Agreement term:

Full Time, One year

Anticipated start date(s) include:

July 13, 2025 - Orientation, Deployment, and Start of Service in Slovakia 

Agreement type:

Global Mission Volunteer (Global Teach)

Description

Lutheran Schools in Central Europe invite you through the ELCA to teach English and other content subjects for one school year or longer. Each year, the ELCA sends personnel to teach in the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Slovakia. Schools in Slovakia are located in Bratislava, Košice, Martin, Prešov, Liptoský Mikuláš, and Tisovec. 

Personnel 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. Most students have a working knowledge of English and 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 help students develop language and other skills that will enable them to move ahead in their chosen careers and to serve their church and society. 

Site Information 

ELCA Service and Justice Central Europe Teachers 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 Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Slovakia, the ELCA teachers prepare the students for a future in the church and in society. Typical class size can range from 8 to 20 students. The teaching sites are located in Bratislava, Košice, Martin, Prešov, Liptoský Mikuláš, and Tisovec.

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. 

Timeline 

• Applications Open: October 2024 
• Interviews (online): January 2025 – May 2025 
• School Placements and ELCA Agreements: April 2025 – May 2025 
• Deployment Process: May 2025-August 2025 (Process begins once ELCA contract is signed)
• ELCA 10-day Orientation (US based): July 13-25, 2025 
• Deploy to Slovakia: Early August 2025 (Exact date TBD)
• Slovakia in-country weeklong Orientation: August 2025 (Exact dates TBD)

Assignment Includes: 

• Teach in a bilingual junior/senior high school or elementary school (specific sites). Emphasis is for conversational English teachers but 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.
• Prepare students for the end-of-school-year comprehensive final exams.
• Participate in a mid-academic year review to assess performance.
• Support students in developing the knowledge and skills needed to pass school-leaving exams. 

Experience and Skills

• BA/BS is required.
• Teaching experience is preferred.
• Effective verbal, written, and listening skills in an intercultural and multilingual context preferred. 
• 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
• Well-developed inter-personal skills demonstrating understanding and compassion
• Demonstrate 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

Pattern of Service: Global Teach

Global Teach is a trademark of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). It is in partnership with programs within companion churches of the ELCA. Global Teach provides international teaching opportunities for anyone interested in international service through teaching. Teachers grow in relationship with their host communities, immerse themselves in a new culture and way of life, and are transformed by their students, colleagues and the experience of international service. Though helpful, an education degree is not a requirement for most Global Teach placements.

Terms and Conditions:

• ELCA covers international travel to and from Slovakia at the beginning and end of service. 
• 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 the following provisions: stipend for the first three months of service, international health      insurance and fees related to visas. 
• Central Europe Teachers are provided by the local school and church: accommodations at no cost; local teacher’s salary (based off years of experience); a state/local health insurance plan. 
• Student loans are deferrable.  
• Candidates should be prepared to participate in an ELCA missionary orientation in July of 2025 as well as a CET program specific weeklong in-country orientation in August 2025, in Bratislava, Slovakia. 
• In-country service period is from early August 2025 through June 30th, 2026, and candidates serve for one academic calendar year with the possibility of multiple one-year extensions as long as mutually desirable. 

If Candidate is Married: 

The spouse can also apply as a separate applicant for the Central Europe Teachers program. Both will be interviewed together and will attend orientation to better understand ELCA missiology, goals, methodology for service and justice foci.  

Alternatively, a spouse can accompany the person applying, and not be a part of the program. No ELCA and local school/church provisions will be provided in support of the spouse who is not a teacher.  

Physical Effort

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone. This position requires sitting for long periods of time. Employee will occasionally need to lift boxes or materials up to 15 pounds. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.