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TEACHING PROJECTS
On our
teaching projects with disadvantaged children, you don't need any qualifications, just lots of enthusiasm!
You
can teach anything, from English to Mathematics, to Sports. Students range from 2 - 16 years of age and
your help is an important part of their development.
Our
teaching placements are set in the lively township of Chirimba, Blantyre. You'll help teach local children in orphanages and underprivileged private
schools.
On
this page:
ABOUT THE PROJECT:
The schools we work with are private
schools, but these are very poor schools that need as much support from
volunteers as possible. Most lack facilities for the
children and you will find many classes being taught under a tree or on the floor of
the court yard. Schools can be both secondary and primary and you
will generally be asked to help out with any age groups.
One particular school we work with is a run-down
orphanage for local community children to receive studies and food.
Although very poor and lacking equipment, the staff work extremely hard
to provide education for these endearing children. You will be in
high demand and be made to feel extremely welcome!
The schools themselves are quite small, making you feel
immediately like part of their family. They generally range from 100 to
150 pupils at one given time. This means that class sizes are also
fairly small and very manageable, normally ranging from 20 to 30,
although occasionally you may have smaller classes.
You will normally assist the teachers to start with, but
depending on your ability you may be given complete control of a
particular class or group. You will
receive
a lot of help and support from the teachers and staff at the schools to
help you prepare for your lessons and settle you into your role as
teacher. You will be able to teach a specific subject of your choice if
you wish to, such as mathematics or science. The level of education of the
children in Malawi does differ, and it will be up to you and the
Principal to discuss how best to use your skills.
In addition, if you enjoy sports, you will be glad to know that sports are
also a very popular subject for the children, and they would love for
you to help out with the game periods which the schools have. The
facilities are poor, but football and volleyball have quite a following.
Most of the children are very shy to
speak English and it’s in this area that your help is needed –
to give the children to confidence to speak the language. They ask for
your support to help push the children’s’ education forward, and to help
improve teaching techniques for the teachers.
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS: Exact dates vary each year. for 2008 the dates
are;
- First term: 6th January - 4th April
- Second term: 5th May - 4th August
- Third term: 5th September - 30th November
Even during school holidays there are still opportunities to teach, although
it is less work. Teaching will be possible at the schools by working alongside
them in the fields of social care work. Here it is likely that there will be
extra curricular activities going on that you will be able to get involved in.
You would mostly be playing games and interacting with the children, but these
activities are important to their development and their knowledge of the outside
world.
The teaching hours during the school holiday terms are less than
during school terms and are usually for half-days until midday. On the
other hand, if a holiday falls during your proposed placement, you could
use this time to do some independent travelling and sightseeing. This is
the choice that most of our volunteers make to gain some additional
experience and knowledge of the region.
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+44 01903 502595
