Teaching
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Refugees have left countries and families they knew and loved. Going to classes, being active learners, and engaging with their teachers and other learners give meaning and hope to endure this traumatic and overwhelming time.
Virtual Learning Program
As a result of the COVID pandemic shutdowns in 2020, we couldn’t recruit and send educators to Lesvos to teach in person. However, there continued to be a great demand for learning by refugees still living in Greece awaiting asylum. Subsequently, we created and implemented an online teaching program using Zoom.
Initially, we recruited a handful of volunteers to teach English to refugee adults and youth living in Mytilini, on the island of Lesvos, Greece. We partnered with Starfish Foundation, an NGO on Lesvos, and used their OpenSpace venue for these Zoom sessions that were taught by our REAL Volunteers from the U.S. and abroad.
Over the last few years, our Virtual Learning Program has grown. We are able to reach more students and recruit teachers who might not be able to travel. Currently, we have over 16 volunteer educators teaching English virtually to over 47 students located in 12 countries.
The Virtual Learning Program is led by REAL Board member Anne Wilson-Siembieda, our Education Director.
In-Person Teaching Program
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In-Person Teaching Program volunteers teach refugee populations on the island in a fun, relaxed, and compassionate manner conducive to achievement for our students.
English is the predominate subject taught. Other subjects include math, science, art, music, and special workshops. Workshops have included yoga, sewing, painting, knitting and game-playing promoting critical thinking skills. Because all subjects are taught in English, classes are also a vehicle for learning the language.
We have a volunteer coordinator who helps volunteers prepare lessons and materials as needed.
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In both the Virtual and In-Person teaching programs, our ways of working are diverse: tutoring one on one, teaching small groups, co-teaching a class with another volunteer, or teaching a class independently. We work with unaccompanied minors as well as groups of women, adults, and families.
Participating in our programs has been deeply fulfilling for volunteers and students alike. We invite you to be part of this meaningful endeavor.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us.
