General Info
This project gives you the opportunity to teach English in the Intensive English Centre set up by one of the schools. Here you will assist the Centre in helping refugee children who have come through the United Nations Refugee Programme adapt to their new surroundings in Australia through learning English and sports.
These children come from countries such as Sudan, Somalia and Afghanistan, to begin a new life in safety.
WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT:
• An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into Australia.
• New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.
• An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market
• The enormous satisfaction of helping disadvantaged children and knowing that you made a difference to them
• And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!
PROJECT OVERVIEW:
You will work closely with the children in small groups, as an assistant teacher, to help them as much as possible. You will be working at a school in Perth, the capital city of Western Australia (WA). WA is known as the sunshine state due to its large amount of sunshine every year!
You will work as an assistant teacher in the school’s IEC (Intensive English Centre). The IEC was established to give refugee children, who have just arrived in Australia through the United Nations Refugee programme, the opportunity to learn English and adapt to the Australian education system before going into mainstream school education.
As an assistant to the teacher, you'll have the opportunity to work one-to-one and in small groups with the children to really give them the attention they need. Many of the children's English is very poor, so this is where you can make a real difference.
Class sizes vary between 10 and 15 children in each IEC class and you will be teaching children between the ages of 4 and 12. The schools employ a number of teachers to work in the IEC Centre who speak the children's native language and this helps tremendously when the children start to learn English.
As well as teaching English, you'll be able to get involved in a number of other subjects within the IEC Centre, such as:
• Sports
• Music
• Drama
• Maths
• Art
• .. and possibly other academic subjects. If you'd like to teach a specific subject that is not listed here, please let us know and we'll arrange it for you.
Project dates and teaching times
This project runs during the school terms. The school terms are as follows:
• Term 1: 31st Jan - April 4th
• Term 2: 23rd April - 6th July
• Term 3: 24th July - 28th September
• Term 4: 16th October - 13th December
The lessons you'll teach generally last for 40 minutes and the school day runs from around 8:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Your working day will be around 4 to 5 hours of teaching and preparing for your lessons.
ACCOMMODATION:
Your accommodation is located in the CBD (Central Business District) of Perth, Western Australia. Therefore you are very central, close to the main train station and shopping district.
You'll be accommodated in a centrally located lodge that is friendly and relaxing, making it ideal for long-term stays. You may have your own room or you may share a room with other volunteers. There is an excellent kitchen and storage area for cooking meals and plenty of space to relax.
Entertainment at your accommodation includes a pool table, cheap internet access, arcade machines and cable TV (Foxtel), to name a few. But with all the sunshine Perth has - you’ll be out and about enjoying the many outdoor activities! You are literally a stroll from the Swan River and free CBD transport. Trains and buses are also only a few minutes away to take you to Fremantle, King’s Park or to the many other ‘things to do’! The city centre boasts great shopping, restaurants and pubs or head over to Northbridge for more pubs, nightclubs and multicultural cuisine. You'll get to work via bus, which stops outside your accommodation.
Perth was built on the banks of the magnificent Swan River over 150 years ago and is now a city rich in culture and filled with theatres, art galleries and museums. The city is modern and vibrant - a fun, friendly and 'laid back' place, with clear skies and a sunny climate. Western Australia is locally known as the 'state of excitement!'
Some of its more famous attractions include Kings Park, Scarborough Beach, Fremantle and the Swan River. Fremantle (or as the local’s call it, ‘Freo’) is the city’s port and is rich in history. At weekends you will find markets, entertainment and plenty of alfresco style cafes to laze in.
Perth has restaurants to suit all tastes - the most popular cuisine is, of course, the great Australian BBQ. Barbeque facilities are abundant in local parks - take your own food and cook up a feast, Australian style!
For meals in local restaurants, a trip to Perth's inner city centre is well worth the effort - it bustles with activity and offers a range of choices of restaurants.
Travellers' placements are very flexible and you can combine this project with any other Travellers project, either in the same country or in different countries.
WHAT TO DO NEXT:
Talk to us - We're there to help you. Call +44(0)1903502595
Most of our team are ex Travellers volunteers and are ideally qualified to offer advice and guidance because they know what you're looking for. They'll help you find your perfect project - and then make it all happen!
If you’d like more information about this or any of our projects, please email or call us!
If you’d like to apply for this project, please go to our website and complete the application form. As soon as we receive it, we’ll liaise with you and then start making your travel adventure happen.
It’s as easy as that.
Benefits:
Costs vary depending on length of placement, but starts at £1895 for four weeks. You can participate for up to one year, subject to visa requirements.
Included is full support from the moment of booking and throughout your placement to your return home. There are support staff 24/7 in all our destinations worldwide and a 24 hour emergency international telephone line direct to the Head Office. Accommodation is provided (whether a rented house, a hotel/hostel, homestay, apartment or flat).
You’ll be met at the nearest airport on your arrival by our in-country manager who will take you to your accommodation and give you a full induction into the area. He/she will also be on call 24/7 and you’ll see them frequently.
Pre-departure you’ll receive comprehensive information about every aspect of your placement and necessary preparations, ranging from what to pack, to visa information, to what to do on your weekend travel in the country. Your safety, well being and happiness throughout your placement are our primary concerns and we will keep in touch with you throughout. International flights not included.
Requirements:
No qualifications or previous experience are necessary, just a good dose of enthusiasm! Everyone is welcome on a Travellers programme, whether gap year, undergraduate, on a career break - or even retired! From 17 years old upwards, and all nationalities. This placement would suit anyone who wants to make a real difference, wants first-hand experience of a different culture and has initiative.
