Many of us may have grown up wanting to “heal the world, make it a better place." However, a lot of us have no idea how to do this. Forget white savior complex, are you ready to do something good for real?
When done properly, volunteer teaching abroad is one of the most concrete ways you can give back. Not only can you share your native language skills and knowledge but you also get the chance to get to know locals properly or meet other travelers along the way.
Become an international education volunteer—teaching English will be your main gig, but there's still plenty of fun to be had.
Why should you choose volunteer teaching English abroad instead of the paid route?
Most people will think you’re crazy if you decide to traipse halfway across the world just to “volunteer” abroad teaching English. Why would anyone want to lose time and money doing that when you can easily get paid teaching English as a foreign language instead? Well, the answers may surprise you. Although you may not get a salary with volunteer teaching English abroad programs, there are other rewards.
Home sweet homestay
First off, as a volunteer teaching abroad, you may get a chance to stay with a family and learn through cultural immersion. Homestays are excellent ways to get to know what it’s really like to live in any country, whether it’s India or Ethiopia. Instead of relying on “fake news,” learn what really ticks off/turns on a country’s population. If you’re struggling to learn the language, homestays also provide a great way to pick up authentic conversation starters.
Test the teach abroad waters
Even if you don’t get free food, travel, and board, volunteer teaching abroad is a great way to explore a possible career in teaching. Not sure you want to commit to becoming Mr. Feeny/Ms. Frizzle just yet? Volunteer teaching English abroad programs are the perfect way to wade in the shallow end of the pool. Even if, at the end, you decide teaching is a no-go for you, at least you can say that you’ve tried it.
Do some good and fulfill a need using the skills you already have
That should be at the root of it, right? You’re dedicated to service and want to make good use of your time volunteer teaching abroad—especially for qualified teachers. You’ve been afforded the great privilege of an education, and you’d like to share that with others who do not have the same privilege. Not everyone can afford great teachers and top notch education around the world, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t have them.
Here are the 9 best places to volunteer teaching English abroad
Teaching volunteer opportunities are like stars in the sky: too numerous to count. However, we’ve narrowed it down to these 9 places that are guaranteed to give back to the local community and make you feel good about yourself.
1. Jamaica
Volunteer teaching abroad in Jamaica won’t be all lying in a hammock by the beach, but it’ll be pretty close to it.
Volunteer as a teacher in Jamrock, reggae capital of the Caribbean. Although Jamaica is an English-speaking Caribbean country, it is still a developing nation and welcomes volunteer educators.
Pros: Think beyond the beaches: you get to see what living and teaching in the Caribbean is really like. As an assistant teacher, you will work with an experienced Jamaican teacher and share your culture with young people.
Cons: Public school classrooms in Jamaica can be under-resourced so you may have to deal with limited teaching aids and school supplies. Because of high crime rates, some parts of Jamaica like Kingston can be dangerous so you need to watch your back.
Recommended program: Volunteer as an assistant teacher with Jamaica Volunteer Expeditions
- Read Jamaica Volunteer Expeditions reviews | Visit their site
- Check out all volunteer teach abroad programs in Jamaica
2. Chile
Volunteer teaching English abroad programs in Chile are just the tip of this iceberg! (Or, glacier, if we’re getting technical.)
Forget the gringo bubble and earn professional experience by volunteering to teach underprivileged kids in Pablo Neruda’s homeland. Placements vary across the land of the Atacama desert and the Andes.
Pros: Volunteering to teach in Chile can help you understand Chilean culture. Some volunteer teach programs are well-vetted because they are government sponsored and supported by the UNDP (United Nations Development Program).
Cons: Some schools may want you to volunteer for a long period to have a more lasting impact on the students. Also, many Chilean schools may seem chaotic compared to what you’re accustomed to in your home country.
Recommended program: Volunteer teach with English Open Doors Program
- Read English Open Doors Program reviews | Visit their site
- Check out all volunteer teach abroad programs in Chile
3. Nepal
Help children learn and grow when you volunteer teaching English abroad.
Spend quality time volunteer teaching English abroad in the roof of the world. Teach monks or school kids and learn more about this fascinating Eastern culture in the heart of the Himalayas.
Pros: Because much of the population live below the poverty line, Nepalis appreciate strangers who want to pay it forward and help their people. Avoid offending them unnecessarily by learning local customs before you touch down.
Cons: Nepal is still recovering from the most recent earthquake so many areas are still being rebuilt. You have to adjust your expectations and learn some key survival skills before you go. Many Nepali classrooms are underfunded and lack enough resources so volunteer teaching can be a struggle. Older Nepali students may also be very reserved in the classroom.
Recommended program: Volunteer to teach in Nepali monasteries with Love Volunteers
4. South Africa
Dedicating your life in service to others as a volunteer teacher abroad will have you feeling on top of the world.
In spite of its ugly history, South Africa is brimming with optimism and change. Make a difference and share your passion for teaching young people in underprivileged inner-city communities and other disadvantaged rural areas. There is a high demand for volunteer teachers.
Pros: South Africa is a very diverse country so you’re likely to meet students from different tribes in one classroom. You can volunteer as an assistant teacher or with the literacy program. Soak up South Africa’s vibrant culture and explore Cape Town, one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Cons: Significant chunks of the South African population still suffer from poverty, unemployment, HIV/AIDS, and substance abuse because of the consequences of apartheid. Many schools are also overcrowded, understaffed, and poorly funded. Prepare for some serious culture shock.
Recommended program: Volunteer teach in Cape Town with African Impact
- Read African Impact reviews | Visit their site
- Check out all volunteer teach abroad programs in South Africa
5. China
Education can be a barrier as tall and wide as the Great Wall, but it doesn’t have to be.
Although China has a thriving TEFL industry, not all Chinese children have access to quality English language education. Also, because of its ever-growing global economic power, many volunteer teachers in China will be asked to focus on building English conversation skills in students.
Pros: Volunteering to teach English to students in rural areas of China is bound to be rewarding. Get firsthand experience of living in China, brush up on your Mandarin, Cantonese, or the local language, and explore a truly vast country in your spare time.
Cons: In China, traditional values are very important so you will have to adjust to the Chinese way of teaching English. Be prepared to teach to the test and manage large classes. Chinese students also do not speak up in class which can be a challenge in English conversation classes.
Recommended program: Teach in China with United Planet
- Read United Planet reviews | Visit their site
- Check out all volunteer teach abroad programs in China
6. Guatemala
Not to mention all the opportunities to get involved in extra curriculars—even as a volunteer teacher.
This Central American country is not only naturally stunning but also has excellent historical cities. Teach English and learn authentic español while throwing yourself deep into Guatemalan daily life.
Pros: Students in this Spanish-speaking country are very outspoken and lively so there’s never a dull moment in the classroom. Guatemala has a low cost of living so you can get by on a little dinero.
Cons: There is violent crime in some parts of the country so please research the areas you want to volunteer in. You may need to bring a lot of teaching materials from home since they may be hard to source in the country.
Recommended program: Volunteer teach English in Guatemala with Maximo Nivel
- Read Maximo Nivel reviews | Visit their site
- Check out all volunteer teach abroad programs in Guatemala
7. India
Just another day at work if you’re volunteer teaching abroad.
With cultural behemoths like the Taj Mahal and the holy city of Varanasi, India has a booming tourism industry. However, this South Asian country still grapples with more than a third of the world’s poor and underprivileged people and craves volunteer English teachers.
Pros: By teaching in India, you can learn more about its education system at a grassroots level. Pick up a new language (Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Gujarati, the list goes on!) and explore a culture that is so ancient and modern at the same time.
Cons: Red tape still stifles the Indian education system. Also, it’s still chalk and talk in many parts of India so if you’re allergic, you’ve been warned.The gap between the poor and rich is very apparent and the level of poverty can be extremely disturbing.
Recommended program: Volunteer teach in India with HELP
8. Indonesia
Don’t forget the golden rule as a volunteer teacher, “if you can’t say something rice, don’t say anything at all.”
Indonesia (or Indo in short) is the world’s largest archipelago nation. It is super multiethnic and multireligious. Get this: its people speak more than 700 languages! With more international visitors each year, more and more Indonesians are recognizing the need to learn English.
Pros: Two of the most popular places to volunteer teach in Indonesia are Bali and Jakarta, the capital. However, with a whopping 17,000+ islands, there are loads of other places you can volunteer! Many kids will also be genuinely excited to see you, especially if you volunteer at a preschool.
Cons: Indonesian students can be a bit unruly, so this is volunteer teaching abroad for qualified teachers with a lot of classroom experience under their belt. Also, the country is a largely Islamic state so you should respect its conservative attitudes and laws. It also contains the world’s largest number of volcanoes and can be prone to natural disasters including earthquakes and tsunamis.
Recommended program: Volunteer teach English at a kindergarten in Bali with IVHQ
9. Armenia
Views like this are pretty casual if you’re volunteer teaching in Armenia.
This landlocked, mountainous country may seem off the volunteer teaching English abroad radar but don’t be fooled. There are many teaching volunteer opportunities to educate the young’uns in this nation at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.
Pros: Locals are very keen to share their culture with foreigners. Prepare for invitations from parents and fellow teachers to share in home-cooked meals. Armenia is also chock filled with history and monasteries!
Cons: Brace yourself to stick out like a sore thumb as Armenia is ethnically homogenous. As a former Soviet state, the country is still in transition so there will be bureaucracy and other bumps to deal with.
Recommended program: AVC Professional Corps in Armenia
[Explore lots more opportunities in our Volunteer Teaching Abroad directory]
Next steps to volunteer teaching English abroad programs
Are you reading to commit? Here are some more resources to help you decide if volunteer teaching English abroad is for you!
- Get customized meaningful travel advice from an Online Advisor.
- Compare volunteer teaching English abroad programs side by side with MyGoAbroad.
- Here’s some expert advice on how to teach English abroad.
- Learn how to be the best volunteer possible.
- Still playing devil’s advocate? Read more articles on volunteering abroad.
- Strapped for cash but still want to do good? Start a campaign at FundMyTravel.
Grab your backpack, it’s time for school!
To be a kicka$$ volunteer, you have to realize that it’s not always about you. Yes, it may be hard to get out of your head sometimes but when you’re actually teaching people who are less fortunate than you, you’ll soon realize that you’re just a small cog in a big world. And trust me, no matter how Grinchy you may feel at first, at the end, don’t be surprised if your heart grows three sizes or more.
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