BISHKEK (TCA) — A new group of 48 Peace Corps Volunteers of TEFL program were sworn in on November 2 in Bishkek. Representatives of Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Education and Science and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the US Embassy, Peace Corps Volunteers and staff, counterparts and directors of 48 host schools attended the ceremony.
Over the next two years, Volunteers will be working with local English teachers and teach English to students in secondary schools across Chui, Issyk-Kul, Jalalabad, Naryn, Osh, and Talas regions. Through team-teaching English in secondary schools Volunteers will improve the capacity of English teachers, support students’ communicative language ability, and provide assistance to their schools and communities in establishing or expanding English teaching resources. They will serve as regular members of the teaching faculty in their schools and will also be involved in extracurricular activities such as conducting English clubs, computer training, and personal development.
Peace Corps Volunteers represent American diversity ranging in age from 21 to 58 and coming from all across the USA. Prior to the swearing-in ceremony, these Volunteers have lived with Kyrgyz host families from villages in the Issyk-Ata and Sokuluk Districts. Lessons on Kyrgyz language and culture and technical training with schools in those communities have prepared them for their two-year assignments across the Kyrgyz Republic.
“I would especially like to highlight the collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Science in supporting the Peace Corps English Education project here. Finally, Volunteers, I want to congratulate you on completing your pre-service training. You are extraordinary Americans, giving of your time and talents so far from home, and I am confident that you will leave a legacy that will shape many lives for years to come,” said Brian Stimmler, Deputy Chief of Mission at U.S. Embassy.
Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps by executive order on March 1, 1961, over 220,000 Americans have served in 140 host countries. Today, nearly 7,000 American volunteers are working with local communities in 68 host countries. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment and the mission is to promote world peace and friendship and a better understanding between Americans and people of other countries.
The Peace Corps Volunteers are in the Kyrgyz Republic at the invitation of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, based on an agreement that was signed in 1992. Following this swearing-in ceremony, 88 Volunteers will be serving in the Kyrgyz Republic. As a key partner with the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic Peace Corps’ Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) project aims to increase the professional, academic and personal opportunities of the teachers, students, and community members through improved English language skills teaching, and learning methods.
