World Learning

For 85 years, World Learning has worked to create a more peaceful, sustainable, and just world. Their education, development, and exchange programs help people find their voices, connect with their communities, and strengthen the institutions that form the backbone of a democratic society. With our support, these emerging leaders tackle critical global issues like poverty, conflict, and inequality. As a thriving international nonprofit organization, World Learning works across six major program areas. They’re hard at work improving global education to ensure schools and teachers have the tools they need to support students — including English language instruction through our TESOL teacher training. They encourage civic engagement in communities around the world, and they strengthen institutions so that they can best serve their constituencies. Their workforce development programs help people cultivate the hard and soft skills they need to succeed. And they offer people-to-people exchanges for people of all ages who seek professional and academic enrichment. All World Learning programs are grounded in five key approaches: experiential learning, leadership development, inclusive practices, innovation, and grants management. They believe in partnering with local experts, organizations, and institutions to find solutions that will truly work for each community. Together, they create the foundations for a better tomorrow. Education Education transforms communities by creating new economic opportunities, strengthening citizen engagement and reducing inequality. They root their approach in the experiential learning model and in the field-tested methods of the accredited SIT Graduate Institute. They partner with government agencies, educational institutions, and communities to remove barriers to education and improve educational quality.  Their work in higher and vocational education is designed to deliver relevant, learner-centered programs while meeting local demands for a creative and productive workforce.  English skills are essential for participat­ing in today’s global marketplace so they help in two ways: high-quality training for those who wish to teach English at home or overseas, and through professional development for English language education profes­sionals.  World Learning also supports high-quality, basic education. They work on increasing access to primary and secondary school to reduce poverty, improve health, prevent HIV/AIDS, and protect children from exploitative labor. Their projects mobilize communities to support and develop the skills of teachers, inspectors, curriculum developers, parent groups, and school administrators for reform. Organizational Capacity Development World Learning works with nongov­ernmental organizations, government institutions, schools, universities, and others to strengthen their capacity and performance. They tailor every engagement where the basic approach begins with a collaborative analysis, designed and conducted in partnership with the local organi­zation. They identify capacity and performance gaps, then work to close those gaps, through tools such as technical assistance, mentoring, small grant funding, and training. Importance is placed on the principles of partnership, sustainable impact, and accountability.  Exchange World Learning organizes transformative exchanges and study tours for thousands of emerging leaders from 140 countries annually. These programs develop leadership skills, community-building tools, and professional expertise while immersing participants in other cultures and contexts They also provide short-term learning experiences in the United States for individuals seeking professional development through links to US and international col­leagues, new insights, and a broader view of core US values and culture. The academic exchanges place international exchange students in US colleges and universities to strengthen leadership and career-specific skills while exploring US culture through campus activities, internships, community service, and homestays with US host families. Young people from around the globe learn about leadership, current issues, and peacebuilding on World Learning youth programs. The programs empower young people to under­stand their world, develop civic responsibility, build lasting friendships across cultures, and gain the skills and motiva­tion to make a difference in their communities.