Teaching English & Community Development
Coordinator | Bella
Coordinator | Bella
Book with Flex Option!
Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Highlights
Learn about Costa Rican and Latin American culture.
Improve your English teaching skills and develop transferable skills like teamwork and leadership.
In supporting English education you will not only contribute to UN SDG #4, Quality Education, but also UN SDG #8, Decent Work and Economic Growth.
Learn, practice and improve your Spanish skills.
Surf, swim, or relax on the many beaches.
Travel to Costa Rica to teach English in Quepos.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Work and live with like-minded volunteers in the beautiful resort town of Quepos all whilst having an incredible impact by teaching English to local community members.
Volunteers on this program will work with GVI staff, interns, and other volunteers to provide free individual English education classes to members from the local community. We work with ongoing curriculums to introduce English vocabulary and discuss sustainable development topics like environmental awareness. We also offer conversational classes so students can practice real situations and feel more confident in speaking English. Our work is based on the needs of the community, which means that the specifics of the classes, such as the time schedules, ages, and levels of English language competency change over time.
Quepos is known as the gateway to Manuel Antonio National Park, a popular destination for tourists. In addition the town features many popular beaches. Tourism brings in many business opportunities for locals, however, in order to access these opportunities, locals must fulfill the requirements of employers who are looking to cater to English-speaking travellers. Therefore, the request from local schools is often for more English educational support.
Volunteers on this program will work with GVI staff, interns, and other volunteers to provide free individual English education classes to members from the local community. We work with ongoing curriculums to introduce English vocabulary and discuss sustainable development topics like environmental awareness. We also offer conversational classes so students can practice real situations and feel more confident in speaking English. Our work is based on the needs of the community, which means that the specifics of the classes, such as the time schedules, ages, and levels of English language competency change over time.
Health & Hygiene:
The work we contribute to across the globe remains important and new measures allow our participants to continue to join our programs and continue impacting positively on their world and the communities we work with. Changes to our existing protocols have been made by our health and hygiene team to strengthen our health and hygiene protocols and ensure that international standard safeguards are in place to protect our participants, staff and host communities. Please inquire for more information on the protocols.
Typical day
Example of a typical Monday:
Morning: Planning or training at the base
Early afternoon: Lunch and house meeting at the base
Afternoon: Interacting with the children
Late afternoon: Spanish Class
Early evening: Cooking and other chores
Evening: Dinner
Example of a typical volunteer day:
Morning: Childcare, community work, English teaching
Early afternoon: Lunch and house meeting
Afternoon: Childcare, community work, English teaching
Late afternoon: Free time followed by Spanish class or Adult English lessons
Early evening: Cooking and other chores
Evening: Dinner
Please remain flexible as things do change based on the needs of our project partners and community members.
Free-time activities
You will be based in the Quepos/Manuel Antonio area located on the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica and working in the region. Travelling around the local area is easy and can be done on the frequent public buses or by taxi. Quepos is small enough to walk most anywhere, and Manuel Antonio is less than a 10 minute bus ride. Street addresses are not really used in Costa Rica - landmarks are used instead.
In your down time you will be free to travel in the local area. Playa Hermosa and Jaco are one hour by bus and Playa Dominical is less than 40 minutes away. There will be plenty of time to try out surfing, kayaking, snorkelling, or hiking in the area. Zip lining, horseback riding, ATV and catamaran tours are also options for your free time.
If you would like to travel to the other side of the Country or visit the beautiful North of Southern parts, we recommend you to take a few days before or after the program as you may not have enough time to do so just during the weekends.
In your down time you will be free to travel in the local area. Playa Hermosa and Jaco are one hour by bus and Playa Dominical is less than 40 minutes away. There will be plenty of time to try out surfing, kayaking, snorkelling, or hiking in the area. Zip lining, horseback riding, ATV and catamaran tours are also options for your free time.
If you would like to travel to the other side of the Country or visit the beautiful North of Southern parts, we recommend you to take a few days before or after the program as you may not have enough time to do so just during the weekends.
Water Sports
Swimming
Concert/
Music
Music
Sightseeing
Diving/
Snorkling
Snorkling
Shopping/
Souvenirs
Souvenirs
Climbing
Safari/
Zoo
Zoo
Hiking
Museum/
Opera
Opera
Sports
Requirements
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.
You need to speak English (basic level)
or Spanish (basic level)
required
at High School level
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
What's Included
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 24-hour emergency phone
- 24-hour in-country support
- Access to Alumni Services and Discounts
- Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
- All necessary project equipment and materials
- All necessary project training by experienced staff provided online 8 weeks prior to program:
- PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION (1 hour)
- PROGRAM SPECIFIC TRAINING (1 - 5 hours)
- OPTIONAL: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COURSE (10 - 15 hours)
- Location orientation
- Long term experienced staff
- Meals while on project (except on work placements for long term internships)
- Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
- Welcome meeting
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- 20 hours of Spanish lessons unless already fluent
- Additional drinks and gratuities
- Extra local excursions
- Flights
- International and domestic airport taxes
- Medical and travel insurance
- Personal items and toiletries
- Police or background check
- Visa costs (where necessary)
Most volunteers arrange international flights to arrive at Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose (IATA code: SJO) at least one day before the project starts.
Airport pick-ups can be arranged from 06:00 PM - 09:30 PM the day before your project start date, please request this from the GVI office.
If you are arriving earlier than the allocated pick up window, you are welcome to wait for our staff to arrive at the airport or you can arrange your own transport to Casa Colon. Official airport taxis are orange, and cost approx US$30 to the hostel. Alternatively, you can arrange an airport pick up with Casa Colon for about $25 or you can get a bus from outside the airport (approx. US$1, every 20-30mins).
Airport pick-ups can be arranged from 06:00 PM - 09:30 PM the day before your project start date, please request this from the GVI office.
If you are arriving earlier than the allocated pick up window, you are welcome to wait for our staff to arrive at the airport or you can arrange your own transport to Casa Colon. Official airport taxis are orange, and cost approx US$30 to the hostel. Alternatively, you can arrange an airport pick up with Casa Colon for about $25 or you can get a bus from outside the airport (approx. US$1, every 20-30mins).
Accommodation is in a group house with toilet facilities, running water (please note: no hot water on base), and basic amenities. There is a shared kitchen and living area where volunteers can plan lessons and enjoy free time. Rooms are shared with other volunteers and are mixed sex. This is a Central American country and the standard of living is different. Bearing this in mind, accommodations are quite comfortable.
Dorm Room
Food will be cooked in traditional local style (lots of rice and beans) and vegetarians can be accommodated. Everyone makes their own breakfast with the products in the house provided by GVI and will be mainly porridge, bread or cereal with fresh fruit and coffee or tea. During project days, we eat lunch on project, which is usually rice and beans accompanied by salad or potatoes, plantain, or yucca, etc. Dinner will be cooked by the group, with rotating cooking responsibilities. A typicall evening meal may include beans, rice, pasta, fresh fruit, and vegetables.Out of environmental considerations, we provide meat or chicken twice a week. There are many cafes and restaurants in the local area and you are free to go out for dinner at your own expense.
Limited access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
The nearest airport is Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose. We assist you to find cheap flights to Costa Rica.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Costa Rica provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in Costa Rica you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Costa Rica.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
Due to the current situation you have the flexibility of changing the destination and start dates for this program at no extra cost.
2021
- 09 Jan 2021
- 23 Jan 2021
- 06 Feb 2021
- 20 Feb 2021
- 06 Mar 2021
- 20 Mar 2021
- 03 Apr 2021
- 17 Apr 2021
- 01 May 2021
- 15 May 2021
- 29 May 2021
- 12 Jun 2021
- 26 Jun 2021
- 10 Jul 2021
- 24 Jul 2021
- 07 Aug 2021
- 21 Aug 2021
- 04 Sep 2021
- 18 Sep 2021
- 02 Oct 2021
- 16 Oct 2021
- 30 Oct 2021
- 13 Nov 2021
- 27 Nov 2021
This program is paused due to COVID-19 and reopens July 2021. Apply Now!
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 - 12 weeks
Program fees
1 week
(min. stay)
$1,939
2 weeks
$2,234
4 weeks
$2,790
6 weeks
$3,379
8 weeks
$3,968
10 weeks
$4,557
12 weeks
(max. stay)
$5,146
Average fees
$1,184
/week
The organization charges its fees in EUR. The price table in USD is subject to currency fluctuation.
GVI
will let you know about the final price during your application process.
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.
Your final payment will be agreed with GVI during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
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- including all necessary payments. Planning your next meaningful trip with Volunteer World gives you free access to our:
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All program fees are charged directly by GVI.
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Teaching English & Community Development
Travel to Costa Rica to teach English in Quepos.
$925/week
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