Peace Corps:
“We’ve Got An Absolutely Wonderful Job.”

Nowadays not all the Americans can afford to launch themselves into the unknown for two years. Some are attracted by the idea of teaching abroad, some search for adventures. On the other side a person who has gained experience of working and living in extreme situations – (in comparison with the States and Europe, Russia is a sufficiently unexpected country) – is worth esteem.

Here is an interview with Steven Taylor, Country Director of the Peace Corps.

Mr. Taylor, could you please tell us about the work done this year? How many volunteers came to Russia?

This year I have the best job in Russia! It’s an absolutely wonderful job, people thank me for the volunteers as I travel around the country. This year we swore in 41 volunteers in Vladivostok and 57 here in Moscow. Some prolonged their term of service for one more year. So, the whole number of the volunteers here in Russia is about hundred and thirty.

 

What are they mainly engaged in?

In two major components: Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL), and business teaching. Being native speakers volunteers work as English teachers. All of them work according to their skill levels. And they are usually kin to Russian teachers, which makes a very good professional exchange. Business teaching is on a smaller scale. Though business teachers have developed from business consulting to teaching accounting, marketing, management, principals of globalization.

 

Nowadays Russians are very interested in economics, aren’t they?

Yes, they are. We’ve had our business program since 1992. Since 1994 we’ve changed it to teaching the basis of economics, law, business English. Now teaching English and business education are the main directions.

 

What do TEFL Volunteers do?

Our major goal is to teach English to Russian students, and to help Russian teachers in their work. TEFL volunteers often arrange conversational classes, seminars on English, speaking and listening skills development. Aside from normal teaching, volunteers also help in the formation and hosting English Clubs, editing English language books and other teaching materials, TOEFL teaching, and so on. You know how very important learning and speaking English is now and for the future...our Volunteers are native speakers that offer a great resource along side their excellent Russian colleagues.

 

Where do they mainly work?

English teaching volunteers work in secondary schools, pedagogical universities, teacher retraining institutes and specialized academies. Some business volunteers work in educational institutions. Others are engaged in business centers and in the newly emerging NGO [Non-Governmental Organization] sector.

 

Have there been any joint American-Russian projects worked out?

Yes, of course, we work very well together. I mean concrete projects were realized in definite towns, schools, institutes. Besides being involved in their primary projects, our volunteers have provided assistance in establishing and participating in English language clubs, showing films in English, have organized both formal and informal classes of conversation and Business English programs, organized resource libraries, and computer centers with access to the Internet. The volunteers arrange English book donations, establish and support English language clubs, assist in the organization and support of language teachers associations, support local students and teachers in exchange programs with the USA.

One of our volunteers initiated a theatre in St. Petersburg where students played. They staged Shakespeare in modern American version.

 

Do volunteers work mainly with young people?

Yes. But here work people of different ages – from twenty to seventy. You know, the managers of some schools and institutes want to see bold or bearded, highly skilled teachers. But some want just the opposite: they want young teachers to be on good terms with the young.

For instance, not to go far, our volunteer in Nizhny Novgorod works in the Russian-American Center of Information Business Collaboration. He practices consulting, besides he teaches business English in the Academy of State Service. He has organized a so-called debate-club – students discuss economy. He is 25 years old, but the managers said that he was the best one they have worked with.

 

What kind of people are the volunteers?

The volunteers come to the Peace Corps with different academic backgrounds and life experiences. Many of the volunteers have an advanced academic education: architects, lawyers, former University professors, and many teachers. Most have Master’s Degree; and all have at least one degree from a university. In most other countries of the world, such people would be considered as highly qualified. But here in Russia, they are just normal. We ask the volunteers to become involved in activities they have worked in earlier, such as computer applications, journalism, environmental activities, artistic or dramatic productions.

 

I know that the volunteers work mainly in the developing countries. What can you say about Russia. What is it in comparison with other countries?

You know, all countries are developing: the United States is a developing country, Europe is developing countries, and Russia is a developing country. This is not a definition. It depends on one’s attitude. Russia is, of course, a European country, but with the taste of Asia. The mission that we emphasize in Russia is highly applicable here. Russia is a very advanced society, well educated. So, I purpose here really to become a working partner. The opening of Russia to the international community has created a very active “market” for English teaching. The developing of communication in business, science, law, and culture has increased the value of English. And all that makes an urgent need for teachers of English – especially for native speakers.

The volunteers work according to the methods that we use in America. And also American teachers learn from the Russian teachers, study their methods. I believe that these two systems are very different – the Russian educational system and the American. But they have great things to teach each other. I see this as partnership, and positives for both the Americans and the Russians. And there is great benefit for both sides.

I think that the Russian system of education is really very good. I honor the achievements of Russian education, especially in language learning. It’s hard working; but it’s terribly theoretical. The American system is absolutely different. It has deficiencies in other areas but it too is strong – our system is very practical. “How can I help students to get a good job.” That is what a teacher in America thinks. The teacher in Russia thinks: “How can I leave you intelligent.”

Both have good goals. If we can join these two goals in one, we’ll get both intelligent and practically oriented specialists. That is the part of our hope that makes sense to you.

Thank you Mr. Taylor.

By Katherina Chochia