Description

With rich natural resources, a mix of indigenous peoples and stunning coastlines, Mexico is a fascinating Central American country. With so much trade and interaction with the neighboring US, a good command of the English language opens up many international opportunities for jobs, commerce and travel.

Living so close to the United States has also meant that plenty of US culture flows into the country in the form of television and music, and this makes the English language even more attractive. Schools and universities in the areas we work in Mexico are increasingly eager to benefit from the opportunities a native English speaking volunteer brings.

Volunteer teaching in Mexico is an ideal way to learn about and explore Mexico and its people. You do not need to have had any previous teaching experience and we do not require you to have undergone TEFL training. Whether you want to volunteer overseas as an English teacher during your gap year, career break or extended vacation, your presence at the school or university in which you work will be valued, and you will receive ongoing support from our local staff.

The Projects Abroad office in Mexico is based in Guadalajara, the second largest city in Mexico after the capital, Mexico City. The main focus is on building your students confidence to communicate in English. You will find that the students want to hear what life is like in your hometown, and why you have chosen to come to Mexico.

Our volunteers can choose to work in primary schools, secondary schools or at the University of Guadalajara. If you want to go to a smaller, more traditional Mexican town why not consider Ciudad Guzman, which is situated about two hours away from Guadalajara. You will soon find yourself known as one of the few 'gringos' in town!

As a volunteer in Mexico on one of our teaching projects, you can provide effective, practical help with spoken English to a large number of students. You will generally start your placement supporting a teacher, but you will probably feel confident enough to take your own classes before long. It is always important to achieve a balance with your teaching colleagues as any one-on-one work you do with the students will help them improve rapidly.

It is always worth talking to your supervisors about any ideas you may have for the students. If you have other language skills such as German or French we would be interested to hear from you as well. There are always skills that our volunteers have that we could use on our teaching projects. Volunteers who are budding musicians, artists and actors have all added to the richness of our students education in the recent past.

Before you set out to Mexico, we will send you a teaching guide that has plenty of suggestions for games and activities that will help to stimulate the students minds and sustain their enthusiasm. We always welcome new ideas and we hope that you will take the time to prepare and structure lessons. Being well prepared will help to give you confidence and ensure that both you and your students get the most out of the experience.

Highlights

Mexico is a real meeting-place of cultures: a modern, industrialized and well-educated country that's full of history. American, Spanish and Indian influences all come together to make it a fascinating place that mixes developed and developing worlds. Mexico is a stimulating mixture of wealth and poverty, and offers amazing opportunities for volunteers to learn and travel within its expansive borders.

It's a paradise country of mountains and volcanoes, deserts and beautiful beaches and ancient ruins and civilizations, with nearly 30 World Heritage Sites. It is one of the most diverse countries in the world in terms of biodiversity, with over 200,000 different species of flora and fauna.

Qualifications

No qualifications, experience or languages necessary.

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Languages Used as a Medium of Teaching

• English
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

Please go to our website for prices.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Adult Education
• English Teaching
• Primary Education
• Secondary Education
• Teaching
• Volunteering

Typical Volunteer

Open-minded with a desire to travel.

Age Range

16-70

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

10 days

Post Services Include

• 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