Start date
September 15, 2025

End date
December 22, 2025

Duration
14 weeks

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

Activity/project background

The partner lyceum in Ukraine is an institution of secondary education that provides specialized academic training to prepare students for higher education at a university. Lyceum course studies take three years to complete, and students are typically ages 14-17.

English proficiency among Ukrainians is important because English is an international language that opens opportunities for communication, education, travel, and work. Advanced English skills will accelerate European integration and strengthen cooperation with the international communities during the war and in the future. The lyceum that is requesting a Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) has an advanced English language curriculum.

The VSPP in this engagement will enhance the students’ command of English, increase their communication skills and confidence with the language, and develop intercultural competencies. By engaging with a VSPP, students will immerse themselves in an English-speaking environment and get opportunities to communicate with native speakers.

The organization has not previously collaborated with the Peace Corps. The school understands 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 and co-design a structured curriculum for a virtual speaking club with a strong emphasis on improving English-speaking and listening skills for pre-intermediate and intermediate English language learners
• Co-plan and co-facilitate a weekly 60-minute speaking club session online for a group of 15-20 high school students
• Integrate student reflections and feedback to enhance engagement and learning outcomes
• Include cultural aspects of their home country, fostering cross-cultural exchange and global awareness among students
• Compile and organize learning materials used to share with teachers for sustainable English club development
  
  

This engagement is expected to last 14 weeks. The VSPP is expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5-15 hours per week. This engagement is estimated to involve 5 hours per week, which includes planning, meetings, and club session(s).

Online collaboration will generally occur between 02:00 p.m. - 06:00 p.m. Ukraine time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.

The Host Country Counterpart will have access to Zoom, email, 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 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