ELCA’s companion church schools in Central Europe invite you to teach English and other content subjects for one school year or longer. Each year volunteers teach in the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Slovakia. Schools in Slovakia are located in Bratislava, and other cities and towns. 

Volunteers teach English language, literature or other subjects in an academic program to students in 8th to 13th grades, following the approved school curriculum. Some schools focus on utilizing the ELCA teachers in conversation classes. The students have a working knowledge of English. Most graduates go on to universities within their home countries or abroad. 

Teaching 16-22 hours a week in classes of 12-18 students, teachers need to be creative, flexible and prepared to assume heavy demands of time and energy. Teachers can help students develop language and other skills that will enable them to move ahead in their chosen careers and to serve their church or society. While this is an unpaid ELCA volunteer position, each Central Europe Teacher is provided modest accommodations at no cost and receive a contextually appropriate salary from the ELCA local partner that is hosting the teacher.

Interviews for this position begin in January 2023, but applications are accepted now through April 2023.

Assignment Includes:

• Teach in a bilingual junior/senior high school or elementary school. Emphasis is for conversational English teachers. However, math, science, religion and geography teachers are needed also. All instruction is in English language.
• Interpret and implement national and school mandated curriculum through personalized lesson plans.
• Support students in developing the knowledge and skills needed to pass school-leaving exams
• Participate in a mid-academic year review to assess performance.

This is a volunteer assignment for a minimum of one year but could go longer.  The assignment begins July 10, 2023.

• BA/BS is required
• Teaching experience is preferred

General Qualifications

• Christian faith and a commitment to the mission of the church
• Openness to various expressions of Christian faith and respect for people of other faiths
• Respect for beliefs, values, and customs of church and culture, where assigned
• Well-developed interpersonal skills demonstrating understanding and compassion.
• Demonstrated ability to carry out the responsibilities and the ability to adapt to different standards and practices
• Ability to work within the framework of a local administration
• Adaptable and flexible sense of humor - good physical and emotional health
• Live and serve in a way which reflects the vision and expectations of the ELCA  

Terms and Conditions 

• While not employees, Central Europe Teachers of the ELCA are understood to be global personnel of the ELCA. This position is supported by the ELCA with only the following provisions: international health insurance and fees related to visas.
• Schools provide housing, health insurance, and a modest stipend. Volunteers fund their own travel to the site and any additional expenses incurred that the stipend doesn’t cover. The ELCA provides training and support throughout the school year.
• Volunteers raise their own support to cover travel expenses and the first 8-12 weeks of out-of-pocket expenses. 
• Student loans are deferrable. 
• Potential candidates should be prepared to participate in a weeklong ELCA missionary orientation in July of 2023, and once deployed, a weeklong orientation in August in Bratislava, Slovakia, for their specific teaching assignments.
• In-country service period is from mid-August 2023 through June 30th, 2024, and candidates serve for one academic calendar year with the possibility of a one-year extension.

Site Information

• ELCA Service and Justice Central Europe Teacher volunteers serve in the Central Europe Teachers (CET) Program, in partnership with the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in the Slovak Republic. This national church, as well as the national government, have set English language learning as a high priority. In partnership with the national Lutheran church, the ELCA volunteer teachers prepare the students for a future in the church and in society as well. Typical class size can range from 8 to 20 students. The teaching sites are located in towns and cities that range in size and are located all over the country. 
• To learn more about the CET program, including the work of the individual partner schools, see www.facebook.com/elcacet or www.instagram.com/elcacet.

If Candidate is Married:

• The spouse can also apply as a separate applicant for the Central Europe Teachers program. Both will be interviewed together for the Central Europe Teacher’s program.
• Alternatively, a spouse can accompany the person applying, and not be a part of the Central Europe Teacher’s program. No ELCA and local school/church provisions will be provided in support of the spouse who is not also a CET volunteer teacher.