Volunteer and gap year English teaching placements
Attaining English language skills can open up huge opportunities for people many people around the world. As an English Teacher you will be able to share your valuable skills in kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools, universities and other language institutes with people of all ages. While each country has its own approach to language learning, some will have a curriculum to follow while others will expect you to use your initiative. You’ll be greatly valued for your skills in conversational English. These may be used to lead your own class or provide support to an existing English Teacher. Varied aptitudes, ages, class sizes and resources mean you’ll have to think on your feet and occasionally improvise, but you’ll never have a dull moment in the classroom.
Available in:
Argentina
English Teaching
Our English teaching volunteers in Argentina work in two different types of schools. Some volunteers will work within primary and secondary schools, providing English language assistance in classes alongside permanent members of staff. In Latin America, many schools are ‘bilingual’, which means they expose children to a foreign language as much as possible in the aim that pupils will have reached a certain degree of fluency by the time they leave. As a native or fluent English speaker, your skills will therefore be highly valued, and you will help to improve students’ fluency, particularly with regards to conversational skills.
The second option for English teachers in Argentina is to work within a specialised language school. In these placements, you will teach a broad range of different age groups, from young learners through to adults and professionals and will take an active role in lesson planning and teaching. These placements are ideal for volunteers looking to go into teaching or who are considering taking a TEFL course.
Overview
Placement duration:
Departure months:
Minimum age:
Food included:
Accommodation:
Pocket money:
4 months
March or Aug
18
Yes
Yes
No
China
English Teaching
As an English teacher in China you will have the option between working in a primary school, secondary school or teacher training college. You will teach English as a foreign language and will be responsible for the planning and teaching or your lessons. Depending on the age group you would prefer to teach, you will need to adapt your lesson plans and teaching style to suit your audience. Primary school teachers, for example, will need to use their creativity to ensure their lessons interesting to young children.
Volunteers are usually also expected to run ‘English corners’. These are informal English conversation sessions where students will be able to practice their language skills and ask you any English-related questions in a relaxed atmosphere outside of the classroom. English teaching placements in China are perfect for volunteers looking to gain first-hand experience of Chinese culture while gaining some valuable language teaching skills.
Overview
Placement duration:
Departure months:
Minimum age:
Food included:
Accommodation:
Pocket money:
5 months
Jan,Feb or Aug
18
Yes
Yes
Yes (see costs)
Ecuador
English Teaching with Caring, Conservation
Volunteers in Ecuador usually undertake an English teaching placement in conjunction with another kind of role. So you could, for example, work teaching English in a school in the morning and volunteer in a caring, community or conservation role in the afternoon, this may be working in an orphanage, music school or an eco-tourism project etc. In the English teaching part of your placement, you will work in a primary or secondary school, helping permanent members of staff to improve the language levels of pupils of different ages. In some classes, the level of English will be quite low, so you will need to be prepared to be creative in your approach to teaching – playing bingo and singing nursery rhymes have proved very popular in the past!
In most schools you will start off in more of an assistant-style role, then as you build up your experience and confidence you will be given more responsibility. Hosts are also keen for you to bring your own skills and interests to your role, so if you have a particular talent for art or sport, for example, be sure to discuss with your mentors how best you impart your knowledge!
Overview
Placement duration:
Departure months:
Minimum age:
Food included:
Accommodation:
Pocket money:
5 months
Feb or Sept
17
Yes
Yes
No
Vietnam
English Teaching
English teachers in Vietnam teach in a variety of educational institutions throughout the country. You will have the options of teaching in a primary, secondary school or university and will adapt your teaching style and lesson plans according to the age groups your are teaching. Placements will usually start off as teaching assistant-style roles where you will help permanent members of staff with language teaching. Then, when you gain more experience and confidence you will be given more responsibility and will be expected to take a more active role in the planning and teaching of your own classes. Schools will usually have certain text books that they are used to working from and you will speak with your hosts at the beginning of your placement to discuss learning outcomes. Most schools will also be keen for you to get involved in activities outside of your core English-teaching duties, so make sure you discuss any ideas for extra-curricular activities with your hosts!
Students in Vietnam love to learn by doing, volunteers in the past have enjoyed lessons that involve singing, playing games and role play. The more fun and engaging you can make the lesson the more interesting it will be!
Overview
Placement duration:
Departure months:
Minimum age:
Food included:
Accommodation:
Pocket money:
3,4 & 5 months
Feb,June or Aug
18
Yes
Yes
Yes (see costs)
