Unique Teaching Opportuniy: Really Improve the Lives of Children in Cambodia: READ MORE

  Cambodia

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 1-2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: Available all year round, subject to school holidays. Our placements are very flexible, you can choose your own start and finish dates.

Description: Teach English or other subjects to children in the coastal town of Sihanoukville. The school is very friendly and the children range from 3 - 20yrs. You're their opportunity to learn English from a fluent English speaker, which will help them increase their opportunities for the future. You'll really make a difference on this project while at the same time having a wonderful experience in this delightful, beautiful and well situated for exploring the country.

PROJECT OVERVIEW:
You'll teach children in a school situated in Sihanoukville, on the road between the centre of town and the beach. The school is very conveniently located about 15 minutes away from your accommodation. This is a private school and thus slightly better off than the other local schools, but it is still very basic and different to Western schools. Education in Cambodia is generally very behind at all levels from the rest of the world.

The school has approximately 1,500 pupils, ranging in age from 3 to around 20. There are 28 classrooms and all the basic but necessary facilities. Class sizes range from about 25 to 40 per class. You'll assist the local teachers and will work from the Cambodian curriculum.

The schools are very different to schools in Western countries and the children have a hunger to learn, particularly from native speakers. You'll soon find that Cambodia feels like a second home. All of the children and teachers are incredibly welcoming and friendly! Cambodian children have a cultural and moral obligation to help and provide financial support to their parents once they grow up, so they are often forced to leave home (particularly those in villages) in order to seek a better education and ultimately a way to financially support their parents. This often proves exceptionally challenging and, unfortunately, many of the children resort to easier, more drastic measures such as factory work, drug trafficking, theft, prostitution.

Your Placement provides FREE Education to Disadvantaged Children!
In Sihanoukville, there is a local project that provides the opportunity to underprivileged children to develop skills through artistic expression and to have a safe place to play, learn and dream. The artwork that the children produce is then sold to tourists. The children they help commonly come from struggling homes, even abusive, uncaring parents, living in extremely impoverished households, lacking regular access to food, clean drinking water and medical care. The children come from the beaches in the local area, collecting cans and bottles for a money or selling bracelets and such to tourists.

Travellers has affiliated with the school and with this project. The result is that for every three volunteers who do a placement at the school, the school will provide free education to 10 children for one year. We are very pleased at having the opportunity to potentially provide free education for dozens of children who would not have access to any type of education. These opportunities will make a huge difference to their lives and the lives of their families.

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT:
--> An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into beautiful Cambodia and it's fascinating South-East Asian 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:
WORKING HOURS:
There are three teaching sessions in a day and these take place in the morning (starting at 7.30), in the afternoons and in the early evenings (finishing at 7.30). The are breaks between 10.00 a.m. and 2.00 pm, and between 4.00 and 5.30 p.m. You'll generally teach up to six-and-a-half hours per day, Monday to Friday, and you can use the breaks between teaching sessions to either explore the town or prepare your lessons. However, you can do less or more, should you wish. Initially, you'll act as an assistant to the English teacher, helping take small groups and practice conversational English. Once your confidence grows and if you're good enough, you may be put in charge of the class and you may also be asked to help within other areas, such as sport or drama, if you have an interest in these.

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS IN CAMBODIA:
School holidays can differ quite widely. However, at this school classes take place all year round, apart from National holidays, so you will be able to do your placement at any time through the year.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Don't worry about not having special qualifications. The whole idea of Travellers is to provide any help possible, whether it is merely enabling children to hear English pronunciation from native English speakers, or providing additional help with other academic subjects or showing them how to use a computer - anything you can offer is very much appreciated and everyone knows you're not a qualified teacher. The emphasis is on much-needed language development, additional learning and cultural contact. It gives your pupils valuable experience.

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, your family and where you are from so it is ideal to take pictures, maps, magazine articles and photos of your family and friends with you. You can also use these as excellent resources for a lesson to promote discussion and interest.

Although you don't need any qualifications to participate on a teaching project, 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'll 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.

Highlights: ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD:
You'll live an apartment very conveniently situated in Sihanoukville and you'll most likely share a room with other volunteers.

Sihanoukville is amazing! It has everything you could want as a location for your placement: Stunning beaches and a laid back town that has lots to do. It is also known as Kampong Som and is a port city in southern Cambodia on the Gulf of Thailand, 185 kilometres southwest of Phnom Penh. You can take water taxis to the nearby islands for diving, snorkeling, and game fishing. The town centre is located on a hill roughly in the centre of the peninsula.

Sihanoukville is a spread-out tourist town for both foreigners and local people from all over the country. Three sides of the town are bordered by tropical beaches and islands. Filled with empty beaches, crowded beaches, seafood, restaurants, bars, Buddhist Temples, casinos, hotels, and more beaches. At several hundred places, English is spoken; and many French speakers are here as well.

The island of Koh Rong Samloem is off the coast of Sihanoukville and is a wonderful place to visit. It is the proverbial paradise island! The growth is lush, the sand sparkling white and the water is a tempting turquoise. The island is relatively deserted, undeveloped and untouched, but is currently being developed into Cambodia's jewel tourist destination. A stunningly beautiful bay on the island is called Waterfall Bay and stretches for several kilometres. North West Bay is probably one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole of Cambodia. The centre of the island is a jungle with thousands of coconut palms and waterfalls. The island has no firm roads as of yet and is simply sandy tracks. There are 2 bars on the island (one with a pool table) and plenty of shops where you can buy drinks, cigarettes, etc. The locals are super-friendly and very pleased and happy to have you there. This is, in fact, the only island that is fully and actively protected by the government.

FOOD:
Food is included on this project. You'll be given a food budget which will enable you to prepare meals at your accommodation or to sample the local cuisine in the many cheap cafes and restaurants.

A little about Cambodian food: Cambodian food has generally been influenced by Chinese and French cuisine, and also shares many common dishes with Thai food, although not as spicy. The staple food for Cambodians is rice. Almost every meal includes a bowl of rice, although noodles are also popular. A wide range of curries, soups and stir fried are served with rice. Typically, Cambodians eat their meals with at least three or four separate dishes. A meal will usually include a soup, or samlor, served alongside the main courses. Each individual dish will be either sweet, sour, salty or bitter. Chilli is usually left up to the individual to add themselves.

Khmer cuisine also uses many vegetables, some of which are very unusual, such as different and unusual local varieties of melon, beans and squash. Fish is the most common form of meat in Khmer cuisine, including dried salted fish known as trei ngeat. Getting to taste and know local cooking is one of the many delights of living in a foreign country.

WHAT TO DO NEXT:
Talk to us - We're there to help you.

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.

Its as easy as that.

Qualifications: 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.

Cost in US$: Varies depending on length. Start from USD 1,015

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.

Experience Required: yes

AND NO! No previous experience or qualifications are required, but you must have lots of enthusiasm, patience, adaptability and a sense of adventure!

Typical Volunteer: This placement would suit people who want to make a real difference, want first-hand experience of a different culture and who have initiative. No qualifications or previous experience are necessary, just a good dose of enthusiasm and a love of children! 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.

Age Range: Everyone welcome from 17 years old up to 70+

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Cambodia Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone Interview
• Resume

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Travellers Worldwide's Mission Statement: Travellers Worldwide organises all types of worthwhile and beneficial voluntary placements in local communities. We also provide Work Experience & Internship opportunities, as well as different types of Courses and study abroad options. We have many diverse projects, from teaching underprivileged or refugee children in schools, orphanages and care homes, to conservation and rehabilitation of endangered animals, such as orangutans, lion cubs, dolphins, elephants. Our aim is to make a difference to the communities we work in and to facilitate personal and professional growth in our volunteers. We employ local people in our destination countries and local providers of goods and services, thus ensuring we have a positive impact on the community. Our ethos encompasses mutual respect, cultural exchange, responsible travel and a beneficial outcome for all. Travellers also arranges work experience placements in Journalism, Law, Veterinary, Medicine, Tourism, Architecture, and many more. There are also opportunities to learn languages and other skills such as Capoeira in Brazil, Tango in Argentina or Flying in South Africa. These projects are unique - and tailored to suit you! Our placements are flexible (2 weeks to 1 year) and on most you can choose your own start and finish dates. No qualifications are required, just an enthusiasm to experience a new culture! Full support is provided within the country, with friendly and conscientious staff, ensuring a safe and exciting way to experience a brand new culture! Placements are also very sociable: you'll make friends with the other international volunteers and often volunteers travel together after their placement and during their free weekends. We help you to Make a Difference and have an exciting adventure travel experience!

Year Founded: 1995