Community ESL Teacher

  Nicaragua

Rural Areas

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 3-6 months

Description: Are you a positive, motivated, adventurous, independent and energetic ESL teacher? We need a volunteer to teach ESL both in the community and School. This ESL internship will involve teaching different levels of English (to adults and children), creating class resources and materials, developing new activities to use during the lessons and give conversational classes. Lessons will concentrate on conversational English, but as a native speaker will include basic grammar.

By teaching English you will be able to make a positive impact on their lives. In turn, this helps provide more opportunities, for example by going onto further education and getting jobs in tourism, business and commerce. Learning will be in as varied and fun way as possible with games, songs and activities to really interest and motivate the students

Highlights: The Archipelago of Solentiname has a rich past and reputation, not only for its primitivist art colony and its semi-revolutionary activities, but also for its unique natural world, the hospitality of the people and peaceful style of living. It is a small group of 36 islands, situated in the southern end of the great fresh water Lake Nicaragua. The famous poet Ernesto Cardenal, set up a contemplative community here in the early 60s and still has a house here. The natural history and community of painters and wood carvers are major attractions for visitors. For others, the secret of Solentiname may simply be its serenity.

The Alianzia has been involved in education and the community since 2001. We have offered ESL classes in Solentiname since 2004, but Lights and Computers is our most ambitious project. In 2006 the project started by setting up a community lab, and providing computer instruction. Due to the rural isolated nature of Solentiname, students are spread out and transportation is difficult. The focus now is providing laptop computers in the casa to colegio professors, primary school teachers, Sobresaliente students as well as adult community members. Lights and Computers is an ideal project for a small disadvantaged rural village. Since there is no conventional electricity in Solentiname, we are organizing microloans to finance solar systems for individuals and the schools. A computer was something almost unimaginable for these people. It not only offered a source of education and job skills, but also symbolized entry into a modern world that was closed to them. For the younger generation, the new school computers have been magnets. Our final objective will be setting up a wide area wi-fi network in 2008 to connect Solentiname to the internet.

Even though very poor, Nicaraguans understand d the importance of education, and that is why there are students 16 years old in the 3rd grade. Most Nicaraguan children start working soon after they can walk  carrying water, washing clothes, working in fields, caring for siblings, selling things. There are 6 primary schools, and the Colegio in Solentiname was organized 4 years ago and presently has 95 students who attend class every other weekend. Nicaragua has a system of colegio secundaria a distancia designed for students who must work during the week. Nicaraguan schools receive minimal funding by the government and teaching resources are very limited. In rural areas, schools have few books; therefore the teacher usually writes the lesson on the board and students copy it into their notebooks. There is a lot of lecture, dictation, and memorization because of the lack of books. Our long-term goal is to enhance education by providing books on computer, as well as internet access in each school.

Our mission statement guides our programs by recognizing the delicate nature of the culture and community. We accept that by disrupting the existing system, even if it is flawed, with temporary solutions or hand-outs can often do more harm than good. We strive to empower local residents, as partners with a sustainable approach to their project work that recognizes the long-term impact and viability of their efforts. This is done through much collaboration with the local community, whereby we and volunteers listen and learn from the community before acting on their behalf.

Qualifications: While you don't have to be a certified teacher to be a volunteer-teacher, but ideally, teachers should already have a bachelor's degree and be willing to make a minimum commitment of three months. Some teaching experience and/or attendance in a TEFL/TESL course is desirable although not essential. Solentiname Solidarity Alliance welcomes the support of many volunteers and interns each year and we look forward to receiving your information.

Cost in US$: Room and board will range from $150.00 to $300.00 monthly. A $300.00 application fee is normally requested which will be applied to room and board fees, or returned if not accepted.

Salary / Pay: Especially well qualified long-term volunteers or professional interns with a minimum commitment of six months may receive a small reduction in the cost of room and board, or receive a small stipend for special projects.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: "Short-term volunteer "Internship "ProCorps Solentiname Solidarity Alliance coordinates four different volunteer and intern programs for students, professionals, and retirees of all skill levels. 1.Short term volunteer ships generally are from 2 weeks to six months to supprt existing projects. Volunteers begin their experience getting oriented to their new surrounding and are soon assigned to service projects that match their interests and skills. 2.Internships are a more formal arrangement and generally last between 9 and 52 weeks and interns generally have a specific job responsiblity and goals. 3.ProCorps are generally between 1 week up to 1 year. ProCorps is designed for professionals and retirees with professional experience and able to provide technical expertise. 4.We organize Study Tours of 2 to 4 weeks for professors and students that include in-country logistics and local resources to support development-related courses and study-tours abroad. You do not have to speak fluent Spanish, but if you do it will ensure that you will be able to contribute fully to the community. Typically Solentiname Solidarity Volunteers and Interns are dynamic, motivated and enthusiastic about their work, flexible about the kind of work that they do and able to adapt quickly to a new environment and new people. There are a variety of living arrangements available to volunteers. Most are basic rooms generally with a bathroom, but no kitchen, however meals are available. Room and board will average $150.00 to $300.00 monthly, however you may want to supplement your diet with bottled water and fruits and vegetables which are considered a luxury. Homestays may be able to be arranged after you arrive and the community has had a chance to meet you. "There are private lodges and hospadage available in Solentiname, where meals are served. These are more tourist oriented and more comfortable, but more expensive. Medical: It is recommended that all volunteers with come with standard vaccinations and medical coverage. We may be able to help volunteers find medical insurance; however it is not provided or included. Solentiname is over two hours to nearest clinic and basic hospital in San Carlos. Major medical problems must go into Managua. We recommend that volunteers bring all prescriptions and a small first aid kit.

Age Range: 21-65

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

Participants Travel to Nicaragua Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Resume

Solentiname Solidarity Alliance's Mission Statement: The mission of Solentiname Solidarity Alliance is to be a collaborative partnership of the people of Solentiname and other organizations to promote social and economic justice through alternative models of sustainable community development and activism.  We affirm a shared membership in one human family and commit ourselves to work for justice and peace, honoring the dignity and strengths of each person guided by the principle of consensual decision making. The vision is different than the conventional charity model; our goal is work for independence, self- sufficiency and sustainability within our community, steering away from continued dependence on external donations and outside assistance.

Year Founded: 2004