peace corps: engaging a host community to improve language acquisition

Engaging a Community to Improve Language Acquisition

B.J. WhetstineB.J. WhetstineUniversity Education VolunteerUniversity Education VolunteerChina 2006-2008China 2006-2008bwhetstine@peacecorps.govbwhetstine@peacecorps.gov

Secondary English Teaching• Volunteers teach in middle and

high schools• Conversational English• EFL• Content-based English

• Share resources and develop materials with local teachers

• Become involved in community and school-based projects

• Increase local students’ English language competency and conversational skills

• Work in after-school programs, youth clubs, and library development

English Teacher Training• Volunteers train English Teachers• Formal Classes• Workshops• Informal activities

• Work with new teachers in teacher’s colleges

• Work with experienced teachers through in-service workshops

• Communicative methodologies, subject content, resource development

• Encourage peer support and community engagement

University English Teaching• Help students make use of

academic and technical resources published in English in their study of languages, literature, business, medicine, engineering, or other fields

• Teach English grammar, conversation, phonetics, American literature and culture, creative writing, and linguistics

• Establish English language clubs and resource centers

• Share ideas and develop materials with fellow teachers

• Integrate communicative teaching techniques into the classroom

Secondary Projects• After School Clubs: math,

art, sports, environmental, music, leadership, drama,

• Summer Camps

• School Repair Project

• Sanitation or Irrigation Project

• HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns

• Anything you and your community deem necessary!