Do I need to be Catholic?

The Ukrainian Catholic University is affiliated with the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. It’s English Summer School is intended to be a spiritual, retreat-like experience for both students (many of whom are preparing for priesthood or religious life) and volunteers. While particular religious profession is not “required” of either students or volunteers, both are welcome to participate in evening prayers as well as Divine Liturgies.

I don’t have any teaching experience…

Students of the Ukrainian Catholic University and Holy Spirit Seminary receive formal instruction in English during the academic year. The English Summer School is designed as an immersion experience for the students so that they can speak with native English-speakers, and the emphasis is on communication and interaction rather than formal teaching. This said, volunteers need experience working with youth and need to be comfortable in a leadership position. An orientation program for the volunteers will give them some ideas how to teach English before the school. During the school the Academic Director and other members of the staff will always be available to assist the volunteers.

Is there an age limit for volunteers?

Volunteers must be over the age of 18. However, because of the necessary maturity involved both in international travel and leadership in the ESS setting, UCU prefers volunteers who are at least 20 years of age or have completed at least two years of university.

I don’t know any Ukrainian…

Knowledge of Ukrainian is not required. ESS students have had at least one year of formal English instruction. The School is run on an English-only basis so that students are as close to a complete immersion as possible.

Who are the students? Do they know any English?

The ESS students body is primarily made up of students of the Ukrainian Catholic University and seminarians from the Holy Spirit Seminary. Additionally, some places are reserved for UCU staff and guests. As in any mixed group, some students are very advanced and some are still quite weak. ESS staff will see that students are placed into appropriate group levels and that volunteers with the appropriate skills are matched to the groups.

What am I expected to teach? How should I prepare?

Normally volunteers are responsible for a class group of 7-10 students for two 45-minute sessions in the afternoon (devoted to Scripture study, speaking and listening skills, and vocabulary building) and a one-hour elective. Moreover, volunteers are expected to simply interact with students throughout the day, especially in the evenings. Academically, the most important part of the students’ assessment is participation since in that way they have the most exposure to spoken English.

What do we do in the evenings?

In the evenings there is a mixture of group activities, spiritual programs. This year we are in particular need of people to organize these evening activities, so please come with ideas and any materials you have for fun group activities or board/language games. Also, please let us know if you are willing to help plan these activities in advance of the school.

Among the evening activities, the tutoring is of the prime importance. In three twenty – minute – periods, teachers should be available for one-to-one-conversations with the students.