Teacher's Assistant Program in San Rafael, Mendoza

  Argentina

• All Other Regions of Argentina: 
Mendoza

Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks

Description: Volunteers will be assisting at the Instituto del Carmen, a multi-level institution consisting of Kindergarten, Primary School, High School and English Teacher Training College. The school has over 1,800 students and 350 teachers in all. In the late years, the institution has given great emphasis to the teaching of English, becoming one of the most outstanding schools in the community. The school belongs to the Catholic Community of Carmelitas, working hand in hand with professionals in the field of teaching. The institution works on firm concepts of solidarity and moral values as well as it strives for academic excellence. The school staff is warm, open minded and always willing to help. The students follow their steps. A wonderful place to work in.

Responsibilities and Task description

Volunteers will be asked to assist various teachers in classroom activities, interacting with different age groups and levels of competence. In addition, they will be asked to give one talk per month on relevant cultural aspects of their home country or any other topic of their knowledge (subject to approval), depending on the qualifications offered, which they will have had to research or prepare at home. Donations of textbooks or any written material from their home community or embassy to enrich the school library will be greatly appreciated.

Highlights:
Arrival Orientation Language Lessons

Upon arrival at the international airport in Buenos Aires you will be greeted by a member of our staff, host family or person in charge of transportation and you will be transferred to your host family.

You will receive two different orientation sessions - one on arrival at our central offices in Buenos Aires and the other in your host community.
At our offices, the orientation covers the differences in customs, language, etc. so you can adapt easier to your family and to the service experience.
At the host community, you will be exposed to an overall picture of the host project.

After the first orientation, your language skills are evaluated to "tailor-make" your Spanish program based on your level and needs. Special emphasis will be placed on communication skills and Argentine idioms. Our Spanish coordinators have ample experience in teaching.
The teachers and office staff help you take full advantage of your stay in Buenos Aires. They assist in suggesting visits to historical landmarks, museums, typical ethnic neighborhoods etc., so that you put into practice what you learn during your course.

Homestay

During the whole program you will live with an Argentine family.
The first two weeks you will be living in Buenos Aires. You will be provided with 2 meals a day (breakfast and dinner) and an invaluable insight into the "real" Argentina.
The following weeks you will be living in your project host community.
You will be provided with all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) as well as an invaluable insight of a different and more "relaxed" Argentina.

After your two week stay in Buenos Aires you will travel by sleeper bus to your host community. Here, our local representative or host family greets you and follows up on your service project and homestay orientation. When your project is completed you return to Buenos Aires by sleeper bus.

Qualifications: Volunteer must be at least 18 years old, be a native English speaker, and have a low to intermediate level of Spanish. You must also be eligible to receive a tourist visa to Argentina. Some teaching experience is helpful.

Experience Required: no

Age Range: Volunteers must be over 18, or 19 if a US citizen

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Argentina Independently

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Volunteers for International Partnership's Mission Statement: Volunteers for International Partnership offers each international volunteer an opportunity to learn a culture from the inside while doing valuable community service, peer to peer, in a stimulating new environment. VIP is committed to: *Careful selection and preparation of the volunteer, host family and Host Organization. *Emphasis on the education and self-awareness gained through international community service and volunteering. *Planning the volunteer's intercultural experience to highlight enrichment from cultural differences. *Full immersion in the host culture through orientation, language training, worksite and housing selection. *Individualization of volunteer placement design to take full advantage of volunteer differences in skill, age, experience and diversity. *Effective evaluation of the experience and the Host Organization. *Strong efforts to enhance the volunteer's social adjustment to regional habits and customs. *Choosing volunteer service projects that are worthwhile, safe, meet the needs of the local community and are conducted responsibly with regard to environmental, social and local issues.