STARTING: Any day / all year round

DURATION: 2 week minimum

REQUIREMENTS: No specific skills or qualifications are required

Project Summary

Volunteer in Peru teaching English or other subjects. Your assistance will improve the school environments, provide children with greater opportunities and allow you to engage in Peruvian culture. Schools in Peru are drastically underfunded and although English, art and physical education are required, they are typically not available due to the lack of funding and staff. In some schools, these courses may be taught but at a very low skill level as local teachers are not qualified to teach the courses. Peru needs volunteers to teach the important but often overlooked subjects of art, computer skills, physical education and more than anything, English. With the tourism in Cusco, English is one of the easiest ways to open doors in our children's futures, as the dominant job market is tourism and hospitality. Volunteer to teach English to children in Peru and provide a passion and love for learning into their lives!

Skills/Qualifications

No specific skills or qualifications are required to volunteer in the Teaching English Project in Peru. Beginner to intermediate knowledge of Spanish is preferred but not mandatory. If you cannot speak Spanish, we suggest you enroll in our Spanish language course to make your stay more rewarding – both for you and for the children you are helping. There are no specific qualifications needed to join our volunteer teaching projects in Peru. Dress code is required in the schools (no shorts or sleeveless shirts) and volunteers must be physically presentable (no excessive tattoos or piercings). Volunteers are expected to be reliable, flexible and patient and strive to be good role models for the children.

Volunteer Responsibilities

Working as a volunteer in the Teaching English Project in Peru, you will work 4-5 hours per day, Monday through Friday. Depending on individual skills and interests and the needs of the local staff, daily activities involve:

  • Teaching basic English 3-4 hours a day
  • Teaching other subjects such as math and science
  • Teaching health and personal hygiene
  • Planning and leading extracurricular activities such as dance, games, sports, arts, music, etc.
  • Helping children with their homework
  • Providing assistance to the school in administration, curriculum development and fundraising

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What Is The Name Of The School I Would Be Placed?

Your local coordinator will provide you with all school and placement information on the day of your arrival. On your first working day, your coordinator will accompany you to your project and make sure you arrive well and safe. Your local coordinator will provide telephone numbers and directions as well.

  • What Is The Age Range Of The Students In The School?

The students you will be instructing range in age between 11-18 years old

  • How Many Students Are In The School? How Many Of Them Are In Each Class?

There are about 150 students at the school with the average of 18 students per class.

  • Will I Be Handling The Classes On My Own Or Will There Be Someone Assisting Me While Teaching?

You will be teaching alongside a local teacher. Depending on your Spanish language level you may teach some days independently, this depends on your interaction and engagement with the students.

  • Do They Have Teaching Curriculum?

Yes, there is a teaching curriculum that teachers need to follow. Ideas for teaching methods or teaching content are very welcome though. There is a high demand for native English speakers to work as teachers in Peru.

  •  How Many Hours A Day Do I Need To Teach?

You will teach about 4 hours a day on average.

  • Do I Need To Bring Teaching Materials? Or Does The School Have Teaching Materials Which I Can Use?

The school has their own books; however, English teaching volunteers are welcome to bring additional books, school supplies or anything else that they feel may be a beneficial to their students.

  • Is Teaching Available All-Year Round? If Not, When Does It Close For How Long?

Teaching is only available during the school year. Peruvian schools are closed between December 15th – March 10th and July 30th – August 18th.

Any Important Information You Want To Share About This Project?

It is important to respect that in Peru the teaching methods may vary from those that you are used to at your home country. Teachers may know less English than you would expect from an English teacher in your home country. Lessons are taught often in a repetitive and slow way. It is important to support the teacher in motivating the students for learning English. In Peru, especially in Cusco about 80% of all jobs are in tourism. It is critical for students to learn English for their future professions, which may very well be in tourism where the English language is vital to receive a well-paying job.

What is include in the price?

  • Airport pick up
  • 20 hrs Spanish group lessons (If a student wants to continue, they will be able to continue group or private Spanish lessons)
  • Accommodation
  • Food(2 meals per day breakfast, lunch or dinner)
  • Staff member welcome and pick-up on arrival
  • Support and 24 hour back-up from our local staff
  • Salsa classes
  • Cooking and pisco sour classes
  • Donation for the organization you will work with
  • Basic City tour of Cusco
  • Cusco’s map
  • Visa support (if applicable)

Prices do not include:

  • Flights
  • Visas
  • Travel insurance
  • Medical insurance
  • Costs of transportation between the homestay/apartment- volunteering place