English Workshops with Native Volunteers
What is it about?
Education is fundamental to breaking down barriers of poverty and inequality (SDG). We witness this daily in our teaching practices, especially regarding the English language, which is particularly important in our region—the most significant in Peru’s tourism sector. Many teachers in rural areas have low levels of English proficiency and pronunciation skills, and few are focused on developing conversation abilities.
Speaking English is important in this country. With direct support from a native speaker from an English-speaking country, teachers and students can improve their pronunciation, motivating them to practice and enhance their language studies by speaking correctly.
Teaching English to secondary and higher education students, while supporting teachers inside and outside the classroom, will improve their conversational skills. This project offers many opportunities for practical experience, helping participants in their professional (guides and porters) and commercial (artisans) relationships, improving communication between supply and demand.
Operational site
Secondary and higher education centers in Cusco city — Director: Lic. Luis Arístides Vera Rebollar Villafuerte
- Start Dates: Flexible Dates
- Minimum Duration: 4 weeks
- Recommended age: 17 or more
Location
- Region: Cusco
- Province: Cusco
- District: Wanchaq
Reference
Given Cusco’s status as a major tourist hub, English is important in school and higher education curricula. Proficiency in English can mean better job opportunities. The Ministry of Education has established an English program that teachers must follow.
This creates a gap between students in urban areas and those in rural or peri-urban areas of a city full of tourists. Teaching English in rural or peri-urban areas faces significant challenges, including limited access to resources and qualified teachers, as well as minimal exposure to English. However, positive outcomes are also seen, such as students’ adaptability, responsibility, written communication skills, collaboration, time management, and strong reading comprehension.
To improve outcomes, investment in technology and connectivity is required, along with interactive and practical teaching methods. Teachers also need support. Conversation workshops for students and classroom monitoring for teachers are key tools where the volunteer plays an essential role.
- Improve students’ oral fluency and listening comprehension in English.
- Promote students’ confidence, motivation, and self-esteem in communicating with native speakers.
- Encourage cultural exchange between students and volunteers.
- Help students feel more comfortable and confident in learning English.
- Develop teachers’ expertise in English writing and pronunciation.
- Enable teachers to create educational materials suited to the realities of their area, whether rural or peri-urban.
- Build confidence for English exposure outside the classroom.
- Develop teaching materials that reflect the reality and culture of rural communities.
- Foster sustainability in students’ language learning achievements.
30 days (4 weeks, with schedule adapted to volunteer’s arrival date), distributed according to academic hours and rotated across various education centers:
- Duration: 90 minutes per session
- Frequency: 5 sessions per week (different sections)
- Pilot period: 4 weeks, with the option of 4 additional weeks if requested by the volunteer
- Modality: In-person
- Key-question worksheets
- Audiovisual material (short videos, songs)
- Virtual platform or meeting room
- Facilitator’s guide for volunteers
- Follow-up and evaluation forms
- Personal and psychological readiness for teaching activities
- Ability to adapt to the realities of local daily life at each educational center
- Basic knowledge of Spanish
- Volunteers must have travel insurance so we can provide appropriate assistance via our travel assistance partners
- Lodging and 3 daily meals in a family home in Cusco city
- Transportation to and from the airport
- General orientation provided by staff upon arrival at the project site
- Equipment and materials for the project
- Training, workshops, and experiences with the project team
- Supervision and mentoring for the project
- Regulated work hours
- Suggestions for weekend and free-time activities:
- Hikes, archaeological sites, Andean-Amazonian viewpoints
- Visits to museums and historical heritage: churches and convents
- Visits to artisan centers and workshops on traditional ceramics, painting, and weaving