BISHKEK (TCA) — For the 25th consecutive year US Peace Corps Volunteers joined local English teachers, their counterparts to welcome students back to school at educational institutions across Kyrgyzstan as the new academic year started in the country on September 1, the US Peace Corps in the Kyrgyz Republic said.
As a key partner with the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic the 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.
Through team-teaching English in secondary schools and universities Peace Corps Volunteers build the capacity of English teachers. TEFL Volunteers provide assistance to their schools and communities in expanding English teaching resources, contributing to curriculum development, and use of innovative teaching materials. They serve as regular members of the teaching faculty in their schools and teach about 150–200 students each year. The Volunteers are also involved in extracurricular activities such as conducting English clubs, computer training, and youth development.
Since inception in 1993, more than 600 TEFL Volunteers have served as teachers at 200 secondary schools and 15 universities. By late October an additional 45 Volunteers will be placed at schools and universities – making a total of 71 Volunteers working with teachers, students, and their assigned communities.
More than 1,160 American Peace Corps Volunteers have served in the Kyrgyz Republic so far.
The Peace Corps Volunteers are in Kyrgyzstan at the invitation of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic based on an agreement that was signed in 1992.
