Be a Language Teacher in Bolivia with Projects Abroad

  Bolivia

• Other Cities in Bolivia: 
Cochabamba

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: All year round

Description: Bolivia is one of the poorest and least developed countries in Latin America. With English being the language of much international business and commerce, students are very eager to learn. The standards of conversational English teaching are usually not high, so students are eager to develop good spoken language skills wherever possible, which is where you can help as a volunteer English teacher.

You can work as an English teaching volunteer in Bolivia without a formal teaching qualification, and you do not need to have a TEFL certificate. Whether you want to volunteer abroad teaching during your gap year, career break or as part of an extended vacation, you will have a role to play on one of our international volunteer placements.

International Volunteer Opportunities Teaching English in Schools with Projects Abroad

Our main teaching project in Bolivia is located at the University of San Simon, in the town of Cochabamba, teaching English to undergraduate university students. As a volunteer teacher at the University in Bolivia, you can expect to teach between 18 and 20 hours a week, but remember you'll need more time to prepare a structured lesson. Teaching older students, who will often be a similar age to you, is fun and rewarding. They are serious about their goals to learn English, and just because they are not school children doesn't mean they won't enjoy playing games in your lesson  creative, fun classes will certainly provide a change from their regular lectures! Your supervisor will be happy to guide you with lesson ideas if necessary.

Project Abroad's Language Classes

The main university vacation period takes place from mid December until the end of March. During this time, we run our own popular Projects Abroad language classes. These are entirely programmed and run by Projects Abroad and are managed by our Bolivia Director, Daniela Viljoen. In the past, these English classes have been given to all levels of students from beginners to advanced. However, Projects Abroad volunteers will now be working alongside the University of San Simon to help prepare final year students for their aptitude tests in either English or French.

Volunteers who work on the holiday English or French classes will help prepare students in the areas of listening and comprehension as well as conversation and oral practice. The English proficiency exam is based on the Oxford University English Language test and the French test is based on the DELF and DALF proficiency exams.

Volunteering Abroad on a Teaching Project in Bolivia

The level of English in Cochabamba is generally low. This is because Quechua - a language indigenous to this region of the Andes - is the native tongue for most local people while Spanish is their second language. However, English is viewed as an increasingly important to learn. At the University of San Simon in particular, English is seen as a gateway to learning - more books, different professions and ultimately international jobs. Away from the tourist trail, Cochabamba doesn't generally attract a lot of native English speakers so as a Projects Abroad volunteer the linguistics department will welcome you with open arms!

The levels of English vary from beginner to advanced, so let us know if you have a teaching preference. Similarly, if you are - or have been - a university student yourself, let us know the subject area you studied and we may be able to match you up with groups of students from that discipline. Then you can use your common interests for conversation and to help them build up a relevant vocabulary.

You can also assist your students to contribute to the 'Cocha-Banner', an English-language newspaper distributed within the city. For more information please see our Journalism in Bolivia project.

This is a great placement if you want to learn Spanish. By working at the university, you'll make friends with Spanish-speaking adults, with whom you may want to socialize and you'll stay with a Spanish-speaking host-family, which will also improve your Spanish language skills. You could also choose to take part in one of our Spanish Language Courses.

Highlights: Due to the inter-personal nature of the work, this placement is an excellent opportunity to practice your Spanish.

For your accommodation in Cochabamba, you'll live with a Spanish speaking host-family, which is a great environment for developing and improving your language skills. All the families involved are extremely supportive of the projects carried out by Projects Abroad and are keen to experience an intercultural exchange and learn about the lives of volunteers.

In addition, this project offers the opportunity to become fully immersed in the culture in a way that even the most hardened backpackers could never hope to do.

Qualifications: No experience or qualifications are required.

Cost in US$: From USD 2,695

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Open-minded with a desire to travel.

Age Range: 16-70

This Program is open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Bolivia Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement: As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded: 1992