What is volunteer teaching abroad? 

As a volunteer teacher, you may be responsible for delivering formalised lessons that align with a curriculum or be involved in more informal activities such as running extracurricular programs both in and out of the classroom.

You could work with kindergartners on early childhood education programs or with adults on human empowerment projects, such as assisting girls and women entrepreneurs to help improve their access to business opportunities. 

Your volunteer teaching could be rooted in developing English literacy, numeracy, sport or art. You could assist with community development programs geared towards public health support, conservation and climate action.

Your work will vary depending on the program and location, but there are various types of teaching you might be involved with, including:

• Children: Work alongside local teachers in kindergartens or primary schools to teach children. 
• Adults: Facilitate formal classes for adults at local community centres or offer more informal conversational classes across a range of topics including health, gender equality and environmental education.
• Tutoring: Provide additional extra-curricular tutoring for community members of all ages across a range of topics.
• Clubs: Facilitate and coach extra-curricular clubs focused on specific community needs, like sports, business skills or arts and crafts.

The impact of volunteer teaching abroad 

Education is one of the most important resources in any community. Making sure this resource is accessible, equitable and well-maintained is a top priority for schools, community organisations, NGOs and governments across the world. Education and teaching projects help to provide additional support to these organisations. 

GVI’s volunteers play a vital part in the success and long-term sustainability of these teaching projects. With the support of our volunteers, GVI and our partner organisations are able to provide children with a safe environment and the support, supervision, socialisation and education in a range of subjects including English, maths, art and sport. 

We are also able to help adults – particularly marginalised women – develop new employability skills to improve their access to equal economic opportunities.