In
Guatemala you can teach conversational English, Music, Drama, Maths, and more, to children and adults.
The schools are very colourful and often classes take place outdoors.
Most of the schools we work with are based in the beautiful
small city of Antigua, but some are in pueblos on the edge of the city.
The city itself is only about 2 kilometres long!
"Antigua
is absolutely STUNNING. I
cannot stress how stunning it really is. I wish I could zap you all here just
so you can see it for yourselves."Rebecca
Tilley
You don't need
any qualifications to take part in a teaching placement in Guatemala. These are
flexible programmes, tailored to suit you.
The Schools we work with range from small to larger, and
from poor to not-so-poor. Some have delightful names, like the Snoopy
School. In some schools teaching can also take place inside or outside
or, in some cases, in classrooms that are semi-external, like the
Centivo Educativo in the photo on the left..
Facilities in the different schools can vary, but
generally most schools have a library, video and cassette recorder
facilities. Some schools also have computers and some have sports
facilities.
On average, class sizes range from 8 to 15 pupils, with
ages from 6 upwards. The children's levels of English could be anything
from beginner through to reasonably advanced.
Some of the subjects over and above English that you'll be
able to teach (if you choose to) include:
Sports (mostly football or
basketball)
Music
Drama
Maths
Arts
Science
Hours of teaching will most probably be around 4-5 per day.
It is possible that some classes you teach will be throughout the day and
sometimes mostly in the mornings and between 4 and 7 o'clock in the
afternoons. Class periods are generally 45 minutes long
In some schools you will act as assistant to the teacher
and once your confidence and ability have grown, you'll be allowed to take
classes on your own. In some classes you'll handle children on a
one-to-one basis to give them individual attention and help, and in others
you'll take small groups of children.
School Holidays: Teaching is generally
available throughout the year, with some schools closing for about 2 weeks
over Christmas/New Year and about 1 week in July.
Most of the schools we work with are based in the beautiful
small city of Antigua, which is very popular with tourists worldwide -
it's the Guatemalan city to see on most people's itineraries! Some
of our schools are also situated in pueblos on the edge of the city.
These schools give you an excellent opportunity to experience the
Guatemalan culture in a way that the tourists never see!
ACCOMMODATION:
Youraccommodation will most likely be living with local
families and this enables you to really become totally immersed in the
local culture and gain insights into the way of life from the inside. Some
families are able to take more than one volunteer at a time, so it's
possible that you may be placed together with other volunteers.
Food will be provided and will consist
mostly of local dishes. One of the most enjoyable aspects of living and
working in a foreign country and culture is to enjoy the local cuisine,
and in Central America the food is very interesting and sometimes quite
exotic.
"The
family is lovely and the house is fine. The food
is sensational and changes every day so that we try alot of the local food. The meal times are
set at 7.10am, 12.45 and 6.40pm. Funny that it
is so structured, but they are fitted
inbetween classes,
etc., so it has to be done.
"My days up until now have
been 7.10 breakfast (cereal, pancakes, fruit, etc., it changes), classes
8- 12. Lunch is at 12.45 (chicken, soup, beans, pizza, tortillia, etc.).
In the afternoon there are activities to do or it is free time till dinner
at 6.40, then go out to a bar or to bed early as it is an exhausting
life." Rebecca Tilley
WHAT IS REQUIRED OF YOU:
As with all our destinations, the
Guatemalan culture and heritageis different to Anglo-Saxon cultures and this must be borne in
mind.
Self-reliance and independence are highly
appreciated in all our destinations and will help you to make the most of this
wonderful opportunity!
Once you have applied for a placement, we will send you a very
detailed Guatemala Information Book, as well as an equally detailed Safety Guide
- both of these will help to make your stay in Guatemala one that you will never
forget!
To read about the extensiveSupport & Backup we provide in our countries,
please click here.
TRAVEL
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 Ltd., ATOL No. 6856. (Read more about Murray Rogers Travel Ltd.)
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. We meet you at the airport regardless of whether you
make your own travel arrangements or not.
You'll be met at the airport by Lilian, our Guatemala Organiser, or one
of her staff. From the airport you'll be taken to your accommodation and
introduced to everyone. Within the next couple of days you'll be taken to the
school and she will ensure that you are well settled in.
VISAS:. In countries where visas or
immigration documents are required, we'll send you all the necessary forms and
information and make the process very easy for you.
To read about the extensiveSupport & Backup we provide
in our countries, 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!
PRICES:
To see the Prices of this project and all
our other projects in Guatemala, please
click here
Prices
include
Food & accommodation while on your project,
2 T-shirts, if required
for your project
All support and backup
during your programme
Meeting you at the
nearest airport, where appropriate, but exclude international travel.
.
+44 01903 502595
