It can sometimes be very hard to motivate the children because they are caught up in a complex situation of having to work and go to school. In many cases, they need to work and support the entire family. Healthy family structures are often disrupted and the children are not well protected or cared for at home. Learning curves at schools are therefore very low. Some of the children do not seem to make any progress throughout the year, which is why the same curriculum is often taught over and over again, and to children of different ages.
This volunteering opportunity requires a great amount of patience and genuine will to work hard in order to give these children some perspective. However, you will also be rewarded with a great number of smiles, gratefulness, and natural energy that will certainly stay in your life forever.
This project supports and encourages teamwork along with a great deal of flexibility, autonomy and initiative. If you are open and ready for it, you’ll learn how to deal with aspects of daily life and be able to adapt to different fields of activity.
Generally, you should be ready to respond to changes and be able to deal with the unexpected for any work in South America.
Special conditions:
The schools have multiple classrooms and outside play areas and cater to between 600-5000 students, sometimes with 30-40 students in a class. Facilities and classroom equipment is basic but not lacking. You are welcome to provide or create your own materials needed for activities.
Sometimes you will find that you are the only volunteer at a school. At other times, however, there might be more volunteers, so be prepared for variety in the people you will meet and work with. In any case, you will always be surrounded by dozens of children full of the joys of life, and of course, you will have the support of the local teachers.
Language requirements:
As an assistant teacher, you must speak a basic-intermediate level of Spanish prior to starting as lessons are also taught in Spanish, and it is necessary to communicate closely with the teacher you will be working with, and with the students. We will provide you with a FREE 20-hour Spanish language program that prepares you for teaching at schools. If you do not have enough previous Spanish experience you must complete an additional language course. You can also start a basic Spanish course via online videos, Skype or by taking part in a virtual classroom. Or you can opt for group lessons or private instruction on-location in one of the language schools associated with us, for example. Please ask us and we will provide you with all the information.
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