Volunteer teachers needed in South Africa

Volunteer capturing the students attention

On this voluntary teaching project you will work at a primary or secondary school in a poor township of Cape Town.

These schools are in the ‘Cape Coloured Community’ (descendants of the Dutch and Malaysian slaves). This section of society has been largely overlooked by NGOs since the transition from Apartheid to Democracy.

Here you will find answers to the following questions:

How can volunteer teachers help in South Africa?

What will I gain from this project?

What will Projects Abroad PRO provide?

What skills or qualifications do I need?

How do I apply to join this project?

How can volunteer teachers help in South Africa?

You can use your knowledge and training to help local staff as a volunteer teacher. You can work on tasks such as:

• Teaching English abroad in either a primary or secondary school, depending on your experience, including tasks such as:
  • Planning, preparing and delivering lessons to a range of classes.
  • Marking work, giving appropriate feedback and maintaining records of pupils' progress and development.
  • Supervising and supporting the work of teaching assistants, trainee teachers and newly qualified teachers.
• Working with existing staff to assess and improve current standards of teaching methodology and subject content.
• Observing classes in order to assess existing teaching staff, offer advice and set goals for their development.
• Running training clinics for Projects Abroad volunteers working with other schools (optional).

Most volunteers work with primary schools. Secondary schools are a more challenging environment so volunteers working here need to be over 30 years of age.

You will be expected to work from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday. It is also possible for you to introduce extracurricular activities such as music and sport if you wish. These would normally take place after school.

This project runs all year round so you can join at any time. Alternative classes are arranged for volunteers to teach during school holidays. You decide how much time you can spare and we will help you get the most out of it.

What will I gain from this project?

You will gain experience of teaching English in a challenging environment. You will need to be creative and come up with new ways of communicating with pupils. You will also be able to learn from local staff who have experience of teaching in the townships.

Through educating the young children at the school, you will learn about South African culture and way of life. Staff and pupils will want to hear about your life back home and your family and friends. We call this ‘cultural exchange’ and we think it helps our volunteers gain a new perspective on life.

What will Projects Abroad PRO provide?

Volunteer helping students

We have over 19 years’ experience of running volunteer projects. We provide you with the following support to make sure your time in South Africa is successful and enjoyable:

• Safe accommodation with a South African family close to your project.
• Friendly and dedicated local staff available to help 24 hours a day.
• A member of staff to meet you at the airport when you arrive.
• Comprehensive medical and travel insurance.
• Social events with other volunteers such as a weekend trip to a local tourist destination.

What skills or qualifications do I need?

If you have attained Qualified Teacher Status (or the equivalent qualification in your home country) then you are perfectly suited to this project.

Please contact us if you think your knowledge may be useful on this project but do not have the required qualifications.