Teaching abroad may seem like a daunting task made only for the most experienced teachers, but this is not always the case. Here are some volunteer opportunities in multiple countries with either summer or year-long commitments. These opportunities to teach abroad offer an increase in cultural awareness, teaching experience, the opportunity to travel and unforgettable memories.

1. Sudan Volunteer Program (SVP)

SVP’s mission is to raise the standard of English amongst the Sudanese. SVP is working to accomplish their mission by sending native or native-level English speakers to Sudan to teach English at public higher education institutions. SVP has placed hundreds of volunteer teachers at schools that do not have qualified English teachers, in schools that are understaffed and in schools that are under-financed. SVP requires volunteers to commit to a minimum of six months and their only academic requirement is that volunteers must be a graduate or near graduate in any field.

2. WorldTeach

WorldTeach is an organization working around the world with volunteer opportunities in Morocco, Namibia, South Africa, Bangladesh, China, Nepal, Thailand, Poland, Samoa, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Guyana. WorldTeach envisions a world where all children have access to a quality education and is working on that vision by teaching approximately 60,000 students yearly, according to their website. It has had over 7,000 volunteers who, together, have contributed over 12 million hours of service for WorldTeach. WorldTeach offers both summer and year-long teaching opportunities with potential TEFL certification.

3. CIEE

CIEE is an organization that offers a multitude of abroad experiences, one being volunteer teaching. CIEE has stations in Chile, China, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Morocco, Peru, Senegal, South Korea, Spain, Thailand and Vietnam that volunteers can choose from. CIEE encourages individuals to volunteer teach so they can see the world, gain real-world experience and make a difference in the lives of their students. They offer month-long, semester-long, and two-semester-long programs for individuals with the minimum of two years of a college education complete.

4. Projects Abroad

With 31 countries to choose from, Projects Abroad offers volunteer teaching opportunities to both professional teachers and individuals with little college education. Volunteers at Projects Abroad may teach full time, part time or simply be a teacher’s assistant. Program lengths differ between countries but typically can be anywhere from one month to two years. Projects Abroad gives its volunteers freedom to choose many aspects of their volunteer experience and make it unique to their aspirations.

5. United Planet

The mission of United Planet is to offer volunteers unique opportunities to live, learn and volunteer abroad while working alongside members of their destination’s local community. United Planet currently has volunteer teaching opportunities in Chile, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Ghana, Nepal, Peru, South Africa and Tanzania. Dependent upon the country, little to no teaching experience and college education is required. Volunteers have the option to choose programs anywhere from one week to three months, giving individuals with only a small window of time to volunteer a chance. United Planet’s programs strive to be immersive and authentic while providing their teaching volunteers with everything they may need to succeed.

– Bella Chaffey

Photo: Pixabay