10 Best Countries for Teaching Volunteer Abroad Programs
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“Every child deserves a champion; an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best they can possibly be.” – Rita Pierson.
Teachers have a great role to play in shaping the society. They spread the light of education amongst young minds, inspiring them to dream big and achieve their goals. In this 21st Century, while the entire scenario of education is changing globally, there are various underprivileged corners where schools still suffer from lack of adequate resources.
If you are someone who loves to spend time with children and thinks that you can make a difference, then choose to volunteer abroad as a teacher – and the best part is that you won’t even need a TEFL certification for this, neither any prior teaching experience is required. All you need is to be enthusiastic and passionate enough, to teach the basics to their young minds.
So what are you waiting for? You never know what miracles you might do!
Here are the 10 best countries where you can volunteer as a teacher:
Teaching English To Monks in Chiang Mai, Thailand
If Thailand has been there on your travel bucket list, then now is the time to tick it off. And what can be better than spending quality time with young monks while volunteering for an international teaching program?
Teaching monks is a unique program where you are both the teacher, sharing knowledge and views, and the learner, gaining insights into life science from wise monks. This program is essential not only for aiding the school’s administration in enhancing English education but also for providing volunteers with a rich experience of Thailand, Thai culture, and Buddhism during their service.
Volunteering Solutions offers placements in five different monastery schools across Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand, and you’ll be responsible for teaching English to these monks who are between the ages of 12 to 18 years.
Volunteer for Girl Child Education Program in Tamale, Ghana
In a developing African country like Ghana, women’s education has gained importance in the last few decades and as a volunteer for this program, you’ll have a great learning opportunity. The main aim of this program is to assist young disadvantaged females living in the outskirts of Tamale.
Volunteers work at a school focused on educating girls in the area. Former volunteers have significantly contributed to the project by raising funds for ongoing education and providing essential supplies for the students. It’s one of the best and most popular volunteer programs to teach abroad and is perfectly curated for those who are in their gap year and wish to spend some time working for a meaningful cause.
Volunteer for the Slum Education Project in Jaipur, India
In a developing country like India, there’s a huge population living in the urban slums who don’t get quality education and thus, fall prey to illiteracy. The main aim of this project is to make a positive impact on the lives of people living in slums by providing them with essential resources and quality education. Many residents of slums see their children as a way to earn money through child labor and prefer not to send them to school. This project aims to change that by offering alternative education options and resources to encourage children to study instead.
Being a volunteer teacher in India will allow you to understand the education system in the country, while actively contributing towards children’s education, women’s empowerment, environmental and health awareness, etc. You’ll be working in the Pink City of Jaipur, Rajasthan, and get to learn about the history of the land, savor the local delicacies, as well as meet a bunch of like-minded people from different parts of the world.
Volunteer Teaching Program in Kathmandu, Nepal
As a volunteer for the Teaching Program in Nepal, you will mainly focus on teaching English at local public or private schools that need regular volunteers. In the last few years, tourism has become one of the major industries in Nepal, and having a strong command of English can help the youth secure well-paying jobs.
To volunteer as a teacher in Nepal, you don’t need any prior teaching experience. All you need is good English speaking skills and enthusiasm for working with children. You’ll start with the basics, helping kids learn simple sentences in English so they can understand and express themselves in the language. Of course, you’ll get ample scope to explore the temples and monasteries of Kathmandu and also, head off to Bhaktapur and Nagarkot during the weekends.
Teaching English Program in Nairobi, Kenya
Back in 2019, when I was volunteering in Kenya, I used to visit the school often, only to spend some time with the kids there. They would always greet me with warmth, and I always ended up teaching them rhymes or just playing with them. It still is one of the best memories from my travels and never fails to bring me a smile.
Well, trust me when I say this, volunteering as a teacher in Nairobi will be a wholesome experience. The schools here need volunteers who can teach basic English, and help children with their communication skills. As game drives in Kenya are becoming popular and tourism is shining bright, knowing English will provide job opportunities to these kids when they grow up – and you can be a great support in helping them have a better future. Apart from English, you can also teach other subjects like mathematics, science, geography, social sciences, history, physical education, art, and music. It’ll be a great learning journey for you as well.
Teaching Volunteering Program in Arusha, Tanzania
Just like Kenya, Tanzania also has a growing tourism sector, thanks to the national parks across the country and Mt. Kilimanjaro – and it’s now very important for the locals to communicate in English. If you volunteer for the English Teaching Program, you will be placed in primary and secondary schools in and around Arusha. These schools lack well-trained staff and need your help to teach the children. Since Tanzania’s economy relies heavily on tourism, speaking fluent English is crucial for securing good jobs in this sector. The tourism and safari industry in Tanzania is expanding every year, creating a high demand for fluent English speakers.
It’ll be an incredible learning experience for you as well because you’ll closely get to see how schools in Tanzania operate. Not only that, but you’ll also gain international work experience and contribute towards a valuable cause.
Volunteer Teacher Assistant in Kindergartens Cusco, Peru
If you love to spend time with kids (yeah, they are all between 3 to 5 years old!) – then this is the perfect program for you! Not only will this be a fun experience, but you’ll know what it feels like to get unconditional love. As a volunteer for the teaching program in Peru, you’ll be working in rural kindergartens, focusing on the comprehensive development of children through activities of cognitive, motor, affective, and social skills. As a teaching assistant, you will need a lot of patience. You also need a high level of focus and dedication when working with the kids.
A great opportunity for gap year travelers as well as high school and college students looking for a meaningful mission trip abroad, this experience will add brownie points to your CV/ Resume. Apart from the work engagements, you’ll also have the chance to explore the ruins of Machu Picchu, learn about Peruvian culture and history, and broaden your social network.
Volunteer Teaching Program in Galle, Sri Lanka
Imagine you’re on an international mission trip, spending your time in an Asian beach town, volunteering with children. Sounds dreamy, right? As a volunteer for the teaching program in Galle, you get to experience the best of both volunteering and traveling.
This project helps underprivileged children (aged 6-12 years) in southern Sri Lanka by giving them a chance to learn English at a higher level than their local schools offer. The goal is to improve their English skills and inspire them to learn the language in high school and beyond, preparing them better for their future lives and careers. Other than that, you can also learn surfing while in Galle, visit the Turtle Conservation Project Site during your free time, and learn more about the Sinhalese culture and traditions.
English Teaching Volunteering Program in Hanoi, Vietnam
If Vietnam is on your travel bucket list, now is the time to check it off! The Teaching English Program in Hanoi, Vietnam, is perfect for those who love spending time with kids. You’ll be placed in schools in the Cau Giay District and other areas around Hanoi. The kids in these schools are mostly between 11 and 14 years old. The teacher-student ratio is extremely poor here, and one school has 1500 students with only 70 teachers. Also, many teachers aren’t well-versed in English and need guidance. Hence, as a volunteer, you’ll be responsible for assisting the teachers as well as teaching the students.
This program is perfect and affordable for gap year travelers, as well as college and high school students. It’ll help you to gain international work experience while making a difference in the lives of the people. The aim is to provide an English-speaking environment for students and teachers, helping them practice and improve their confidence in using English in their daily communication. If you are looking for a group volunteer opportunity abroad, then this teaching program would be perfect. Volunteering Solutions has already hosted several group volunteers in Hanoi in the last 17 years.
Youth Support Program in Porto, Portugal
If you’re looking for a mission trip in Europe, then the Youth Support Program in Portugal will be apt for you. As a volunteer, you will be able to assist different non-profit organizations in supporting children in need by allowing them to experience extracurricular activities and helping them discover and follow their dreams. As we all know, education is a fundamental human right that every child in the world should have. However, factors like poverty, lack of facilities, and inadequate family support take away this right from millions of children across the globe. Even in a developed country like Portugal, many children have to drop out of school and can’t continue their education due to a lack of support. This is your chance to help them chase their dreams and create the life they deserve.
And of course, you’ll be in Porto! So you’ll get to explore the gorgeous city, visit the museums and markets, eat good food and enjoy the Portuguese way of life.
So what are you waiting for? Step out of your comfort zone and do something meaningful. Travel abroad and volunteer as a teacher in 2024 – 2025 with Volunteering Solutions. If you have any doubts or wish to know more about our programs, feel free to mail us at [email protected] and our program advisors will connect with you.
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