Teach English to Karen refugee students in Kawthoolei, Myanmar

Details

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  Description

  ဂီၤလါအဂ့z, I'm Angelica, and I work closely with higher education schools on the Thai-Myanmar border as a fundraiser coordinator. We serve mostly refugee and migrant students in the Thai refugee camps or in Kawthoolei (Karen state). If you’re passionate about teaching, the principal of the college is welcoming English teachers at his school!
  
  The college itself is located in Kawthoolei. This school plays an important role in preparing the next generation of leaders among ethnic minorities in Myanmar. The higher education schools in the refugee camps and Kawthoolei place emphasis on critical thinking skills and help students develop the confidence and skills that they need to make a difference within their communities. Many students are extremely motivated to learn English because of the opportunities it opens. One is that they're able to advocate more about the refugee crisis in Myanmar to an international audience, they can potentially apply for further studies abroad, be prepared for resettlement to a third country, or work in NGOs or organizations in Thailand/Karen state that require English fluency.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Teaching
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  A majority of the students and teachers are ethnic minorities from Myanmar (primarily ethnic Karen). Alongside the teachers and students, they'll teach you how to cook Karen food, teach you some of the Karen language, and share customs/culture. Of course, you'll gain a lot of teaching experience yourself, too! Working with these students and teachers, you will likely hear a lot of very personal stories regarding Myanmar's very complicated political situation and history.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  The principal of the college is looking for help teaching English at his post-secondary school. They're looking for helpers who will be willing to stay for at least 5 months (1 semester at the school). You will be teaching an English and Research Skills class (mostly working on speaking, listening, and writing skills) for students between 18-22 years old. For almost all of these students, this is the first time that they are being immersed in an English speaking campus.
  
  No teaching experience is required but it is preferable! A curriculum will be provided that you can follow but you are welcome and encouraged to incorporate your own ideas or any other relevant teaching topics. Each class is about an hour long, and you'll have 2 classes a day Monday-Friday.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  You'll be sleeping in a hut on a mat. Pillows, blankets, and mosquito nets will be provided.
  
  The bathroom situation is cold water bucket showers (it's really hot over there all year long, so honestly it will be really refreshing at the end of the day) and squat toilets.
  
  Meals will be provided to you throughout your stay. You'll be both cooking with staff but also during lunch on the weekdays, students are running the dining halls so they'll be serving you and the rest of the campus.

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  What else ...

  The college is surrounded by the beautiful rural countryside, so there will also be plenty of time to go on endless walks in the mountains or jump into waterfalls to unwind! The school is also right on the border with Thailand, so if you ever want to go explore, the staff would be happy to take you once a week!
  
  When you're feeling less adventurous, there's so much wide open space to take part in a lot of beloved Karen sports with teachers and students (cane ball, football, volleyball, etc). Or you can learn some Karen songs and play guitar with people at the school, go fishing, help tend the campus garden, etc.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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  Hours expected

  2 hours a day, 5 days a week