There are many options available to ordinary holidaymakers willing to combine their vacation with volunteering work all over the world. This article outlines seven English language teaching programs in some of the most exciting and captivating destinations in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa. No prior classroom experience is necessary to teach abroad on these volunteer holidays, as all the programs involve assisting the existing local teachers.
Teaching English on a Volunteering Holiday in South and Central America
There are many English language programs across South and Central America but two of the more exciting destinations are Brazil and Guatemala.
In Brazil, volunteers can join a two-week assignment with Cross-Cultural Solutions to teach both children and adults in Salvador, the country’s “capital of happiness.” Teaching children involves classroom conversation and writing skills and helping the local teachers with general classroom activities. Teaching adults conversational English is aimed at preparing them for work in the region’s tourism industry. The prices for this volunteering holiday start at US$2,664 including lodgings in a group project house, meals, airport transfers and some excursions.
In Antigua, Guatemala, holiday volunteers supplement the long-term English teaching programs to help expose the local children and teenagers to as many English accents and dialects as possible. The volunteers are teamed with trained English teachers to teach both individual and group classes and chaperone field trips. This two-week working holiday can be purchased via Global Vision International for US$850 and includes accommodation with a host family, meals and some excursions.
Teach English on a Working Holiday in Europe
Many people don’t think there are still places in Europe where teaching English as a second language is needed. This cannot be further from the truth and native English speakers are still in demand, mostly in Eastern Europe.
Language volunteers can head for the village of Hodmezovasarhely in Hungary, where they will support local teachers in preparing lesson plans and help with student work. The accommodation is in the local hotel, and the village has an Internet cafe and all the basic amenities. This two-week project with Global Volunteers costs US$2,695 including hotel accommodation and meals.
Volunteer in Poland, via Global Volunteers, offers a two-week teaching holiday in Siedlce, two hours from Warsaw, for US$2,495 including accommodation in chalet cabins or a manor house, meals and full training. Volunteers teach both children and adults and live under the same roof as their students for the duration of the program. There are also opportunities to help teach English in the local schools depending on the time of year.
Volunteer English Language Teaching on Holiday in Asia
To catch the last glimpse of a disappearing way of life, a teaching holiday in China may be just the thing.
X’ian, one of the oldest cities in China, was the country’s capital during 13 dynasties and marked the start of the Silk Road. The neighbouring villages are in need of native English speakers to help with English tuition in the local schools and volunteers are expected to spend 30-40 hours a week in the classroom. The village school pays the cost of accommodation with a host family and the cost of three meals a day, irrespective of how long the volunteer decides to stay. The program organiser, Institute for Field Research Expeditions, charges a flat administration fee of US$799 (again, irrespective of the length of stay).
A children’s language program in Delhi, India is yet another exciting volunteering opportunity, assisting the local teachers in the city’s elementary schools, orphanages and shelters. The volunteers share accommodation in a project house and are provided with two meals per day. Volunteering India charges US$450 for a week's participation in the program, US$575 for two.
English Teaching Holiday in Africa
Many African governments have made learning English a priority, in a bid to increase their countries’ profiles as hot tourist destination. Hence there are numerous volunteering opportunities for those who want to try teaching English abroad and choose Africa as their destination.
The volunteer teaching opportunity in Wasini Island off the coast of Kenya can be combined with bird-watching, safari and other adventurous activities. As a bonus, the volunteer gets an introductory certification in TEFL on completion of the program. The accommodation, shared with volunteers working on marine conservation programs, can be basic and the electricity sporadic but the exotic location and opportunities for wildlife spotting more than make up for any inconvenience. Global Vision International charge US$1,190 for two weeks including shared accommodation, meals and project training.
All prices are 2010 prices.
Source:
Frommer’s 500 places where you can make a difference, Canada: John Wiley & Sons Canada, Ltd., 2010.
