A Guide to Teaching in Nepal

There are so many reasons why international teachers are needed to work in Nepal. Nepal is a developing nation with one of the lowest literacy rates in adults and children in the whole world. Schools are usually underfunded and understaffed due to lack of government funds, in more rural areas the facilities are worse. If you would like to get TEFL certified you can take a TEFL course in Khatmandu. Nepal is a truly magical country, view our guide to teaching abroad in Nepal and apply today.

 

TEFL Courses in Nepal

If you would like to take a TEFL course in Nepal you could study for an online certification or book a classroom course in the capital city Kathmandu.

 

Popular Places to Teach in Nepal

  • Chitwan
  • Chitlang 
  • Kathmandu
  • Pokhara

 

Role

You will get to work alongside local teachers helping Nepalese children and adults learn how to speak, read, and write in English. Women and girls need extra help as their literacy rate is extremely low compared to men in the country. You will also get to help with other areas like science, art, sports coaching and IT. 

 

Teach English at Buddhist Monasteries in Nepal

Discover your spiritual side teaching Buddhist monks in Nepal. You’ll help a generation of monks to get a better education and standard of English, whilst improving your classroom skills and experiencing life in another culture. Buddhism is one of the key faiths within Nepal. Becoming a Buddhist monk starts early and the monasteries believe it is important to combine the education of Buddhist practices and philosophies but also standard schooling such as English, mathematics and computers; this is where you come in.

Monasteries vary in size. Some have about 30 pupils (all boys), aged from 7 up to 13. Other Tibetan and Nepalese Buddhist monasteries have approximately 400 resident monks. The classes are divided into groups ranging from upper kindergarten of age 8 years to classes for 13 year olds. You will be teaching in the morning or the afternoon depending on the monastery for approximately 2 hours a day, focusing on English and occasionally mathematics.

Be prepared to be flexible and for some possible early morning starts; everything revolved around prayer time! You will often find yourself team teaching with another volunteer, giving you more support and the opportunity to give more attention to your students. There may also be the additional opportunity of teaching advanced conversational English at one of the monasteries from 4pm to 5pm on an occasional basis.

Please note: During February/March each year the Losar festival occurs celebrating the Tibetan New Year and will mean that you can join the celebrations. Your role of a teacher during this period will be disrupted but is a great opportunity to see some of the performances in the city and see thousands of monks in their deep red robes worshiping.

 

Best Time to Apply

In Nepal the school year starts in September and there are various holidays throughout the year including the summer break.

 

Salary for Teaching in Nepal

Most teaching positions in Nepal are unpaid and finding paid teaching work in Nepal is tough. It is possible to secure a paid position but don't expect salaries to be high as this is a developing country.

 

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