Start date
September 29, 2025

End date
December 22, 2025

Duration
12 weeks

ELIGIBILITY: Must be at least 18 years of age. Must be a U.S. citizen.

Activity/project background

Lyceums in Ukraine are secondary education institutions that provide specialized training to prepare students for higher education at a university. The full course of studies in lyceums takes three years to complete, and students are ages 14-17. English is an international language that provides opportunities for communication, education, travel, and work internationally. English proficiency is crucial for Ukrainians. Advanced English learning will accelerate European integration and strengthen cooperation with the international community in the future.

Three lyceums offer an advanced English language curriculum. The local teachers believe students will benefit from authentic conversations with qualified, native English speakers via virtual English clubs, improving the students’ fluency and confidence with the English language. English clubs will support teachers and students alike by fostering creativity, critical thinking, as well as social and cultural awareness in a dynamic and engaging learning environment.

The lyceums are requesting three VSPPs to work with a group of 20-25 self-reliant, motivated, and change-oriented high school students at each of the three lyceums. Prior to orientation, each VSPP will be assigned a lyceum. Each school group will meet with their respective VSPP once a week for a 75-minute session. Virtual English club participants are eager to be immersed in engaging activities that cover topics such as art, social media, youth life, traveling, natural wonders, holidays and traditions, sport, and education.

The organizations have not previously collaborated with the Peace Corps. They understand that the role of a VSPP is very different than a two-year Volunteer.

Engagement and tasks

The VSPP will engage in the following tasks, in collaboration with their Host Country Partners:

• Co-develop learning resources that incorporate U.S. culture
• Co-design English club session plans with clear policies, procedures, resources, and outcomes designed to improve students’ fluency, confidence, and cultural understanding
• Co-teach a 75-minute virtual English club session each week for a group of 15-20 students
• Co-assess conducted sessions, identifying learning objectives and appropriate communicative activities for future sessions
  
  

VSPPs are expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5-15 hours per week. This engagement is estimated to be 5 hours per week.

Online collaboration will generally occur between 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Ukraine time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.

The Host Country Counterpart will have access to email, Zoom, and WhatsApp for regular communication and collaboration.

Per the Child Protection Code of Conduct, when engaging online with minors (0-18), two adults must be present.

Optional Additional Activities

The Peace Corps mission is to promote world peace and friendship by fulfilling three goals:

• To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
• To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
• To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
  
  

Goal 1 will be achieved through the VSPP's engagement and completion of the above tasks. The counterpart and VSPP may also choose to identify an activity that aligns with Goal 2. Additionally, the VSPP may identify a Goal 3 activity to implement during their engagement. See recommendations and tools for Goal 3 activities.

Essential Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in any field

Experience: 1 year of TEFL/TESOL teaching experience in the U.S. or abroad

Intercultural skills and motivation: Flexible, strong cross-cultural agility, high tolerance for ambiguity, able to work independently, resourceful, creative, and genuinely motivated and capable to serve virtually