English Teaching Volunteer Programs in South America

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. With 300+ projects in 40+ destinations, IVHQ offers the widest selection of volunteer programs globally from Teaching and Childcare to Wildlife Conservation, Medical Outreach, and Environmental Sustainability. Since 2007, IVHQ has supported over 155,000 volunteers on life-changing journeys. We specialize in fully-hosted volunteer trips that are safe, affordable, and accessible—starting from just $20 per day. Your experience includes airport pick-up, accommodation, meals, and round-the-clock support from our local teams. With flexible booking options and no change fees, planning your volunteer adventure has never been easier. Our programs run year-round and are available for 1 to 24 weeks across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, South and Central America, North America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Volunteering with IVHQ is about more than giving back; it’s about growing, learning, and building genuine global connections.

Maximo Nivel is a locally based organization in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. Volunteer abroad—get involved, make an impact, and learn to serve by working on local projects: - Working with Kids - Teaching English - Conservation - Construction - Animal Care - Eco-Agriculture - Medical and Healthcare To qualify: - Volunteers must be 18+ years of age or accompanied by a parent or guardian. - We require background checks from our volunteers. - Come with a great attitude and a willingness to pitch in. Since 2003, Maximo Nivel has been a leader in educational travel and study abroad. Our work-study-travel programs host more than 4,000 people per year. We are a professional, ethical, and hard-working organization that is completely dedicated to providing a great experience to every participant, student, traveler, and client! Every day, we strive to set ourselves apart and provide the best volunteer, education, and cultural experiences in Latin America, along with top-notch client service and great home-based facilities. Live it!

Peru is an incredible country; it’s filled with history, traditions, art, culture, geography, scenery, and more. Unfortunately, Peru’s educational system is not up to those same standards, thus students are not truly given a real opportunity to become proficient in English. Luckily, you have the chance to change this. In this program, you will be able to teach Peruvian students basic English such as reading, writing, vocabulary, and grammar. Volunteers’ responsibilities may include creating fun lesson plans, preparing materials for class, assisting students with chapters in books and observing other volunteers or teachers.

Are you a passionate and creative individual looking to leave a lasting and transformative mark in the lives of the incredible locals residing on the enchanting Isabela Island? If so, consider yourself exceptionally fortunate, for there exists a golden opportunity just waiting for someone like you to seize! This extraordinary organization operates in close collaboration with local authorities in the Galapagos National Park, educational institutions, and a network of international nonprofits. Its main mission is to ensure that every endeavor aligns seamlessly with the unique needs and aspirations of both the remarkable habitats and the local community. As an intern, you'll actively contribute to the enhancement and empowerment of the lives of the people in Isabela Island. Based on your interests and skills you can either apply for the internship focused on social media or education. In the first six weeks the organization will be able to see where your strengths and skills are to decide which focus you'll be for the rest of your internship experience. However, if you apply with a clear interest in English Edu. or social media management, then they'll try to work towards this.

Bucara Voluntours offers a meaningful way to connect with communities while exploring the vibrant culture of Bucaramanga, Colombia. This program combines social engagement with adventure, allowing participants to support local foundations while experiencing the best of Colombian life. Whether playing games with children, participating in language exchanges, or spending time at a dog rescue, every activity fosters genuine connections and cultural understanding. Participants can volunteer for as many days as they wish, engaging in sports, table games, or English classes with local youth. Beyond volunteering, the program offers outdoor activities such as hiking, paragliding, and cultural excursions. Spanish lessons with certified teachers help enhance communication skills, making the experience even more immersive and effective. From visiting coffee farms to learning Latin dances, this program offers a balance of social impact, education, and adventure in one of Colombia’s most welcoming cities.

At Projects Abroad, we’re passionate about travel with a purpose. Since being founded in 1992, more than 130,000 volunteers have traveled to over 20 destinations around the world. Our programs will make you step out of your comfort zone and engage with your new friends from around the world. These are long-term projects, led by local people and aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. By taking part in our programs, even for a short time, you will be contributing towards a sustained effort to support the communities that host us! We believe no other provider offers the safety and security to their volunteers and interns that we do. You'll receive 24-hour staff support from our trained staff, alongside a gold standard of safety planning of your trip - so you don't have to worry about a thing. Choose a project you are passionate about from working with children to medical internship, conservation, and wildlife volunteering. We offer projects starting at one week in over 20 stunning destinations across Asia, Africa, Latin America & The Caribbean, South Pacific & Europe. Ready to make a difference? Follow the link to visit our website!

Find out why more and more people are choosing to become a Love Volunteer! Love Volunteers is the most affordable way to volunteer and help local communities in developing countries! Why are we cheaper than other organisations? Firstly, we are just a handful of passionate people working hard to help volunteers and local communities around the world. We don't have huge overheads - no company cars, no downtown office - we're just volunteers who knew we could do a better job. Secondly, we work with local organisations wherever we can to keep administration costs to a minimum and also to feed as much money and skills into the local communities where we operate. All of Love Volunteers partner organisations have been fully vetted to ensure that, not only does a genuine need for assistance exist, but that the environments that we place our volunteers are safe and of high quality. Choose from one or more of our 200+ amazing community-based programs in 37 developing countries around the world. Every program has been personally visited by one of our dedicated staff members and is regularly audited to ensure it meets our high standards in terms of safety, sustainability, and local impact.

Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find a program that matches your interests and skills through Volunteer World! We are the largest volunteer abroad comparison platform around the globe, enabling you to seek and compare offers from major travel agencies as well as smaller grassroots NGOs and local specialists in more than 80 countries. All these with just one click! Find projects in wildlife, teaching, community development, and several other areas. Simply choose your desired destination and desired travel date, and our search engine will compare the best volunteer abroad programs on your behalf. Whether you wish to gain experience at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa or teach English at a monastery in Nepal, we've got you covered. Volunteer World guarantees a quick and easy application. We will guide you through this process, as well as help plan your next meaningful trip. We provide free access to quality-checked projects and flexible options. And if anything goes wrong, we've got your back with our qualified support team and our refund guarantee.

Looking for an international internship that will set you apart—and give you the skills, experience, and confidence to thrive in your career? Connect-123 designs fully customized programs that match your background and goals, offering hands-on experience in some of the world’s most exciting cities: Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Dublin, and Sydney. Whether you’re a student, recent graduate, or experienced professional, our programs span dozens of fields including business, finance, medicine, public health, journalism, marketing, human rights, law, sustainability, education, and more. You’ll gain meaningful, career-related experience while also exploring life in a new culture. We take care of the details so you can focus on making the most of your time abroad. From the moment you apply, our team helps guide you through the process, secure your placement, and prepare you for your new adventure. With flexible start dates and customizable program lengths, your life-changing internship begins on your schedule.

This program goes beyond ordinary high school travel programs and build cross-cultural community service summer trips perfectly geared to your interests and curiosities. Whether you’re looking to contribute to authentic service projects, experience exhilarating adventure, or develop your language skills, GoBeyond will immerse you in a new culture where you can make a meaningful difference while on the journey of a lifetime. Our high school community service summer programs proudly serve in many under-resourced communities and environments throughout the world. Explore our journeys in the British Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Galapagos & Ecuador, Peru, Iceland, Spain, China, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, and Australia. Beyond experiencing the adventure of a lifetime and creating lasting memories, we believe our community service summer trips enable lasting positive change in the world. For over forty years, we’ve been transforming communities, environments, and students’ lives through meaningful, collaborative adventures and service that develop skills and a more sophisticated worldly outlook—ultimately shaping the person you become.

Volunteering through Road2Argentina allows you to be more than a tourist, enabling you to interact with locals and practice your Spanish while giving back to the community. We offer placements in local organizations in Buenos Aires, where you will handle hands-on assignments that truly help those who need it most. Apart from volunteering activities, you can take intensive Spanish classes further to enhance your immersion in Argentine culture and language. Please become part of our unique community of local and international volunteers, interns, and other students. * Volunteer placements in Buenos Aires that require basic Spanish: - Community soup kitchen - Recreational activities for kids - Childcare - Teaching English to children or adults - Organizing fundraising events - Environmental sustainability * Volunteer placements in Buenos Aires that require intermediate Spanish: - Continuing education for children and adults - Community center communication - HIV-affected children - PR and marketing for an NGO

The Peru Community Project is based high in the Andes mountain range in the city of Cusco, the oldest continually inhabited city in South America and the staging post for Machu Picchu. This includes: Children's reading project - It focuses on the young and vulnerable to assist them in finding a way out of the trap of poverty by providing support in their education so they can become contributing members of their families and society. After-school education program - Globalteer's 'Picaflor House' project, based in Oropesa village outside of Cusco, focuses on taking children off the streets and providing them with a safe place to learn and enjoy being kids. Once at the project, they are provided with education and fun activities such as traditional dance, arts, sports, and excursions. Volunteers assist the local staff in teaching English. They play sports and read to the kids as well as lead arts and fun activities. They also help with manual work to improve the project: painting, decorating, gardening, etc. Globalteer is a registered charity in the UK providing ethical and affordable volunteering.

Lima, the capital of Peru, is located on the west coast of the Pacific along the Rímac River. This large, international city balances both modern and traditional influences, which evolved from Peru's history as the home of the Inca and numerous other civilized cultures dating back as far as 2000 BC. Opportunities vary from rehabilitating marine life to working with disabled or at-risk youth to creating environmental protection campaigns. By partnering with community-based organizations and following a structured, reflection-based curriculum, you will learn how local experts address these issues with available resources while developing intercultural and leadership skills in a real-world context. Each of our community-based organizations is unique, so visit our website to learn more about your options. Although all our programs are great, we especially recommend Lima for students who are interested in marine biology or human rights.

Inspire, Educate & Empower Communities Across the World Are you passionate about education and cross-cultural exchange? Do you dream of making a positive impact while traveling the world? With Volunteering Journeys’ English Teaching Programs Abroad, you can inspire young minds, build confidence, and open opportunities for children and adults across Peru, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and the Maldives. Whether you’re a student on a gap year, a certified teacher, or simply a fluent English speaker looking to make a difference, teaching abroad is one of the most rewarding ways to contribute to global education while immersing yourself in fascinating cultures. In many developing regions, English proficiency opens the door to education, employment, and better economic opportunities. However, limited resources and teacher shortages often leave students without access to quality English education. By joining Volunteering Journeys’ teaching programs, you’ll help bridge this gap. You’ll work in local schools, community centers, or after-school programs — improving English literacy, conversational confidence, and cultural awareness.

Discover the wonders of the "Paris of South America" while supporting grassroots organizations in Buenos Aires. This program is the perfect combination of two weeks of Spanish Immersion and two weeks of community service. Your engaging Spanish classes taught by local instructors will give you the language skills, confidence and cultural knowledge to excel in your community service placement. Volunteer placements include assisting with after-school programs for youth and working with community support groups such as soup kitchens. This program includes an excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Colonia, Uruguay, spending a day with Argentine cowboys on a Gaucho Ranch, and fun tours of the most iconic neighborhoods of Buenos Aires including La Recoleta, La Boca, San Telmo, and Palermo. Immerse yourself in cultural activities including an Argentine cooking class, tango class, and tango performance. Contribute the local community, learn about yourself, and make connections to last a lifetime! This is a great program for high school students looking to complete their community service hours. A basic level of Spanish is recommended for this program.

Join this hands-on, personalized internship and help provide low-income Indigenous communities with greater opportunities through teaching English. THE CHALLENGE In rural Ecuador, limited resources lead to poor education: 1 in 10 are illiterate, and only 24% finish middle school. Few speak English. With 40% of the population in poverty, English can open opportunities such as tourism. We’ve seen strong demand for our weekly classes—some walk over an hour to attend—but a lasting solution must be more regular and accessible. THE SOLUTION We’re seeking interns eager to apply their English teaching, TEFL, or TESOL skills in five nearby communities. You’ll get support from our team to visit schools, meet teachers, design programs, and deliver engaging lessons mainly for children. Gain hands-on experience while making a real difference and creating a brighter future. OUR METHODOLOGY Our internships use Design Thinking to co-create solutions with local partners. You’ll learn to observe, ideate, and prototype in real contexts, building skills while driving sustainable change. During, before and after your stay—you can explore Ecuador, from the Amazon rainforest to the Galápagos Islands.

Length: 4-6 months | Intakes: January 2026 Join the Global Leadership Programme, designed to provide you with hands-on experience supporting the work of an international development charity. We are looking for passionate graduates, who are keen to learn about global challenges, work with youth and define their own purpose. After an initial period of training, you will be placed in one of our overseas hubs as a Group Mentor and Project Implementor, you will be supporting our in-country team through coordinating group projects and supporting our project participants on their journey to becoming global citizens. Your days will be filled with exciting challenges and fulfilling experiences, including: 1. Coordinating and delivering impactful project activities with our local partners. 2. Embark on a leadership role as you guide your group of project participants through immersive and exciting cultural activities. 3. Engage your group in reflective discussions and interactive sessions to foster personal growth. 4. Reporting on the progress and success of all international project participants and community development project delivery activities.

The program focuses on leveraging childhood as the optimal stage for foreign language acquisition, addressing the global importance of English. This English as a Foreign Language program in public schools is designed to strengthen the four core communication skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The presence of a native-speaking volunteer significantly enhances student engagement and motivation, visibly impacting their interest in learning. Volunteers provide crucial daily support to teachers, including correcting homework and classwork, explaining grammar, guiding pronunciation, preparing workshops, and actively interacting with students. The program is currently implemented in the Andes (Quito, indigenous community and Cuenca) and the Galapagos Islands.

Immerse yourself in daily life in Peru’s Sacred Valley while working alongside community partners in the Andes. Support ongoing construction and agricultural projects that strengthen local infrastructure and deepen your understanding of Andean traditions. Explore vibrant markets, learn Quechua phrases, and share fútbol matches with Peruvian peers. Journey through the heart of the Inca Empire on excursions to Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and the agricultural terraces of Moray, then cap your experience with a breathtaking hike on the Inca Trail and a full exploration of Machu Picchu.

Embark on an adventure that will change lives—yours and those of the people you teach. Immerse yourself in the heart of Buenos Aires! Join our Volunteer Teaching Program and make a lasting impact while gaining invaluable work experience. Our program, hosted by TEFL in Buenos Aires, offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Argentine culture, improve your Spanish, and contribute to local communities through English Teaching. As a volunteer teacher, you will: Provide English lessons to children and adults, helping improve their language skills and open up future job opportunities. Engage with the local people, working directly with local schools and community centers, fostering meaningful connections, and understanding their needs. Gain practical teaching experience, develop your skills, and enhance your communication skills—all while receiving guidance from experienced TEFL instructors. Program details Duration: 8 weeks Cost: 2,500 USD Teaching Placement Accommodation: 8 weeks in a comfortable, spacious shared room at Palacio Piedras Spanish Lessons: 10 hours per week for 8 weeks