English fluency program
Visit SEGA through our volunteer program!
SEGA prepares students for English Fluency through English immersion and fluency curricula conducted by teachers and volunteers.
Nuturing Minds, Inc. and SEGA Girls School are seeking volunteers to help with an 18-day English Fluency Program in Morogoro, Tanzania from October 4 - 22, 2023.
Position Title: English Fluency Volunteer
Goals of the Role: To engage diverse students in intensive English training for students to build their confidence in speaking English.
Impact of the Role: To achieve academic success, SEGA students must become fluent in the English language. With more than 120 tribal languages spoken in Tanzania, most students arrive at the school speaking a local language from their home communities and Kiswahili. Kiswahili, the national language, is generally their second language and the language spoken and taught in Tanzanian primary schools. In secondary school, instruction switches to English presenting a huge challenge to most students as they transition from having one English course in primary school, to having all of their subjects, like physics, history, and commerce all taught in English.
Volunteers will become English Fluency Role Models and Story Tellers to foster a sense of belonging in learning English among SEGA students by exposing them to experience motivation, excitement, and interest, and to have fun learning the English Language. They will come to think of themselves as confident in their language abilities and find it fun to engage with a new language. Through the program, students will develop emotional connections and personal relevance to impact their language learning.
Role Models are very important in showing students where they can thrive in the world. Volunteers are role models for our SEGA students that are available to students for questions and interactions throughout the program and after.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Follow a predesigned curriculum to implement an English Fluency Language Immersion program including a poster-sharing project
Assess and document student skill level and progress
Submit all required paperwork in a timely manner
Develop strong, positive relationships with students to promote personal and academic growth
Ensure consistent attendance and learning outcomes for the class are met
Document and review student learning progress to share with staff
Fulfill all other duties deemed vital to the function of the organizations
Time Requirements: English Fluency Volunteers will be engaged in lessons from 8 AM until 3:30 PM during the 8 days of program lessons. It is roughly 6-7 hours of teaching per day. There are breaks for tea, rest, and lunch. Our schedule includes a field trip day, a poster-sharing day, a hiking day, a visit to SEGA’s Modern Girl Program, and a weekend safari!
Location: SEGA Girls Secondary School in Morogoro, Tanzania
Work Environment: You should expect to be very active and on your feet throughout your volunteer time. You will need to listen to your body on when to sit down, find shade, or find a cool area or fan. Please note the Visitor House and the classrooms where the program will take place are not air-conditioned. There are fans in the classrooms, but with the temperatures, you can still expect it to be pretty hot. The average temperature fluctuates throughout the year from 82-90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Skills & Qualifications:
Highschool or University Student who studies or is interested in teaching English
Teacher of English or language subjects or has an interest in teaching
TEFL Certified or trained professional or has an interest in learning more about TEFL
Creative, solution-oriented, and adaptable
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
Ability to build supportive and professional relationships with high school youth and staff
Ability and willingness to have fun in the classroom!
Orientation & Training:
Prior to traveling and volunteering with Nurturing Minds and the SEGA Girls’ School, there will be a series of Zoom orientation calls and emails to help prepare you for your destination and job responsibilities.
Prior to traveling:
We will have a series of weekly Zoom orientation meetings to discuss the pre-designed Curriculum, meet volunteers, and answer questions.
We will have an orientation to discuss all travel, volunteering, and teaching at SEGA, health, and safety logistics.
We will have a discussion on cultural humility, Tanzanian culture, and what it means to be a foreign volunteer in Tanzania.
You will have an opportunity to meet with SEGA’s Communication Coordinator and Hospitality Coordinator, who will help you get settled in once you arrive, prior to arriving.
We share with you via email visiting manuals, emergency contact lists, COVID-19 protocols, and more.
Arriving at SEGA:
Once you arrive at SEGA the Communications and Hospitality Coordinators will greet you and help you get settled into your home for the week. They will discuss safety, transportation, ways to explore Morogoro and Tanzania, culture, food, and health, and give you a tour of SEGA’s Campus. They will help introduce and welcome you to SEGA’s staff and students.
Once we are settled at SEGA we will have a volunteer orientation, co-teacher planning sessions, and time to organize all of the lesson materials.
Every evening we will have debriefing sessions and preparation for the following days activities.
Supervision:
Nurturing Minds Cultural Exchange Coordinator will be co-leading this year's English Fluency Program at the SEGA Girls School with members of our English Fluency Committee Curriculum Development Team. They will work in partnership with Mr. Aliko Mwangomo, Deputy Head of School at SEGA, and with the support of the Hospitality Coordinator Ms. Isabella Nshubemuki, and Communications Coordinator, Ms. Rhona Mtega. All individuals are supervised by SEGA School Headmistress Mrs. Elly Sarakikya.
Volunteer Benefits:
Volunteering with SEGA is a unique opportunity to foster life-long friendships and become a mentor for a SEGA girl. Most of our volunteers stay connected with their student groups well into their University level studies and exchange letters, photographs, and many return to SEGA for their graduation.
How to Apply:
MOROGORO REGION, TANZANIA
Lying at the base of the magnificent Uluguru Mountains, the Morogoro region is the agricultural land of Tanzania. The region supports the vegetation of tobacco along with the complete processing before being transported to market areas. Along with agriculture, the city is known for its educational centers and hospitals. The short distance from the lively city of Dar es Salaam makes Morogoro popular among travelers. The region exhibits its beauty with its culture and art. Adventure and leisure can be best here with less chaos and amazing food. One can even enjoy a Safari at the closely nestled Mikumi National Park and Selous Game Reserve.
FIND YOUR HOME AT SEGA
Nestled near the base of the beautiful Uluguru Mountains, the SEGA Girls School is located 7 miles north of Morogoro, which is located approximately 5 hours west of Dar es Salaam by car. Experience the school in person and relax in our comfortable visitor house while enjoying delicious dishes from your private cook and experiencing the vitality of our vibrant school and nearby cultural immersion activities.
The SEGA Visitor House includes 3 daily meals, fans, solar power, a private bathroom, toiletries, free wifi, daily housekeeping, mosquito netting, and a private chef.
All bookings from the SEGA Visitor House go to supporting scholarships for SEGA Students.
IN-COUNTRY STAFF
Nurturing Minds and SEGA is excited about our partnership with our dedicated, passionate, and motivated volunteers. The SEGA Staff and SEGA School teachers are welcoming you to join them to enrich girls' lives and help end the cycle of poverty by educating a girl through the English Fluency Program!
CULTURAL IMMERSION ACTIVITIES
Upon arrival, volunteers will be welcomed with the SEGA School Welcome Song special for SEGA Visitors and Volunteers. Volunteers will then be led around the campus by Form 3 Hosting Students on a school tour to learn about the girl's daily life, school activities, and campus.
The English Fluency Volunteers will have a special opportunity to participate in the SEGA Form 4 Graduation! You will spend the day celebrating Form 4 student success and wish them luck as they begin their next journey!
In addition to exploring Morogoro's natural wonders, volunteers will take a visit to local markets, learn about traditional batik fabric dyeing, learn how to make chapatti, learn how to tie a kitanga, engage in football competitions and movie nights with students, and volunteers will have an incredible opportunity to meet SEGA graduates, staff, and the Executive Director and Headmistress.
WEEKEND ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES
On the weekends, our expert staff will guide your group on local cultural and learning activities including hiking through the Uluguru Mountains to visit and swim in the Choma Waterfall, being included in a soil cake-making demonstration, and a visit to SEGA’s Modern Girl Program!
TEACHERS, JOIN US IN EDUCATING GIRLS!
Experienced educators help support our SEGA teachers and students by providing additional support, teacher resources, materials, and additional hands-on learning to make learning English fun and engaging!
An Education Volunteer is anyone with a passion for educating students and finding ways to enrich students' lives. Educators can get started as solo volunteers or recruit a team of colleagues to join them! Education Volunteers help bring hands-on activities and fun to our youngest learners!
CORPORATE VOLUNTEER GROUPS, GIVE BACK THROUGH OUR PROGRAM!
Experienced professionals in the TEFL fields help support our SEGA teachers by providing real-world perspectives that expand the learning potential of SEGA students.
A Corporate Volunteer is anyone with a passion for supporting students and building excitement about teaching. Employees can get started as solo volunteers or recruit a team of colleagues to join them! Corporate Volunteers help bring language to life for our youngest learners!
STUDENT VOLUNTEERS, WE WELCOME YOU!
Any high school or college student with a passion for working with others in their community is invited to volunteer with our youngest learners who are participating in the English Fluency Program. Every student volunteer can find an impactful way to give back in the classroom. Students have the opportunity to connect with SEGA students and share language concepts and ideas, igniting that same spark they have in themselves.
FAQ
Do I need to have a teaching background to apply?
No, and several current and past members of the team didn’t have any background in teaching before joining! There are a few roles where a teaching background is important, but for most roles, we’re keen to welcome students, professionals, or educators with all academic interests!
Do I need to have previous experience to apply?
For most roles, no! If you’re wanting to join as a Program Lead or to lead certain program lessons, you’ll need some general teaching or TEFL understanding and experience. Generally, we’re not worried about whether you’ve done something like this before if you’re applying to be a volunteer.
I don't have every skill listed - can I still apply?
Yes! Though having at least some of the listed skills will help you have a good foundation for your chosen role, enthusiasm to learn and grow is more important to us than past experience, and you’ll develop many of the skills you need during your time in the team. Remember though, you can tell us about what skills you have through anything you’ve done before or been previously involved in, whether through school, clubs, work, action in your community, or your personal experiences.
How does the team work together and communicate with each other?
We mainly work through email and WhatsApp. We will have several Zoom orientation meetings to meet everyone prior to traveling, and we will have a welcome dinner on our first night together in Dar es Salaam!
What makes an ideal applicant to join the English Fluency Program?
There’s no one thing that makes someone an ideal applicant - everyone on the team has different backgrounds, skillsets, interests, and levels of previous experience in making a difference through education!
There are a few things every member of the English Fluency Program team has in common though…
Passion for the Nurturing Minds mission - to transform lives and communities by educating and empowering Tanzanian girls.
Enthusiastic to learn and grow - your enthusiasm to get involved is much more important to us than your previous experience or qualifications.
Commitment to getting involved in all aspects of the volunteer program - both for your own development and the team’s collective progress toward our mission.
None of these FAQs answer my question - who can I contact?
We’re happy to hear from you! Please email your questions to our Cultural Exchange Coordinator, Myranda at myranda@nurturingmindsinafrica.org.
“The main requirement is a love of learning, making new friends, and a keen interest and appreciation for the cultural exchange that is embedded in the program’s goals. ”