My Assignment

Primary English Literacy Project (PELP)

Group: 79

Sector: Education

Job Title: Primary English Literacy Facilitator a.k.a. English Literacy Facilitator a.k.a. ELFs, as we are fondly called.

Dates of Service: Nov. 2014 – Nov. 2016

Staging Date: Sept. 1, 2014

In-Country Pre-Service Training (PST): Sept. 6, 2014 – Oct. 31, 2014

Site Announcement: Oct. 29, 2014

Swearing-In Ceremony: Oct. 31, 2014

Project Framework:

GOAL #1: Improve Teachers’ Skills

Objective 1.1: Increase Grade 3-8 teachers’ use of student-centered methods.

Objective 1.2: Increase Grade 3-8 teachers’ use of student-centered materials.

Objective 1.3: Improve Grade 3-8 teachers’ use of library and ICT resources.

GOAL #2: Improve Literacy Skills of Students (Grade 3-8)

Objective 2.1: Improve Grade 3-8 students’ English literacy through classroom learning.

Objective 2.2: Improve Grade 3-8 students’ English literacy through extra-

curricular learning.

Objective 2.3: Improve Grade 3-8 students’ health literacy.

GOAL #3: Increase Community Support for and Benefit from Literacy Development

Objective 3.1: Increase community involvement in activities that support literacy development for children, youth and adults.

Objective 3.2: Increase community members’ English literacy.

The project framework for PC Tonga was created by PC staff in response to the needs and recommendations outlined by the Tongan government and Tonga’s Ministry of Education (MET). As PCVs, the 14 other humans in my group and I—as well as the PCVs from Group 78 before us—will work to meet our communities’ needs, which fall under two categories:

1)    Primary Projects:

a.   Promoting student-centered teachings methods in the classroom;

b.   Incorporating healthy lifestyles activities into the school curriculum and extra-curricular activities;

c.    Working with Tongan counterpart teachers and admin to develop tools for learning and assessment.

We’re not really just teachers, though we will be doing some teaching on our own and with Tongan co-teachers. We’re working to help Tongan teachers use engaging methods of instruction at the primary level, that will give students the English skills they will need to do well at higher academic levels and in their professional careers. Our job is more about helping them do their job better, rather than just swooping in and taking over their job. That’s where the sustainability is meant to come in.

2)   Secondary/Community Projects:

a.   Creating school-based projects that increase support for literacy at home and in the community;

b.   Improving health and well-being (students and community members);

c.    Training leadership and life skills;

d.   Getting involved in local cultural events (integration);

Our ability to integrate into our communities will probably be the biggest factor in determining our success with our job—both in actually being able to do the things we want to while we’re here, and in making sure the impact is lasting. So, even though they’re labeled as secondary, these projects will have a big effect on our primary projects.

Wish us luck!