dates)

Description: Come teach English to eager language students in Moldova!

Moldovans are increasingly aware of the importance of English to help them to trade with the West. This is apparent with the growth in the number of language schools around Chisinau. Many of them have taken the best English teachers away from the local schools.

Our volunteers work in local schools. Most of the schools were constructed in the Soviet era and appear similar to schools across the former Soviet empire. Facilities are basic with the main resources being a blackboard and a piece of chalk, although increasingly schools have computers as well as video recorders.

Most volunteers work in a high school where students start to learn English at about ten years old. Your main focus is on teaching conversational English and the local staff are keen to have volunteers to help out. Moldovan students are enthusiastic to find out about life outside of Moldova as most haven't had the opportunity to travel and you will find yourself a popular addition to the local teaching staff.

There are typically thirty students in a class with a wide range of language skills. Volunteers work mainly in language lessons although if you have other skills let us know and we can see if you can help out in those areas. It may be that you want to coach the soccer or basketball team or help with the music department.

Over summer vacation, which run from late June to August, volunteers will often work at different centers in the city teaching English. There are opportunities working at orphanages, disabled centers, and a center for African children based in Moldova. We have other volunteers joining groups of students going to summer camps which are based in the countryside not far from Chisinau. This is a good opportunity to combine teaching English with drama, music or sports.

Volunteers can also choose to teach French at various "Lyceums" or schools in Moldova. Depending on the school, the age at which the children begin to learn French varies, though it's common to start in 4th Grade, at around 11 years old. Volunteers can get involved with teaching the very basics of the language to these younger students, or can choose to teach more advanced French to older teenagers - with such a broad range of ages and abilities in one school, you'll be sure to find a suitable challenge!

For other volunteer programs in Moldova, we have Journalism, Care Work and Medicine projects available for the participants to choose from.

Highlights: The standard Moldovan language is considered by most linguists to be identical to standard Romanian, which is an eastern Romance language. Colloquial spoken 'Moldovan' differs from Romanian because it has a distinct Russian influence. Native Russian is spoken by a significant minority of the population. Moldovan culture has the same roots as Romanian culture, and has been influenced by Roman colonization, the Byzantine Empire, neighboring Slavic and Magyar populations, Ottoman Turks, Slavic and Russian culture and most recently Western Europe, especially France (French influence can be seen in literature and art).

All accommodation is organized, paid for, and monitored by Projects Abroad. All project placements are regularly visited and checked. We require high standards of supervision and accommodation, which are verified before you arrive in Moldova.

This project offers the opportunity to become fully immersed in the culture in a manner which even the most hardened of backpackers could never hope to do.

Qualifications: none

Cost in US$: From USD 2,245 and up

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: open minded with a desire to travel

Age Range: 16-80

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Moldova Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement: As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded: 1992