English Fluency Volunteer

Position Title: English Fluency Volunteer 

Goals of the Role: To engage diverse students in intensive English training for students to build their confidence in speaking English. 

Impact of the Role: To achieve academic success, SEGA students must become fluent in the English language. With more than 120 tribal languages spoken in Tanzania, most students arrive at the school speaking a local language from their home communities and Kiswahili. Kiswahili, the national language, is generally their second language and the language spoken and taught in Tanzanian primary schools. In secondary school, instruction switches to English presenting a huge challenge to most students as they transition from having one English course in primary school, to having all of their subjects, like physics, history, and commerce all taught in English.

Volunteers will become English Fluency Role Models and Story Tellers to foster a sense of belonging in learning English among SEGA students by exposing them to experience motivation, excitement, and interest, and to have fun learning the English Language. They will come to think of themselves as confident in their language abilities and find it fun to engage with a new language. Through the program, students will develop emotional connections and personal relevance to impact their language learning. 

Role Models are very important in showing students where they can thrive in the world. Volunteers are role models for our SEGA students that are available to students for questions and interactions throughout the program and after.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Follow a predesigned curriculum to implement an English Fluency Program including a poster-sharing project 
• Assess and document student skill level and progress
• Submit all required paperwork in a timely manner
• Develop strong, positive relationships with students to promote personal and academic growth
• Ensure consistent attendance and learning outcomes for the class are met
• Document and review student learning progress to share with staff

Time Requirements: English Fluency Volunteers will be engaged in lessons from 8 AM until 3:30 PM during the 8 days of program lessons. It is roughly 6-7 hours of teaching per day. There are breaks for tea, rest, and lunch. Our schedule includes a field trip day, a poster-sharing day, a hiking day, a visit to SEGA’s Modern Girl Program, and a weekend safari! 

Location: SEGA Girls’ School in Morogoro, Tanzania 

Work Environment: You should expect to be very active and on your feet throughout your volunteer time. You will need to listen to your body on when to sit down, find shade, or find a cool area or fan. Please note the Visitor House and the classrooms where the program will take place are not air-conditioned. There are fans in the classrooms, but with the temperatures, you can still expect it to be pretty hot. The average temperature fluctuates throughout the year from 82-90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Skills & Qualifications:

• High school or University Student who studies or is interested in teaching English
• Teacher of English or language subjects or has an interest in teaching 
• TEFL Certified or trained professional or has an interest in learning more about TEFL 
• Creative, solution-oriented, and adaptable 
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Ability to build supportive and professional relationships with high school youth and staff
• Ability and willingness to have fun in the classroom!

Orientation & Training:

Prior to traveling and volunteering with Nurturing Minds and the SEGA Girls’ School, there will be a series of Zoom orientation calls and emails to help prepare you for your destination and job responsibilities. 

Prior to traveling: 

• We will have a series or weekly Zoom orientation meetings to discuss the pre-designed Curriculum, meet volunteers, and answer questions.
• We will have an orientation to discuss all travel, volunteering, and teaching at SEGA, health, and safety logistics.
• We will have a discussion on cultural humility, Tanzanian culture, and what it means to be a foreign volunteer in Tanzania. 
• You will have an opportunity to meet with SEGA’s Communication Coordinator and Hospitality Coordinator, who will help you get settled in once you arrive, prior to arriving. 
• We share with you via email visiting manuals, emergency contact lists, and more. 

Arriving at SEGA: 

• Once you arrive at SEGA the Communications and Hospitality Coordinators will greet you and help you get settled into your home for the week. They will discuss safety, transportation, ways to explore Morogoro and Tanzania, culture, food, and health, and give you a tour of SEGA’s Campus. They will help introduce and welcome you to SEGA’s staff and students. 
• Once we are settled at SEGA we will have a volunteer orientation, co-teacher planning sessions, and time to organize all of the lesson materials. 
• Every evening we will have debriefing sessions and preparation for the following days activities. 

Supervision:

Nurturing Minds Board Member, Annie Forsyth will be leading this year’s English Fluency Program at the SEGA Girls’ School. All individuals are supervised by SEGA School Headmistress Mrs. Elly Sarakikya. 

Volunteer Benefits:

Volunteering with SEGA is a unique opportunity to foster life-long friendships and become a mentor for a SEGA girl. Most of our volunteers stay connected with their student groups well into their University level studies and exchange letters, photographs, and many return to SEGA for their graduation.