Teacher Training Case Study: English Opens Doors Program

Bridge Recruits and Trains Teachers for the Chilean Ministry of Education

Chilean Ministry of Education
English Opens Doors Program
EFL Teacher Recruitment and Training

Industry:  Education

Summary

The English Opens Doors Program (EODP) was established in 2003 as a part of the Chilean Ministry of Education’s initiative to improve English-speaking levels across Chile. The aim of the EODP is to bring native English speakers into schools across the country helping both students and local teachers to improve their language levels.

Bridge has been recruiting English teachers for the EODP since 2006. In addition to recruitment, Bridge provides training and pre-departure information to prepare teachers for their time in Chile.

English Teacher Recruitment and Training

“The English Opens Doors Program National Volunteer Center takes very seriously its privileged role as facilitator to ambassadors of the English language. Therefore, EODP-NVC and partner institution, Bridge, must adhere to strict guidelines with regard to the eligibility of each prospective volunteer”, said a representative of the Ministry of Education in Chile (MINEDUC).

The Chilean Ministry of Education demands that all volunteer teachers meet stringent requirements. Bridge carefully screens all applicants in a rigorous process that includes interviews, submission of essays and sample lesson plans, letters of recommendation, and more.  Bridge teachers also complete a 120-hour online training and certification program via Bridge’s TEFLOnline.com.  According to MINEDUC,

“The volunteer’s main responsibilities are: to focus on improving the students’ speaking and listening skills; to motivate the students to take an interest in learning English; and to share their culture with the students, thus broadening their worldview.”

Volunteer teachers spend 4, 6, or 8 months living with a local Chilean host family and working alongside local English teachers in middle schools and high schools. For many Chilean students, the volunteer teachers are the first foreigners with which they have a meaningful relationship, which is an eye-opening experience.

The program is equally enriching for the volunteers themselves.  Teachers get the opportunity to truly immerse themselves in all aspects of Chilean culture, from family life, to education, to food and social events, to the Spanish language.

“I spoke absolutely zero [Spanish] coming in. But I’ve improved rapidly and I can converse now. I’m far from fluent, but I can hold basic conversations without problem.”

– Elliot Wernheim, 2011 Volunteer

Results

Bridge is now entering its 5^th year of partnership with the English Opens Doors Program, and this year plans to recruit 100 volunteer teachers that will be placed in all twelve regions of Chile.

“English Opens Doors was a truly life-changing experience for me and for the others who volunteered with me. Many of my friends went became teachers after their experience in Chile, and some of us (including myself) landed jobs directly as a result of contacts or skills we picked up during the program. Furthermore, we all formed important and lasting relationships with the people and the communities in which we worked.”

-Sarah Athanas, 2007 Volunteer