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TEACH UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN IN INDIA

Teach English or IT and combine with Art and Crafts, Drama, French, German, Maths and Sport. This is a completely flexible project; we place you in the most suitable school depending on your specifications and interests. You can choose the age range, what subject you would like to combine with English or IT and ultimately what you want to gain from the project!

SUMMARY FACTFILE
Start Dates All year round - you choose your start and finish dates! (Subject to school holidays – see dates below)
Duration Minimum stay 2 weeks and up to 1 year, subject to visa requirements
Requirements You don't need any qualifications to do this project, just lots of enthusiasm.
Price From £795 / US$1,195 for 2 weeks, ranging to £1,795 / US$2,695 for 12 weeks. Full Price List and other Currencies
What's included Accommodation Food Meeting you at the Airport Transfer to your accommodation Transport to and from your project Full pre-departure support Local in-country team support and backup 24-hr emergency support Two free T-shirts.
What's not included Flights, Insurance, Cost of Visas (if a visa is required, but we'll provide necessary documents and assistance), Return transfer to airport.
Who can do this Project? All our projects are open to all nationalities.
Unless otherwise stated, you need to be aged between 17 and 70+

Also on this page:

PROJECT OVERVIEW
Our teaching projects are based in nursery, primary or secondary schools in Madurai, mainly ‘Matriculation’ schools where it is compulsory that all lessons are taught in English. You will be introduced to the Principal on your first day and they will discuss your teaching programme with you and try to incorporate your own interests and specialities into your teaching schedule. All the children will be waiting to meet you with wide smiles!

Our schools in Madurai are desperate for your help and are overwhelmingly appreciative and grateful to all volunteers. Not only will you be giving invaluable teaching and education to the school, your involvement with the children will bring immense satisfaction and enjoyment!

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT:

  • An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into beautiful India and it's fascinating culture.

  • The enormous satisfaction of helping disadvantaged children and knowing that you made a difference to them.

  • New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.

  • An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market

  • And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!

WORK CONTENT:

You will assist a teacher for the first week and once you gain confidence and feel comfortable in the classroom, you will be able to become involved in lesson planning and take classes on your own. We provide you with a Teaching Guide and suggestions on inexpensive resources to take with you.

Children are always fascinated with volunteers and want to learn as much as possible about you. They love to hear stories about you, your family and where you are from so it is ideal to take pictures, maps, magazine articles and photos of your family and friends with you. You can also use these as excellent resources for a lesson to promote discussion and interest.

You don't need any qualifications to participate on a teaching project but a great way to become more confident in the classroom is to take part in a weekend TEFL course! Not only will this help you with how to go about lesson planning, it will also give you an introduction about teaching abroad as well as ways to get the children inspired and eager to learn!

You will be reminded of fantastic children’s games, tips on how to remember everyone’s names as well as an opportunity to look through all the latest teaching books. Even if you have had experience in a classroom before, it’s always reassuring to take part in one of our courses to help you prepare for teaching overseas.

"Have really enjoyed my time here, especially meeting new people and being with all the kids at school and the orphanage. I’m really going to miss Jeya’s cooking and the friendly security guard oh and the trips to coffee day. I hope everyone has as good a time here as I have… " Rosie Greaves

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS IN THE SOUTH OF INDIA (APPROX):
Please keep in mind that school holidays can change unexpectedly with very little notice given. Although at times this can be quite inconvenient, most of our volunteers use the opportunity to travel around and explore the country.
 

  • Summer Vacation: 11th April to 2nd June 2010

  • First Term Vacation: 21st September to 3rd October 2010

  • Pooja Holiday: 27th to 28th September 2010

  • Diwali Holiday: 4th to 6th November 2010

  • Second Term Vacation: 24th December 2010 to 3rd January 2011

  • Pongal Holiday: 13th to 17th January 2011

EXAM PERIODS (APPROX):

  • Quarterly exams: 13th to 24th September 2010

  • Half Yearly exams: 13th to 23rd December 2010

  • Annual exams: 17th to 31st March 2010

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO WHILE ON THIS PROJECT:

  • 1-Week Intensive Tamil Language Course prior to starting your project. Learning a little Tamil will enhance your time in India immeasurably, as you’ll find out things about the culture and the way of life that someone without language skills simply wouldn’t have access to!

  • Tamil Language Lessons with a private tutor taken at the same time as your main project. Courses range in length to suit your needs.

  • Yoga and Meditation Lessons: You have the choice of combining the two or focussing on Yoga on its own. These courses vary in length to be done as an optional extra to your main project. Start the day with yoga and meditation – it’ll set you up for the day!

  • Cookery Courses: Cooking is an institution in India. If you’d like to learn how to cook some of the mouth-watering dishes this is the perfect way to do it; you’ll be able to choose from an extensive choice of recipes, visit the market to purchase the fresh produce and then learn how to cook the south Indian style food with your own private chef! Again, this activity runs concurrently with your main project.

SUMMER CAMPS:
During the summer holidays many of the schools offer “Summer Camps” to the students. Teaching of conversational English during this holiday to is available to approximately 60 students who attend the camp. These camps normally take place on the school grounds and are an opportunity to give more informal lessons and they can be combined with playing sports or putting together a play. Therefore the camps are much more relaxed and not quite so structured and a lot of fun!

Teaching is not available during the other holiday periods, so please take the above dates into account when planning your placement. On the other hand if a holiday falls during your proposed placement, you could use this time to do any independent travelling and sightseeing.

TEACHING ARTS, DRAMA, SPORT AND OTHER SUBJECTS IN SOUTH INDIA:
If you have some know-how, some initiative and lots of enthusiasm, you can also get involved with teaching Drama, and Arts & Crafts lessons.

Teaching art subjects is an excellent way of engaging children’s imaginations and encourages them to communicate with few constraints. What’s more, it is very satisfying to watch their confidence grow as they learn and develop new skills.

At some of our schools in our other destinations, volunteers and pupils together have produced plays and concerts, and performances have been put on in the evenings for parents, students and visitors. Because the schools are poor, the volunteers and children have had to be very creative in putting together costumes and sets, but all productions have been a resounding success!

Volunteers have found that producing short plays written by the children that address local social issues has been a successful means in educating the children on issues such as AIDS awareness, cultural relationships, peer pressures and bullying. It gives the children an informal forum and a means of sharing their concerns and learning to deal with issues.

You may also have the opportunity to teach sport for an hour each day at one of our larger schools. The sports on offer are badminton, volleyball, throw ball, football and cricket. Please state your interest at the time of booking and we will try our best to accommodate you.

You can combine one or all of these subjects with teaching conversational English.

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Voluntary projects in Madurai in the south of India





 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Volunteer Feedback
Madurai Gallery
Fun in Madurai Gallery
Indian Travels Gallery

OPTIONAL ADD-ONS

1-Week Intensive Tamil Course
Tamil Language Lessons
Yoga & Meditation Lessons
Cookery Classes

 



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TEACHING ARTS, DRAMA, SPORT AND OTHER SUBJECTS IN SOUTH INDIA:

If you have some know-how, some initiative and lots of enthusiasm, you can also get involved with teaching Drama, and Arts & Crafts lessons. Teaching arts subjects is an excellent way of engaging children’s imaginations and encourages them to communicate with few constraints. What’s more, it is very satisfying to watch their confidence grow as they learn and develop new skills.

At some of our schools in our other destinations, volunteers and pupils together have produced plays and concerts, and performances have been put on in the evenings for parents, students and visitors. Because the schools are poor, the volunteers and children have had to be very creative in putting together costumes and sets, but all productions have been a resounding success!

Volunteers have found that producing short plays written by the children that address local social issues has been a successful means in educating the children on issues such as AIDS awareness, cultural relationships, peer pressures and bullying. It gives the children an informal forum and a means of sharing their concerns and learning to deal with issues.

You can combine one or all of these subjects with teaching conversational English.

You may also have the opportunity to teach sport for an hour each day at one of our larger schools. The sports on offer are badminton, volleyball and throw ball. Please state your interest at the time of booking and we will try our best to accommodate you.

ACCOMMODATION
Your accommodation could comprise of either staying with a host family or living in a Travellers flat. In either accommodation you may share a room with another Travellers volunteer. The accommodation you’ll be allocated to will depend on which project you’re doing and the number of volunteers there at the same time as you. However, if you have a preference for either a host family or staying in a flat, we will do our best to accommodate you.

Host Family
For a complete Indian experience we can arrange for you to stay with one of wonderful host families. All of our hosts are very welcoming and not only will be made to feel part of the family you’ll also gain a great insight into Indian culture and customs. Many of our volunteers remain friends with their host families long after they leave India and in some cases they return to the country later especially to visit their family.

You may share a room with one other volunteer; and you may have an en-suite western style bathroom. Most of the showers in our host accommodation are cold water only – however your hosts will boil water for you.

All of our host family houses are close together and just a few minutes’ walk away from internet cafes, banks and snack shops and just a short auto ride into the centre of town. Our staff in Madurai also lives close-by.

All your meals will be provided and prepared for you by the family and it is mainly local fare allowing you to taste a varied selection of delicious south Indian dishes and exotic fruits. You'll also have access to the kitchen if you want to make snacks or drinks.

Volunteer Flat
Our volunteer flat is situated close to all our host families. This option gives you the chance to live within the local community whilst at the same time retaining your independence. This newly built flat is very modern, spacious, light and airy. It has a well kitted out kitchen and large lounge area with satellite TV, DVD and a good selection of DVDs for your entertainment. DVD’s however are extremely cheap to buy in the market at Rs 20 each! There is also a small balcony on which to relax with a cool drink and a book and gets a wonderfully refreshing evening breeze to keep you cool!

You will be provided with a food budget giving you the option to either cook for yourself or sample the local restaurants. Eating out is extremely cheap in Madurai. Opposite the flat is a tasty vegetarian restaurant with excellent south Indian Thali’s and Dosa’s. There is a supermarket just outside the flat selling everything from groceries to clothes and a meat shop below where non vegetarians can stock up on sausages! Many of the hotels in town have roof top restaurants offering incredible views across the town with the dramatic Sri Meenakshi Temple silhouetted on the skyline. Most restaurants are good quality and you can sample north as well as south Indian dishes along with a small selection of western food. Vegetarian food is in abundance! Bakeries and snack shops are on every street and be sure to try the delicious fruit; there is so much choice; mango, pineapple, water melon, custard apples and jack fruit make a very refreshing option and coconut water is also delicious!

To read about the extensive Support & Backup we provide in our countries, please click here.

TRAVEL, VISAS, plus SUPPORT & BACKUP:

You will fly into Madurai where you will be met by a representative from our India office. You'll be taken to your accommodation and introduced to the other volunteers before starting your placement.

You have the option to arrange your own flights or we can assist you with your flight arrangements. If you would like us to do this for you, we will liaise with you regarding available flights and dates to suit you. All arrangements for your flight bookings/payments will be fulfilled by Murray Rogers Travel Limited, ATOL No. 6856. Where possible, we arrange for two or more people to travel on the same flight and we will let you have the names and telephone numbers of other volunteers on your flight, so that you can chat to each other or even meet up before leaving for your placement.

Where possible, all flights we arrange for you have changeable return tickets because many of our volunteers choose to extend their stay once they are in their destination country. Changeable return tickets enable you to do so, within the limits of your visa and the level of your air ticket, of course. If you choose to book your own flights, you should endeavour to get a changeable ticket.

VISAS:. We'll send you all the necessary forms and information and make the process very easy for you.

To read about the excellent Support & Backup we provide before you leave and during your programme, please click here.

We can also arrange your flight dates to give you additional time at the end of your project for travelling around and sightseeing - this is a fascinating and wondrous country!

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Last modified: July 30, 2010