Teach English Abroad

Teaching English abroad is the perfect way to gain valuable experience in teaching English as a foreign language whilst exploring new countries...

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Volunteer Abroad to Teach English

Have you always dreamt of teaching children or young adults but never gotten around to it? Perhaps you've just graduated from school and are wondering if teaching is your calling. Or maybe you're a born traveler looking to discover new parts of the world while giving back to the community. If any of those cases sounds familiar, volunteer to teach English Abroad! It’s an excellent way to make a meaningful difference to the local community.

Teaching English abroad will lead you to less fortunate countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Peru, Honduras, or Morocco. It will take you to countries where many people don’t speak this important language and the level of English taught at school is poor. Teach English abroad programs allow you to make a difference in many lives while you discover all the amazing things these countries have to offer.

With English teaching abroad, you will see your host countries from a completely different perspective. You will also understand the culture in a more profound way. Encourage students to speak English, communicate, connect with them, and give the education they deserve. Volunteer to teach English abroad and teach children in schools anywhere around the world. Your work will make a world of difference!

👩🏽‍🏫 Why Teach English Abroad?

Millions of children worldwide don’t have access to education. which may seem unbelievable considering the world we are living in today. The unfair distribution of resources has caused The unequal distribution of resources has caused a massive gap between highly qualified individuals in developed countries and people in developing countries. Countless children in developing countries still don’t have access to a good education.

Schools in developing countries generally lack the resources to afford English teaching staff. This is exactly where volunteer teachers can make a difference! Volunteer to teach English abroad in schools and help developing countries gain access to quality education!

Job Opportunities

The economy of many developing countries relies on the tourism industry which requires English speaking skill. The latter is crucial for locals to find jobs in the industry. With better English skills, they can differentiate themselves from others, earn a better living and increase their chances in life.

Volunteers can have a huge impact on the children and students in these less fortunate areas and schools through English teaching. Creating fun exercises that will help with their pronunciation and conversation skills are a great start to increase their English language awareness. Volunteers can support schools by contributing their time and offering their teaching skills. This way, students get the opportunity to learn English from fluent English speakers which will open doors that would otherwise remain closed.

📋 What Will I Do As A Volunteer English Teacher Abroad?

The main task of an English teaching volunteer is to connect with the students and give them the opportunity to communicate with English speakers. This skill will increase future opportunities. As a volunteer English teacher,, you will work alongside other volunteers in teams and will be supported by the project manager or coordinator of the school or organization.

Although there will often be a curriculum in place, there is still a lot of room for creativity. Students, especially children learn quickly when immersed in a language and they benefit from fun and informal activities such as songs, movement games, and creative exercises. These are some of the tasks and responsibilities you can expect when you work and teach English abroad:

  • Prepare and teach English to classes (number of classes a day will depend on the project)
  • Assistance in lesson plans
  • Network with local residents and local project staff
  • Monitor students' progress and write debriefs
  • Spend time with students
  • Assist students with homework and studying

Depending on the program and the age of the children your responsibilities may vary. Just keep in mind that the students are central and the main objective is to expose them to the English language in a fun way.

The teaching and education method in schools is usually of less importance as long as the children enjoy the process and are being exposed to the English language. Some schools will provide the necessary training upon starting your volunteer placement.

If you have a way with children, you're creative and excited about inventing innovative ways to entertain them, then don't hesitate to volunteer for English teaching abroad because these projects are waiting for people like you!

🌏 Best Places to Teach English Abroad

Whether you decide to work with the ever-smiling children in Asia, the warm and feisty characters of middle and South America, or the playful kids of Africa, the options to volunteer as an English teacher are endless. Southeast Asia is in dire need of English teachers due to a low rate of English skills. Especially Thailand has a great environment for volunteers. Central and South American students are waiting for English teachers to help improve their skills. There are also countless opportunities to teach English in Africa. Make your choice and teach English abroad - almost anywhere in the world!

The longer you stay, the bigger the impact you will make. Firstly, pick a destination and project you can really identify with. Immerse yourself in a new culture and make a difference in many children's lives by teaching them one of the most valuable skills.

When you teach English abroad, you will usually have the weekends off where you can take a break from teaching and are free to explore the wonders of your volunteer destination. Each place has its unique environment to discover and your time off will be inspiring. The organizations usually offer services or recommendations to visit the hotspots of the region and other fun free-time activities.

To give you an idea of which countries you can volunteer in, check out this map:

🎁 5 Benefits of Volunteering as an English Teacher

There are many benefits of volunteering as a teacher besides sharing your knowledge and English speaking skills with those who are eager to learn. People usually describe feelings of happiness while volunteering because it contributes to their sense of purpose. And there's so much more to volunteering than that:

1. Contribute to a Good Cause

Helping less fortunate children and students by teaching them will not only give you a sense of purpose and achievement but it will make a huge difference in many lives. By helping one person, you’re indirectly helping his or her environment. This included their family members and often their entire community.

2. Cultural Exchange

Teaching in a different culture will allow you to inspire students and bring them new perspectives on life and future possibilities. You can empower them to take their future into their own hands and teach them to value working hard towards attaining goals which will allow them to be more successful in life. Don't underestimate the lessons you will learn from this experience. Your humble surroundings and the authenticity of children and students unburdened by luxuries and status will give you a different perspective and teach you valuable life lessons.

3. Make New Friends

As a volunteer, you will be sharing your experience with other like-minded individuals which may lead to long-term friendships. It's always the people that make an experience memorable. You will meet inspiring people, be it locals or other volunteers, during your teaching volunteer adventure.

4. Travel

Is there a place in the world you have always wanted to visit? A culture that has always triggered your curiosity? This is your chance to expose yourself to that culture and contribute in the most meaningful way possible. The teach English abroad programs require a commitment of at least one month. You can easily stay longer which will give you the chance to build a more profound relationship with the students but also start to experience the culture in a completely different way than you would as a tourist.

5. Boost Your Career

It’s always beneficial to mention your volunteer experience on your resume. It shows social awareness and the will to contribute to a greater good. Companies embrace individuals who are not only interested in personal gain but who also have a sense of responsibility. Depending on your future plans, gaining experience as an English teacher volunteer may open other career opportunities.

🧐 Who Can Volunteer and Teach English Abroad?

Numerous English teaching projects abroad are happy to welcome volunteers with good English speaking skills who enjoy working with children. Many volunteer programs don't require any English teaching experience and welcome anyone with good English speaking skills and the right attitude to teach their students.

If you are energetic, adventurous, and eager to connect and enrich the lives of those who are less fortunate, definitely work and volunteer teaching English abroad. It will be an opportunity you will never forget.

Very good English skills are required to comfortably teach the students. In some cases, a basic understanding of their native language may also be required. To teach English abroad in South America, usually requires a basic knowledge of Spanish too as many people on site don’t speak any English at all.

This is a great opportunity if you are currently studying to become a teacher. Volunteering to teach English abroad will be an invaluable experience you can mention on your resume. If validated by your school, it can also count as an internship. The school and its students will benefit from a trained teacher. The main thing, however, is bringing the right spirit and motivation towards the students. Connecting with the children and helping them become more familiar with the English language are your main goals as a volunteer English teacher.

🔞 Can I Volunteer and Teach English Abroad Under 18?

Volunteers who want to teach English abroad have to be at least 18 years old and there are no exemptions to this rule. As volunteers will be working with young children and will have an important impact on their education, the minimum age is a way to secure the emotional maturity and sense of duty that is necessary to fulfill the tasks properly.

You can apply for an English teaching program if you are under 18 but will be 18 by the time the program starts. If this is not the case for you, we suggest looking at volunteer work that does not involve working with children and where volunteers have fewer responsibilities for now. You can always come back to volunteer to teach English abroad once you are 18 and older.

🤑 Can I Volunteer and Teach English Abroad for Free?

Teaching English abroad is great for volunteers on a budget. Although most programs will require a fee to be paid by the volunteers, this fee is mainly used to cover your accommodation. In some cases, it’s also used to support the organization.

There are a number of free English teaching volunteer opportunities around the world. You can also use the filter option to search for volunteer programs within your budget. Our live chat team can assist with this. We are very happy to help you find the right volunteer opportunity for you.

🤔 How To Volunteer Abroad and Teach English

So you’re ready to work and volunteer as an English teacher but you’re not quite sure how to get started? Take a look at the following 3 steps that will prepare you to teach English abroad and which will prepare you for an unforgettable adventure:

  • Check whether there’s a match between you and the project by looking at their requirements.
  • Take a look at the location of the project and decide whether it would be a location you are excited about.
  • Get in touch with the organization and see whether your expectations and your schedule match up.

Once this is sorted. Let’s take a look at the practical steps:

Insurance (Health & Travel)

We recommend getting both health and travel insurance. In fact, this is even a requirement for most programs abroad. Get in touch with your program contact person to find out if an insurance plan is already in place for volunteers.

Visa, Passport, and Documentation

Once you know your destination, take the following 3 steps before setting off on your life-changing adventure!

  • Look into the visa requirements for the country you will volunteer in.
  • Make sure you have a valid passport considering the requirement of the host country.
  • Prepare the correct documents to fulfill the visa application.

That’s it! You’re ready for volunteering as an English teacher abroad. This is a wonderful opportunity to travel the world and give back to the community.