Volunteer Teaching in Africa and Asia
Working in a school is therefore a great way of integrating into a community, with a network of staff to look after you and the opportunity to use your skills to give assistance where it is genuinely needed.
Education is a privilege that can often be taken for granted.
In many of the villages in which we work, whilst education is provided, the standards are hindered by a lack of facilities or teachers.
The enthusiasm and work of AV gap year volunteers is valued by schools, not only for the extra help they provide but also for the inspiration and confidence that is passed on to the children they work with, spending time with them and adding a global dimension to their education.
Image: Geography class, The Lepchas, India
What can I teach?
Gap year volunteer teaching in Africa will include the full range of general subjects.
Teaching in Asia is mostly English.
Get creative
Facilities in the schools can be sparse, with minimal furniture, stationary or teaching aids.
Most classrooms will have desks or benches, a blackboard and chalk.
FAQs
Do I need qualifications?
Training in teaching techniques is given on the orientation course at the start of the project. For those who would like to do extra preparation and undertake a TEFL course we recommend TEFL Express.
Teaching in the classroom
Officially, you are an assistant teacher. In practice, this means that you may be helping other members of staff, taking classes with another AV volunteer or on your own.
Facilities in the schools can be sparse, with minimal furniture, stationary or teaching aids. Most classrooms will have desks or benches, a blackboard and chalk. Class sizes vary from 30 to 130 and, especially in the bigger classes, you teach as a pair with your partner.
We work with a mix of primary and secondary schools (6-16 years), but the majority are primary. In secondary schools we will not ask you to teach beyond the GCSE level and only then if you are happy.
You will nearly always be covering part of the local curriculum and may be working towards exams at the end of the term.
Outside of the classroom
Not all schools have an ‘after school’ life. In some places, like Nepal, sport is minimal because children have to walk up to two hours to school and two hours home again.
If activities don’t exist you can start them – a school band, a dance class or an art club. In the past AVs have organised talent shows, school magazines and sports days – just use your initiative and talk to us for advice and inspiration.
How long will I be teaching for?
Helping individuals
AV volunteers help by providing extra assistance to these students – through smaller group lessons you can teach them to read and write in English with the time and patience that is needed.
Organising a reading club or after school help sessions will be greatly appreciated and could make a big difference to the lives of these individuals. You may also be asked to help adult members of the community who have left school but are eager to learn.
Where would you like to go?
Whether you’d love to explore Africa or Asia, our partner communities always welcome teaching volunteers, so the world’s your oyster…