What to Expect
Each WIESCO program director works closely with a coordinator in the host city to set up transportation, lodging, and school amenities for volunteers.
The host coordinators recruit students, typically middle school and high school age, to attend our programs. Programs range in size, but each WIESCO volunteer can expect their class size to be between 10 and 15 students.
The students who attend our programs typically possess good to very good English skills. The aim is to expand their ability in the language through immersion in an environment of hearing, speaking, reading, and writing while interacting with WIESCO instructors and program assistants throughout the day.
WIESCO instructors have their own homeroom of students whom they get to know well. In the mornings, homerooms rotate to allow all students and teachers the opportunity to interact. Afternoons include a variety of activities, sports, games, outings, etc. during which English is to be employed among the students.
Lessons
WIESCO offers instructors the opportunity to develop their own curriculum.
For students in the host countries, attending a WIESCO program is an exciting chance to practice and develop English skills outside of their typical classroom setting. This means that WIESCO instructors provide fun and engaging lesson plans and project-based learning.
Your program director can assist with developing ideas for lesson planning. WIESCO programs have seen a variety of lessons over the years, including:
Creating a newscast
US state-based travel itineraries
Poetry
Improvisational skits
Comparing US & European legal systems
Early history of Rock & Roll, with samples
Afternoon activities have also seen their share of the interesting and unusual:
Creating stained glass
Surgeon who taught basic suturing
Production of a play
Student led tour of the old town