Project Description:

 

In Sri Lanka public schools, members of the English faculty are well versed in grammar and mechanics. If anything’s missing, it’s the fluency that develops through practice in a native-speaking environment. Regardless of your teaching background, your mere presence in this public school gives students and faculty the chance to take their English skills out of the textbook and put them to work in the real world. But there’s more to this arrangement than language arts. For many of these students, this is the only chance they have to meaningfully interact with a Westerner. The classroom is a world away from the tourist scene, and you’ll be in a unique position to influence the way these children grow up thinking about foreign cultures.

 

In this project, your daily commute will carry you through some of authentic neighbour hoods. All of the involved schools are in the city centre – most within the boundaries of the ancient moat. Some are part of larger temple complexes, complete with monastic communities and Buddhist shrines; others are stationed on dedicated school grounds. Each has its own dynamic, with anywhere from 100 to 1,000 students enrolled. Volunteer teachers have the option to work in any grade level. Many Sri Lanka students grow up thinking that their English ability is next to nil. But sometimes, a few confidence-boosting classes with a native speaker – where they’re understanding more than they expected to and communicating right back – is all it takes to change their minds. As a volunteer English teacher, you become a catalyst for student development.

 

• Location              : Colombo/ Kandy / Galle / Nuwara Eliya

• Start dates           : Every week on a Sunday (this is flexible)

• Project                 : Open Year Around ( Except April, August, December )

• Duration               : 1 - 2 weeks, possible to extend (max. 3 months)

• Spaces                 : Available

• Cost                     :  See Project Fees

 

Typical Day in School:

• 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. School opens,

• 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. English Teaching

• 9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. Rest Time

• 9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. English Teaching

• 10:15 a.m. - 10:25 a.m Snack Time (fresh fruit or crackers w/cheese, milk, juice)

• 10:25 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. English Teaching

• 11:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Rest Time

• 11:45 a.m – 12: 45 a.m English Teaching

• 12:45 a.m - 01:30 p. m ( Free Time ) School Finish

 

Above schedule may vary school to school, this is flexible.

 

Volunteer Tasks:

Your role in class depends on the school as well as your own comfort level. You’ll be paired with a Sri Lankan teacher and have the option of going into class with this person and simply helping out with daily lessons. However, for anyone with the confidence and the drive to do their own lesson planning, nothing’s quite as rewarding as leading your own class. The students love it, and it gives Sri Lankan teachers the chance to catch up on projects and paperwork.

The time you’ll spend in class depends on the school’s needs as well as the time of year. Generally, you’ll be in front of students anywhere from 10 to 20 hours per week. Volunteers with plenty of ambition can donate more time planning and possibly helping out with projects at school.

 

Requirements :

• 18 + years of age•

• Native English Speakers/Near Native English Speakers•

• Good health•

• Being open-minded, adaptable and flexible•

• Respecting the local culture, religion and customs•

• Completion of high school/secondary school is required•

• You must hold a full police check from your home country

 

The successful applicant will:

• Hold an undergraduate degree or a TEFL certificate

• Have experience of informal and community education 

• Be able demonstrate an ability to work independently 

• Be able demonstrate a passion for using education for development•

• Have the ability to successfully manage their time and prioritise tasks

• Be capable and comfortable adapting to life in a least developed country with sometimes basic living conditions

• Be able to adjust to life in another culture and a foreign language, and be able to work at all times with cultural sensitivity 

• Ideally have previous experience living, working or travelling in a developing country, though is not essential

• Be able to financially support themselves.

 

Accommodation:

You will be accommodate in Host Family or in Hostel of the premises or elsewhere close to the project, within walking distance or use a foot cycle ( will be provided ),Three times meals will available in Host Family as well as in the Hostel, tea and snack is provided in sometime. Your will have to share a room with other volunteers or you will have your own room according the availability. Basic bathroom facilities in good condition, pipe borne water or well water, in some areas you will be advised to drink bottled mineral water for your safety, most part of Sri Lanka well water is very good for drinking as well as the pipe water, Electricity, Internet are widely available in Sri Lanka,

 

Hospital, Banks (ATM), Hotels, Restaurant are available in every corner of Sri Lanka, western Union money transfer facility is in each and every bank in Island wide.Big shopping malls with western type food items, good condition of road for you to travel, most of people can communicate in English, you can visit surrounding touristic places when you have a free time to visit. Please avoid travelling in the dark or in the night, always use public transport, it is cheap and safe, do not travel with un known person or vehicle, if you travel by Trishaw(tuk tuk)Get onto metered Taxi, Please take care of yourself, please always get our assistance and advice before you do need to travel anywhere in Sri Lanka, if you feel or suspicious of anything , please call us immediately , we will take necessary action within seconds, as your safety is our priority.

 

Project Fees include:

• Accommodation During orientation and Entire project time

• Air Port pick up / Drop off

• Breakfast every morning

• Lunch every day work

• Three days Orientation

• Onsite Coordinator

• 24 hour emergency support

• Written record of Service completion 

 

Project Fees Do Not Include:

• Travel to / from Home to suburbs.

• Visa assistance Letter ( Immigration )

• Airport pickup

• Sri Lanka visa costs (if applicable) Visa extensions

• International Medical Insurance

• Cost of Police criminal background check (required for this project)

• Transport from Project to Project

• Cost of transportation to and from Project Site and accommodation  

• Meals on weekends.