To surmount the situation of oppression, people must first critically recognize its causes, so that through transforming action they can create a new situation, one which makes possible the pursuit of a fuller humanity.

- Paulo Freire

The Mélida Anaya Montes English School is looking for volunteers who want to teach English in San Salvador, El Salvador.  The school is dedicated to teaching English within a context that facilitates growth as human beings and contributes to the movement for social justice in El Salvador and the world.  For more information on the school, including logistics and dates, please check here.  Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity that provides a unique learning and hands on educational experience--it is an experience that undoubtedly will be both challenging and extremely rewarding and will shape the way you view the world.

Benefits

• Contribute to El Salvador's social movement in their struggle for justice.
• Assist adults working in the Salvadoran opposition (members of political parties, social and women's organizations, ex-combatants, war wounded) in increasing their capacity for their work and struggle for justice.  Also assist adults who are interested in gaining knowledge about current injustices and how they can support the struggle for a more just society.
• Gain practical and theoretical exposure to critical pedagogy and popular education techniques.
• Become aware of the structures that oppress the people of El Salvador.
• Be an integral link in the consciousness raising process.
• Be part of the international solidarity movement.
• Engage in cultural and language exchange with Salvadorans.
• Make a concrete contribution to the development of El Salvador.
• The CIS offers half-price Spanish classes to our English teachers when there is another student in the volunteer's class.  After the initial 2 weeks of the political cultural program, volunteers can continue to participate at half-price.

Logistics

• Small classroom setting of 6-9 students.
• Training provided for teaching English as a Foreign Language and Popular Education methodology.
• It is not a requirement that English teachers speak Spanish.  For those interested, Spanish classes are available.  English teachers pay half price for Spanish classes (when there is at least one other student in the class).
• 2 weeks of an intensive political-cultural program to learn more about El Salvador and free participation in our Political Cultural Program (if there are 3 or more paying participants).
• Participation in several weekend excursions to various points of historical and cultural interest in El Salvador throughout the English cycle.
• Assistance in finding housing, including living with a Salvadoran family. (Monthly living expenses run from US $280-$400)
• Minimum time commitment includes a 2-hour class that meets three evenings a week, plus class preparation, teacher's meetings and workshops throughout the cycle (9-12 hours per week). Additional teaching and volunteer opportunities are available.
• English teachers must be fluent in English.

Dates:

To Apply

A $100 program fee is requested of accepted volunteers, which assists in covering the costs of transportation for excursions, the political-cultural program, and other educational/administrative costs.  The program fee should be sent to our U.S. address (see left-hand column).
Please send us your letter of interest, resume/CV and one letter of reference to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

What Teachers and Students Have Said

My English classes are a great opportunity to learn, I like so much the technique to teach all of our class to participate equally - Bessy del Carmen Zepeda, MAM English School Student

Through the process of exchange you gain a profound understanding of how the history of this country has effected the people.  It is a very genuine way of learning, of experiencing a country - Richard Caleb Pearshouse,  Volunteer English Teacher

- Paulo Freire