Volunteer Teaching Program in V Region - Valparaiso, Chile

  Chile

• Valparaiso: 
Valparaiso

Duration of Program: 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 7-12 months
Dates: 3/17/07 - 11/30/07

Description: Volunteers work as English teaching assistants to Chilean English teachers for 25 pedagogical hours per week, and spend an addition 10 hours a week planning classes and leading extra-curricular activities for the school community.

The National Volunteer Center provides all volunteers with a two-week training period in Santiago and a subsequent one-week local training in their respective site locations. During the two-week orientation, the National Volunteer Center assigns volunteers to a school placement and a host family that has a direct relationship with the school in which the volunteer will work.

Highlights: The Valparaiso Region, also known as Region V, is located less than two hours west of Santiago on the coast and is historically one of the most visited regions of Chile. Valparaiso is the capital city of Region V and is protected as a UNESCO world heritage site. The city is famous for its port and is the location of one of Pablo Nerudas homes, which is now a museum. The neighboring city of Viña del Mar is known for its beautiful beaches and is a popular tourist destination. Located in central Chile, the Valparaiso Region enjoys a temperate climate, with mild winters and a long summer season.

In 2006, five (5) volunteers were placed in the town of Quilpue to work in local elementary and high schools for six months. For 2007, the National Volunteer Center will place 15 volunteers in communities throughout the Valparaiso Region for eight months.

Qualifications:
Volunteers must:
- Be native English speakers or use English in their everyday language, and have received their K-12 or undergraduate education in English
- Hold an undergraduate degree
- Be aged between 21 and 40 years old as of March 1, 2008
- Have experience teaching or working with children and a genuine interest in assisting English teaching. TESOL certification is a plus
- Have at least a basic level of Spanish
- Have comprehensive health coverage, especially for pre-existing medical conditions
- Be mentally and physically capable of teaching children
- Have experience living or traveling in another country, preferably in the developing world
- Have an interest in Chilean or local island culture and living in a developing country
- Be highly committed, responsible and flexible

Minimum Education: Bachelors

Cost in US$: 500

The following costs are not included:
- International airfare from home country to Chile
- Mandatory Health, accident and travel insurance
- Personal expenses and documentation (passport, visa, entrance reciprocity fee)

Salary / Pay: $150/month

Experience Required: yes

Age Range: 21-40

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Chile Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Other
• Phone Interview
• Resume
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Job and Internship Network

National Volunteer Center's Mission Statement: The National Volunteer Center was developed by the Chilean Ministry of Education in conjunction with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to provide new opportunities for both students and teachers to practice English with native English speakers. The National Volunteer Center provides increased on-site school support to improve English learning in elementary and high schools by assigning foreign English-speaking volunteers to work as English language assistants in different schools throughout Chile.

Year Founded: 2004