Start date
September 29, 2025

End date
April 1, 2026

Duration
26 weeks

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

Activity/project background

The Humanities Department at a Ukrainian state university began collaborating with the Peace Corps over ten years ago when the foreign philology faculty welcomed Peace Corps Volunteers who co-taught lessons and started a language club with the primary goal of enhancing English conversational skills for international learning and communication.

The Humanities Department at the university would like to assist future English teachers prepare English language learning activities through Virtual Service Pilot (VSP). The project aims to help English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students, who are intermediate or upper-intermediate English language learners, improve their communication skills. Many recipients are already enrolled in the university’s English program but don't have enough communicative experience. All EFL students who want to improve their English proficiency and foster intercultural relationships are welcome to attend the sessions.

The department is requesting the support of a Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to conduct weekly English club sessions for 10-15 students. A regular group of mentors will also attend all sessions.

The organization has 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:

• Attend an initial meeting with the teachers to assess their English club priorities and students’ interests
• Co-plan and co-design conversation club sessions that meet participant needs and interests
• Co-teach a weekly 1-hour English conversation club session online where members engage in discussions, debates, and presentations in English
• Co-facilitate discussions on topics related to global issues, cultural diversity, norms, and traditions, literature, music, cuisine, youth lifestyles or personal experiences that actively engage participants
• Compile and organize learning materials used to share with teachers for future English clubs
  
  

This engagement is expected to last 26 weeks. The VSPP is expected to engage in the tasks listed above for an estimated 5-15 hours per week. This engagement is estimated to be 5-7 hours per week, which includes the planning meeting time and club session.

Meetings between VSPPs and Host Country Counterparts will take place during normal office hours between 03:00 – 06:00 p.m. Kyiv time. Specific times for scheduled planning meetings and students club sessions will be determined during orientation.

The Host Country Counterparts will have access to Zoom, WhatsApp, and email 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 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