WorldTeach Volunteer Program Life-Cycle
While we emphasize that each WorldTeach program is unique based on varying teaching assignments, living situations, lengths of service, partnerships and country contexts, the support that we provide throughout each program remains the same. Read on to learn more about the life-cycle of a WorldTeach program.
Pre-Departure | Orientation | Mid-Service Conference |
End of Service Conference | Ongoing In-Country Support | Alumni Support
PRE-DEPARTURE MATERIALS & PREPARATION
Once volunteers are accepted to a program, they begin receiving extensive materials and information to begin their preparation process for their service abroad. These materials include country information and guidebooks, living and teaching manuals, health forms and volunteer preference surveys to ensure that we find the right placement for you in-country.
Additionally, for year-long and semester programs, teaching preparation and pre-work for those who are seeking TEFL certification starts even before volunteers arrive in-country. Google groups are created so that volunteers can begin to network with and meet one another to discuss their upcoming service. Group flights are arranged and visa applications are facilitated by the WorldTeach office.
ORIENTATION
Volunteers in each program all arrive on the same day to begin their orientation at a central location. For summer programs, orientation typically lasts between 5-7 days. For year-long programs, the length is closer to 3-4 weeks, and 2 weeks for semester programs. In all cases, WorldTeach's orientation, run by in-country field staff, is a time of adjustment when volunteers learn more about how to get around in their new surroundings, receive language training when appropriate, and most importantly, receive teacher training specific to the context of their country of service. Orientation includes a practicum segment where volunteers have the opportunity to put their training to use and receive feedback from their support staff. Orientation also provides the important opportunity for volunteers to bond with one another and form a support system for the months ahead.
MID-SERVICE CONFERENCE
The next time that volunteers in a program all reconvene as a group is at WorldTeach's Mid-Service Conference, which usually occurs halfway through the academic year. Besides providing an opportunity and forum for the volunteers to regroup and catch up with one another, this conference is a professional development opportunity where classroom challenges from the months past are addressed by field staff and discussed by volunteers, who can learn from each others' experiences.
END-OF-SERVICE CONFERENCE
At the end of the program, typically the end of the school year, volunteers regroup one last time to reflect on their experiences, reconnect with old friends, and begin the readjustment process as they prepare to return home. Ministry officials and other partners are often present to commend volunteers for their service. As with each of our conferences, this is also an opportunity for volunteers to give WorldTeach feedback through evaluations so that we can continue to improve our programs and support.
Ongoing Professional Development and Field Support
While in-country, our field staff provide continuous support to our volunteers as their first point of contact. At least one site visit is conducted by the Field Director to each volunteers' site both to provide feedback on teaching and to ensure that each volunteer is living and working in an environment that allows them to be successful and impactful. In addition, the WorldTeach home office provides feedback on lesson plans and additional professional development support. Lastly, Field Directors serve as a liaison between volunteers and Ministry partners, schools, and host families when necessary.
Alumni Support
WorldTeach alumni benefit from being part of an expanding network of professionals working in diverse fields. WorldTeach provides materials to aid with the readjustment process, graduate school and job-search information, and alumni communications to keep our returned volunteers in touch with their programs and host countries.