FAQ: Teach in Georgia

What is TLG?

TLG (Teach and Learn with Georgia) is a program that is sponsored by the Georgian Ministry of Education and Science. The TLG program was established in 2010 with the mandate to improve English in Georgia by placing an English teacher in every school. Similar to the structure of the Peace Corps, The Teach and Learn with Georgia program was initiated by the Georgian government to recruit native English speakers to volunteer their time to teach the English language to Georgian schoolchildren. As the country strives towards globalization and acknowledges the advantages of new technology, they still believe that human interaction and people-to-people communication are irreplaceable and have far more tangible or intangible benefits than any other means of communication. Improvement of the quality of education in the country is one of the top priorities of the Government of Georgia. In order to be coherent with these main goals and priorities, the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia (MES) is undertaking a broad educational reform process.

The Government of Georgia strongly believes that the successful implementation of this program will have a profound impact on the Georgian youth and the country as a whole, resulting in adopting and sharing Western values and culture, together with the language proficiency. The voluntary work here is very important to the educational reform and intellectual development of the Republic of Georgia. Greenheart Travel has been a partner with TLG since the program began in June 2010 and has sent hundreds of participants. 

Application Process and Requirements

How does the application process work?
To apply you must fill out the Georgia Teach Abroad application that is available on our Application Materials page. You then should gather all of the materials that are necessary for completing the application process. Once all of your materials are in, you will be interviewed by a Greenheart Travel representative via video Skype call. After your interview, all of your documents will be sent to the Georgian government for final review. Please note that we cannot submit your application for final review until your documents are 100% complete.

What are the qualification requirements?  

• At least two years of university 
• Citizen of the US, Canada, European Union, S. Africa, Australia, or New Zealand 
• 20-60 years old 
• Physically and mentally healthy 
• No criminal record (besides minor traffic offenses) 

What is the visa application process?
There is no visa required for most of our Teach in Georgia applicants. Volunteers are able to work in Georgia for up to a year without a visa. If volunteers choose to extend their contracts to stay longer than one year, the staff in Georgia will assist them with the visa process.

Can I apply with my friend/spouse/significant other?
Yes! You can request to be placed in the same area as someone else who is applying, and we will do our best to place you close to each other. If you are a couple, you can request to arrange own housing (instead of a host family). If you choose your own housing, you will be responsible for finding your own apartment with some assistance from TLG, and paying for the rent (~250 GEL per month) and living expenses. We cannot guarantee the placement of couples in one host family, but we will try our best. If we do find a family that is able to host a couple, you must contribute at least 250 GEL per month to the family. If we are unable to find a host family that can host both of you, you can live close to each other in separate host families, or opt to rent your own apartment/house. If you choose to find your own apartment, the staff will assist with the search, but cannot provide any financial support. You would be responsible for paying for the rent, utilities, and food.

Can I extend my contract once I am in Georgia?
Yes, you may extend your contract for one or two semesters at a time once you are in Georgia.

Flying to Georgia

How do the flights work?
Your flights are paid for by the program. You will let us know your two most convenient departure airports, and your flight will be booked for you from one of the two. Flights most often depart two days before your intended start date (Ex: If you are scheduled for a September 30th start date, your flight will most likely depart on September 28th).
Flight information typically comes the week of your departure, and will be forwarded to you via email.
TLG will not pay for the costs of checking additional baggage or any additional expenses associated with the travel to Georgia. You are responsible for getting yourself to your departure airport.

Will somebody meet me at the airport?
Yes. TLG representatives will be at the airport when you arrive and will arrange your transportation to the training location. The staff will typically be located within the baggage claim area to meet your group.

Should I exchange for Georgian currency before arriving?
It's hard to exchange most money for Georgian Lari except for when you are in Georgia. We highly recommend that you bring some cash ($200-300), and that you exchange it for Lari at an exchange kiosk in the airport upon arrival. Many ATM's in Georgia also take major credit/ATM cards and you can withdraw USD or GEL from them when you get there.

Orientation

Will there be an orientation when I arrive in Georgia?
Yes! Teachers will have a week long orientation at a hotel/training center in Tbilisi. The hotel, meals and transportation will be provided by your employer for this week.

What is taught during orientation?
The orientation schedule is very busy. You will have Georgian language classes daily as well as an introduction to Georgian culture, teacher training and safety training. Banking representatives and health insurance representatives will come in to explain how to use their services. At the end of orientation, teachers will meet their host families and find out where they will be teaching. 

Will I meet other volunteers?
Yes! You’ll be arriving at the same time as many other new TLG volunteers. Everyone makes fast friends during the first week. Be sure to exchange contact information with your new friends before heading to your placement.

Accommodation

Where will I be placed?
Placements in Georgia will be scattered throughout the country in different cities, regional centers and villages. Volunteers may be placed in rural regions in smaller villages or in urban centers, such as Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, and other smaller cities such as Kobuleti, Rustavi, and Poti. No placements will be in or near recent regions of conflict. You will not find out your placement or host family information until the orientation week in Georgia.

Can I choose where I will be placed?
No. It’s extremely important for applicants to be open-minded and flexible about where they are placed. Due to the nationwide needs of the Teach and Learn with Georgia Program, we have a very limited number of placement options for each arrival group of volunteers. As such, we must make it abundantly clear that placement requests can only be considered in very special and rare circumstances. Please understand that only requests of necessity will be considered and requests of simple preference are not valid conditions for placement decisions.

How many English lessons are we responsible for giving to the host family members?
You are responsible for giving one hour English lessons to family members, three times per week.

Can I bring my children? No.

Can I bring pets? No.

Will the internet work?
You will have internet access in Georgia. Most schools and homes are already equipped with it. If not, you can have it set up in your host family home by purchasing a local modem. The internet speed in Georgia is pretty slow so you won’t be able to use it to download movies, music, etc., but you will be able to check your email and Skype with family. Please note that the internet is not always reliable due to power outages and other factors affecting the connection. If your family is not set up with internet, you can purchase a USB modem (~155 GEL, or $90), and you’ll pay 15-45 GEL per month for the service.

Should I bring my laptop?
Yes, most volunteers do.

Will I have access to a phone?
Teachers will receive a cell phone upon arrival in Georgia. Other TLG teachers and staff members can be called free of charge from this phone. Teachers will need to maintain a balance of 5 GEL to keep the phone active. To have the account open, there is a 16 tetri/day charge ($.09). For writing text messages or making other phone calls, teachers will be responsible for purchasing extra credits for their phone (like a “Go Phone”). Texts cost 9 tetri each (~$.03). Cell phones are returned to TLG at the end of the contract.

Will I have running water and electricity?
This program is certainly challenging. Volunteers should be ready for the challenge of living in a developing country that has been closed off to much of the world for many years. Parts of Georgia only have running water at certain times of day, and the power tends to go out frequently and unexpectedly. Understand that your host family's home may not be up to your current living standards.

How is the host family selected?
Host families are nominated by local schools and Education Resource Centers (ERC’s). Nominations are send to the Regional TLG Representatives and to the main TLG headquarters. The Regional Representatives schedule inspection visits to each home, and once they are approved, the TLG main office makes the decision. Prospective host families undergo a rigorous screening, and teachers can rest assured that only suitable host families will be selected. In order to qualify as a host family, the prospective hosts must:
- pass an interview and home inspection by a government official
- have an adequately-sized spare bedroom
- undergo a criminal background check
Other decision factors include living conditions, safety, attitude of the family members, and past volunteers’ experiences with that host family. In some cases, the teachers and principals will act as a host family.

Can I receive mail or packages?
The postal service in Georgia is not very reliable. Items often will not arrive for several months if at all so it is generally not recommended to have mail or packages sent to you.

What should I bring as a gift for my host family or co teachers?
It’s a great idea to bring a few small gifts with you for your host family and co-teachers. It would be nice to bring something that represents where you are from. Common gifts are chocolates, wine, coffee mugs, t- shirts, etc.

Living in Georgia

What is the Republic of Georgia like?
The Republic of Georgia is a small country that is situated in between Europe and Asia. While in Georgia, there are adventures and activities for everyone. For cultural enthusiasts, metropolitan life provides a plethora of theater, live music and cinema. History buffs will have ample opportunity to explore historical sites dating from the Byzantine Empire to Soviet rule. Georgian churches and monasteries are a distinctive feature along the skyline, providing tranquil settings to explore during your stay. Georgia is also an outdoorsman’s paradise. The Caucasus Mountains are situated along the northern border attracting trekkers and climbers. This area is a playground for anyone interested in horseback riding, rafting, or bird-watching. Skiing is also popular in the winter, while the Black Sea coast is full of beach activity in the summer. You can also travel internationally from Georgia during your time off. Turkey, Armenia, and Russia are accessible by land, and Ukraine is easily accessible by boat.

What is the weather like?
The Likhi mountain range divides the country into western and eastern halves, shielding the eastern part of the country from the influence of the Black Sea, creating a continental climate. The average temperature here in summer is 60-75°F (20-24°C) and 36-39°F (2-4°C) in winter. The western part of the country experiences a humid sub-tropical climate and in summer the average temperature is 72°F (22°C) and 41°F (5°C) in winter.
Please keep in mind that there is little to no central heating in Georgia, so the winters can feel very cold. Come prepared with sturdy boots, a good winter jacket, and lots of layers.

What language do they speak in Georgia?
The official language of Georgia is Georgian.

Will I be able to travel in Georgia?
Teachers can travel around Georgia on weekends and during shorter breaks and also may travel outside of the country during longer breaks.

I am a vegetarian – will this be a problem in Georgia?
Absolutely not! Although Georgians do eat meat, there are plenty of vegetarian options. Georgian meals often consist of wheat bread, corn, and sheep's cheese. The most popular vegetables are tomatoes, potatoes, radishes, pumpkins, eggplant, beans, cucumbers, and cabbage. Fish, especially trout, is eaten universally.

Do I need to bring money with me to Georgia?
Yes. Your monthly salary will be plenty for you to live on. However, you should be prepared to bring at least enough money to last you 4-5 weeks in Georgia, since you will not receive your first paycheck until the end of your first month. You should have at least $500 when you start your program – more if you plan on doing a lot of traveling to neighboring countries.

What should I wear?
Georgians tend to wear dark or black clothes almost exclusively. Wearing bright colors will cause you to stand out even more as a foreigner, and white clothes will quickly become brown in Georgia. You should be prepared for all types of weather. Lots of layers and good, sturdy waterproof boots are important. See packing list for more details on what you should bring. 

Schools

What will I be doing in Georgia?
Your role, while leading English classes, is also to contribute to the reformation of the Education system as a whole, working alongside his Georgian co-workers to develop new methods of classroom management, accountability and discipline.

What is the length of a contract?
A huge benefit of this program is that there are short or long term contract options available.
The contract may last 1-2 semesters, but depending on your arrival date, a semester can be as long as nine months or as short as three. Contract end points are either in June or December. We have volunteer groups arriving every two weeks, all year round, which means that you can start volunteering in TLG any time of the year.

Start Dates
We will be offering start dates twice a month year round for the foreseeable future, typically on the 15th and 30th of each month.

Can I extend my contract once I am in Georgia?
Absolutely! You can always extend your contract if you are having such a great time that you don’t want to leave!

What age group will I be teaching?
Recently, more focus is being placed on the younger grades 1-6.

Is it possible to apply for a summer position?
As the volunteer work implies being integrated into the study process of Georgian schools and the school year starts in September, there are not “summer only” positions available via TLG. However TLG volunteers who stay in Georgia throughout the summer period, will be offered various positions in different summer schools.

What school supplies/teaching aids should I bring?
Resources are extremely limited in Georgian schools. Flash cards, pencils, erasers and pencil sharpeners are some of the basic supplies recommended by TLG teachers. It also will help if you bring some books, pictures, especially pictures of your family, home, pets, city, school, maps of your country and region. Anything that will help you tell the students who you are and where you are from will be appreciated. A lot of teachers also bring their laptops. Most importantly, bring your creativity and desire to engage the students!

What should I wear to school?
While there is no formal dress code, it’s best to keep a “business casual” dress code in mind. Skirts and dresses are great, as long as they fall at or below the knee. Local teachers will not wear jeans, but nice jeans are viewed as acceptable. Slacks or khakis are generally preferred. Bring lots of layers and a good winter coat for the winter months.

What are the official national holidays in school?
The following is a list of national Georgian holidays when school is not in session:
January 1st & 2nd - New Year's Day January 7th - Orthodox Christmas
January 19th - Orthodox Epiphany
March 3rd - Mother's Day
March 8th - International Women's Day
April: The Friday before Easter- Good Friday
April: Varies each year- Easter Sunday
April: The Monday following Easter (The Tuesday after is typically a holiday, as well) - Black Monday
April 9th - Georgian Independence Restoration Day; Memorial Day for the Deceased
May 9th - Victory Day May 12th- St. Andrew's Day
May 26th - Independence Day
August 28th - Virgin's Assumption
October 14th - Mtskhetoba
November 23rd - St. George's Day

What dates are the public schools in session? 

- First semester: September 15th-December 24th
- Second semester: January 20th – June 15th

Safety

Is Georgia safe?
Absolutely! TLG provides volunteer teachers with the training, information, and support that they need to stay safe during their time in Georgia. However, just like in any country, you should exercise some caution: be aware of your surroundings, keep an eye on your belongings, don’t walk alone late at night, etc.

Will I be placed in conflict regions?
No teachers will be placed in or near recent regions of conflict.

Finances

How much will I be paid to teach in Georgia?
Teachers will receive a monthly stipend of 500 GEL (approx. $280 USD) each month. You will contribute 100 Lari to your host family at the end of each month to assist with the expenses of having an additional person in the house (utilities, food, etc).

When do I receive my stipend? 
Stipends will be deposited into your bank account at the end of each month.

Can I use my credit card in Georgia?
The use of credit cards in Georgia is rare. Some places in cities such as Tbilisi will be able to accept credit cards but most places will only accept cash.

Will I have a bank account in Georgia?
All teachers will have a bank account opened for them before they arrive. During the initial orientation and training session all teachers will attend a seminar given by a representative from the bank. Your monthly salary will be deposited into this bank account.

Is it expensive to live in Georgia?
The cost of living in Georgia is very low. For example, a bottle of water costs about $.025 and a loaf of bread costs about $.30.