Teaching English in Slovakia

The Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Slovakia is a companion church to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Invited by the Slovak church, the ELCA sends 12-15 volunteer English teachers to church-related high schools for one academic year. (In Slovakia, a college-preparatory high school is known as a lyceum or gymnasium.)  In the fifteen years that this program has been in existence, more than 100 volunteers from the U.S. and Canada have served as teachers.

Volunteer English teachers typically teach 20-22 hours a week to classes of 12-18 students. They teach a blend of literature, conversation, writing, and grammar. The students come with some knowledge of English. Most graduates go on to universities in Slovakia or abroad.

This is an exciting time to be teaching English in Slovakia. The students are the first generation to be born since the fall of Communism in 1989. With the move toward a market economy and Slovakia’s entrance into the European Union and NATO, the country faces new challenges and opportunities. People who can speak and write English are needed in all areas of society. Volunteer English teachers can help students develop language skills that will enable them to move ahead in their chosen careers and to serve their country. By teaching American literature and culture, you will also help these young people better understand the United States. Follow the links to the right to see if teaching English in Slovakia is for you.

Terms for Position

Position Description

Teach English language and literature in a rigorous academic program to students in 8th to 13th grades. Religion teachers and content subject teachers may also be needed. The English departments have curricula materials. Teachers follow a prepared syllabus or teacher notes in order to prepare the students for the Maturita (comprehensive graduating exam) at the end of their 5^th year. Teachers need to be creative, flexible and prepared to assume heavy demands of time and energy. The normal class load begins at 20 hours/week but could be 2 to 4 hours more.

Preference will be give to applications received in the ELCA office by March 15

Dates
Travel to Slovakia in mid-August for in-country orientation program.

Location
Up to 15 American teachers are needed each year in the schools:

Process: Volunteers apply to ELCA Global Mission as Global Mission Volunteers. Interviews are conducted in the Chicago office. A volunteer is first accepted to teach in Slovakia and later assigned to one of the schools. Preferences will be considered, but placement is based on many factors.

Terms

• Local teacher's stipend is provided by the school
• Housing and medical insurance provided
• Volunteers raise support for travel and additional expenses
• Student loans may normally be deferred
• Volunteers may apply to ELCA Global Mission's  "Volunteer Assistance Fund" for partial coverage of non-reimbursable expenses

Specific Qualifications: B.A. required. English major or ESL training preferred. Participation in the life of the church is an expectation.