About Voices GY

 

Voices GY is a registered Guyanese non-profit organisation, active since April 2018. Our mission is to strengthen social cohesion, cultural integration and human rights in the country through targeted projects and partnerships. As an organisation, we are founded on a community-based approach towards a more cohesive and inclusive Guyana. Previous projects have included English tuition for migrants and refugees; support through training and grants to migrant entrepreneurs; regional needs assessments on education and social integration; mental health support; social cohesion events; and multimedia productions on minority rights and cultures.

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Background

 

Without minimum English-language capabilities, refugees and migrants in Guyana are subject to increased vulnerability and exclusion in multiple areas. Important information pertaining to rights (including education, citizenship, employment, laws, etc.) is largely inaccessible, whereas the abilities of refugees and migrants to integrate effectively into Guyanese society and form networks of support is curtailed. 

 

A recent survey of 187 individuals undertaken by Voices GY found that 56% of migrant parents identified difficulties with the English language as a barrier to their childrens’ education; whereas 40% declared themselves unable to communicate with their children’s tutors. Furthermore, 18% of respondents claimed to be discriminated against in their community and the same percentage declared that they did not have Guyanese friends. Language barriers are often one of the key cultural and communicational obstacles for integration and acceptance, especially for migrant children.

 

About the role

 

In collaboration with our partners and donors, Voices GY will be delivering up to 13 online English courses for migrants and refugees in Guyana, from early January to late October 2020. Two course groups will take the specific focus on preparing Venezuelan children enrolled in Primary and Secondary schools with academic English (CALP focus), providing them with additional English as a Second Language (ESL) assistance. A further group, Beginner English for Children, will incorporate children between the grades of 4-11 in order to equip them with the foundations of the English language (BICS focus). 

 

Classes will follow a pre-designed curriculum and each teacher will be responsible for preparing and delivering two, 1-hour classes per week to their course group. Additional support and communication will be given through chat forums, as well as written homework.

 

This position is for an initial period of ten weeks, with the option of extension upon the completion of this term. The role is part time (5 hours/week). The ESL teacher will report to the Project Coordinator.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

• To provide 2 hours of live group classes per week to Venezuelan school-aged students on reading, writing, pronunciation and exam preparation.

• To participate in the creation of the course curriculum.

• To develop and upload lesson materials ahead of time.

• To provide students with brief written feedback after each class.

• To set and review homework tasks

• To be attentive to group chat, and help to resolve and refer student queries and difficulties.

• To create and share lesson links in a timely manner.

• To attend training sessions, orientations and teacher meetings

 

Requirements

• At least 2 years’ experience teaching: foreign languages and/or ESL to school-aged children

• Fluency in English and demonstrable conversational skills in Spanish

• Competency in the use of Powerpoint, Google Drive and Zoom.

• Access to an appropriately quiet and private teaching space with good internet connectivity.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, accountability, punctuality and integrity

Desirable

• Completed 120-hour TEFL certificate or equivalent desirable

• Online teaching experience is considered a strong advantage

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To Apply

To apply, send the following documents to voicesgy@gmail.com by 12 midday on Monday 21st December. Applicants who fail to provide all documents will not be considered.

• Cover Letter

• CV

• Contact details for 2 referees (email and telephone)

 

Voices GY is not only an Equal Opportunities Employer – diversity is at the root of all that we do and strive for. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply and enrich the work we undertake.