Prospective Volunteer Guide 2012
PROSPECTIVE TEACHERS’ FAQs
FINANCES
How much are teachers paid each month?
Teachers are paid approximately $315 USD/month. It changes a bit each month depending on the exchange rate, but that is the approximate amount.
Is that really enough to support me while I am there?
Yes, it definitely is enough to support yourself, especially because you will be living at the Teacher’s House, which the school provides, free of charge. Your monthly salary then just goes toward your food, entertainment, travel, etc. This is the situation for most teachers each year, without any problems.
Does the school pay for flights to and from Honduras?
The school provides each teacher with a travel allowance to cover the cost of flights.
This is given to the teachers in monthly installments, spread out over the school year.
Does the school pay for your visa for the year?
When you first arrive inHonduras, you will receive a Tourist Visa (90 days). You will need to leave the country every 3-4 months to renew your Tourist Visa. The school will assist with some of the expenses for these trips (2 during the year), providing approximately $260USD/trip. Teachers receive the visa assistance money once before June and once after before August. The trips will normally take place during long weekends or holidays, and you must travel out ofHondurasfor 2 nights. You may travel to any country inCentral Americaor farther to renew your visa.
ACCOMODATION
Do I get my own room at the Teachers’ House?
Yes, a furnished room is paid for by the school. It is a 4 bedroom house with two bathrooms. Ideally, there will be two male volunteers and two female volunteers each having their own room.
Is there air conditioning in the Teachers’ House? School? Is there heat? Do you need either?
There isn’t air-conditioning or heating in the school or in the Teachers’ House. This is really not common in any buildings in Olancho. Most people just use a fan during the hotter months.
Is there hot water in the Teachers’ House?
No. Most houses in Olancho do not have hot water. The standard of living will be very similar to the normal conditions you find in the town.
Is there Internet in the rooms of the Teachers’ House?
Internet is not paid for by the school but you can get wireless internet access in the Teacher’s House. As it stands right now, the internet access in San Francisco de la Paz is very slow.
LOCAL AND NATIONAL INFORMATION
What is the weather like in Olancho?
The “dry” season is from February to May, with the hottest months being April and May, with temperatures reaching a peak of 32ºC (95ºF) but it is still relatively comfortable because of the low humidity. This means that you may not see any rain what-so-ever for these three months, leading to water shortages.
Where can we go shopping?
Juticalpa is just a short bus ride away. The trip costs about $1.50. Juticalpa is the capital of Olancho and has many more amenities, but it still isn’t up to western standards in most aspects. There is a grocery store to stock up on favorite food and a department store if you need to buy any clothing.
SCHOOL INFORMATION
What resources are available in the classrooms?
Students are required to purchase the textbooks that the teachers decide on before school starts, as well as any materials for art or other special projects. The classrooms are open-air but have electrical outlets if you need to plug in speakers, a computer, or any other electrical device. Our teachers must be creative to give high quality lessons without sufficient resources. It is a private school, so most of our students are able to afford luxuries that the rest of the town can’t, but the fact is that most of our student’s families still struggle to make ends meet.
What type of curriculum does the school use?
In the Spanish classes, the school follows the national Honduran curriculum. For the English classes, we are in the process of developing a school-specific curriculum, to ensure continuity from Junior Kindergarten to Gr. 9. It will be draw from curriculums from various countries, both ESL and traditional English curriculums.
What are the different English classes that are available to teach in each grade?
We currently have a pre-school program for children ages 4-5, aprimary school from first to 6th grade, and a secondary school from 7th to 9th grade. All students receive English instruction.
Are there computers at the school? Are they in each classroom?
There is a computer lab at the school, with a set of computers. Each grade takes computer classes each week. We currently do not have any computers in the individual classrooms.
Would I be able to use my personal laptop as a classroom resource?
Definitely! Our only concern is that teachers are not using it for personal use during class time.
What is the average classroom size?
Most classes are under 20 students with an average of 12-15 students per class
Classes begin at7:00and end at12:35. Teachers will attend staff meetings one day per week. Teachers are also expected to attend staff meetings, teacher-parent meetings, training sessions, etc. which take place after classes. All teachers are responsible for preparing for classes, marking student work, completing necessary plans, etc. which is done outside of class hours. Outside of class, teachers generally work between 1-3 hours per night, grading papers, planning for the coming week or other school related work.
What is the school dress code like?
The girls wear plaid, knee length dresses with a white blouse and the boys wear a white button down shirt with plaid pants. On days that students have physical education, they have New Horizons shirts and sweat pants.
How many foreign teachers teach at the school each year?
There are four foreign English teachers each year.
When do classes usually start? How many weeks prior to classes do teachers arrive?
The school year normally starts at the beginning of February and ends at the end of November. Teachers arrive at least a week before classes to get acclimated to the environment.
What materials are required to apply for a teaching position?
In order to apply please send a cover letter and resume to hondurascenh@gmail.com.
Where can I find more information?
Cenh.org or find us on Facebook.
