You can teach a variety of subjects to children of all ages in a choice of schools, orphanages and social assistance centres. When available you can also teach in an Argentinean Community Centre Project. The Centre located in central Buenos Aires and is one of our most deserving community projects.

Argentina is stunning! Many neighbourhoods have their own unique flair, such as the brightly painted houses of La Boca or beautiful Belgrano. Argentina is a vast country with a dramatically varied landscape, from the subtropical north to the subantarctic south. You don't need any qualifications to do a teaching project.
 

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

Your help on this project will be split across three groups: 

• Children and teenagers in various homes, community centres, orphanages

• Children or teenagers in schools
• All ages of adults in various different institutions including community centres, hospitals, churches, etc. (optional)

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT:

WORKING IN HOMES, COMMUNITY CENTRES & ORPHANAGES:
Teaching is available in a variety of institutions, where the residents may be children, teenagers, orphans, street children, or single mothers. Often these children come from deprived or abusive backgrounds and have been taken into care by the justice department. Usually they attend school during the week but most have to return to their homes over the weekend, which is often not pleasant for them.

Despite these disadvantages, the children are usually warm and friendly and they need and respond well to care, attention and affection. In several homes children may be far behind in their classes and education. Volunteers are needed to provide basic English teaching through playing or singing with the children. All of the children are starved of affection, and volunteering in any home can be challenging but highly rewarding. To work in most of the homes it helps to have a basic understanding of Spanish but not a requirement to teach generally in Buenos Aires. (There are other options)

"Every day is very different which is why I really love this placement!" Olivia Goodman

Below is a description of HLQ Orphanage. This is a home for children who have been “infected” with HIV (very few) or have been “affected” by HIV. (Affected includes situations where parents or family members have died from or been infected with HIV). At any one time there are around 12 children living there. The orphanage is very poor as it gets no money from the government, and many of the resident children do not even have paperwork, so officially they “don’t exist”. Travellers Worldwide volunteers have taught at this home for the past 6 years and this project is very special to us; we make a financial contribution every month to help support the home. In combination with the assistance of dedicated volunteers this has made a vast improvement to the home and a great difference to the lives of the children. (Teaching at this home is entirely optional and if you do not want to teach here then you do not have to.)

"I am having so much fun! At Los Querubines the children are so cute and eager to learn" Simon Hilton

“Thank you so much for everything that you did for me while I was in Buenos Aires! I had the most amazing time and wish that I had been there for longer!! I got home a couple of weeks ago and I've now applied to become a primary school teacher in England, so thank you so much for helping me find a career I'll really enjoy.” Anne Connell, teaching volunteer

You may be asked to teach children or adults depending on the time that you are there and whether the schools are on holiday or not. The number of hours of teaching a week can range from about 10 to 12 and it is likely that you will teach in a variety of different institutions during your stay, giving you a rounded experience. Once classes have been scheduled your attendance is compulsory and you will be required to give prior notice in order to take time off. This is particularly important if you are assigned to teach in a home as regular attendance is needed to establish continuity in the lives of your students. You will have plenty of free time during your placement to enjoy all of the attractions that Buenos Aires has to offer!

The Teaching placement is available all year round. However, the schools do have holidays so during these times teaching is only available to adults or in the children's homes. If your placement commences just before a period of school holidays you should be aware that your students may be undertaking exams and teaching may be disrupted because of this. The school terms are as follows:

If you're nervous at the idea of standing in front of a class and teaching and you live in the Uk, you can enrol in our weekend TEFL course (www.tefltime.com) in the UK before you leave, to give you some confidence and some very efficient training.

"I really loved my 3 months here in Buenos Aires. Met so many great people. I'm going back later this year to find work. The teaching was an excellent experience. ... Melina is fantastic, love her to bits! I love Buenos Aires!" Matthew Rocket

"I'm really settling in well over here. Everyone at the hostel is friendly. I've visited all my placements now. Places like Querubines and Home Nuñez will be very rewarding in the long term I think. The girls at Misericordia were so lovely and really eager to see all the postcards of London that I had brought with me. The girls at Nuñez loved looking at the pictures in my OK magazine, listening to my i-pod and chatting about what music they like in English! Buenos Aires is a great city and I can't wait to explore it more, especially as the weather is getting better everyday!" Becky Shellim

• Tango Courses:
  That most flamboyant and exciting of Latin American rhythms. Includes a weekly Milonga (Tango party) – great fun!

• Salsa Courses:
  Salsa music is a synthesis of European and African musical influences that was born in Cuba. You’ll learn from a Cuban teacher who will tailor lessons to suit your level, even totally beginners.

• Spanish Language Courses:
  You can take a few hours of private lessons a week at the same time as doing your project. You'll be amazed at how much it will add to your enjoyment during your stay.

• Photography Courses:
  6 hours per week of photography lessons in colourful Buenos Aires where there is a host of subjects you can capture with your camera.

HOSTEL:
You'll live a hostel situated in a beautifully renovated historic building in Downtown Buenos Aires, very conveniently located for exploring the city and doing shopping. It's big enough to be sociable and fun, yet small enough to feel at home; a real chance to immerse yourself in Argentine culture.

You'll share a dorm room and have access to kitchen facilities.

The hostel boasts of several amenities like internet and WiFi, a common area, DVD room, library, book exchange and a housekeeping service.

Food: You’ll be given an allowance for your meals (breakfast and dinner, lunch is excluded projects in Buenos Aires). This arrangement is to give you the flexibility to sample the great Argentinean food. Right on the door step of the hostel there are many cafes and restaurants with great priced menus just waiting for you….the choice is yours!

HOST FAMILY:
If you would prefer a more cultural experience, we can arrange for you to stay with a local Argentinean family. Host family accommodation gives you the opportunity to become more integrated in the local community and is ideal if you want to practice your Spanish (Basic/intermediate Spanish is required to stay with a Host Family). You'll have a comfortable private room and use of the kitchen. Breakfast and dinner is provided every day and you will usually share a typical Argentinean meal with your family.

Facilities in host families do vary, but you will have the opportunity to express your preferences regarding the type of family that you stay with (for example, a family with/without children, pets etc). If you stay in a host family you will be provided with the contact details of other volunteers living in Buenos Aires at the same time as you so that you won't miss out on any socialising!

Please note that if you'd prefer to live with a host family, there is an additional supplement of £107 per week, with half-board.

LOCATION:
The romance of Argentina takes one's breath away. The natural wonders alone take some beating! From the northern deserts to the southern Andean Cordillera, from Iguazú Falls to the magnificent desolation of Patagonia, Argentina's geography is varied and stunning.

Cosmopolitan Buenos Aires: This fabulous city is renowned for its sophistication and has a surprisingly European feel about it. BA is reminiscent of Paris and its tree-lined avenues and frequent plazas have a beguiling, faded elegance. Downtown, the Plaza de Mayo is the traditional focus of activity. Nearby Avenida 9 de Julio is popularly known as the world's widest thoroughfare and, with its nine lanes of traffic, is truly a pedestrian's nightmare! Avenida Santa Fe is the most fashionable shopping area.