Vacancies & internships for volunteers
at the Kattaikkuttu Sangam &
Kattaikkuttu Youth Theatre School


English teacher

Starting date:
· 15 June 2008 to 15 April 2009

The Kattaikkuttu Sangam is looking for a qualified teacher to teach English as a Second Language to the students of the Kattaikkuttu Youth Theatre School. The School is based at the Centre for Performing Arts at Punjarasantankal Village, about 8 kilometres outside Kanchipuram town in the South Indian State of Tamil Nadu. 

The English teacher will work under the supervision of the coordinator (education) of the Youth Theatre School, who decides on the schedules of the lessons and coordinates between the educational and artistic staff, the students and the parents of the students. A team of five other teachers is involved in the basic education programme of the School. Right now the School has 46 students between the ages of 6 and 18 years. A second batch of about 20 students will be admitted in September/October 2006. The School values child-oriented, quality education and emphasises the teaching of English as an instrument of communication.


Key duties 

  • Teach basic English to the students of the Youth Theatre School (levels 2 to 11 of the Tamil Nadu State Board Syllabus). 
  • Provide additional coaching to children with learning problems.
  • Provide exam coaching (English) to children preparing for the 8th standard and 10th government exams
  • Guide and supervise after-school homework activities. 
  • Plan and participate in extra-curricular activities, such as cross-disciplinary projects, workshops, lectures, practical work, etc. 
  • Participate in teacher meetings (once a week) and student-parents-teacher meetings (every two months).
  • Actively participate in the development and implementation of a new English curriculum.

Work load
  • Teaching English for five to six hours a day during weekdays. Classes normally are from 7.30 AM to 1 PM.
  • Coaching of individual students or small groups of students outside the official lessons.
  • Administration, planning of lessons, preparation for tests and exams and other activities will have to be carried out in the afternoon from from 1:30 to 5 PM. The school has a small library and an office with computer facilities.

Qualifications

Essential
  • Thorough knowledge of English and excellent teaching skills (TEFL teacher,  B. Ed. English or MA English with teaching experience and fluency in the spoken and written language). 
  • Knowledge of participatory learning techniques and child-centred learning approach and/or knowledge of using arts in education. 
  • Ability to plan and work independently; willing to listen to and respect others and other ideas, flexible. 
  • Willingness to live near the School. 
  • Respect for the needs and lives of the students and their artistic interests. 

Desirable
  • Interest in the performing arts. The use of theatre as a tool to enhance the knowledge and use of English obviously is a skill we would welcome. 
  • Experience in curriculum development and teacher training. 

We encourage Indian candidates and foreign volunteers to reflect.

What the Kattaikkuttu Sangam offers

  • Professional fee of Rs. 3000-6000 depending on educational qualifications, experience, age and number of working hours, to an Indian candidate. The Sangam cannot pay foreign volunteers a professional fee, but will take care of their accommodation, food and living expenses (the minimum stay of a foreign volunteer would be 6 months.) 
  • 2 months summer vacation (mid-April to mid-June).
  • A challenging & culturally exciting working environment where you can display your skills and inspire children to use their minds and hearts. 

To send your response (including CV and the names and addresses of two references) contact

  • The Kattaikkuttu Youth Theatre School encourages teachers (B. Ed.) qualified to teach Tamil, Science, Social Science and Mathematics to reflect, too.
  • Institutional Manager: The Kattaikkuttu Sangam and Kattaikkuttu Youth Theatre School need an institutional manager, who can act as second-in-command to the executive director and the facilitator and who could take care of their tasks during their absence. You will be responsible for inspiring and managing a diverse team of people, comprising the administrative and educational staff, the artistic staff and caretakers (cooks, after-school & night care, liaison persons), in addition to one or more (foreign) volunteers working with the Sangam or the School for shorter or longer periods of time. In addition to lots of social commitment and commitment to the artistic cause of the Sangam, you will have to motivate the local (Tamil-speaking) staff to engage in different types of work and thinking. Fluency in English and Tamil is essential.
  • Volunteers: The Kattaikkuttu Sangam and Gurukulam encourage Indian and foreign volunteers interested in a 6-months internship to contact us with their CV and a brief description of their principal interests and skills.

For more information about these vacancies and a job description of the institutional manager please contact the Sangam's office (contact).