Program Description

With no standing army and two scenic coastlines, Costa Rica attracts a large number of foreign tourists every year. This influx of foreign money forms the centerpiece of Costa Rica's economy. Consequently, the country's Ministry of Education (Ministerio de Educación Publica, or MEP) views the learning of a foreign language, especially English, as an essential part of preparing its children for success in a global economy.

WorldTeach has been helping the MEP reach this goal since the first group of WorldTeach volunteers arrived in the country in 1989. In 1992, WorldTeach volunteers were invited by the MEP to participate in its pilot project introducing English education at the primary level. To increase second language learning around the country's schools, the MEP instituted a foreign language and development program in 1994 named PROLED (Programa de Lenguas Extranjeras para el Desarollo), which now affects approximately 75,000 students throughout 400 primary schools. Now in its sixteenth year of service within the country, WorldTeach continues to collaborate with the MEP in this well-established and popular program.

Every year, WorldTeach places 20-30 volunteer teachers in primary schools. The volunteers provide opportunities for English language learning to rural students that would not normally have an English teacher. WorldTeach works closely with the Ministry of Education on volunteer placements to ensure that no Costa Rican teachers' jobs are displaced. Volunteers are under contract with the MEP and must comply with the teaching responsibilities that the MEP requests. In return, the Ministry ensures that volunteers receive work visas, provides a small living allowance, and works with the WorldTeach Field Staff to arrange school placements.

As a native English speaker, you can help the Ministry and your students achieve their goals by teaching in a public elementary school through WorldTeach.

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Volunteer Role

Volunteers in Costa Rica all begin their service with a month-long orientation period. Orientation will include discussions of teaching methods and practice, health and safety, and Spanish language training. Volunteers will also have a chance to teach during a week-long practicum. The orientation will be run by the Costa Rica Field Staff and a small Orientation Staff comprised of past volunteers.

Upon completion of orientation, volunteers begin their teaching assignments. Volunteers serve as English teachers at public primary schools throughout the country. Responsibilities will include teaching classes (usually for first through sixth grades), attending monthly meetings with a regional supervisor, and developing lesson plans and assessments. Volunteers may also be asked to co-teach with a Costa Rican counterpart, organize adult classes, form English clubs in host communities, and otherwise help with your community's particular educational needs.

Throughout the year, many WorldTeach volunteers start or contribute to community projects in addition to their regular teaching responsibilities. Past community service projects have included teaching English to Red Cross volunteers and developing environmental education projects. English lessons for adults have also proved to be popular in many villages. Volunteers often find that there is a wealth of service opportunities outside the classroom and that the host community welcomes their involvement.

To assist in the effort to raise the public's awareness of the importance of issues such as conservation, waste management and reforestation, some WorldTeach volunteers are also introducing environmental education at primary and secondary schools, starting environmental clubs, and raising environmental awareness in their host communities.

Volunteers should be prepared for the challenges of teaching in rural schools. Many schools lack basic supplies-like books, photocopiers, and paper-that are taken for granted in the US. Furthermore, volunteers may have to teach students with a wide range of English skills. While these circumstances may be frustrating at first, WorldTeach Costa Rica volunteers have found solutions that enable them to teach effectively despite limited resources for over fifteen years. In the process, they have helped thousands of students and learned a lot about themselves.

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Placement Sites

Volunteers are located in all of the seven provinces across the country and nearly all live with host families. The sites range from living in smaller remote agricultural villages, on indigenous reservations, just outside the capital city of San José in coffee producing highlands, cloud forests to living in beach-side communities or in the Southern Zone near one of the most famous and beautiful National Forests. Most placements are in fairly rural areas, but because distances are short in Costa Rica and public transportation is very easy to use, it is unlikely that you will be placed more than two hours from another WorldTeach volunteer.

Housing

Volunteers live with local Costa Rican families who receive compensation from the MEP for providing volunteers with food and lodging. The host families are

"The contentment alone is confirmation that the busy life I once enjoyed in the big city of the United States is no longer a priority in my life. What an awesome realization." Mindy Sue Parker, Costa Rica Year

chosen by the WorldTeach Field Staff and take part because they enjoy the cultural exchange of hosting a volunteer. Many families host for several years. Being part of a family gives you a place in the community and a great opportunity to learn about the culture and enhance your Spanish.

Most volunteers have their own room and share the bathroom and living space with their host family. While most homes have hot water and a telephone, some may not have such amenities.

Occasionally, WorldTeach can assist volunteers in finding an apartment rather than a host family placement. Please note that this generally increases your cost of living. WorldTeach cannot usually accommodate more than one or two alternative housing requests per year.

Food

Rice and beans are the staples of the Costa Rican diet and are generally served at every meal. Other traditional fare includes fried plantains, eggs, tortillas, and fresh tropical fruits. Although host families will provide most meals, volunteers may also eat some meals at the school cafeteria with fellow teachers, or at soda (a small restaurant) in town. Of course, coffee is readily available in Costa Rica!

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Length of Program

Approximately 12 months. After orientation, volunteers are contracted to work at their host school for a full academic year and attend an End of Service conference with the entire WorldTeach group.

Cost of Program

$4,990. This includes pre-departure information and preparation, round-trip international airfare, supplementary overseas health and emergency evacuation insurance, in-country orientation, transportation to volunteer sites, meals and housing during orientation and throughout volunteers’ teaching service, and 24-hour field support. Volunteers will receive a monthly stipend to put towards their daily living expenses while serving with WorldTeach.

Please read more about costs and services

Requirements

Applicants must be native English speakers, hold a Bachelor's degree (in any subject), and have a desire to teach and become immersed in a rural community in Costa Rica. Applicants must also be at least 18 and no older than 74 by the departure date.

For more information, please read our Volunteer Stories and Sample Placements.

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