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Program Description
Volunteers have been serving in the Marshall Islands since 2002. The government of the Marshall Islands sponsors fully-funded positions for WorldTeach volunteers to teach English in their primary, middle, and secondary schools. The new government is very serious about tackling the considerable educational challenges facing this tiny island nation. 
UNICEF reports that their educational levels are the lowest of the 14 Pacific nations tested.
Recently, new national curricula and standards have been adopted as part of a vigorous attempt at educational reform, to which WorldTeach volunteers have a unique opportunity to contribute. We have already seen considerable student progress on the High School Entrance tests as a result of our volunteer initiative:
- On Majkin, no one passed in 2002; in 2003, 7 out of 9 passed.
- On Mejit, in 2002, 2 out of 21 passed; this year 19 out of 36 passed.
- At Laura Elementary, barely 50% passed in 2002; this year it was 85%
- At Woja Elementary, where a WorldTeach volunteer was both acting principal and an English teacher, huge gains were made: in 2002, 41% passed, in 2003, 100% passed!
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Volunteer Role
Marshallese is the native language, but English is commonly spoken throughout the islands. Since 2001, the country policy has been that English will be the primary language of instruction from Grade 1. Primary education is compulsory for Grades 1-8, although there are numerous children out of school. Many do not attend high school, and only a few enter college. 
Following a month of in-country orientation training, volunteers will teach for one academic year at their assigned school. The school year begins in late August and runs through late May.
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"I have the laughter of all the students in my head and the tentative smiles of all the adults wrapped deep within, and now when I'm frustrated or saddened, I have all of that power to draw upon."
Anna DuVent, Marshall Islands volunteer
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Volunteers teach in public elementary schools, high schools, and occasionally vocational schools in Majuro and on the outer islands.
Volunteers should be prepared for the challenges of teaching in the Marshalls. Schools on the outer islands lack basic supplies that are taken for granted in the United States, and volunteers often purchase pens, paper, and markers before leaving for the country. Furthermore, volunteers may have to teach students with a wide range of English skills. While these circumstances may be frustrating at first, successful volunteers will be adept at finding solutions that enable them to teach effectively despite the limited resources of the islands.
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Placement Sites, Housing and Food
Most volunteers live with host families, while some will live in teacher housing provided by their school. Houses are basic, but wherever possible volunteers will have their own room or sleeping area. By living with a family, volunteers will learn about the culture and become a part of the local community. Marshallese are quite conservative in their actions and dress; women should expect to wear skirts or dresses. The weather is hot and humid year round, with highs about 88 degrees, although there is a pleasant "windy" season as well.
Staple foods throughout the Marshalls are fish, rice, breadfruit, pandanus, coconut, bananas and papaya. Most Marshallese prefer fish to any other protein. They also raise chickens and sometimes pigs. On the Outer Islands people eat turtles and coconut crabs. Throughout the islands, Marshallese consume large amounts of canned meats such as meats such as tuna and Spam. Majuro has several grocery stores not unlike those in the US, though most locals prefer traditional foods.
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Length of Program
Up to 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.
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Cost of Program
This program is fully-funded by the Marshall Islands' Ministry of Education. This generous funding provides the cost of pre-departure information and preparation, round-trip international airfare from a US departure city, one month in-country orientation, health insurance, meals and housing during orientation and throughout your teaching service, and 24-hour in-country support. There is a $1,500 required deposit which will be refunded to volunteers upon completion of the program. During your stay, you will receive a stipend of approximately $100-300/month (dependent on your placement) to cover some of your daily living and teaching expenses.
Please read more about costs and services.
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Requirements
Volunteers must be native English speakers with a Bachelor's degree (in any subject), flexibility, commitment to teaching and international development, and desire to live and teach in a remote location.
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For more information, see Sample Placements and first-hand Volunteer Stories.
Photo at bottom right by volunteer Carine Hutchinson selected as Second Place, WorldTeach 2006 Photo Contest.
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