Service Learning, English Usage, Alumni Engagement, and Leadership (SEAL) program

The Public Affairs Section (PAS), U.S. Embassy, Guatemala City, is interested in collaborating with English Access Microscholarship (Access) implementing partners in good standing to develop, implement, and evaluate an Access alumni activity that brings together deserving alumni. SEAL Teaching focuses on developing English teaching skills to help graduates find job opportunities in educational institutions or start entrepreneurial ventures such as English academies and private tutoring. There are three main components: 1) Service-Learning Projects: As a class, the students research and plan a project, including investigation, planning and preparation, action, reflection and presenting results. Students discuss real community problems, propose solutions and create and implement action plans. Service learning helps students to combine classroom instruction with meaningful community service. 2) Teaching methodology workshops: students learn to teach English as a second language. They learn how to prepare a class, select material, and use different strategies to teach grammar, writing, speaking, listening and reading. 3) Teaching Internships: students engage in a six-month internship to practice teaching English in the BEAR program. BEAR is a six-month after-school program for an introductory English language learning experience. Upon completing BEAR, the most promising graduates are recruited into the Access program. This foundational experience increases the probability of success and retention rates in the two-year program.