2026 cohort

Applications now open for the Buddy program

→

Florida Star Academy · 2026—2035

We are looking for

Talent.

Meet people. Build skills. Make it count.

A career-track program for graduates aged 18+ who want to build their voice, develop their teaching practice, and strengthen their public-facing presence at an international institute.

Speak. Lead. Inspire.

Performers ●Educators ● Leaders ● Voices
18+Min age
 
4 tracksCareer paths
 
6 stagesLeadership pathway
 
GlobalPlacement

Public Speech

From first word to seminar session. Voice trained as a discipline.

English Fluency

Speak naturally. Think globally. ESL and ELA combined.

Leadership

Lead through example.

Stage Presence

Hold the room. Hold the moment.

About the institute

Become a Buddy. Build Real Experience 

Help Someone Grow. Get Paid.

BUDDIES ARE SELECTED FOR NATIVE-LEVEL ENGLISH AND NATURAL, CONFIDENT COMMUNICATION

“We do not teach children to fit systems. We build systems that fit children.”

Turn what you study into real-world experience while helping younger students become more confident communicators. Native-level English fluency and natural spoken communication required

Institute, built around children Designed for real-world communication.

Studying Education, Psychology, Social Sciences, Communication, Journalism, Media, Acting, Theatre, Languages or International Relations? Join the Learn & Work Buddy Pathway and support younger students during live English communication sessions under teacher supervision. You do not need to be a qualified teacher. As a Buddy, you help students speak, participate, express themselves and build confidence while gaining practical experience in: communication • mentoring • leadership • public speaking • teamwork • working with children • international collaboration It is a chance to turn what you study into real, CV-ready experience in an international educational environment. Check with your school, college or university office to see if your institution is a Learn & Work partner, or apply directly to join the Buddy Pathway. Learn it. Practice it. Lead. GET PAID

people

Work with people, join an international community and build the kind of communication skills that grow through experience, not theory.

Fun With a Purpose

Join projects, conversations, challenges and live sessions that keep you involved. You are not sitting on the sidelines. You are part of what is happening.

Skills for Life

Practice communication, confidence, teamwork and leadership in situations that feel social, practical and real.

Confidence Through Experience

The more you participate, the more natural it becomes to speak up, lead, explain, support and connect with different people.

Free School Materials – Study Your Way

[02] Curriculum

Voice does not stand alone. We treat language, literacy, presentation, character and global awareness as one connected curriculum — and we expect every Buddy to master each layer of it.

/ 01

ESL

English Language Development

Confident, natural communication for bilingual and non-native learners — built on translanguaging research.

Foundation

/ 02

ELA

Literacy & Academic Skills

Deep reading, structured writing, evidence and source awareness, original analysis.

Core

/ 03

Speak

Public Speaking & Presentation

Voice, presence, structure, pacing, audience reading, performance under pressure.

Flagship

/ 04

Shine

Emotional Intelligence & Leadership

Self-regulation, empathy, courage and the inner architecture of a serious leader.

Character

/ 05

Global

Perspectives & Cultural Fluency

The ability to read the room — in any country, any institution, any audience.

Reach

[03] Career tracks

Four Tracks. One institute.

/ 01

Communication & Media

Communication, Journalism, Media, Marketing, PR, Film, Acting, Theatre, Languages or Linguistics?

Build experience in speaking, storytelling, presenting and student engagement.

 
Speak · Present · Create

/ 02

Education & Learning

Education, TESOL, ESL, Child Development, Linguistics, Psychology or Teacher Training?

Gain practical experience supporting students and learning how education works in action.

Teach · Support · Develop

/ 03

Psychology & People

Psychology, Sociology, Counseling, Social Work, Human Development, Behavioral Science or related studies?

Build experience in communication, emotional intelligence, student support, observation and positive human interaction.

Listen · Encourage · Connect

/ 04

Business & Leadership

Business, Management, HR, International Relations, Marketing, Economics or Project Management?

Build real experience in teamwork, coordination, operations and leadership

Organize · Lead · Build

Pick a starting track. Every track begins with the Buddy program and progresses toward department-level responsibility. 

[04] Entry point

The Buddy program.
Where every track begins.

Structured. Paid. Mentored. Selection is competitive and progression is real.

public speech

For Buddies who pursue public-facing voice work — hosting seminars, running speaking circles, presenting to parents and student audiences. The most visible part of the institute, and the fastest portfolio builder for performers and voices.

Step in front of a fun, friendly audience. Cheer on your friends. Build confidence. Grow together.

[02] Curriculum

Fun sessions. Monthly review.

/ 01

Trained 18+ candidates

Selected for warmth, presence and curiosity. Onboarded across method, voice and ethics.

/02

Lesson scenarios, care notes, quality and languge adivce

Each session follows a prepared — the child experiences predictability, you build reliability.

/03

Voice, body, presence

Trained as a performer would be — tone, expression, listening, stillness, command of the room.

/04

Monthly feedback

Sessions reviewed for quality. Calm, structured, professional feedback once a month.

What you get

Train. Perform. Build a portfolio that travels.

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Train your own public speaking

Structured training in voice, presence, storytelling and stage craft.

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Lead live audiences

Seminars, parent events, student presentations, broadcasts.

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Portfolio that travels

sessions, mentor recommendations, certification within the leadership pathway.

-

Cross-region placement

Strong Microphone Track candidates progress into international placement and Head of Department lines.

[05] Leadership pathway

 “Who can teach is the one who can lead.“

Echoes Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics. Six stages. Same path for every Buddy. The fastest route to mastery is responsible leadership.

 

01

New Educator

Empty page for ideas. Trained on method.

02

Implementation

Test ideas.scenarios.review.

03

One Student

First sustained relationship. Observe and learn.

04

Groups

Guide small groups. Read the room. Manage dynamics.

05

Mentoring

Lead other Buddies. Beginning of department work.

06

Head of Dept.

Regional leadership. Selected, often filled.

 Leadership is not a title. It is a practice we build together.“

[06] Florida Summer Residency

Two weeks on the coast. Speak, build, ship.

An immersive English & public speaking residency for participants aged 18–25. Structured language work, daily speaking practice, weekly excursions across the state.

Residency · 2 weeks · Florida coast

Florida Summer

Residency.

Live the experience.

Refine your English, build public speaking endurance, join a focused international cohort. Application-only. Limited intake. 

15h

Lessons / week

≤ 8

Per group

Weekly

Excursions

[ Applications · 2026 cohort ]

Ready to make
your mark.

Apply to the Buddy Program and become a specialist before college graduation.

floridastaracademy.com · learnandworkflorida.com · learnandworkgdansk.pl