English Program
English competency has a direct impact on our children’s future success. With fluency in English, the children of Safe Passage will be better prepared to leave their impoverished conditions and find employment in areas such as hospitality, technology and education.
The English Program at Safe Passage started in 2004 with one volunteer tutoring students one on one and in small groups. Today, every classroom receives English a minimum of twice a week. We also have a full time, bilingual Guatemalan teacher on staff who teaches English to our older students.
For students and staff who want additional practice with their English, one on one and small group tutoring is available. This is a great opportunity for our Support Team members to help the students and staff improve their English.
How can you help?
Volunteer to Teach English:
We are always in need of teachers. Although TEFL, ESL, or TEFOL certification or previous English teaching experience is strongly preferred, we do not require it. Our most successful teachers first and foremost have a love of working with children. With that being a priority, oftentimes, volunteers with no prior teaching experience have grown to be our best.
When fully staffed, we are also able to provide much needed services such as one on one tutoring.
Volunteer Positions 2008, click here.
Requirements:
- Minimum stay is six months, longer is more desirable.
- High-beginner to intermediate Spanish or higher is strongly preferred (can be addressed by 3 weeks of Spanish classes in Antigua prior to starting)
- English competency, although you do not have to be a native speaker.
- Patience, as our children are full of energy.
- Ability to work independently and as a team.
- Experience working with children.
- Flexibility on the age ranges you are comfortable teaching.
- Creativity and self-initiative.
- Highly motivated and energetic.
Material needs:
- Beginning ESL books for teachers.
- Music CD’s in English.
- Office supplies (#2 printer cartridges for Lexmark printer, wall pocket charts, dry erase markers, crayons)
- Motivations items (stickers, small balls, bookmarkers, no candy)
How your donations are used:
- Excursions: An integral part of the English program is exposing children to opportunities that they have never thought possible. Our goal is to take students on excursions every quarter to places where speaking English is a priority. For example, we took our Basico class and fifth/sixth grade boys to Antigua to learn about the hospitality industry. Most of them had never visited Antigua before, even though it is only an hour away from Guatemala City.
- Special Projects: Currently we have over 40 students, teachers and staff receiving private English classes. Your donations help to support this program through purchase of books and supplies. The English Program also started sponsoring an annual Teacher Appreciation Day Breakfast for the Guatemalan staff and will have our first annual Career Week for our older students.
In addition, we are always in need of updating and adding to our current supply of teaching materials and office supplies.
