Adventure? Skills? Service? We have it all! This program provides an international service learning opportunity in which participants will teach English to Spanish-speaking public school students in the Dominican Republic. During the on-campus portion of this class, students will learn pedagogical theory and techniques for teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) and gain experience in tutoring, lesson planning and lesson implementation. Students will also learn fundamental Spanish through Mango Languages, and study Dominican culture in preparation for the experiential portion of the course.

The first few days in the Dominican Republic will be spent in Santo Domingo where the class will explore the vibrant Dominican culture and learn more about their educational system. For the remainder of the trip, week days will be spent in the classroom working alongside local teachers implementing lesson plans and practicing teaching techniques, and the weekend will be spent exploring other areas of the Dominican Republic.

The Dominican Republic is a nation on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. It has warm temperatures year-round and a very rich culture. The DR is home to both the highest and lowest elevations in the Caribbean, as well as colonial-age cathedrals, monasteries and fortresses.

This program is most appropriate for students wanting the opportunity to learn more about teaching ESL, interested in working with children, enhancing their Spanish language skills, or students looking for an experience that involves community engagement. The Dominican Republic is considered a developing country and therefore lacks certain infrastructure and amenities most Americans take for granted, therefore an open mind and a flexible outlook are critical.

The academic course associate with this program is EDUC 212: Teach English in the Dominican Republic, for 4 credits.

This course meets throughout the Spring semester and travels in May. Exact travel dates are TBD.

Itinerary and planned activities subject to change.

***The application process for this program has CLOSED***