Teach English in Rural Schools in Cambodia

Project Summary

Project at A Glance Location: Phnom Penh, Pursat and Kampot provinces Start/End Point: Phnom Penh Duration: 2-12 weeks Hours: 20-30 hours per week Food: Local meals; 3 times a day Room: Host family or hostel Date: First and Third Monday of each month Minimum Stay: 2 weeks

There is a very high demand for English-speaking Cambodians and as a result a desperate need for volunteers to teach English in Cambodia. Many Cambodian citizens are living in poverty and cannot afford to send their children to expensive, private boarding schools where English is taught. State, community schools and orphanages receive very little government funding and English instruction is considered a luxury. IFRE's volunteer program in Cambodia collaborates with local schools to offer the precious resource of English instruction (mostly conversational and pronunciation) to these students.

When you volunteer in an English-teaching program in Cambodia, you are providing vital English education to poor children – ultimately improving their chances for a brighter future. Depending upon your personal skills and interest, you can teach English in an orphanage, public school, university or within various local organizations who offer an English instruction program. Many schools (especially rural schools) are extremely honored to welcome a foreign volunteer and do so with the warmest reception. Volunteers often feel so welcomed that they become a part of their host families and communities’ daily activities and rituals.

Skills/Qualifications

No specific skills or qualifications are required. However, some kind of teaching certification or education degree is appreciated. Volunteers must have passion and interest to help children and improve their education. Non-native English speakers with a masterful command of the English language may also be considered for this project.

Volunteers' Responsibilities

Volunteers will work primarily as English-teachers/instructors either in public and/or private schools. Depending upon the need, volunteers may also be asked to assist in other extracurricular activities such as sports, games, etc. Some of the duties required of volunteers include:

• Teaching English in public schools, orphanages or universities
  
• Assisting with other creative, extracurricular activities (i.e. games, drawing, singing, dancing, etc.)
  
• Taking the students on educational tours/field trips (occasionally)
  
• Helping the students with their homework, supporting their academic progress
  
• Assisting in other school-related activities or programs

At a school, a volunteer helps with instruction prep in addition to preparing and delivering course instruction. A volunteer may prep schedules, lessons and exams, as well as assist with the normal daily life of students. The volunteer may also find themselves instructing courses in IT, hairstyling, music, theater or other languages.

Room/Food /Supervision

IFRE arranges room, meals and supervision for volunteer for the entire duration of the program. Depending upon the location of the project, volunteers will either stay in our guesthouse or with a host family. Placements are usually in Phnom Penh or in/close to a provincial capital. Our Phnom Penh guesthouse is located in the center of the city (a notable Cambodian tourist city) near the Olympic Stadium and the Orussey Market. The staff is made up of English and French speaking people and they are very kind. There is a large roof terrace with hammocks, a TV and internet access. Nearby there is a restaurant and more services to help make your stay in Cambodia a pleasurable one.

Our host families are very friendly and hospitable. They look forward to learning more about a volunteer‘s home-country culture and life. Whether you stay in our guesthouse or with host family, IFRE manages clean but simple accommodations with a separate room (occasionally shared with other volunteers), shared bathroom with cold water (usually no hot water is available) and a fan.

IFRE also manages three local meals a day. Usually, volunteers have breakfast in either a small restaurant, with host families or at work. IFRE manages volunteers’ food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Some volunteers have lunch at the school. If a volunteer having special eating requirements (e.g. as a vegetarian or vegan), we recommend staying in our guesthouse and not with a host family, as meat is the basis of most daily Cambodian meals.