Liberia English Teacher

Peace Corps Response provides opportunities for Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) and experienced professionals to undertake challenging, short-term assignments in various program areas around the world. Qualified applicants can put their professional skills and academic training to work as Peace Corps Response Volunteers, where they will gain additional international experience while imparting technical expertise critical for partner organizations and the communities they serve.

A Peace Corps Response Volunteer is needed to serve as an English Teacher for the Liberian Ministry of Education. Liberia in 2012 is a nation in the midst of a full-spectrum reconstruction, nine years after the formal end of civil war and societal collapse. Education is a centerpiece of this post-conflict reconstruction effort. So far, the nation has made progress in school construction, enrollment rates, and national curriculum development. However, challenges remain throughout the educational system, especially in the lack of qualified teachers at the secondary level. Though an increasing number of students are graduating from primary school, the country’s universities are years away from producing a sufficient number of qualified high school teachers. Currently, the educational system is hard-pressed to produce high school graduates to successfully fill these positions and to fill the ranks of college campuses.

Several PCRVs experienced in education are needed to teach English in Liberian secondary schools. The English Teachers will instruct classes, collaborate with counterparts to prepare standard lesson plans, develop teaching materials, provide in-service training for faculty, and review the national curriculum. Also, the Volunteers will strengthen community organizations such as Parent/Teacher Associations, develop extra-curricular activities that encourage academic success and increase youth engagement in secondary education, and support educational resources like the library/reading room. Through this project, the Volunteers will help to fill the Ministry of Education’s need for skilled English teachers and streamline the use of national curriculum.

Please note these are approximate departure dates and may change

Mandatory Qualifications:

-Experience teaching English

-Knowledge of effective teaching methods, classroom management, and assessment

-Ability to teach with limited access to materials, including textbooks

-Experienced in team-oriented approaches, effective staff support, mentoring, and feedback

-Good communication and interpersonal skills

Desired Qualifications:

-Ability to promote use of student-centered teaching methods or learning activities

-Experience teaching large classes (40-90 students)

-Understanding of post-conflict environment

How to apply:

To be eligible for service you must be at least 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen, a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV) or have at least 10 years of professional experience. The projected start dates listed are approximate and will likely change.

The application process begins with a short online application found at www.peacecorps.gov/response. The application itself takes only twenty minutes to complete. If selected, Volunteers typically begin their service within two to four months from the date of application. Applicants undergo an interview, reference checks, and medical and legal clearances.

Unlike the two-year Peace Corps program, applicants to Peace Corps Response may apply to specific positions and countries. Your application should document skills and qualifications relevant to the position you seek. Please note that certain positions are very competitive; in such cases, only the most qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview.