Description

Poor, rural children are falling behind their rich counterparts in the cities because the schools are in such bad physical condition. Overcrowding makes it difficult for instructors to teach and for the children to learn. Further, too few teachers and lack of funding make it impossible to cover all the subjects, including the compulsory English courses, much less tend to the needs of every student.

In other schools, the courses are taught, but at a very low level as the teachers do not have the proper education and training. The gap, therefore; between the rich and poor is ever expanding.

By the time the children make it to high school, where they are expected to have mastered the basic skills designated at that level, they become frustrated and abandon their pursuit of an education altogether, contributing to the high dropout rate.

Help is desperately needed to teach English and other subjects in neighborhood kindergarten and elementary schools, as well as at the local high school.

English teaching volunteers may be assigned the following responsibilities:

* Teaching the children English and other core subjects;
* Assisting the teacher's with developing lesson plans;
* Helping the teachers to learn English; and
* Organizing constructive learning activities and games.

Highlights

Authentic cultural immersion experience as participants live with a local host family in addition to having daily interaction with other local in the community and at their project assignment.

Qualifications

Volunteers must be presentable and professionally dressed - i.e. jeans, knee length skirts, capris, t-shirts are all permissible. No excessive tattoos or piercings. No shorts or tops that show the shoulders or mid-drift. Volunteers are expected to be reliable, flexible and patient.

Intern Types

• English as a Second Language

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Starting at 782

Program Fees Include:

Includes project set-up arrangements, airport pick-up and drop-off, orientation, host family accommodations, three meals/day, 24/7 emergency in-country staff support, and project donation. Spanish lessons are available in Costa Rica for an additional weekly fee.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

While participation is not limited to this demographic, the average age is 18-26. Participants that are flexible and open minded when it comes to cultural differences, ways of life, and work pace are those that tend to benefit most from their experience abroad, as do those that demonstrate initiative with regard to recommending and implementing changes to improve the project and to assist the staff.

Age Range

At least 18

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi and South African Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of Usually 2-3, depending on the time of year.

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other
• Resume
• Transcript

Typically The Application Process Time is

2-4 weeks

Year Founded

2008