In today’s world English language undoubtedly has become the most preferred means of communication and everyone sought after learning and mastering the language. In Nepal, too, people love to learn English, besides the situation is; the least your English language skill is, lower the chances of obtaining good jobs. Thus parents/schools give high priority and pressurize young ones to build up their English language skill. There are good boarding schools, too run privately and with main emphasis on English language. But, the conditions of public/government schools are not good and there are so many problems like inadequate resources, under-staffed; the language skills of the teachers are also not satisfactory. Due to high fees numerous poor children can’t afford to go to these boarding schools and have to settle for the public/government schools. Utilizing their English language skills, volunteers can work in such public or private schools teaching English. They can also assist the teachers as well as carry on other extra-curricular activities if required. These children can benefit immensely from this and learning English from a native speaker is another advantage.
Project Info
Your role as a volunteer: Primary your role as a volunteer will be work as an English instructor at the public or private schools. If required, you will also need to coordinate/assist in other extra-curricular activities. Basically, the duty will be conducting English classes (2-3 hrs. each day) for six days a week. Running/organizing extra-curricular activities like games, drawing, singing, dancing or other creative educational classes. You will be also involved in operating educational-tours, assist children with their homework, check their academic progress etc. You can help-out the administration too if needed.
Required Skills or Qualification: No specific skills or qualification is required, though a good level of speaking and written English is essential, and only a sheer love for teaching and helping the students is sufficient. Native English speakers are encouraged to apply but non-native speakers can also participate. Flexibility and patience are the keys as you can cope better with the situation because working conditions and people’s approach/thinking can differ from what you are used to back home.
Location of the project: The project’s locations can be inside or outside the Kathmandu City as per requirements. If inside Kathmandu, volunteers can go for short tour around Kathmandu in off-hours. Kathmandu is a lively city and also the capital of Nepal; it’s the prominent tourist-destination too where modernity & traditional culture have blend together perfectly which can be seen in the places like Patan, Bhaktapur, Thamel etc. During free time, volunteers are free to explore the city where a choice of restaurants, cafes, pubs, clubs, shopping centers, cyber-cafes can be located almost anywhere nowadays.
Orientation & Language classes: An option of a week’s long orientation class related to the language & culture of the Nepalese society can also be obtained to understand the country & the people much better as well as to make things easier. This class is intended to provide necessary & basic language skills, cultural knowledge plus safety & security tips before you can actually start-up your assignment.
Accommodation & Supervision: During the project period, volunteers will stay either at our hostels or in the host family’s residence if outside Kathmandu. Usually, your place-of-stay will be close to your working place or at times can be reached by bicycle. A separate room will be provided by the host family but you need to share the bathroom, kitchen, rest room. Our field-staff will pay a visit once in every 2 weeks and contact will be maintained through phones, emails with those volunteers who are farther away.
However, for the first few days after your arrival, you will stay at our hostel in Kathmandu and also during the orientation & language class. The hostel is located in a prime location in Kathmandu and easily accessible to most parts of the city. We have our own cook and a Nepali meal (close to Indian food and include wheat bread, rice, curry, Dal, chapatti, pickle) will be served. During your host family stay, they will provide you the daily food.