TEFL Volunteering Guide 2022

Volunteering is just one of the many choices available to you once you’ve earned your TEFL certificate. Once you’ve earned your TEFL certification, you’ll be able to apply for hundreds of paid English teaching jobs both abroad and online. However, there are reasons why volunteering as an English teacher is also a good option.

Volunteer opportunities, unlike paid TEFL jobs, are usually short-term contracts with limited time commitments. Teachers can work as little as 20 hours per week in these situations. This gives them time to explore and travel as well as time to rest. Volunteers who join up for a shorter term have freedom! More than those who sign up for a year or two of labour overseas. This gives teachers the freedom to go to different countries. As well as decide whether or not they wish to stay in the field permanently.

Volunteering as a TEFL teacher can be a wonderful and extremely satisfying experience. It’s a great way to put your abilities to good use. while also gaining experience and confidence. However, it’s critical to make sure that the volunteering programme you select is useful to both you and the individuals and communities with whom you work. We’ll look at what it takes to volunteer as an English teacher abroad, at home, and online. As well as what you should be aware of.

teaching online

Why volunteer with TEFL?

English is the most commonly spoken language in the world. As it is the official language of 53 nations and a secondary language for many more. Students can open up new options and experiences for themselves. As well as the opportunity to connect with people from other cultures by learning it. It can provide them with greater job possibilities. The opportunity to study abroad and the ability to travel and communicate with the rest of the world to name a few. Here are our reasons why you should volunteer with TEFL.

  • Give back

Volunteering is one of the many ways you may give back to your town, country, or even the world. Helping people learn English or enhance their level of competence can lead to real benefits for students, such as improved academic performance, admission to college, greater job opportunities, or advancement in their jobs. Even if you don’t volunteer to teach for a long time, you can still make a difference.

Deciding to volunteer as a teacher is a huge one, and you should plan ahead of time. Examine your qualities and strengths to see what you have to offer.

  • Gain experience and skills

There are many other motives to volunteer to educate besides generosity. Before committing to a job move, you might want to put what you’ve learned in a TEFL certification course to the test. Volunteering with local foreign students or teaching English online might give you an idea of how teaching overseas would go. You might meet someone who can assist you in finding a job teaching in their own country!

You can also improve your classroom management skills, which is something that cannot be done from a “sitting” position. Teaching necessitates problem-solving, fast-thinking, flexibility under pressure, precise organisation, and a variety of other abilities that may be applied to practically any industry.

  • Travel and experience other cultures

Do you have a strong desire to travel? Volunteering to teach English in another country can provide you with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You can find yourself teaching English as a volunteer in the Europe countryside or Central Eurasia’s mountains.

When you teach, you will be constantly exposed to your kids’ history, culture, and language. When volunteering, you might be able to live in a homestay with a family from the region you’re in. This allows you to gain a thorough understanding of the local culture and language. Frequently, teachers become the ones who are being taught!

  • Boost your teaching CV

If you want to work in TEFL, you should be aware that the market has become very competitive. Taking a volunteer English classroom role can help you stand out from other teachers, in addition to acquiring a good TEFL qualification.

It’s also worth noting that certain teaching jobs, whether online or abroad, may require prior classroom experience. Volunteering locally or globally can help you build a stronger resume and qualify for more top TEFL positions.

teaching in class

Where can I volunteer with TEFL?
  • Abroad

Volunteer EFL teaching positions can be found all around the world, especially in developing countries in Africa and South America. Volunteer programmes can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, making them a perfect choice for students or anyone searching for a shorter contract during the summer.

There are English volunteer opportunities all over the world. They may be concentrated in so-called “poor” countries. But that doesn’t imply you’ll be stuck in a small town with no modern facilities. Because of globalisation, modern-day life has expanded around the world. Even in locations like Vietnam or Cambodia, which have had harsh recent histories. Life for a volunteer teacher can be quite comfortable.

You might opt to volunteer in a foreign country as part of a formal programme. This would include an application, personal recommendations, and an interview. They may ask you to pay a programme fee to help the local community. As well as cover administrative costs in some of these programmes.

Volunteering abroad can be a life-changing experience. But do your research to ensure you sign up for ethical and legal volunteering programmes and can avoid being scammed!

  • Online

Because of the coronavirus outbreak, immigrants and asylum seekers had fewer opportunities to learn and improve their English.  During repeated lockdowns, volunteer-run programmes were unable to operate. Social isolation meant that opportunities to simply practise and utilise English in ordinary situations were severely limited. Several organisations evolved to provide online English classes, and they continue to do so two years after the pandemic began.

In fact, for many teachers and those who eventually wish to relocate abroad to teach English, volunteer teaching online may be a suitable choice during the pandemic. Several internet platforms connect English teaching volunteers with persons who desire to learn the language.

  • At home

If you don’t want to relocate abroad, you can explore volunteer opportunities closer to home. This is an excellent method to supplement your TEFL experience while maintaining your current schedule. 

English Language Teaching

How to become a volunteer teacher

When looking into volunteer programmes, it’s critical to complete your homework. We recommend looking for programmes organised by a charity that is entirely dedicated to assisting those in need. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Find out what is expected of volunteers, how the programme has impacted the community thus far, and how the fees you pay are spent. You can also request to talk with current or previous volunteers to learn more about their experiences.

Visit our jobs board here to keep up to date with our latest volunteer job listings!

Join Facebook groups for volunteer teachers. Change your LinkedIn settings to receive job alerts for English volunteer employment in specific locations using social media.

Look for English language centres or clubs on university campuses in your area for prospective foreign students. Or those who want to improve their English. It is often necessary to be linked with the school to volunteer. However, this is not always the case.

Make contact with local churches to see if you can teach English to immigrants in need as a volunteer.

With the ongoing Ukraine crisis, there are reems of volunteer opportunities available as local councils and organisations are vigorously searching for qualified TEFL teachers to volunteer teaching English to Ukrainian refugees. The aim is to help these people adapt to life and support them as they learn English for day-to-day living and working.

Make an official application to large organisations such as the Catholic Charities, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) or The Red Cross. Volunteer English teaching employment may be available through local groups. For programmes like these, the procedure will be more formalised.

TEFL Courses

Why you should get TEFL certified

When it comes to giving back to society, teaching is one of the most effective methods. This is especially true when teaching English because you’re frequently providing skills that can help them achieve academically or professionally. You’ll have a fantastic adventure wherever and however you choose to volunteer to teach English. Volunteering to teach is a priceless opportunity. It allows you to help others while also gaining valuable experience and developing a deeper understanding of other cultures.

In today’s more accessible world, a TEFL certification is one of the most valuable qualifications an English-speaking traveller can have. It is in high demand as a method of travelling the world and volunteering in several countries. As well as teaching online and at home.

The opportunities for TEFL students are endless! Get TEFL certified today and see how you can start making a difference. Visit our website here to see our range of TEFL courses!

The TEFL course you choose all depends on your needs and goals. Look at the course content included on each course page and see if it aligns with who, where and how you want to teach. If you want to teach young learners in a classroom, for example, you’ll want to make sure the course covers that. 

An accredited 120 Hour TEFL course is the quickest route to becoming TEFL qualified. On the other hand, a Level 5 course is ideal if you want more in-depth training. It’s also important to choose a course from a reputable TEFL provider for quality training and support.

Still unsure? Complete The TEFL Institute of Ireland’s free English Level Test, which has been designed to help you make this important decision. 

If you’re looking for a professional globally recognised TEFL qualification, you should consider an online Level 5 TEFL course. These professional courses are Ofqual UK government regulated and assessed at the same level as the CELTA and Trinity Cert TESOL. 

Level 5 courses give you at least 180 hours of TEFL training – more than the minimum required. As it’s a higher level course, you’ll have access to more competitive roles and salaries.

We recommend that you are over 16 years old before you start a TEFL course. If you’re looking for jobs abroad, the age requirement is 18 years old or older. 



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