There are so many volunteer programs out there. So why volunteer to teach English abroad? Volunteering to teach English is a memorable experience, and it doesn’t only positively impact your students—you’ll feel the positive impacts too.
Anyone considering to volunteer teaching English can anticipate making connections with their students and look forward to the chance to be creative. You’ll see the growth and progress of your students right in front of your eyes.
There are so many reasons to volunteer to teach English abroad. We’ve listed all of our top reasons why volunteering to teach English abroad is a decision that you won’t regret (not that you need any more reasons to sign up to volunteer!).
18 reasons to volunteer to teach English
Are you ready to inspire the next English language learners?
Here’s why volunteering to teach English abroad is a great idea:
1. Empower others through education
You’re helping to facilitate the opportunities of others. That’s a pretty powerful thing when you think about it.
With your help, your students will learn a widely spoken language that doubles up as a valuable skill asset. In later years, they may find themselves eligible for promotions or opportunities that would have been closed to them a few years back.
2. Make a lasting impact on your students and their lives
It’s a cliche, but teaching is a job that makes a difference. You’ll have the chance to contribute to the personal and professional growth of your students. Maybe, in years to come they’ll even remember you and mentally give you a nod of thanks for all that you did for them.
3. Immerse yourself in a new culture
Living in a foreign country is the opportunity to immerse yourself in a different culture. You’ll be meeting people with entirely different cultures to yours, eating food that you may not find in your own country as well as hearing new languages that you may not be used to. This is the kind of immersion that is far harder to come by when you’re visiting as a tourist, but easier while you’re working as a volunteer abroad.
4. Expose others to a new culture
We’re in the lucky position where we can travel. We have the finances and a strong passport. All we have to do is pick a country, hop on a plane, and let ourselves get immersed in an entirely new culture.
Not everyone is that fortunate. For some of your students, you will be one of their few exposures to a culture that’s different from their own. It’s an incredible privilege when you think about it and a great reason to volunteer to teach English.
5. Improve your self-confidence
Teaching is a great way to build up your confidence. You’re managing a classroom, doubling as an entertainer and educator. Plus, living in a foreign country will build your confidence too.
You’ll be in a foreign environment, having to make quick decisions off your own steam. Increased confidence and resilience come hand in hand with this type of job.
6. Broaden your perspective
Teaching English abroad allows you to immerse yourself in another culture.
Meeting new people and visiting new places—we all know that these are some of the best ways to broaden your perspectives and get exposure to backgrounds entirely different to your own.
Volunteering to teach English is a stepping stone to seeing this firsthand as well as talking to others about it. It’s a big motivator for so many to volunteer to teach English abroad.
READ: Why You Should Teach English Abroad in a Less-Traveled Country
7. Boost your resume
If you need to spruce up your resume, then volunteering to teach English is a great way to do it. You’ll be working with different age groups and different abilities as well as using a whole host of activities and exercises in the classroom. These skills are all transferable and will look impressive to employers, regardless of the type of job you’re looking for.
8. Create friendships that’ll last even when your volunteer work finishes
As is the case with most volunteer work abroad, you’ll make connections quickly with the people you meet. You’ll share the common ground of having an interest in teaching, as well as a love for travel and the mutual situation of living in a foreign country. These are the kind of friendships that transcend cultural boundaries and can last for many years to come.
9. Develop your communication skills
Teaching doesn’t only build confidence and resilience. It helps with communication and leadership skills, too.
In some volunteer positions, you’ll be working with people whose English level is either non-existent or very low. Working with this kind of ability will develop your communication skills. You’ll learn how to tailor your speaking and speak confidently to large classes.
10. Inspire and encourage your students with their learning goals
Most of us can remember “that” teacher. The one who got us interested in their subject, the one whose lessons were engaging and who treated the students with respect. Basically a bit like Miss Honey from the “Matilda” book.
You could be that exact kind of role model for your own students. Volunteering to teach English is the chance to inspire your student’s love for learning. It’s not only a reason to volunteer to teach English, but also one for long-term teaching.
11. Decide if you teaching is a long-term career plan for you
If you can picture yourself at the front of a classroom, volunteering abroad is a great way to see if this is the career path for you.
If you’re considering a career in teaching, then volunteering is a great way to dip your toe in the water. Rather than committing to a full-time job straight away or spending money on a degree, try volunteering first.
If it’s something you enjoy, then it may be worth your while to consider this as a more long-term career move or something to start studying. Even if you decide that it’s not the right move for you, then you’ll still have some invaluable and unique skills.
12. Contribute to a sustainable cause
Interested in sustainable travel? Volunteering to teach English falls under that category.
Education is crucial to sustainable development. Depending on the job you choose, you’ll be helping to contribute to the growth and development of local communities. For many, this is a strong reason to volunteer to teach English.
13. Learn more about yourself
Teaching is a profession where you can learn a lot about yourself while you work. You’ll see your own strengths, weaknesses, and values.
For instance, you may find yourself valuing the perseverance of your students, and find yourself wanting to implement something similar in your own life. Or, you could start to realize how patient an individual you are, a trait that could give you a lot of pride.
14. Get a sense of fulfillment with each working day
Volunteering as an English teacher is a fulfilling experience. You’ll watch your students’ English levels improve while knowing that you played a huge role in their growth. Not many lines of volunteer work will have this kind of satisfaction.
15. Provide a service that may be unaffordable and unattainable for some
With some volunteer jobs, you’ll be helping out in remote and impoverished areas and communities. Whatever the reason, it could be that the people you teach have limited educational opportunities. Perhaps there are no schools nearby or only limited schooling resources, or perhaps there is a denial of education altogether?
Volunteering in this type of setting is a particularly rewarding experience because you’ll be filling the gap. This reason alone is a moving incentive to answer the question: Why volunteer to teach English abroad?
16. Enjoy flexible schedules
Why volunteer to teach English abroad? Volunteering may mean a more flexible schedule than a fixed teaching contract.
Volunteer jobs are far more flexible than fixed contracts. This is great for you. It means that you can discuss how little or much work you can commit to with your employer beforehand.
You may have some say in your working hours per day or contract duration. For some, this is a reason to volunteer to teach English rather than commit to a permanent contract.
17. Have the chance to learn more about teaching
Teaching English is a chance for you to learn too. As an educator, you’ll be introduced to different teaching methodologies as well as learning types.
All of this offers useful insight and the chance for you to pick up some transferable skills along the way. Volunteering to teach English abroad makes sense for anyone who is considering teaching full time.
18. Take advantage of numerous travel opportunities
There are so many countries where you can volunteer to teach English, which means lots of travel opportunities. You’ll get the chance to explore your new home, traveling in a part of the world that may belong to a different continent than your own. It makes for a great launching pad for exploring neighboring countries too if the logistics of it all work out.
Now that you’re clued in on just some of the main reasons why you should volunteer to teach English, let’s move on to some of the people who can make your plans a reality.
Our Online Advisor can match you with 5 English teaching volunteer programs abroad—it’s free!
3 English teaching volunteer programs to get you started
1. Teach English or French in Morocco
- Why? This education project is one of the most reputable projects when it comes to volunteering to teach English in Morocco. A volunteer stint here means you’ll be helping underprivileged students with limited access to educational resources. You can use your creativity to deliver lesson plans that improve your students’ language abilities.
- Where? Rabat
- Read Kaya Responsible Travel reviews
2. Volunteer in Cambodia with World Endeavors
- Why? Volunteers with World Endeavors will teach students between the ages of 6 to 15 through the Greenway School volunteer opportunity. You’ll have a pre-provided curriculum and teaching resources at your disposal. You’re not only teaching English lessons but also having a cultural exchange with kids from Cambodia’s most remote regions.
- Where? Rural Areas (Samraong)
- Read World Endeavors reviews
3. Education Internship in Peru
- Why? For this role, you’ll teach vulnerable students from 6 to 16 years old in a place where children don’t often have connections to high-quality education. In turn, your work may help students break out of the poverty cycle. Describing this as “rewarding” barely covers it.
- Where? Tomepampa
- Read Roots Interns reviews
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Gain experience and a new perspective when you volunteer to teach English!
Where will volunteering to teach English take you?
The opportunities that come with volunteering to teach English abroad are endless. You’ll have the chance to develop both professionally and personally while immersing yourself in a new culture and exchanging your own. All volunteer work comes with a sense of fulfillment, but none quite as much as teaching English abroad—nor with such tangible results.
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