Global Volunteers' unique philosophy of service ensures your work projects help advance the host community's current development vision and goals. Always serving at the invitation and under the direction of host community partners, each Global Volunteers team member works alongside local people, and personally contributes to needed project financing through their service program fee. Our long-term commitment to work in partnership on sustained community development projects enables you, in just a short time, to serve as a critical link in a chain of lasting community enhancements.

Our Italian hosts have asked us to teach conversational English in the Puglia region to middle school and high school students under the direction of Italian English teachers. You'll use the standard curriculum texts and established lesson plans, and other times you'll have opportunities to depart from formal lessons. For example, you can serve as a resource on topics of North American culture, including discussions on history, daily lifestyle, sports, and school systems. Some volunteers also teach American songs and games, while others provide instruction such things as letter writing.

In the summer, volunteers also work with high school students, and at times adult community members, to improve their conversational English skills in an informal education atmosphere. On a typical day, volunteers create their own lesson plans, engaging small groups of students in games and diverse interactive activities.