Info

Do you love children and want to make a real difference to their lives? Then teaching English, Music, Drama, Sports or other subjects to children in Madurai, Southern India, is the perfect project for you.

Teach English or IT and combine with Art and Crafts, Drama, French, German, Maths and Sport. This is a completely flexible project; we place you in the most suitable school depending on your specifications and interests. You can choose the age range, what subject you would like to combine with English or IT and ultimately what you want to gain from the project!

PROJECT OVERVIEW:

Our teaching projects are based in either primary or secondary schools in Madurai, mainly ‘Matriculation’ schools where it is compulsory that all lessons are taught in English. You will be introduced to the Principal on your first day who will discuss your teaching programme with you and will try to incorporate your own interests and specialities into your teaching schedule. All the children will be waiting to meet you with wide smiles!
Our schools in Madurai are desperate for your help and are overwhelmingly appreciative and grateful to all volunteers. Not only will you be giving invaluable teaching and education to the school, your involvement with the children will bring immense satisfaction and enjoyment!

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT:

• An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into beautiful India and it's fascinating culture.
• The enormous satisfaction of helping disadvantaged children and knowing that you made a difference to them.
• 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
• And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!

WORK CONTENT:

You will assist a teacher for the first week and once you gain confidence and feel comfortable in the classroom, you will be able to become involved in lesson planning and take different classes. We provide you with a Teaching Guide and suggestions on inexpensive resources to take with you.

Children are always fascinated with volunteers and want to learn as much as possible about you. They love to hear stories about you and where you are from so it is ideal to take pictures, maps, magazine articles and even photos of your family and friends with you. You can also use these as excellent resources for a lesson to promote discussion and interest.
You don't need any qualifications to participate on a teaching project but a great way to become more confident in the classroom is to take part in a weekend TEFL course! Not only will this help you with how to go about lesson planning, it will also give you an introduction about teaching abroad as well as ways to get the children inspired and eager to learn!
You will be reminded of fantastic children’s games, tips on how to remember everyone’s names as well as an opportunity to look through all the latest teaching books. Even if you have had experience in a classroom before, it’s always reassuring to take part in one of our courses to help you prepare for teaching overseas.

"Have really enjoyed my time here, especially meeting new people and being with all the kids at Cambridge School and the orphanage. I’m really going to miss Jeya’s cooking and the friendly security guard oh and the trips to coffee day. I hope everyone has as good a time here as I have… " Rosie Greaves

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS IN THE SOUTH OF INDIA (APPROX):
Please keep in mind that school holidays can change unexpectedly with very little notice given. Although at times this can be quite inconvenient, most of our volunteers use the opportunity to travel around and explore the country.

First Term Vacation: 1st to 5th October
Pooja Holiday: 8th to 9th October
Diwali Holiday: 25th to 28th October
Winter Holiday: 21st December to 3rd January
Second Term Vacation: 24th December to 1st January
Pongal Holiday: 13th to 15th January
Summer Vacation: 1st April to 1st June

SUMMER CAMPS:
During the summer holidays many of the schools offer “Summer Camps” to the students. Teaching of conversational English during this holiday to is available to approximately 60 to 80 students who attend the camp. These camps normally take place on the school grounds and are an opportunity to give more informal lessons and they can be combined with playing sports or putting together a play. Therefore the camps are much more relaxed and not quite so structured.

Teaching is not available during the other holiday periods, so please take the above dates into account when planning your placement. On the other hand if a holiday falls during your proposed placement, you could use this time to do any independent travelling and sightseeing.

TEACHING ARTS, DRAMA, SPORT AND OTHER SUBJECTS IN SOUTH INDIA

If you have some know-how, some initiative and lots of enthusiasm, you can also get involved with teaching Drama, and Arts & Crafts lessons.

Teaching arts subjects is an excellent way of engaging children’s imaginations and encourages them to communicate with few constraints. What’s more, it is very satisfying to watch their confidence grow as they learn and develop new skills.

At some of our schools in our other destinations, volunteers and pupils together have produced plays and concerts, and performances have been put on in the evenings for parents, students and visitors. Because the schools are poor, the volunteers and children have had to be very creative in putting together costumes and sets, but all productions have been a resounding success!

Volunteers have found that producing short plays written by the children that address local social issues has been a successful means in educating the children on issues such as AIDS awareness, cultural relationships, peer pressures and bullying. It gives the children an informal forum and a means of sharing their concerns and learning to deal with issues.
You can combine one or all of these subjects with teaching conversational English.
You may also have the opportunity to teach sport for an hour each day at one of our larger schools. The sports on offer are badminton, volleyball and throw ball. Please state your interest at the time of booking and we will try our best to accommodate you.

LOCATION:

All of our schools are set in and around the small town of Madurai - some of them in incredibly scenic areas.

ACCOMMODATION & FOOD:

For a complete Indian experience we arrange for you to stay with one of wonderful host families. All of our hosts are very welcoming and you will be made to feel part of the family. You will also gain a great insight into Indian culture and customs.

You may share a room with one other volunteer and you will have an en-suite western style bathroom. All of our host family houses are close together and just a minute walk away from internet cafes, banks and snack shops and just a short auto ride into the centre of town.

FOOD:

Your food will be prepared for you, but there may be occasional days when you'll need to prepare your own meals (on the cook's day off, for example). Food is a mixture of Western and local meals and includes fruit, fruit juice, etc. You'll also have access to the kitchen if you want to make snacks or drinks.

WHAT TO DO NEXT:

Talk to us - We're there to help you. CALL +44 (0) 1903 502595

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.

OUR PARTICIPANTS SAY...

"I am gaining immeasurable amounts of experience over a whole spectrum of issues and primarily, excellent experience of teaching which will aid my PGCE application. I feel that I am gaining experience of another culture first hand, experience of life and learning a lot about myself too.

The placement in India has challenged me in so many ways. I have a much deeper sense of gratitude for my life at home now. It is very unique to live in another country for a protracted period and embrace a different way of life. After all, you don't learn about a country just through a textbook!

The best thing about the about the placement is the children, their enthusiasm and energy has been delightful. I would most definitely recommend this placement. I abhor clichés but this really is an experience of a lifetime, miss at your peril!" Catherine Williams
Additional Activities you can do while on this Project:

ADD TO YOUR TRAVEL EXPERIENCE IN INDIA BY DOING SOME ADDITIONAL EXCITING OPTIONAL EXTRA ACTIVITIES.

• YOGA & MEDITATION CLASSES: Learn or improve your Yoga skills. Kick-start your days with Yoga followed by Meditation, it’ll set you up for the day!
• 2-HOUR BASIC TAMIL LANGUAGE COURSE (only £7). You'll learn some basic phrases to kick-start your placement
• 4-WEEK TAMIL LANGUAGE COURSE: (£49) taken at the same time as doing your main project. Lessons are by a retired Professor of Tamil. You'll appreciate the benefits of having some Tamil during your placement ... and the locals will love you for trying to speak their language.

This project can also be combined with any of our other projects in India, such as Sports or Work Experience or Teaching, giving you a varied and broad experience of life in India.

Duration

Available all year round. Our placements are very flexible, you can choose your own start and finish dates.

Start Dates

Flexible start and finish dates you choose. (Please check school holidays above) Our placements are flexible and can be tailored to match your preferences. For availability please contact the office.

Costs / Benefits

Costs vary depending on length of placement, but starts at £795 for two 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. All meals are provided, unless otherwise stated. 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.