Description

With little funding for new classrooms and few new teachers being employed, schools in Togo are in crisis. Although the existing teachers work tirelessly, large class sizes and a lack of facilities means that teaching can be a challenge. However, all our volunteers report that the students truly want to learn and the local teachers are extremely supportive. This West African teaching project in one of the poorest countries in the world is an unforgettable experience.

Both the students and staff speak a mixture of French and the local tribal Volta Region language of Ewe. Speaking some basic French or taking the opportunity to learn or improve your French during your time in Togo is a good idea as most people do not speak English.

You can gain work experience teaching in high schools in Togo and no TEFL or other formal teaching qualification is required. Whether you want to volunteer teaching during your gap year, career break or vacation you will have a role to play and your efforts will be greatly appreciated.

The impact you have on the lives of your students will be obvious and long-lasting, but you will also be part of a much wider volunteer network, which is making a really positive contribution to the communities in which we work.

* Teach English and French Language in schools with Projects Abroad

You will be placed in a high school in the city of Lome. Characterized by bare concrete classrooms with no glass in the brick-latticed windows, the schools may be large but they are not well equipped. They look basic from the outside and inside often lack even the most basic facilities. Your main resource will be a blackboard, a piece of chalk and most importantly yourself. You will start off as a teaching assistant and once you have found your feet you can often take over the class. Don't worry, the local teacher will always be available to help and advise in your lessons.

You'll generally be asked to take the timetabled English classes for a range of ages within the school. You will have a curriculum to follow and the local staff will help you with planning your classes. Your encouragement, praise and some fun lessons are often all that are needed to spark an interest in the language and a desire to try harder. Volunteers who speak good enough French can also get involved in French language classes.

* Volunteering on a Teaching Project in Togo

Because of the heat, school finishes for most students at midday. In many schools volunteers have set up popular English clubs which run for an hour once a week for each year group after the main school day has ended. The clubs give you a chance to move away from the main school curriculum and enjoy debates, drama or songs and games with the children. The clubs can go a long way to increasing the student's enthusiasm for languages and even persuade some students to keep up their English studies into further education.

If you are interested in sports, particularly football you could also help to coach the school football team. Alternatively, after a hard day's work you may just want to go and spend a few hours lying on the beach with other volunteers!

Highlights

Togo is also an excellent starting point for travel around neighboring West African countries, whether you are interested in discovering the history of mysterious voodoo in Benin or fancy heading west along the coast to Ghana's sandy beaches and haunting slave forts.

All accommodation is organized, paid for and monitored by Projects Abroad. All project placements are regularly visited and checked. We require high standards of supervision and accommodation, which are verified before you arrive in Togo.

This project offers the opportunity to become fully immersed in the culture in a manner which even the most hardened of backpackers could never hope to do.

Qualifications

none

Intern Types

• Education
• English as a Second Language

Languages

• English
• French

Cost in US$:

please go to our website for prices.

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Medical services
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Academic Reinforcement
• Education
• English Teaching
• Teaching
• Volunteering

Typical Volunteer

Open-minded with a willingness to travel.

Age Range

16-80

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of 2-5

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

10 days

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement

As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded

1992