English Education Teacher and Trainer

Description

Timor-Leste is a young, dynamic democracy that gained independence in 2002 after more than 400 years of Portuguese rule and 25 years under Indonesian occupation. Its rich cultural diversity is reflected in the many languages spoken throughout the country, including Tetun (the most widely spoken among 30+ local languages), Portuguese, Bahasa Indonesia, and English, which the government increasingly prioritizes.

English Education Teachers and Trainers are vital in strengthening English education in Timor-Leste. Volunteers are placed in rural middle and high schools, working closely with local teachers and school directors to enhance classroom instruction. Typically collaborating with up to four English teachers, they engage in co-teaching and mentoring to improve language proficiency, student-centered teaching methods, lesson planning, classroom management, and student assessment. This hands-on, side-by-side approach fosters skill development and professional growth among local educators.

Timorese schools present unique challenges, including limited classroom resources, occasional teacher shortages, and accessibility barriers for students. Despite these hurdles, Volunteers serve as role models and build strong, supportive relationships with their counterparts. By embracing these challenges and collaborating with local communities, they help schools develop solutions, improve learning environments, and create lasting, positive change.

Beyond co-teaching, Volunteers are encouraged to engage in professional development initiatives, support youth programs, and respond to community needs through both formal and informal English instruction. Past Volunteers have led teacher training workshops, facilitated youth clubs and camps, introduced creative activities like cooking classes and Zumba sessions, translated children's books into Tetun, assisted the Ministry of Education with curriculum review, recorded oral resources for classes, and established school libraries. Additionally, all Volunteers in Timor-Leste are encouraged to contribute to addressing broader community challenges, such as malnutrition and disaster risk reduction. By immersing themselves in the local culture and forming strong partnerships, Volunteers enhance English education and contribute to meaningful, long-term development in Timor-Leste.

Program

PCV

Post

Timor-Leste

Required Skills

Competitive candidates will have a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any discipline and a strong desire to teach English

Desired Skills

• Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in English, Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL), Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), English as a Second Language (ESL), Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL), foreign language, or Applied Linguistics.

• Master of Education (M.Ed.) with graduate or undergraduate concentration in English, TEFL, TESOL, ESL, TESL, or foreign language.

• Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in English, TEFL, TESOL, ESL, TESL, or foreign language.

• Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any discipline with secondary education state certification in English, TEFL, TESOL, ESL, TESL, or foreign language.

• Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in English, TEFL, TESOL, ESL and TESL, or foreign language with 6 months of classroom teaching experience at the secondary level in English, TEFL, TESOL, ESL, TESL, or foreign language.

• Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any discipline with 1 academic year of classroom teaching experience at the secondary level in English, TEFL, TESOL, ESL, and TESL, or foreign language.

• Demonstrated experience and motivation in planning and organizing activities for youth.

• 3 months or 30 hours of English, foreign language, or literacy tutoring experience with primary, middle, or high school students or adults.

Language Requirement

None

Language Requirements Information

There are no pre-requisite language requirements for this position.

Language Skills Additional Information

During pre-service training, Volunteers will learn Tetun, the country's official language, and are expected to reach an Intermediate-Mid proficiency level after ten weeks. Tetun's relatively simple grammar and use of the Latin alphabet make it accessible for learners, and many Volunteers progress to an Advanced level with continued practice at their sites. In addition to Tetun, some Volunteers choose to learn a local language or dialect spoken in their assigned community. Those with a background in Portuguese or Spanish may find an advantage in their Tetun studies, as the language has borrowed many words from Portuguese. Bahasa Indonesia is also widely spoken in Timor-Leste, and some Volunteers choose to learn it as well.

Living Conditions

Peace Corps Timor-Leste requires Volunteers to live with a host family throughout Pre-Service Training and for the entirety of their two-year service at their permanent site. This arrangement helps Volunteers establish strong relationships within the community, develop language skills, and gain a deeper understanding of Timorese culture. Homestays align with Peace Corps' intercultural goals by providing a secure and supportive living environment where Volunteers can engage in continuous learning and cultural exchange. Many Volunteers describe their host family relationships as one of the most rewarding aspects of their service.

Timorese families are typically large and multi-generational, often including four or more children. School-aged relatives may also reside with the family in towns with better schools during the academic year. Catholicism is deeply embedded in daily life, and church attendance is a significant community activity. Smoking is common, especially among men, and some elders chew betelnut. Alcohol is occasionally offered at weddings and certain gatherings but is generally discouraged, particularly for women. Public intoxication can negatively impact a person's reputation and credibility in the community.

Timor-Leste comprises 13 municipalities, each with populations ranging from 50,000 to 120,000. Most Volunteers serve in rural areas at the village (suco) or sub-village (aldeia) level, where populations are often fewer than 2,000. A small number of Volunteers are placed in the capitals of municipality (vila), but except for third-year extendees, all Volunteers live outside Dili, the capital. Access to electricity, running water, and cell phone reception varies by location. While cell phone coverage is improving, some areas still have limited reception, and Volunteers often use two SIM cards to maximize connectivity.

Travel in Timor-Leste can be challenging, especially during the rainy season from December to April, when roads may become impassable. Volunteers often need to walk or cycle up to an hour over rugged terrain to reach public transportation, typically small trucks or minibuses. Road repairs and construction projects can further affect travel times.

Outside of their host communities, particularly in public spaces or on transportation, Volunteers may experience unwanted attention. While these encounters can be uncomfortable, Peace Corps provides training and strategies to help Volunteers manage these situations effectively. By embracing homestay life, adapting to local customs, and forming strong connections with their communities, Volunteers gain invaluable insights into Timorese culture while making a lasting impact.

Primary Sector

Education

TEFL certificate program

No

Apply By

01-Oct-2025

Know By

01-Dec-2025

Start Date

16-Jun-2026

Assignment Length (months)

24

Positions Available

11

Total Number of Positions Available

13

Accepts Couples

Yes

Couples Comments

Peace Corps Timor-Leste welcomes married couples, particularly those who can serve in different sectors—one spouse in Community Economic Development (CED) and the other in English Education (ED). At this time, Peace Corps Timor-Leste can only accommodate male-female couples.

All Volunteers, including couples, live with a host family throughout training and their two-year service. While couples will have their own room within the household, they will share common living spaces with their host family, requiring some adjustment in privacy expectations.

Couples may feel expected to embrace traditional societal roles in Timor-Leste. Community members might ask about their children and/or encourage them to start a family. However, past Volunteers have found that navigating these conversations with politeness is effective. Many couples report receiving additional respect compared to their unmarried peers and describe their overall experience as positive.

Marriage customs in Timor-Leste vary. While most couples have church weddings, some are considered fully married after an engagement ceremony involving both families. This is especially common when a church wedding is impractical or when the associated celebrations are financially burdensome at the time of engagement.

Accepting Applications?

Yes

Request Type

171 English Education Teaching

Post to LinkedIn?

No