Overview
Short-Term Volunteer English Teaching Workshops in Guatemala - PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PROGRAM IS NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE

This short term volunteering project allows volunteers with little time to make a real difference to GVI's current Teaching English program for Secondary School children. The aim is to break the current program into smaller workshops, allowing the children more one to one experience in which to practise what they have already been taught and to become accustomed to different accents. Volunteers have the unique opportunity to live in the colonial town of Antigua and teach English in the indigenous communities of the surrounding area.

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By breaking the class into smaller groups, more emphasis can be put on one-to-one interraction with the students, and I could see progress in a short space of time

Ruth Thames, Teaching English Volunteer 2008

What Difference Does This Project Make?

The project in Guatemala makes a huge difference to the children as they will receive English tuition from the main Teaching English program, and have the chance to practise in the smaller dynamic workshops offered with this particular program. The English they learn in school is often from a Guatemalan teacher who has no grasp of the English language, and is teaching from a book. As we are focussing on teenagers, the shorter timescale of the volunteer's involvement has a less psychological effect on the children and allows them to interract with a wide range of English speakers.

Highlights

Living with a host family in Antigua; learning Spanish (optional); Working alongside GVI staff and volunteers teaching indigenous children in remote communities. Working in small dynamic groups and assisting in the long-term English-teaching program, going on an adventure weekends or attending various cultural workshops and/or events.

Location

Guatemala is one of the jewels of Central America, packed with ancient ruins, active volcanoes and intriguing Mayan culture. Volunteers live in the beautiful old Spanish colonial town of Antigua and project work is carried out in communities all within a one-hour journey from the town.

Field Conditions

Living with local families in comfortable but basic accommodation gives volunteers an enriching cultural experience and provides them with the valuable opportunity to practice their Spanish! All accommodation provided is private and includes three meals a day apart from Sundays; lunch is eaten in the communities with a local family during the week. Travel upgrades are available on this project see dates and costs for more information.