from 801€

Excellent 4.8rating (859)

Nepal English Teaching Volunteers

location
4 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Excellent 4.8  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Volunteer project with the highest quality. This project sets unprecedented standards in quality - an unparalleled level of excellence.

Highlights

  • 75% of volunteers are 18-22 years old
  • Enhance the future opportunities available for children in Nepal
  • Teach English & support learning through creative education
  • Explore the Himalayas, valleys & natural beauty of Nepal
  • Experience the colourful & unique Nepalese culture

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Groups

About the program

Make a positive impact during your time in Nepal. Teaching English enables children to have a much better future and opportunities through education.

Education is the key to driving economic, political and social development. However, the education system in Nepal is of an extremely low standard. It seriously lacks real investment and many teachers are under-qualified, particularly in teaching English. The sad result is that 41% of the Nepalese ...

About the program

Education is the key to driving economic, political and social development. However, the education system in Nepal is of an extremely low standard. It seriously lacks real investment and many teachers are under-qualified, particularly in teaching English. The sad result is that 41% of the Nepalese adult population is illiterate.

Tourism is Nepal’s biggest industry and source of employment, aside from agriculture. Working in tourism brings in serious money and offers huge employment opportunities. However, a key requirement for a job in tourism is the ability to speak English. As a result, the ability to speak English opens up so many doors for young people in Nepal. However, the level of English in government schools is poor and so effective English tuition is only a viable option for children from wealthy backgrounds.

PMGY volunteers teach at community centres that provide education to Nepal’s poorest communities. Your main role is to teach English but there is also the chance to teach other subjects such as Maths and Arts when required. The community centres have staff who will assist volunteers but most of the time volunteers lead their own lessons. The lessons are largely informal and volunteers have the freedom to be creative with their lesson plans.

TRAVEL TIPS

You should arrive into Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu (airport code KTM) on the selected Sunday start date. Programmes start on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month. You will be met at the airport by one of our local staff or an appointed driver who will be holding a named sign. They will take you to your accommodation where you will spend the rest of your day at leisure.

The programme ends on the Sunday of your final week and you should depart the accommodation on this day.

Can I use this program as part of a university or college placement? 

It is certainly possible to use one of PMGY’s programmes as part of your university or college placement. Project staff can sign off any paperwork required by your course tutors. PMGY regularly receives medical, childcare, psychology and nursing placement students at our projects around the world and we have ties with some of the leading universities.

If you’re a course tutor and would like further information about how one of PMGY’s programmes could meet the placement requirements for your degree course then please contact us.

Is it safe to travel to PMGY destinations?

Although our volunteers work in the developing world, we always ensure our host locations are safe. Each programme has been extensively researched and has passed our strict vetting process. Our UK team undergo an extensive routine when establishing our in-country infrastructures and we continue to monitor our safety procedures on a regular basis. Furthermore, we monitor the stability of our volunteer destinations on a daily basis. Through our constant contact with consulates and embassies and our reports from our overseas teams, we are able to ensure that our volunteers are never placed in unstable regions.

The PMGY team have visited and participated in every programme we offer and verified them based on our own independent criteria. We carefully inspect every little detail of our set-up. From inspecting the living conditions, checking out the neighbourhoods you’ll be staying in, to tasting the food you’ll be eating – each and every programme we establish has gone through a lengthy and rigorous vetting process. Risk assessments have been written for all areas in which PMGY operate and our experienced local coordinators are always on-hand to manage any emergencies that may occur. Our UK team are always on the road reviewing our risk management procedures in the field and monitoring local conditions. 

In emergency situations we have the necessary protocols and equipment in place and we are able to evacuate our volunteers from potential dangers. Our local coordinators are trained to deal with emergency circumstances. 

All volunteers will receive a PMGY Volunteer Handbook once they have paid their deposit and confirmed their place on the programme. We will send you an email entitled ‘Welcome to PMGY’ which will include a link where you can download the Volunteer Handbook. Please note that we DO NOT send a hardcopy of the PMGY Volunteer Handbook.

This Handbook contains literally everything you need to know – from what to pack, to how to obtain a visa, to local language guides. It is really important that you read through the Volunteer Handbook carefully once you’ve downloaded it. If you require any further information not covered in the Volunteer Handbook then our team are always on-hand to assist you.



Typical day

The community education centres generally run in the mornings and afternoon, as the children attend school during the day. Depending on your placement location and needs of the projects at the time, you may be able to get involved in working at a day-care centre during school-time. This involves ...

Typical day

The community education centres generally run in the mornings and afternoon, as the children attend school during the day. Depending on your placement location and needs of the projects at the time, you may be able to get involved in working at a day-care centre during school-time. This involves providing care and basic education to children of pre-school age.

Teaching experience is not essential as the mere presence of a native English speaker is invaluable. As long as you are creative, determined and resourceful you can have a constructive impact on the development of these children’s education. We expect all volunteers to spend an hour or two each day lesson planning.

The community education centres have very basic resources. Some of the project sites do have outdoor space and playground facilities as well as a range of toys and books to engage the with the children. These can be limited at times so you may wish to bring some extra educational books or games to assist with your teaching.

Class sizes generally range from around 20 – 30 children with ages varying from five years old up to lower teens.

Flash cards and stickers are a good idea too. You will find it much cheaper to buy resources in Nepal and that puts money into the local economy too! Souvenirs from your home country can also be a great resource, especially for introducing yourself to the children and helping them learn about you and your culture.


Free-time activities

PMGY volunteers are offered a choice of rural and urban locations in this stunning and visually arresting country with volunteer programmes in Chitwan, Pokhara & Kathmandu. Each location is unique in its own way.

This off the beaten track destination offers such stark and beautiful scenic contrasts ...

Free-time activities

PMGY volunteers are offered a choice of rural and urban locations in this stunning and visually arresting country with volunteer programmes in Chitwan, Pokhara & Kathmandu. Each location is unique in its own way.

This off the beaten track destination offers such stark and beautiful scenic contrasts from mountains to jungle and there are few countries in the world that are as well set up for independent travel as Nepal. Wandering the trekking shops, bakeries and pizzerias of Thamel and Pokhara, it’s easy to feel that you have somehow landed in a kind of backpacker Disneyland.

Out in the countryside lies a quite different Nepal, where traditional mountain life continues at a slower pace, and a million potential adventures glimmer on the mountain horizons. This is a guide to just a few of them.


Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (intermediate level)

Criminal Background Check

required

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

You should also be physically fit, as volunteering overseas can be quite strenuous. If you have any medical/mental health conditions that may affect your participation overseas then these must be declared to us during your online application.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 09:00 - 14:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Plan My Gap Year

  • Accommodation
  • Meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) 
  • Airport Pick Up & Drop Off
  • In-Country Orientation
  • 24 Hour Support

Airport Pickup at Tribhuvan International Airport

You should arrive into Tribhuvan International Airport (airport code KTM) on the Sunday. The airport pickup is available 24 hours. 

On arrival a member of our local team or appointed driver will be at the waiting area for you holding a sign with your name on it. This waiting area is usually just as you exit from the airport. They will drive you straight to Asim’s House in Kathmandu where you can relax and settle in. This journey takes around 45 minutes depending on traffic.

Accommodation

 Host Family 

Staying with a host family is a great way to become immersed in the Nepalese way of life. You will either have a private room or share with fellow volunteers and you can be sure you will be made to feel like part of the family.

It is important to note that accommodation in Nepal is comfortable but generally very basic; particularly in rural locations. Most accommodation will have western style toilets however some options only have Nepali style squat toilets so be prepared! More rural placements have bucket showers. Most accommodation does not have Wi-Fi access and electricity is intermittent so it’s a good idea to bring a torch and plenty of books! It’s a wonderfully rustic way to live and a million miles away from today’s hectic, hi-tech lifestyle, so enjoy every peaceful second!


Food & Beverages

You will be served three freshly prepared Nepalese meals a day by your host family. Traditional Nepalese food generally uses a variety of fresh, local ingredients including; lentils, potatoes, tomatoes, cumin, coriander, chillies, yogurt and lots of rice so its may take a little getting used to.

 

Dhal Bhat is the national dish and is usually served for breakfast and evening meal every day. It is a dish comprised of rice, lentils and seasoned vegetables.

 

Most meals are vegetarian with typical dishes being pasta or noodles complimented by locally grown vegetables. There is the occasional chicken, pork or fish dish served up from time to time.


Volunteers are advised to notify our local team if the food is not to their taste who will aim to adjust the food appropriately.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu. We assist you to find cheap flights to Nepal. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Nepal provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Nepal you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Nepal. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

This program starts on the 1st & 3rd Sunday of every month

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

4 weeks (min. stay) 801€
5 weeks 901€
6 weeks 1,002€
7 weeks 1,103€
9 weeks 1,305€
11 weeks 1,506€
12 weeks (max. stay) 1,607€
Average fees 167€/week

Program fees

167€ per week 4 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

4 - 12 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Plan My Gap Year during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Plan My Gap Year

Excellent 4.8 rating (859 reviews)

Agency - founded in 2011

Verified by Volunteer World

  Excellent response rate

Coordinated by

Josh

Spoken languages: English

About the project

Plan My Gap Year is an award-winning international volunteer placement organisation based in the UK.

Meet your organization

Plan My Gap Year is an award-winning international volunteer placement organisation based in the UK. We provide safe, affordable, need-driven volunteer programmes from 1 to 24 weeks in 11 countries worldwide.

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT US…

Founded by volunteers for volunteers, Plan My Gap Year works with local communities in the developing world towards long-term sustainable goals. We know there is no better way to travel and make a positive impact on the world.

We work extremely hard to ensure that our opportunities are affordable for everyone who wants to make a difference. So fees are 100% transparent, something our volunteers really appreciate.

Plan My Gap Year structured programmes create the perfect platform for you to see the world, meet like-minded people and engage in meaningful volunteer work. We have teams in the UK and in our host destinations who will support you 24/7 throughout your time with us. Furthermore, every project on our network is regularly risk-assessed by our UK team to ensure our set up is safe and that our volunteers are making a positive impact.

There is also a great social element to our programmes. Plan My Gap Year puts you in touch with all your fellow volunteers via Facebook before you set off. Our projects receive volunteers from around the world throughout the year, so even if you’re travelling solo, you’re going to meet heaps of people along the way. Plus you’ll have plenty of opportunity to travel the country with your newfound travel buddies – it’s all part of the PMGY experience!

So if you’re thinking of doing something a bit different on your next trip abroad, then why not drop us a line and find out what extraordinary things you could be doing.

AFFORDABLE & TRANSPARENT FEES

Our aim is to make our programmes accessible to motivated travellers irrespective of their financial capacity. Plan My Gap Year focuses on providing the core requirements of a volunteer programme: safety, structure and sustainability.

We are 100% transparent with our fees. That way you know exactly how much of your money goes towards the local community.

Compared to the large majority of volunteer organisations out there, even most charities and not-for-profits, PMGY’s opportunities are significantly cheaper. Furthermore, as our reviews will testify, our support service and structured programmes are second to none.

SAFETY & RISK MANAGEMENT

Your safety is our top priority. All of Plan My Gap Years' programmes have been personally inspected and vetted by the PMGY team – which is not an industry standard by any means. We carry out independent risk assessments on an annual basis and our local teams constantly review the safety precautions we implement. This includes regular staff and safety appraisals.

 Our local teams are made up of highly experienced volunteer coordinators. They have hosted international volunteers for many years and are prepared to react in the unlikely event of an emergency. Whatever the problem, big or small, our local teams are available around the clock.

As part of our commitment to your safety, we keep in constant communication with local embassies and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office to ensure we can identify potentially dangerous situations and act upon them immediately. Our UK team are available 24/7 to assist volunteers and their families.

TRAINING & SUPPORT

We support our volunteers every step of the way. Before you go we will provide you with a detailed Volunteer Handbook, which will guide you through how to prepare for your trip. This Handbook contains literally everything you need to know – from what to pack, to how to obtain a visa, to local language guides.

Our experienced UK team are always available to provide assistance. Plan My Gap Year is always available to answer our questions and support you in anyway we can. 

On arrival, a member of our in-country team will collect you from the airport and help you settle in. Your orientation course will teach you everything you need to know about the country, how to stay safe and what to expect from your upcoming volunteer experience. 

Our local team are on-call 24/7. Whether you’ve lost your passport or just want some help in planning a weekend trip, our friendly in-country coordinators provide that safety net to ensure you are well looked after.

RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL

Plan My Gap Years' responsibility is not limited to our travellers but also the projects we support. That is why all our volunteers must provide a Criminal Background Check before they travel.

It is essential that our projects are need-driven and sustainable. We work closely with our local partners to ensure that our volunteers are contributing to bring about long-term development.

PERSONAL TOUCH

We really know our programmes. Our UK team have stayed in the accommodation, volunteered at the projects and met the volunteers. We carefully assess each application we receive so that your personality and skills are suited to the project. Whatever your query, you can feel assured that you will be speaking to someone who can tell you exactly what to expect.

HAVING FUN

One of the best aspects of volunteering is meeting some amazing like-minded people. We place over 2,000 volunteers every year so wherever and whenever you go, you have the peace of mind in knowing you will be living and working alongside other PMGY volunteers. In many of our destinations, we run our own Volunteer House accommodation, which ensures all volunteers live together, and therefore guaranteeing a strong social element. In addition, our local team are always there to help you plan any independent travel or give you some tips for what to do at the weekend.

859 reviews · rating4.8

Elizabeth rating4.8

2016 at Nepal English Teaching Volunteers

I really feel that out of all the organisations out there, PMGY is the best in so many respects, and they allow you the most rewarding experience imaginable! ...
Maud Bonhof rating3.8

2024 at Sri Lanka Dog Rescue Volunteers

I originally would stay two months in Sri Lanka. Although the volunteer work is nice, I believe that two months is way to long. There were a lot of activities organized, but if you wanted to go somewhere yourself, everything was pretty far away. After 3/4 weeks, you had done most of the activities ...
Absolutely eye opening and heart opening . The staff and crew were just as beautiful as the game reserve and the animals that are there. I was able to connect with the culture in an honest way and also was able to see the Big 5 and contribute to their overall value of life through various amounts of ...
This was such an amazing experience. I went as a solo traveller and I felt so secure and comfortable the whole time. Made so many friends; loved the activities + accomodation. I will definitely be coming back, and using PMGY ...
Natalie Kotula rating4.8

2023 at Costa Rica Childcare Volunteers

The opportunities recommended and provided for us by Plan My Gap Year and Academia Tica was very nice. The staff cares about their volunteers overall experience in learning Spanish, program growth and ...
Kristina Warras rating5

2023 at Greece Turtle Conservation Volunteers

The experience was amazing! I learned a lot and met some amazing people! I really recommend this trip to anyone who likes hands-on work and enjoys beibg around ...

Location

Asia > Southern Asia > Nepal > Kathmandu

You might also be interested in

Contact Josh
  Excellent response rate
English

Most volunteers ask about


Do you have any more questions? Send a message to Josh
Please do not share personal contact details for your privacy