The aim of this program is to provide young people in the community with the opportunity to enhance their English language skills, equipping them with a valuable tool for their educational development, which they currently lack.
Volunteers may be placed in local schools to offer support to teachers who often lack the necessary knowledge and resources to teach the language effectively. It’s essential for volunteers to be aware that many of the children and even the teachers possess only a basic level of English proficiency. Therefore, volunteers are encouraged to develop alternative communication methods to facilitate their work during their stay. Additionally, volunteers should understand that the Nepali education system differs significantly from the European system, often lacking structured learning monitoring and motivation, relying heavily on repetition.
Volunteers are encouraged to prepare some teaching ideas before the program’s start. If possible, bringing educational materials can be beneficial. However, it’s important to note that such materials are readily available and affordable in Nepal, and purchasing them locally also contributes to the local economy.
Volunteers are expected to participate for 3-5 hours a day, from Sunday to Thursday, or in some cases, from Monday to Friday, depending on the location’s schedule requirements. Saturday is designated as a day of rest, while Sunday is a working day. Given this schedule, we recommend that volunteers take Fridays and Saturdays off. The program is conducted in urban, semi-urban, and rural areas.
Some of the tasks that are often carried out include:
- English language teaching. The volunteers will accompany the teachers during English classes, and they may have the opportunity to prepare their own classes.
- Recreational activities: All activities which could assist the cognitive development of the children are crucial in this incentivisation stage.
- Sports can be played in the centers.
- Providing daily assistance to the staff who run the teaching program.
- Recreational activities.
* Available destinations: Kathmandu.
* NOTE: The volunteer should be aware that school holiday dates are often confirmed with very short notice. The school calendar typically doesn’t include long holidays, as there are numerous days off scattered throughout the year.
Religious holidays in Nepal are determined by a lunar calendar, which differs from the conventional European calendar. These religious observance days are recognized as public holidays, and other non-school days may be decided upon with little advance notice. Occasionally, when there are several consecutive days off, volunteers will follow the weekly school timetable (Sunday to Friday) and take two days off between Saturday and the bank holidays. In instances where there are multiple bank holidays, the volunteer is always welcome to participate in their host family’s celebrations.
Example of a day on the English teaching volunteer program:
9:00 AM: the volunteer has breakfast.
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM: the volunteer will be at school. Typically, the volunteer will spend 3-5 hours delivering classes during this time. There is also a mid-morning break provided. During this break, the volunteer can use their free time to have a meal or snack in the vicinity of the school.
6:00 PM: the volunteer will have dinner with the family.
* The times given are to be used as guidelines.
