English Class Teacher

About the Program

Because public education in Peru significantly lacks funding, and the majority of the community cannot afford private schooling, the members of our community have very few opportunities for education. Thus, children are born into poverty and few are ever able to rise up and become empowered. 

Recognizing that many members of La Esperanza are born into this type of poverty and have few job opportunities, our organization's founders decided to broaden the horizons of our friends and neighbors through providing education. There is no greater freedom than knowledge. This belief defines the philosophy at our organization which offers English classes completely free of charge to people of all ages in the hopes of creating an equal opportunity for everyone to receive a quality education.

We believe that education is one of the best ways to help a person out of poverty, and by providing free English, computer, music, football, art and more classes, this allows the children and adults in Trujillo to acquire an important skill which could lead to better job opportunities. Volunteers share unique skills and knowledge with the students. 

At Peru Vivencial, we work in partnership with a local elementary school and also teach in our private classroom in our program called “After Classes” where children from different schools can join and take free English clases, in the Peru Vivntial School house. At the public schools, class sizes are 30 students, ages from 5 to 13 years old. At Peru Vivential School, classes are more flexible and structured in a fun way with around 12 students per class. 

Also with the help of our volunteers we have created the Adults Program where volunteers share the languages they know with students from univesities or people who work and need to improve their English or other language. 

We provide our volunteers with a rewarding experience learning about Peruvian culture while living with volunteers from around the world. we transcend cultural barriers by promoting an appreciation of other cultures, respect for different norms, long-lasting friendships and appreciation for different ways of living all of which create an improved learning environment.

We are a group of volunteers hoping to help make a difference here in Trujillo. Come join our family and bring hope to the people of Trujillo! Thank you for your interest in our organization. We hope to hear from you soon!

Volunteer Roles/ Working Hours 

Your role will consist of leading the English classes, where possible this will be done together with another volunteer. At present, the general level of English of our learners across all schools and settings is basic, and it is important that volunteers are prepared to be teaching students or learners who will more than likely be at a beginner level. Each volunteer is provided with a weekly personal schedule with both the volunteering work and prepared group activities! The class teacher will usually be there in the classroom with you but normally not participating. Depending on which class you teach the assistance you will receive from the teacher will vary.

Volunteering with English students is done from Monday to Friday; from 8:30 am to 12 pm in the morning and in the afternoon from 3 pm to 6 pm.

The public schools classes are for children between 6 to 14 years old. Adult Program classes are from 7 pm to 9 pm three days per week. 

The minimum work for each volunteer is 3 days per week between 3 or 4 hours per day, though these hours are scheduled flexibly. The length of lessons is usually around an hour, but can sometimes be shortened or extended depending on other activities of schools and settings. 

Specific tasks include a combination of the activities listed below:

• Giving English lessons to children (sometimes there is also a demand for Arts or Sports classes).
  
• Bringing new ideas to improve the HELP English project.
  
• Preparing lesson plans or even a syllabus or study programme for your subject, considering what's been done in the past and what can be improved now.
  
• Guaranteeing that all the materials used during each session are stored and put back into place afterwards. 

The school is open most of the year (from January to December). Volunteers can get there from Monday to Friday - in the morning (8:30 am until 12:00 am and 3 pm until 6 pm). However, it might vary according to the subject(s) you will be teaching. Do not forget you'll need some time for planning activities and staff meetings!

We organize numerous events like football, volleyball, basketball and others, in addition to parties and meetings, trekkings around the beach in Huanchaco or the mountains around the city which we agree on together because we considered as a big family.