The IRC has a rich history of assisting refugees to apply for US resettlement, from its founding in 1933 to help vulnerable individuals escape Nazi-occupied Europe, to pioneering the Joint Voluntary Agency which assisted Indochinese refugees for 22 years, to operations in Croatia, Sierra Leone and Sudan. Over the years, IRC has processed some half million refugees worldwide for US resettlement.
Based in Bangkok with four field offices in Thailand and Malaysia, the IRC operates a Resettlement Support Center to assists persons throughout East Asia seeking permanent resettlement in the United States. The RSC assists the US Government by preparing refugee applications for resettlement, providing information to resettlement agencies about arriving refugees and offering cultural orientation training to those departing for the US.
SCOPE OF WORK: The IRC RSC has been requested by the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (BPRM) to pilot an ESL program focused on basic language skills for a sample population of refugees with little or no English ability resettling to the United States with the aim of better facilitating participants’ resettlement to the US The ESL pilot is scheduled over a 13 week period including planning, pre-tests, classroom instruction, post-tests and report writing beginning 29 April and ending 26 July. Two ESL instructors will conduct two three-week classes with 20 individuals each in order to reach a total of 80 individuals in a minimum of two locations beginning in Mae La camp, Tak Province, Thailand.
Both ESL instructors will begin work in Mae Sot, Tak Province, Thailand with the possibility of travel to a second location for the second round of ESL classes. There will be an initial period of two weeks for curriculum review and planning followed by a week of pre-testing and home visits for the first round of classes, three weeks of class instruction and post evaluations, and then a second and final round of classes (also including pre and post-evaluations). The pilot will conclude with two weeks for debriefing and report writing with a comprehensive final report submitted at the end of the contract. ESL Instructors will be supported and supervised by the Cultural Orientation Coordinator in Mae Sot. Accommodation will be provided.
RESPONSIBILITIES: • Conduct a thorough review of the established curriculum and work with the other ESL instructor to create a 60 hour, 3-week course plan within ten days. • Establish an understanding of the background and needs of the targeted refugee population through meetings with RSC staff and visits to refugee camps. • Conduct required pre-tests through home visits with selected individuals and screen for participation in the pilot based on established criteria. • Implement two 60 hour 3-week courses in two locations (Mae La camp and one other refugee camp location) for a total of 40 adult refugees (20 in each course). • Conduct required post-evaluations for all participants immediately following each course. • Work closely with refugee interpreter/teaching assistant to carry out pre-tests, courses and post-evaluations. • Provide weekly progress and attendance reports to CO Coordinator. • Submit a summary report containing a description of activities, recommendations for the ESL program, and an overall program assessment at the conclusion of the pilot. • Carry out any other related activities as assigned by the supervisors.
REQUIREMENTS: University degree in relevant field or equivalent professional experience; Native level English language skills; Experience teaching English as a second language to adult populations with limited literacy; Strong knowledge of education and learner-centered training techniques; Experience with curriculum development is preferred; TESOL (or equivalent) certification is preferred; Ability to work in remote, minimal resource environments a must; Excellent reporting and writing skills are essential; Experience teaching newly arrived refugees preferred; Experience teaching in Thailand a plus; Excellent interpersonal skills; empathy and ability to work effectively with colleagues and partners in a cross-cultural, multi-disciplinary environment; Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs and MS Outlook e-mail.
