How We Became Volunteer English Teachers Through WorkAway

At the end of 2021, we sold/gave away everything we owned that didn’t fit into a backpack. Why? So we could dedicate our lives to exploring the world. Now we are using our experience as native English speakers and our love for theatre, storytelling and American Sign Language to teach students where English is a 2nd language. Learning English enables students to raise above their circumstances, become leaders and engage with the world on a global scale. By volunteering and staying in one location for a month or so at a time, we are able to travel year-round for less than $30 dollars a day each (including transportation and all other expenses). You can help us buy educational supplies and reach more students by becoming a patreon.

Think you have a project that might suit us? Check out our profile on Workaway.info.

How to Volunteer While You Travel the World

Here is how we find hosts who need help in exchange for a place to stay, independently. We find volunteer positions through WorkAway. They offer a wide range of opportunities suited to many different abilities and interests. We also appreciate that the host charge no fees for the volunteers. It is $60-69 to register as a volunteer on WorkAway, depending on whether you join as an individual or couple. The great thing is there is no fee for the hosts to join. To help you get started, you will get a free month of membership with this link.

Do you have to be an English Teacher? No, not at all. You can do elder care, nannying, work on a boat or a farm, teach yoga, paint murals, manage a hostel and countless other activities.

We recommend cruising the site before joining. You can get an idea of what is available, where you want to go and how to find projects that you want to support.

Our Volunteer Experience since 2021

To give you an idea of the variety of locations available we’re sharing all of the projects we’ve been apart of through WorkAway

1. Barrio Vivo Hostel, Merida, Mexico

Activity Program Coordinators for international guests, leading tours, teaching yoga and conducting theatre art ice-breaking activities.

• November 2021

2. School in a Treehouse, Jaibalito, Guatemala

Teaching young students arts, crafts, dance and stories.

• December 2021

3. South American Language Center, Ambato, Ecuador

Teaching young adult professionals conversational English and confidence boosting performance art skills.

• January 2022

4. M & M Language School, Villanueva, Colombia

Using Sign Language, dance and theatrical stories to teach elementary and High School students at 2 campuses.

• February 2022

5. UHBA School, Chicaque, Bogota, Colombia

Hiking two hours to escort the students to their one room school house on the side of a mountain. Involving students age 4-14 in theatrical activities and assisting them with their self-designed learning activities.

• March 2022

6. Preschool and Language School, Oulad Teima, Morocco

Storytelling for preschoolers, poetry writing for school age students and advanced English for young professionals.

• April 2022

7. British Language Academy, Berrichid, El Jadid and Casablanca, Morocco

Practical English skills for adults and professionals at four locations near Casablanca.

• April/May 2022

8. Pampa Pluralis School, Chennagnur, Kerela, India

Teaching phonics to preschool students and filling in for fulltime teachers for grades Pre-K through 3rd. Directing grade 3 students in a presentation of “Red Riding Hood”.

• June 2022

9. Jingle Bell Schools, Faizabad and Ayodha, India

Teaching 4th grade and High School students, English prepositions, poetry, creative writing on three campuses with a dramatic twist.

• July 2022

10. Miss Vicky’s School Bodh Gaya, India

Leading disadvantaged students through yoga, tai chi and theatre exercises.

• August 2022

11. American School of Education and Business, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Filling in for fulltime teachers in morning and afternoon English immersion classes for elementary aged students.

• October 2022

12. Prinberk Academy, Hoi An, Vietnam

Directing students in a song and dance performance for a holiday event, while boosting English communication skills.

• November 2022

13. Krou Yeung School, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Directing holiday performance, filling in for fulltime English teachers, leading preschool activities and introducing a phonics curriculum to elementary students.

• December 2022, January 2023
• returned for the 2023-24 school year as fulltime paid English teachers
• also 2025-26

14. Life Bridge International School, Phnom Sampov, Cambodia

Teacher training courses and assisting local teachers with classes of preschool to adult students.

• February 2023

15. Maa Anandmayee Memorial School, Raiwala, India

Conducting phonics workshop for teacher training, teaching Nursery to 3rd grade (Kimberly) and Literature for 11th and 12th grade (Dennis).

• October, November, December 2024

16. Shri Timli Vidyapeeth and Vedic Center, Uttarakhand, India

Some light farming, choreographing dance performance and teaching English for local teens and young women, teaching elementary students reading skills, math, science and a performance for a special event.

• January 2025

17. Kaštanek School, Valašské Klobouky, Czech Republic

Teaching English and Theatre Arts to students from age 5 to 14, culminating in a special performance in celebration of World Theatre Day

• March 2025

We volunteer independently in exchange for a roof over our head. Visit our profile for more information. Join us and become volunteers in your own country or abroad! Or if you’d like to help, consider gifting us or someone you love a membership.