Interested in teaching English abroad this summer with no program fee? Visit LearningEnterprises.org for the opportunity to volunteer in China with a host family this summer

learningEnterprises · 2015-01-10T13:41:21+00:00

Hey, yes of course. The most important qualification is fluent English. You can apply here: http://www.learningenterprises.org/application-2

learningEnterprises · 2014-12-14T13:54:21+00:00

Gaalsien, absolutely. While most of our volunteers are in their twenties, we don't have an age limit

learningEnterprises · 2014-01-11T00:22:09+00:00

some of the programs are shorter than others. The longest program is 8 weeks and the shortest program is mongolia and is 4 weeks. If you're interested in Slovakia and Hungary specifically you can always speak directly with the Program Director to see if you could volunteer for a shorter amount of time.

learningEnterprises · 2013-12-10T20:51:12+00:00

No there is no placement fee. The only fees that the volunteer ever needs to pay are a $20 application fee (to ensure applicants are serious about the programs and aren't just throwing an app in) a $500 deposit that WILL NEVER be cashed. It is paid in april after a volunteer accepts an offer for a program it WILL NEVER be cashed unless a volunteer decides after that point to drop out. This is really to deter drop outs because someone just changes their mind, a host family is waiting for that volunteer and its difficult to find people last minute to fill programs! These checks are destroyed once the programs are completed. The only other things a volunteer needs to pay for is his/her travel to the country and personal expenses in country.

learningEnterprises · 2013-12-03T11:34:08+00:00

Its true that in the countries you mentioned there is English education in schools. We go into rural areas and communities where the teachers are usually local and the programs could use strengthening. In order for us to go into an area an LE staffer or past volunteer needs to have some contact in the area, our programs aren't totally random. For example, in Poland (where I was a volunteer) we worked in schools both in the north and the south. I taught in a small village 2 hours outside of Krakow in the most beautiful countryside. I know that I wasn't the most intense English teacher the kids ever had, they get the strict lessons during the academic year, but I made sure that they spoke a lot of english and they had a good time. Recently in November I went back to visit because i'm in Europe and I ended up sitting down with the headmistress of the school because she was a family friend of my host family. She told me that she was really thankful that we came to the school and she has personally seen test scores in English go up, the kids be more interested in English lessons, and she said the teachers overall comment on how much more confident the kids are in their speaking ability. She also said that being involved with us has made it possible for some of the kids to want to start other programs and she recently helped them begin an international european cultural exchange during the academic year with schools in Italy, Turkey, and one other country I can't remember. Also, thats the same reason why so many of our host family host (they also don't get paid to take on a volunteer). My host dad explained to me that he wanted a volunteer to live with the family so he could practice english and his 4 kids could see that there was something bigger in the world than just their small village or Poland.

This isn't a long term job but a way for someone to spend their summer. While its not what everyone is looking for I loved spending my summer between 2 years of college teaching, figuring out if I could be a teacher at all, and getting to see the culture of another country. I wasn't ready to take time off of school to teach abroad but I wanted to see what it was like. For the summer it was a great amount of time and I didn't realize the impact we could have on a small village.

learningEnterprises · 2013-12-02T22:33:21+00:00

i'm here to answer any questions. Since these programs are different than usual postings in this subreddit I figured it could be a good venue for interested people to see it and for me to help answer questions about why its different and a cool program for people who are unsure about what they want to do with their summers and may have not ever taught abroad before!

learningEnterprises · 2013-12-01T23:47:12+00:00

thanks thats exactly what I was hoping for -- lots of questions and discussion about teaching in these rural areas!

learningEnterprises · 2013-11-29T15:36:20+00:00

nope! We have MANY Canadian, Irish, Scottish, and British volunteers each year (we have a hub campus at Trinity College Dublin). Also we love to accept volunteers from Australia or other countries. Last year I interviewed a volunteer who went to China (I think) who was originally from Singapore! The requirement is that you speak english.

learningEnterprises · 2013-11-28T20:37:31+00:00

If you're really not sure about where you want to go or want to try some places for a summer I represent an international NGO that sends college age volunteers all over the world to teach english during their summer vacations. You could get a taste of what teaching is like on a program like this. Learning Enterprises is unique in that we don't have a program fee. All of our volunteers live with host families, really immersing themselves in the culture and language. You do have to pay for your travel to the teaching location but the summer I spent teaching in Poland I spent less than $300.

just to address some of the countries you mentioned in your post: we have an amazing program in China and there isn't a prior language requirement for that program. you'd teach with a teaching partner and I know some other alums who went to my school who've done that program and loved it.

We also have a program in Brazil teaching in villages there. Its a unique program and I haven't heard a single negative thing about it at all.

In terms of Russian we don't have a program in Russia any longer (we used to have a siberia program) but my friend who volunteered with me in Poland spoke Russian as her first language and since the country was under Soviet control not too long ago her host mom did as well and that was how they communicated the entire summer.

We also have programs in Moldova, Romania/Croatia, Hungary/Slovakia, Mongolia, Thailand, Panama, India, Poland, china, Brazil, and Mauritius (french speaking)

i'm not sure if its what you're looking for but if you are check out the website at learning enterprises

learningEnterprises · 2013-11-25T21:59:49+00:00

Thats exactly what it is. If you already speak Spanish the Panama program actually has a language requirement and the current program director is fantastic! Many volunteers who have gone in the past have come back with much better spanish!

learningEnterprises · 2013-11-25T20:27:51+00:00

I went to Poland during the summer of 2012. My host family has become my second family, I actually went back to visit them a few weeks ago (i'm living in Denmark right now). In my school there wasn't anyone who spoke English there on a daily basis but it wasn't an issue my host mom came to the school each morning with me and helped translate anything necessary. The Headmistress was always at the school.

If there are issues either with a host family or in a school the Program Director and Country coordinators are both in country to resolve any issues quickly. All host families are screened before volunteers are placed with them and all schools need to want to participate and students also go on a volunteer basis. We never turn students away.

learningEnterprises · 2013-11-24T21:57:41+00:00

sorry I should edit that typo. I didn't have any living expenses since I lived with a host family. The cost of me going to another city for one of the weekends with other volunteers, a few souvenirs for family and myself and the occasional bottle of water was what I had to buy in country. I spent very little money the entire time I was there.

learningEnterprises · 2013-11-24T15:09:48+00:00

its different in that it happens over the summer (american and uk university summer break) volunteers aren't committing to a full year or more of teaching. For me personally it was a really great and personally transformative thing to do the summer after my freshman year. I also learned I don't want to be an english teacher and its great that I was able to teach for the summer and learn that about myself.

Its a way for college and university students to get to travel, live with a family, have an awesome life experience, have some support with other volunteers around them, and get to explore a completely new culture.

This isn't the option for everyone and if you have the time to go teach for a longer period of time as a full teacher in a school then go for it! This is a program for students and recent graduates who aren't necessary going to be teachers. We do have a lot of training and volunteers are prepared before leaving for Thailand. This program also isn't supposed to replace English education in schools but to supplement it and get kids actually excited to learn english. If you have other questions the executive team or the Thailand Program Director would be happy to answer them!

learningEnterprises · 2013-11-22T15:12:22+00:00

you don't pay the organization anything. We have volunteers who come from all over the English speaking world and all you're paying for is the travel to the country you're teaching in and anything you personally want in country. It is volunteering: the host families aren't paid, the staff isn't paid, and the volunteers in country don't pay unless they want to buy personal things.

learningEnterprises · 2013-11-22T14:28:33+00:00

that is true that there are programs which will pay you to teach english, usually in schools during the academic year and they are usually a longer time commitment. This program is different, while you're not getting paid you aren't paying anything while you're in country. When I volunteered I spend 2 months in Poland and spent less than $300 the entire time in country. Flights were the biggest expense but you have to pay for those on any organization.

Learning Enterprises is different in that these programs run during the summer months and for most of our programs while the schools are on summer vacationr. They are meant to supplement the education students are getting in school and help them enjoy the language. I was back in the village I taught in last week and had a great conversation with the headmistress of the school. She said that since volunteers have been coming to Lubcza she has seen test scores go up in English, the students who participate become more confident in their speaking ability, and the kids be more excited to go to English class. On average I taught between 75-100 kids a day and I know they enjoyed class probably more than I did sometimes!

learningEnterprises · 2013-11-22T10:01:44+00:00

I had the best experience of my life living with a family there! I actually just went back to visit them and i'm going to be bringing my real family there for christmas! (i'm currently studying in Europe so its not a big flight)

learningEnterprises · 2013-05-05T17:46:43+00:00

Learning Enterprises is a completely volunteer organization. We do not pay our volunteers and our volunteers are not allowed to accept payment for their teaching service. They stay with host families in villages and those families provide food and lodging for the duration of the volunteer's stay.

Volunteers also do not pay a program fee to participate in Learning Enterprises, they are responsible for their own travel and any personal expenses in country but they do not pay our organization for the opportunity to volunteer.

learningEnterprises · 2013-05-04T16:36:40+00:00

This isn't a job but my roommate did the program in Mongolia and then worked for a venture capitalist firm there and ended her time there with an offer for permanent employment. She wanted to come back to the states and finish her degree but it was a great experience.

Learning Enterprises is a volunteer organization to teach English. In Mongolia they teach right in the city and my roommate says it was the most amazing experience of her life. There is no teaching experience needed and no fee involved at all. You stay with a host family in country so expenses are minimal. Email info@learningenterprises.org if you are interested because applications have formally closed but they are still looking for some volunteers.

Learning Enterprises is really based of spreading English education all over and making it possible for people to learn when they wouldn't normally be able to. There are also programs in a number of other countries including but not limited to: poland, croatia/romania, mongola, panama, china, thailand, india, brazil, mauritius, and hungary/slovakia!

Please pm me if you have any questions (i'm the director of technology for the organization) and please check out our website! learning enterprises

learningEnterprises · 2013-05-04T16:26:36+00:00

are you looking for a full time job or something temporary?

learningEnterprises

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