Involvement Volunteers International WHY we need you in India
- India is one of the poorest countires in the world, with 2 thirds living in poverty.
- According to UNICEF, about 25% of children in India have no access to education, with higher rates of girls not attending school.
- 43% of childen under five years are underweight and around 61 million children are stunted due to malnutrition.
- Even though there is a law about no child labour under age 14, it's estimated by aid agencies, that there could be up to 65 million children aged 6-14 working.
HOW can you help?
- You will be working at local schools
- Staff at childcare centres and schools are often over worked so your assistence can be a big relief to them.
- Work as a teachers assistant and create engaging lessons to teach the children yourself!
- Teach children English, improve their speaking abilites and increase their confidence.
WHAT you can do?
- Create daily lesson plans for fun, educational and interactive classes
- Teach other subjects like math, history, geography and envirnmental awareness
- Increase their cultural awareness by showing them unique objects from your home and teaching them about other countries
- Help kids grow in their confidence and learn better English
Why Involvement Volunteers International?
- Non Profit Organisation & Charity
- Over 30 Years Expertise Globally
- Low Program Fees - From US$295
- Excellent Safety Record, In-Country 24/7 Support & Emergency Assistance
- 1 Application Fee - Multiple Countries
PROJECT NAME: ENGLISH TEACHING
LOCATION: DARJEELING
START DATES: WEEKLY (SAT/SUN ARRIVALS)
ACCOMMODATION: VOLUNTEER HOUSE (SHARED ROOMS)
MIN DURATION: ONE WEEK
MIN AGE: 16+ (guardian advised for 16-17 year olds)
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Criminal background check required
*Mid June to 1st week of July, December & January are winter vacations in Darjeeling, thus this project will not function during this part of the year.
Overview
Teach fundamental conversational English and other subjects of your preference to children of varying ages and capabilities across different types of schools, including regular government, private, or community schools.
Engaging as a teacher in this initiative allows students to build connections with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures, providing an opportunity for teachers to learn various teaching methods and techniques.
Your schedule will typically involve conducting about five classes per day, each lasting approximately 40 minutes. Given the often-monotonous curriculum in these schools, unconventional activities and creative experiences, such as sports and games, are not only welcomed but also highly appreciated by the children.
While you have the freedom to employ diverse teaching methods, you can use the coursebook as a reference or focus on educating children through conversational and spoken English. Throughout your tenure, you can cover various subjects, including mathematics, history, science, geography, computer technologies, music, arts and crafts, educational games, personal development, environmental awareness, general health, and safety. Considering that higher education in India is primarily conducted in English, it is crucial for children to grasp the language for future academic pursuits.
Embark on this incredible journey to contribute to the educational growth of every child in Darjeeling. Additionally, your stay promises enjoyable moments through engaging in fun, relaxing, and recreational activities organized after each program day alongside fellow participants.
Lastly, weekends offer opportunities to explore nearby scenic views and historic places, and our team will ensure to assist you in organising these weekend getaways for you to enjoy every moment of your time!
Location
Darjeeling is a hill station in the state of West Bengal in India. Set amongst steep and snowy mountains, the city of Darjeeling has been popular with locals as well as international travellers as a great holiday destination. Darjeeling also has much more to offer. The climate is cold here throughout the year. Tea plantations and picturesque monasteries add a unique value to the atmosphere in Darjeeling.
Project Tasks
- Foster children’s confidence and improve their English skills.
- Elevate the standard of English language acquisition among students.
- Oversee and interact with students to provide a higher level of self-confidence.
- Introduce innovative ideas to positively impact children’s activities, lifestyle, health, and behavior.
- Work with children to enhance their abilities based on scheduled plans.
- Incorporate fun activities into the learning process.
- Engage in role-playing activities to educate the community on topics such as education, health and hygiene, women’s rights, and awareness of provisions and schemes.
- Create a well-rounded and impactful experience for both children and the community.
Food & Accommodation
You will stay in a local volunteer house, where there is a dining room, and lounge area where you can relax with the other volunteers.
You will stay in shared rooms of 2-4 people per room, with a fan, hot shower, bed linen and mosquito protection included. There is a refrigerator in the house to store food and beverages you may purchase. Water, Coffee, Tea, and Milk are provided at the house also. There are ATM’s in the city of Darjeeling which is a few mins walking distance. The closest local supermarket is in Darjeeling city.
You will be provided with 3 meals per day during weekdays and 2 per day on weekends. Food will be a mix of Western and Indian food, consisting mainly of vegetarian dishes including rice and vegetables.
Standard Projects
- Cultural Orientation Week, Darjeeling
- Kindergarten Teaching, Darjeeling
- English Teaching, Darjeeling
- Community Support, Goa
- Community Construction, Goa
- Kindergarten & Slum Outreach, Goa
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1 Week - $395
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2 Weeks - $410
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3 Weeks - $620
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1 Month - $960
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2 Months - $1980
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3 Months - $2760
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Meals
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Airport Pickup
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Local Transportation
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1 Day Orientation
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24/7 In-Country Support
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Project Materials & Equipment
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Pre-departure Expert Advice
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Preperation Tools & Checklists
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Certificate of Completion
- Application fee is one off per person (unlimited placements)
- Click Here to convert the below prices to your local currency
- Discounts may apply if travelling in a pair or group!
- All credit card /international fees included in below pricing! 🙂
Testimonials...
FAQ
If you love kids, and either have experience or an inspiring teacher, this is a great project for you. You will be able to gain valuable skills and cultural insight and an informal way.
- Accommodation
- 3 meals p/day weekdays / 2 meals p/day weekends
- Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
- Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
- 1 day orientation
- Daily transportation to project
- In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
- Fundraising support
- University course credits (where applicable)
- Certificate of Completion
- Airfares
- Travel Insurance
- Tours, Souvenirs & spending money
Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project. Your accommodation on the Sunday is included in the program fees.
A free airport pickup is included when arriving to Siliguri Bagdogra Airport, Bagdogra (IXB). You must arrive between the hours 08:00 to 14:00 on Sunday.
If arriving outside the pickup times, we charge an additional fee for any extra night’s accommodation before your program, and an extra fee for a private transfer.
Alternatively, if arriving early you could wait at the arrival’s terminal for the pickup time, book accommodation at the airport and meet us during the pickup times or make your own way to the project (we will advise on how to do this).
From Bagdogra airport to the accommodation it’s around 4+ hours by road.
Monday
- Breakfast
- Welcome, introduction to Darjeeling and projects, House rules, Code of Conduct and handling of documents.
- Culture Lesson and safety precautions during your travel
- Get to learn the language and talk about the project.
- Lunch
- Go out to visit the City of Darjeeling and explore.
- Dinner
Tuesday to Friday
After breakfast, you will visit the school and your classes generally take place from 10:00 to 16:00. You will be teaching different classes and each session would be 40 minutes. Lunch break is from 12:30 to 13:30
***This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.***
***Mid June to 1st week of July, December & January are winter vacations in Darjeeling, thus this project will not function during this part of the year.***
Here are some things you can do when visiting Darjeeling, India:
Tiger Hill: Visit early in the morning to catch the breathtaking sunrise over the Himalayas. On clear days, you can see the majestic peaks of Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga.
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy Train): Take a ride on this UNESCO World Heritage-listed narrow-gauge railway, offering scenic views of the tea gardens, valleys, and mountains.
Tea Garden Tours: Explore the lush tea plantations for which Darjeeling is famous. Many estates offer guided tours where you can learn about the tea-making process and sample different varieties.
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park: Home to endangered species like the snow leopard, red panda, and Himalayan wolf, this zoo is dedicated to the preservation of Himalayan fauna.
Japanese Peace Pagoda: Marvel at this serene Buddhist stupa built by Japanese monks, offering panoramic views of Darjeeling town and the surrounding mountains.
Hiking and Trekking: Darjeeling offers numerous trails for hiking and trekking enthusiasts, ranging from easy walks to challenging treks, such as the Sandakphu trek.
Batasia Loop and War Memorial: Visit this engineering marvel of a railway loop and pay homage to the Gorkha soldiers who sacrificed their lives in various wars.
Observatory Hill and Mahakal Temple: Enjoy panoramic views of Darjeeling and visit the Mahakal Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, which is highly revered by locals and tourists alike.
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute: Learn about the history of mountaineering in the region and pay tribute to Tenzing Norgay, the first man to summit Mount Everest along with Sir Edmund Hillary.
Chowrasta Mall: Stroll along this bustling promenade, lined with shops selling souvenirs, handicrafts, and local delicacies. Enjoy a cup of Darjeeling tea at one of the many cafes while soaking in the lively atmosphere.
Additional Requirements
The following are further necessary in order for both the participants, local staff and everyones involved to have a meaningful, enjoyable and safe community program.
- Older participants or over 65 years are required to have a medical clearance as proof of their physical fitness as they may perform various activities.
- Participants below 18 years old need a signed parental consent as proof of involvement of their children for the program. If possible, accompaniment by an adult is highly advised.
Genuine interests and passion with teaching children/students.
- Excellent time management and self – organizing and strong desire to take on new challenges and learn as much as possible.
- Recommended a COVID – 19 Vaccination, purchase travel insurance, medical and Covid – 19 insurance prior to your arrival.
- Have completed or recommended the following vaccines: Polio, Hepatitis A, Diphtheria/Tetanus, Typhoid, Malaria, Hepatitis B, Tuberculosis.
Additional Equipment
Teaching Materials:
- No specific equipment required for this project. However, you are more welcome to bring with you some educational materials to be used for learning activities such as games cards, coloring books, pencils, ball, musical instruments, worksheet, books/comics,cultural items and many more meaningful learning resources.
Dress Code:
- Cover up as much as possible in the spirit of the local culture to avoid embarrassment.
- Your clothes must not be too short, too tight, or too revealing. Kindly make sure your shoulders and legs are covered.
- Dress professionally since you will be working in a professional environment while teaching the children.
- It is completely fine to wear western clothes as long as they fit the local standards.
- Be thoughtful of the graphics, symbols or text printed on your clothing and avoid wearing clothing styles that might be inappropriate particularly inside the school premises.
Others:
- An environmentally friendly sunscreen or lotion is also advised to protect you from the heat of the sun and please carry with you preventive agents during outdoor activities, such as mosquito repellents for insect bites.
- Moreover, bring Medicines with you especially if you have to take specific medicines on a regular basis as well as other medicines for headaches and stomach aches.
- Refillable water bottles and hydration packs to stay hydrated throughout the day particularly during class.
India is an eclectic and intoxicating cultural experience like no other! Home of the famous Taj Mahal, the Himalayas, the sacred Ganges river, and over 1 billion people of varying languages, cultures and beleifs, India is sure to push you to the boundaries of your comfort zone.
IVI is focused on establishing sustainable employment and education through volunteering efforts in India. Children in some of the regions we service have not had basic nutritional background. Over 950,000 newborns per year in India die from infections. Education about health for families provides a strong foundation for self-care in the communities we service in India.
India’s climte ranges from tropical down south to alpine up in the northern mountain regions.
From April until the start of October is summer, and in most places in India, is very hot. In June the monsoon rains start in Kerala down south, and move inland. Further north and in the rural areas of Rajasthan, it can get pretty cold from December to January- sometimes as low at minus 5 degrees!
Be prepared for some hot temperatures but if in the Sikkim region, bring along some warmer clothing as it can get cold in the mountains.
India is a country FULL of culture! From the beautiful colours, different religions, ancient traditions and the smells of spices- India is a country like no other. It’s the the second most populous nation after China, with over 1.2 billion people.
The most prominant religions are Hinduism and Buddhism and around 13% of the popualrtion are Muslim. Because there are so many religions, India celebrates a large number of festivals throughout the year. Some of these include Diwali, Holi, Eid and Good Friday.
In India, the cow is considered to be a Holy animal and you will see cars either driving around, or simply waiting if a cow is in the road holding up traffic! In some parts of India it is forbidden to eat meat or drink alcohol.
You will see many temples in India, as well as colourful clothing, particually the sari’s that the local women wear, and many cultural dance shows and activities.
30 Years Non Profit Experience
IVI is an Australian charity & non profit organisation founded in 1989 and is one of the pioneers of overseas volunteering successfully placing over 20,000 volunteers globally.
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