IGlobal is a virtual international teaching program offered through the Office of International Programs in the College of Education. Undergraduates work in small teaching teams (called pods) to co-design materials and lead engaging lessons to teach middle school students from around the world on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - all over Zoom! No experience is necessary!
All years and majors, including non-teaching and those not within the College of Education, are also welcome to join our teaching team! Although most undergraduates in our program are pre-service teachers, we also have many undergraduates studying areas such as psychology, information sciences, technology, and the sciences!
IGlobal offers multiple pod meeting times throughout the week, allowing you to choose a schedule that fits your availability! Teaching placements don't begin until junior year, but IGlobal allows you to get real, interactive teaching experience starting as early as your freshman year!
In total, the time commitment averages just 3 to 4 hours per week! It's that easy! Additionally, if you have a busy schedule, we can work around it! You get to choose the time you teach and the time your pod meets to plan!
The IGlobal curriculum is designed around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), offering a global perspective to explore real-world challenges. No prior knowledge of the SDGs is needed—you’ll learn everything as you go! Each session includes interactive games, group discussions, and creative simulations that make complex concepts engaging and easy to understand. Throughout the course, students develop global awareness and build cross-cultural connections with peers worldwide.
For the Fall 2025 semester, activities will focus on SDG #9: Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure, and SDG #12: Responsible Consumption and Production. Students will have the opportunity to design and create innovative solutions to global problems!
Click below to view an IGlobal session outline video made by Ryan (our lead undergraduate teacher), view sample activities from previous semesters, and check out an example slideshow that highlights a typical IGlobal lesson.
Grace Schlichter has been working with IGlobal since her freshman year. Grace is now a senior studying Elementary Education. She got involved with IGlobal as a way of broadening her understanding of her student's culture and backgrounds, and preparing her for a future in the classroom. Read her story to see what teaching in IGlobal might do for you.
As a member of the IGlobal undergraduate teaching team, you have the opportunity to be a part of undergraduate research! Whether you are a James Scholar, a member of the Campus Honors Program, or simply interested in educational research, IGlobal can be a great way to get started!
Visit the undergraduate sign up page to submit your interest form and learn about the full process, including info sessions, course registration, orientation sessions, and more!
Please visit our undergraduate teacher FAQs page to see commonly asked questions about teaching in our program!
If your question isn't answered there, please contact IGlobal Program Coordinator, Dr. Jacob Neal Minniear, at jminni3@illinois.edu.