Your teaching placement takes place in Sabah on the Malaysian island of Borneo. You'll teach in a rural primary or secondary schools, located in a rural village environment in the northern part of the state. This location is stunning!.

English is taught in all schools, but in rural areas the children have no opportunity to speak the language outside the classroom, so they get very little practice in pronunciation and speech. Their exposure to you as a native English speaker is very beneficial to them and helps them raise their grades, which is a big plus given that in the rural areas, the passing rate of English is only 60%.

Your main focus is on assisting with conversational English but you may also be asked to help in other areas, not just sport, but also Drama, Maths and Music, if you have an interest in these.

The school where you'll volunteer is in Tamparuli, which is located about 1 hour away from Kota Kinabalu. The school has primary school students aged from 6–12 and secondary school students aged from 13-17 (pre-University) age and teaching can be arranged in any one of these areas.

You'll usually work about 10 – 15 lessons per week, and you'll be in demand wherever you go!

The school day usually runs from 07.30 to 1.30pm, Monday to Friday, during which time you'll be asked to teach or assist with lessons. As formal lessons take place in the mornings, the afternoons are a time for you to become involved with additional activities that interest you, such as Sports.

You'll be given a timetable of lessons and will have the freedom to plan and take your own classes (with assistance, if required).

ACCOMMODATION:

Accommodation will be with a local host family and you’ll participate in their way of life. Because you'll be in a rural village environment, you'll become involved in the local life. Very often this is one of the most attractive aspects of our placements in different cultures because you get to experience the country in a way that you would never be able to do as a tourist.

You may have your own bedroom or be required to share with another Travellers volunteer. You will have shared living accommodation and bathroom facilities.

There is a surprising amount of action in the evenings in Malaysian villages, including coffee shops, karaoke bars, and bustling open-air markets that are fascinating!

FOOD: Your meals will be provided by your host family and will consist of local cuisine (which is delicious!)

WHAT TO DO NEXT:
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.