Why This Project Matters
In the tourism-driven destination Mexico, English can open doors for children's future education and employment. Yet some primary school students need additional support not only with English, but also with fundamental reading and writing skills. Giving them more opportunities to practise a foreign language in an engaging environment can make a real difference to their confidence and development.
As a volunteer, you work with children in 4th and 5th grade at local primary schools, helping them strengthen their English skills through lessons that are interactive, playful, and age-appropriate. You don't simply observe: you take an active role in planning and leading lessons, supported by local teachers, a structured Course Book, teaching materials, and training from the local team.
Your Project
Your main responsibility is to teach English to children in 4th and 5th grade. Classes take place in the morning for around three hours, followed by time to prepare your lessons for the next day. In total, you can expect around four project hours per day, Monday to Friday.
You'll receive a Course Book, teaching materials, and local training to help you plan your classes. Each lesson follows a clear five-part structure: Warm-up, Presentation, Practice, Production, and Wrap-up. Within this framework, you're encouraged to bring your own personality and creativity into the classroom.
Your activities may include:
- Teaching English vocabulary and basic language skills
- Creating games and interactive exercises
- Using songs, movement, and creative activities to make English fun
- Encouraging children to speak English as much as possible
- Supporting children who have reading or writing difficulties
- Preparing lessons for the following day
- Developing your own activities based on the provided Course Book and materials
The role comes with real responsibility. You'll need to coordinate the students, lead activities confidently, and create an environment where children feel comfortable participating and trying out their English.
Our child protection guidelines apply throughout the project.
Your Spanish Course
Before your teaching project begins, you'll complete an included Spanish course in Puerto Escondido. During your language-course week, no volunteering takes place, allowing you to focus completely on improving your Spanish before entering the classroom. Classes run Monday to Friday in the mornings and are matched to your language level.
The standard course includes 25 lessons of 50 minutes per week. If no suitable group at your level is available, you'll instead receive 15 lessons in a very small group or individual setting. Your Spanish textbook is included.
The language school is located in the same building as the wayers Home, making it easy to connect with other participants. Activities such as salsa and Mexican cooking give you another opportunity to practise your Spanish while experiencing local culture.
Who You Will Be Working With
You'll work with local primary school children in 4th and 5th grade and alongside the teachers and staff at your school. The local team provides you with the structure, materials, and guidance you need, while you take an active role in delivering the English lessons.
You're also surrounded by the wayers community. Other participants stay with you in the exclusive wayers Home or apartments, and our local team supports you throughout your stay. With the language school located directly inside the wayers Home, it's particularly easy to meet people from the beginning.
What We Expect From You
You don't need to be a qualified teacher, but this project requires confidence, initiative, and a willingness to take responsibility in the classroom. You should enjoy working with children and be comfortable standing in front of a group and leading activities.
Empathy, flexibility, emotional intelligence, patience, and confidence in managing groups are particularly valuable. Creativity matters too: the goal isn't simply to work through a textbook, but to turn the material into lessons that children enjoy and remember.
You should arrive with at least basic Spanish, as you'll need to communicate with children who may speak little or no English. Your included Spanish course helps you build on those skills before your project begins.
The minimum age is 18, and the programme has a minimum stay of four weeks.
What You Can Expect From Us
Before departure, we'll prepare you with an online preparation seminar, access to the wayers Lounge, our digital wayers Workbook, detailed travel information, and the opportunity to connect with other participants before you leave.
Once in Mexico, your package includes airport transfers in Puerto Escondido, a local welcome and orientation, your Spanish course and textbook, teaching materials and a Course Book, local training for your lessons, contacts at your project, personal support from our local team, and a 24-hour emergency line in Germany and Mexico. After returning home, you'll receive a certificate of participation.
Life at the wayers Home
The wayers Home is right in the heart of Puerto Escondido and less than 500 metres from the nearest beach. Spend your afternoons by the pool, relax in the garden, or walk down to the beach with other wayers participants. The language school is located in the same building, creating a lively community where it's easy to meet people and make plans together.
Traditional markets, restaurants, bars, and small shops are nearby, while the beach is only around a five-minute walk away.
Travel with Confidence
With wayers, you're not travelling alone. From preparation before departure to your arrival and everyday life in Mexico, our teams support you throughout your experience. You'll have personal contacts on site, assistance with your project and language course, and access to our 24-hour emergency support in both Germany and Mexico.
