Volunteer Requirements

You will be required to teach conversation-based English language classes for between three and six hours per day (depending on location), with the weekends off. You are required to create your own lesson plans, tailored to both your skills and interests and also to the abilities and interests of your classes. Beyond that you are free to spend your time as you wish, and we encourage you to do so with your host family and host community. Your host family will receive no money for hosting you, so, in essence, you are their personal guest and should act as such.

To qualify for a position we ask that you be:

• Independent: there is little in-country oversight, and villages are often in isolated areas with limited outside communication
• Resourceful: teaching and living abroad always provides unexpected challenges
• Adaptable: living conditions are often considered uncomfortable by US and UK standards.
• Service oriented: being an LE volunteer is hard work!
• A current undergraduate or graduate student, or a recent college graduate (at least 18 years old)
• Available for the whole duration of the teaching assignment
• A native (or equivalent level) English speaker
• Competent to the required level in the host community’s language, if applicable (see Our Programs)
• Teaching experience is helpful, but IS NOT required
• Regional or travel experience is helpful, but IS NOT required

Health and Safety

Traveling in developing countries involves risks. Depending on the program, you may be placed in a rural village that is far from modern health services and other volunteers, however, all villages will have a local doctor. Making sure that you prepare yourself both mentally and physically, and stay safe and healthy in country is your responsibility. It will be up to you to exercise good judgment, behave responsibly, and use local resource to solve minor problems that arise during your stay.

Before the summer, we will inform you about country-specific health information and provide you with information to purchase travel insurance, which you must do if you do not already have coverage. Additionally, LE has an in-Country Coordinator and Program Director present in each program country who can provide extra support and guidance for volunteers.

Please visit the State Department Travel website for further information about health and safety in the countries we teach in.

Preparation and Training

Previous teaching experience is not required to teach with Learning Enterprises. As long as you are creative and are willing to make learning English fun and interactive, we will provide you with basic teaching skills.

In late spring you will be required to participate in a training day at one of our hub campuses. If you are not located near one of these campuses you will have the opportunity to participate in a “virtual training day.” During this time we will provide you with basic information on ESL teaching, classroom management techniques, and lesson planning.

The crux of your training will take place in your host country, just prior to your teaching assignment. This orientation will provide you with information regarding country-specific teaching challenges and strategies. During the orientation you will also have the opportunity to get to know other volunteers on your team and start discovering your new surroundings.

Volunteer Expenses & Fundraising

All food and lodging will be taken care of by your hosts while you are teaching. Beyond that expenses vary by program, but a typical volunteer spends:

Application Fee: $15
Airfare: $500 – $2000 (depending on the program)
Orientation: $100 – $200
Incidental summer expenses (not including travel): $100+

In addition, Learning Enterprises requires each volunteer to submit a $500 security deposit check which we will only cash if you drop out of the program after committing. Otherwise, the money will never leave your bank account.

Finally, to keep the tradition alive of providing teaching placements for college students and young adults without a program fee, volunteers are required to write 15 (or more!) letters to family members and friends inviting them to participate in the Village Sponsorship Project. We ask each volunteer to set a goal of raising $200.