Co-teach Cross-Cultural English Club Activities to Lyceum Students

The lyceums in Ukraine serve as vital institutions of advanced secondary education, designed to prepare students for higher studies and professional life. Their mission is not only providing rigorous academic training but also to cultivate resilience, civic responsibility, and global awareness. In the context of English education, the lyceums emphasize language as a bridge to international knowledge, collaboration, and opportunity. By fostering strong English skills, the lyceums aim to equip young Ukrainians with the confidence to share their experiences with global peers, humanitarian networks, and academic opportunities. They actively support initiatives to promote student-centered learning and interactive teaching methods, English language development through clubs, projects and communication activities, civic education and volunteerism, cultural exchange, and global awareness.

Because of the war, students have few chances to talk to native speakers or experience other cultures. Thus, four groups of lyceums are interested in collaborating with Virtual Service Pilot Participants to engage students from secondary school in weekly English clubs. Potential club participants are motivated teenagers who need a safe online space to practice English, build confidence, and learn soft skills outside of regular lessons.

All educational institutions are requesting VSPPs to work with a group of 15–20 self-reliant, motivated, and change-oriented high school students, aged 14–17. Prior to orientation, VSPPs will be assigned to one or two lyceums for their engagement. Each school group will meet with their respective VSPP once a week for a 60-minute session for 21 weeks. Virtual English club participants are eager to be immersed in engaging activities that cover topics such as art, social media, youth life, traveling, natural wonders, holidays, traditions, sports, education, and others. The VSPPs will work with local teachers to create interactive activities for the virtual English clubs. These partnerships are vital to give their students a global perspective and maintain a high-quality education, despite the challenges in Ukraine.

Two lyceums have previously collaborated with the Peace Corps. Two lyceums will be engaged in summer English clubs in June for the first time. One lyceum has not previously collaborated with the Peace Corps. They all understand that the role of a VSPP is very different than a two-year Volunteer or Peace Corps Response Volunteer.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in any field

Experience: 1 year of TEFL/TESOL teaching experience in the U.S. or abroad

Intercultural skills and motivation: Flexible, strong cross-cultural agility, high tolerance for ambiguity, able to work independently, resourceful, creative, and genuinely motivated and capable to serve virtually

Group 1: Vinnytsia Lyceum #11, Vinnytsia Region
HCP Counterparts: Olena Kukharets, Teacher of English; Iryna Simchyk, Teacher of English
Vinnytsia Lyceum #11, Vinnytsia Region: Empowering students to communicate confidently in English by creating an inclusive, interactive environment that nurtures cultural understanding and academic achievement.
Vinnytsia Lyceum #2, Vinnytsia Region: Empowering students to grow in English and in confidence by joining interactive summer English club that blend learning with creativity and joy.

Group 2: Municipal Institution "Scientific Lyceum" of Kropyvnytskyi City Council
Kropyvnytskyi, Kirovohrad region
HCP Counterparts: Larysa Yarova, Teacher of English; Iryna Kosa, Teacher of English
Providing high-quality educational experience in sciences and English education; promoting meaningful engagement for students and supporting professional exchange and teacher development.

Group 3: Kryvyi Rih Lyceum “KOLIIA”, Dnipropetrovsk Region
HCP Counterparts: Olena Krechetova, Teacher of English; Olena Shvydka, Teacher of English
The lyceum is committed to providing quality education and helping students develop skills essential for their future. It aims to support learners in setting and reaching goals in various areas of their lives while fostering well-rounded individuals.

Group 4: Dnipro Lyceum #22, Dnipropetrovsk Region
HCP Counterpart: Iryna Levina, Teacher of English; Olena Shepel, Teacher of English
Promoting learning English as a tool in the dialogue of cultures and civilizations in the modern world and developing international relations based on mutual respect and understanding, celebrating diversity, openness, and cultural awareness.

The VSPP will engage in the following tasks, in collaboration with their host country partners:

• Co-develop learning resources that incorporate U.S. culture
• Co-design English club session plans with clear policies, procedures, resources, and outcomes designed to improve students’ fluency, confidence, and cultural understanding
• Co-teach a 60-minute virtual English club session once per week for a group of 15–20 students aged 14–17 years old
• Co-assess conducted sessions, identifying learning objectives and appropriate communicative activities for future sessions

VSPPs are expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5–15 hours per week. This engagement is estimated to be six hours per week.

Online collaboration will generally occur between 3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Ukraine time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.

The Host Country Counterpart will have access to email, Zoom, and WhatsApp for regular communication and collaboration.

Per the Child Protection Code of Conduct, when engaging online with minors (0–18), two adults must be present.

Education: Bachelor's degree in education, secondary education, or related field or relevant certification: TEFL, TESOL, Cambridge, or similar

Experience:
• Virtual engagement and communication
• Co-teaching or co-facilitation for virtual classrooms