Start date
September 29, 2025

End date
April 3, 2026

Duration
27 weeks

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

Activity/project background

Two universities are each requesting the support of a Virtual Service Pilot Participants (VSPP) to enhance the skills of English as a Second Language (ESL) professors within their respective foreign language departments. These universities achieve their educational goals through the implementation of various projects and development programs in accordance with the values of universities: competence, professionalism, quality, creativity, and integrity. The two universities participating in this engagement have an advanced English language curriculum, have previously worked with in-person Peace Corps Volunteers and VSPPs, and are highly motivated to engage faculty in meaningful discussions with VSPPs.

The universities seek to broaden their staff’s knowledge of ESL teaching methods and techniques, including proven methods for teaching basic skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening, grammar). The engagement will explore the development and usage of various lesson materials, tests, gamification for teaching, motivating students, teaching multi-level groups of students, and professional English teaching. The prioritized activity is an interactive session where the methods are provided through definite material with concrete application and case studies.

Each VSPP will be assigned to a counterpart and a group of 15 lecturers at one of the universities. The VSPP will enhance the participants’ command of English, increase confidence in language usage for academic needs, improve communication skills, and enhance intercultural competencies.

Both universities have 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-design session plans for English club meetings with clear policies, procedures, resources, and outcomes that encourage fluency, confidence, and cultural understanding
• Co-develop learning resources that consider ESL teaching techniques and technologies, U.S. education procedures, intercultural immersion
• Co-teach a 75-minute virtual English club session each week for a group of 15 English teachers
• 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: 2 years in TEFL/English teaching to university faculty

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