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

Start date: September 28, 2026 – End date: March 29, 2027 (26 weeks). Must be at least 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen.

About the role

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 to provide rigorous academic training while cultivating resilience, civic responsibility, and global awareness. In English education, lyceums emphasize language as a bridge to international knowledge, collaboration, and opportunity. By fostering strong English skills, they aim to equip young Ukrainians with the confidence to engage with global peers, humanitarian networks, and academic opportunities.

Due to the war, students have limited opportunities to interact with native speakers or experience other cultures. Four groups of lyceums are collaborating with Virtual Service Pilot Participants (VSPPs) to engage secondary school students in weekly English clubs. These clubs provide a safe online space for motivated teenagers (aged 14–17) to practice English, build confidence, and develop soft skills outside regular lessons.

VSPPs will be assigned to one of four lyceums prior to orientation. Each group of 15–20 students will meet with their VSPP once a week for a 60-minute session over 26 weeks. Students are eager to explore engaging topics such as art, social media, youth life, travel, natural wonders, holidays, traditions, sports, and education. VSPPs will collaborate with local teachers to create interactive activities, offering students a global perspective despite the challenges in Ukraine.

Responsibilities

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

VSPPs are expected to dedicate an estimated 5–15 hours per week (approximately six hours per week on average). Online collaboration will generally occur between 3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Ukraine time, with specific times determined during orientation. Host Country Counterparts will communicate via email, Zoom, and WhatsApp. Per the Child Protection Code of Conduct, two adults must be present during all online engagements with minors (0–18).

Optional Additional Activities

The Peace Corps mission promotes world peace and friendship through three goals:

• To help the people of interested countries meet their need for trained professionals.
• To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
• To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

Goal 1 will be fulfilled through the VSPP’s core tasks. The counterpart and VSPP may also identify an activity aligned with Goal 2. Additionally, VSPPs may implement a Goal 3 activity during their engagement. Recommendations and tools for Goal 3 activities are available.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in any field.
• Experience: 1 year of TEFL/TESOL teaching in the U.S. or abroad.
• Intercultural skills and motivation: Flexible, strong cross-cultural agility, high tolerance for ambiguity, ability to work independently, resourcefulness, creativity, and genuine motivation to serve virtually.