Project Overview
Providing mostly free classes to children and adults from disadvantaged communities, the Volunteer Language School gives students the opportunity to learn languages from native speakers. Owned by David Mercedes, a Spanish teacher, the school is funded by the income from his classes and occasional generous donations from volunteers. Without English as a second language, Peruvians are more and more becoming greatly disadvantaged. Many universities now require a command of the language in order to study, and with many jobs stemming from tourism it is a rapidly becoming a widely recognized essential in order to further one’s life chances.
The language school is located in Central Trujillo, close to transport to and from Huanchaco and in a generally safe and secure area.
They need volunteers to teach basic communication skills, involving role plays and conversation practice as well as some grammar and homework. The focus for the student is to grasp the ability to communicate, providing a solid basis for work in the tourist industry or further studies.
Volunteer Roles/ Working Hours
The main task for volunteers is teaching the English lessons and any preparation required to complete this task.
Teaching schedules are as following:
Public school classes are from 8:15am to 12:30pm, Monday to Friday, and volunteers can take some of them
Adult Conversation classes are 8pm - 9p:15pm on Mon, Wed, and Fri
English classes to the kids who work at fair trade photography project is 7pm - 8:15pm on Mon and Wed
- Extra time, or less time, maybe required as volunteer numbers can fluctuate.
- Volunteers may also travel to poorer areas nearby to promote the school and its benefits to the community.
- Offer encouragement to the students and other members of the community interested in the schools progress
Volunteer Requirements
- Age 18+ on arrival.
- Basic Spanish is required.
- Minimum commitment: 1 month.
- Volunteers should have experience of teaching or working with or looking after children, be fully fluent in English and may need a full criminal record check
- Empathetic, responsible, pro-active and strong enough personality to deal with unexpected situations and ask for help when necessary.
- Good Team worker.
