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Teaching English Volunteer in Antigua, Guatemala

Do you want to share your passion for the English language with children in need in Guatemala? Would you like to teach abroad and learn about a different culture while making a difference? Join IFRE teaching English Volunteer opportunities in Guatemala!

Guatemala is a beautiful and resilient nation in Central America. One half of the country’s population is of Mayan descent, making Guatemala a stronghold for this ancient culture and heritage. Although rich in culture, Guatemala is desperately poor. Children suffer

the worst and are often deprived of a quality education. Although learning English is a skill that will help them have brighter futures, it is often a luxury denied to all but the wealthiest of Guatemalan kids.

When you join the Guatemala volunteer teaching English program, you can help change all this! IFRE has teamed up with local schools to provide this valuable education to poor, disadvantaged students that would otherwise never have the chance to learn English. You will give them the chance to break the cycle of poverty and go on to promising futures with good-paying jobs.

Do you want to help kids gain confidence and skills they need for a brighter future? Then contact IFRE today to learn more about doing volunteer work in Guatemala!

Take a minute to complete the form and we will be in touch.

Volunteer Responsibilities & Impact

Your primary responsibility volunteer in Antigua, Guatemala Teaching English program will be teaching Basic English to children. Volunteers will work 3-4 hours per day from Monday to Friday. Work hours may be in the morning, afternoon or evening depending on the project.

You will be working in underprivileged schools and communities. Besides teaching English, you might also pitch in teaching other subjects such as math, music, or art depending on your background and personal interests. You will also help the teachers, create lesson plans and conduct fun extracurricular activities that help the kids enrich their lives on a daily basis.

Your time spent teaching kids while volunteering in Guatemala will change both your life and those of the kids. Your students will acquire a valuable new skill which can help change the course of their futures, and you will be fulfilled knowing you are making a profound difference in the lives of children in need.


Skills and Qualifications:

You don’t need any prior teaching experience to join the volunteer English teaching program in Guatemala. The primary qualifications you will need to volunteer with children in Guatemala are a strong grasp of the English language (native speakers preferred) and a passion for making a difference in the lives of children in need. You also need to be able to work with limited resources. Background check is required for volunteers working with children. Through not mandatory, it is helpful to have basic Spanish skills. If you want to learn Spanish, you can join our Spanish immersion class during your volunteering.

Volunteers also need to be at least 16 years old to participate in this program on their own. Volunteers below the age of 18 years will need parental consent and those below the age of 16 need to be accompanied by their parent, guardian or faculty leader if they wish to volunteer.


Teaching English volunteer in Guatemala is an incredibly rewarding experience, and the enthusiastic and amazing kids will make sure your days are always fun and exciting.

Since you’ll be teaching English, your day will mostly revolve around the schedule of the school day. Your exact duties and hours will vary based on your placement, so think of this sample schedule as just a rough idea of what you can expect:

First Day: On your first day of volunteering teaching English program in Guatemala, you will be escorted to your project placement by our local coordinator. They will introduce you to the teachers and kids you will have the pleasure of working with. You’ll undergo an informative training session where you’ll learn all about your service work and duties, daily schedule, safety protocol, and the customs and culture of Guatemala

Weekdays: Your teaching begins on the second day and a typical volunteer day is as follows:

7.00 to 7.30 AM: Start your day off the right way with a typical Guatemalan breakfast shared with your lovely host family.

7.45 AM: Head out to your project site, which won’t be too far from your host family. You’ll spend the day teaching English and connecting with amazing Guatemalan kids!

12.00 PM: Take a break from teaching and eat lunch. You may travel back to your host family, or you might have brought a lunch to go. In this case, take the opportunity to chat with your fellow volunteers in Guatemala and make friends from around the world!

3.00 PM: Work at the placement usually ends with the school day. Head out to explore the exciting city of Antigua, and maybe spend some time with your new volunteer friends. You can also return to relax with your host family.

6.45 PM: Enjoy a traditional Guatemalan dinner with your host family. Find out more about the local culture and way of life in this immersive experience.


Fees & Program Dates

Program Dates

IFRE programs begin every Monday year-round. If you have travel constraints, you can start your chosen program on any day of the year.

Volunteers can participate in our program for a minimum of 1 week or up to 12 weeks.

Fees

Since 2006, IFRE has been the most trusted, respected, and affordable volunteer abroad organization in the world. We’re dedicated to providing the highest quality volunteer programs at the lowest fees so that everyone, especially students, have the possibility to volunteer abroad and make a positive impact on the lives of others.

We believe in 100% transparency. Rest assured, we never use middlemen. Your one-time registration fee of $299 covers our administrative costs. The low weekly fee is paid directly to your host family and project (via country coordinator), and includes housing, food, and minor expenses. IFRE is a non-profit organization, so your program fees are tax deductible.

Volunteer Program Fees (US$)

    Duration Project Fee
  1 Week $380
   2 Weeks $640
   3 Weeks $825
   4 Weeks $995
   5 Weeks $1,170
   6 Weeks $1,345
   7 Weeks $1,520
   8 Weeks $1,695
  9 Weeks   $1,870
  10 Weeks   $2,045
  11 Weeks   $2,220
  12 Weeks   $2,395

Comprehensive Travel Insurance $3.49/day ( below 28 years) and $4.49/day ( above 28 years) »

Spanish Lessons (2 hours per day) $55 per week

How your fee is allocated?

Program Fees Cover:

  • Shared Accommodation (host family)
  • 2 meals per day (Breakfast & Dinner)
  • Airport Pick up
  • In-country support
  • Program Orientation
  • Project Management
  • Volunteer Certificate
  • Discount for returning volunteers

Program Fees Exclude:

  • Visas
  • Airfare
  • Personal expenses on soft drinks and foods
  • Daily transportation
  • Airport return transfer

The volunteering programs in Antigua, Guatemala fees will cover expenses that will begin on the first day of the program to the last day of the program. If you arrive before the first day of the program or you decide you stay beyond your program’s last day, you will be responsible for the additional expenses.

Take a minute to complete the form and we will be in touch.

Accommodation and Meal

During your Guatemala volunteer Teaching English program, you will be staying with a welcoming host family. The accommodations are located in safe neighborhoods and all our host families have been carefully selected. With them, you will also get an opportunity for cultural exchange. You will be provided with shared accommodation and with another volunteer of the same gender. Volunteer rooms are basic, clean and comfortable, and you will have access to showers, hygienic toilets and electricity. The volunteer projects may be walking distance from the accommodation or require public transportation.

Volunteers in Guatemala will be provided with 2 local meals a day (breakfast and dinner). We accommodate vegetarian needs but not special dietary requirements.

Read more about the accommodations and meals you’ll enjoy while in Antigua, Guatemala.

For more readings:
Host family
What It’s like to Stay with a Host Family
12 tips to enhance cultural experience in host families


Free Time and Weekend Exploration

Volunteering abroad is all about exploring new places and traveling while making the world a better place. After all your hard work teaching English, IFRE invites you to take your evenings and weekends off to have a great time and make the most of your Guatemala volunteer trip. Check out all the beautiful historical buildings of Antigua, visit local markets, explore crumbling ruins, and take trips to visit nearby areas.

Discover what to do in your free time while volunteering in Antigua, Guatemala.


Safety and in Country Support

Your safety is always our top priority. We have carefully vetted every single aspect of your trip, work with safe and trusted local partners, offer comprehensive insurance coverage, and watch out for you every step of the way throughout your program as a volunteer in Guatemala. Should you ever need help while in Guatemala, just reach out to our dependable in-country team and they’ll be right there to help!

Learn more about our dedication to safety and our in-country team.


Volunteer Teaching English in Guatemala: FAQs

There are a lot of little details that go into planning a volunteer experience in Guatemala, and you can relax knowing IFRE has taken care of all this for you. Here are a few details you should know about when traveling abroad with us.

Arrival and Departure

You need to fly into Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City. As soon as you have booked your flight, forward those details to our helpful in-country coordinator. They’ll set up your airport pickup for you, and we’ll have a local representative waiting to welcome you when you land. They’ll be holding a sign with your name on it and will take you safely to your accommodations.

We suggest arriving a day early. You’ll have to spring for an extra night of accommodations but arriving at your project refreshed and well rested is worth the minor expense.

When you complete your Teaching English Volunteer Guatemala program, you’ll need to set up your own taxi to the airport. Just chat with the local project staff and they’ll be happy to offer you advice on how to do this.

Visa

Whether or not you need to apply in advance for a tourist visa to travel in Guatemala depends on your nationality. Do some research ahead of time to find out the requirements based on your home country. If you are from the US, Canada, Australia, or the UK, all you need is a passport valid for 6 months and you can enter for 90 days without applying ahead for a visa.

Please visit Guatemala’s Immigration website for more detailed information.

Vaccination

Before heading off on your volunteer opportunities in Guatemala, be sure to meet up with your doctor and get up to date on all the needed vaccinations. This will help protect you against any foreign diseases, and make sure you are healthy and can make the most difference abroad.

Please consult a travel doctor who is knowledgeable about current health issues and epidemics in Guatemala. You can also find the information on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website, Global Health Canada or in Travelers' Health United Kingdom.

Some of the required vaccines for traveling in Guatemala are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.

For further readings:
Vaccination
Volunteer Health and Safety
Safety tips for your volunteer abroad trip

Why volunteer teaching English in Guatemala?

The Teaching English volunteer in Guatemala rewards you with incredible practical teaching experience, amazing destinations and sights, and the rewarding feeling you get when you know you’re making the world a better place.

Gain valuable work experience teaching overseas

You will be getting practical experience teaching in a classroom, learning new skills and gaining confidence in front of your students. Teaching in an international school is a unique experience and looks great on your resume.

Share your love of the English language and work alongside fellow educators

Help inspire young Guatemalans to join in your love for the English language when you volunteer in the teaching English program in Guatemala. You will also get to share your passion for education with fellow teachers.

Elevate the level of education in rural areas of Guatemala

Rural Guatemalans lack access to a quality education, and many have never had access to a native English speaker to learn from. Help provide this higher level of learning to kids in need.

Connect with people from a new culture

The kids and teachers at the Guatemala school you volunteer at will provide you with an enriching experience into the fascinating world of their unique culture. During your Guatemala volunteer experience teaching English, you will connect with and learn from these people who are so different from yourself.

Make a difference in the lives of poor Guatemalans

Learning English from international volunteers like yourself will help young students have bright futures with good-paying jobs. They will have the possibility to break the cycle of poverty and make better lives for themselves and their families.

Contact IFRE today to learn more about Teaching English volunteer opportunities in Guatemala!


Other Volunteering Opportunities in Antigua, Guatemala

There are a multitude of ways for you to contribute to the well-being of disadvantaged people in Guatemala. Please find our projects in Antigua, Guatemala below:

Contact IFRE today to learn more!


Take a minute to complete the form and we will be in touch.

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