A year ago Costa Rican president Óscar Arias Sánchez announced the Costa Rica Multilingüe program, with its goal of having all high school graduates in Costa Rica speak English by the year 2017. (Currently only approximately 10% of Costa Ricans speak fluent English.)
A year later the program has called for some adjustments, with one of the major focuses being the improvement of the quality of English speakers.
The Casa Presidencial has decided to enlist the help of English speaking volunteers to train adult Costa Ricans who are learning English. With some 33.500 residents from the United States, Britain, and Canada living in Costa Rica, the program has an expansive resource at their fingertips.
The program is voluntary, and no pay will be received for participating. (What I would like to know is if it will make getting your residency any easier?!?!) Volunteer teachers will possibly receive discounts or free admission to different events. It is unclear exactly what at this time, as it seems no one is making promises in this venture.
The classes will be held in local libraries, churches, stores, businesses, and anywhere else willing to allow the mini language training sessions to be held.
The volunteer teacher will be called a voluntario residente, and will work with the adult student on a weekly basis, perhaps meeting once a week. Students will be English teachers at local schools, and other adult professionals looking to improve their English language skills.
English speakers living in Costa Rica with the desire to get involved in the program should email volunteer@casapres.go.co and provide the Casa Presidencial with their full names, telephone number, e-mail address, and any information that might be relevant to pairing them with a particular student, such as a profession. For more information about the program you can send inquiries to the same email address.
No teaching experience is necessary, and the program is scheduled to start in May, with a general meeting for volunteers some time in April.
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