Volunteer Teaching In Cambodia

To become a volunteer teacher, we do not require a teaching certificate or any teaching experience or even require a native speaker. Applicants need to be fluent in English with a clear accent.

We ask this because we hope to give our students the best quality experience and education that they can get.

If you come from a non-native English-speaking country, you can take an iTEP Conversation Test to assess your speaking skills. You need to have a minimum of B1 on the CEFR scale.

18+. There is no maximum age limit. Our volunteers are often college students, professionals on holidays, retired teachers, gap-year or world travelers, and anything in between.

1-week minimum. You can apply to stay longer.

Many of our volunteers come solo.

Couples and friends traveling together are welcome. This isn't a problem and you can stay in the volunteer housing together.

There is a guest house that is also used for accommodation.  Rooms are in small bungalows with one or two beds.

GROUPS

If you are part of a group with adult chaperones, the minimum age is 14. This program is perfect for school groups who want to incorporate volunteering on a trip.

We can help you plan an itinerary if you have a large enough group.

Every day, more than 100 children arrive at the Greenway School in Samraong to attend one of the two sessions offered.

All of them are eager to learn and are extremely appreciative of those who can assist them with their educational development. The school was designed, built, and completely operated by people like you, under the guidance of our native Cambodian manager and teacher Mr. Ya Nuth.

Since beginning his work with this rural Samraong community in 2008, Mr. Ya Nuth has become a leader in the local community. His efforts in developing local schools and hospitals, with the help of those like yourself, have had an immeasurably positive effect on the community. In 2013, the Greenway School was opened, offering a free educational/learning opportunity for those who couldn’t otherwise afford it.

Students attend a regular public school, where they don’t get the chance to learn a lot of English. The public school shifts are divided into a morning group and an afternoon group, giving the children a chance to come to our school during their free time (e.g. the morning group can attend our afternoon shift and vice versa). What is so unique and amazing about the Greenway School, is that the children come of their own accord and truly enjoy their time here.

Teaching takes place in a traditional classroom setting. However, we are very flexible and encourage you to be creative in your lesson planning. The most important thing to consider is that you remain within the scope of the established curriculum and its schedule.

Participants can expect to work alongside other local teachers or participants. This could mean 3-5 participants taking turns providing instruction during the course of the session. This could allow for smaller group engagement and when needed, one-on-one help for students who may be having challenges with the material. There will be an orientation before starting your work with students. During that orientation, the exact size, level of assignment and members of the teaching team will be determined.

To facilitate maximum learning and comprehension, you will need to continue the pace that has been set by school directors for the class you are working with. In order to ensure that the material is covered fully and the schedule is maintained, you will not be allowed to skip ahead. All participants will follow the prescribed curriculum and provide adequate review, which will allow students to be better prepared for weekly progress and end of year assessment tests.

The children who come to Greenway School, come from the Pul village, as well as five other surrounding villages. Their ages range from 6 to 13. Most currently possess just a basic level of English, but using our established curriculum, we are able to accommodate beginners all the way up to level 5.

Class sizes are typically between 10-30 students. Classrooms are equipped with basic teaching resources, such as a whiteboard and flash cards. You are highly encouraged to bring small learning materials and items to use in your class and/or donate to our school. These things are gratefully received and help to broaden the curriculum and teaching possibilities that we can offer.

The primary mode of transport to and from the accommodation/school will be on bicycles.

• Genuine interests and passion with teaching children.
• Since you are working with kids with so much energy and different personalities, a decent level of energy and patience is required.
• Older participants or over 65 years are required to have a medical clearance as proof of their physical fitness as they may perform various activities.
• Participants below 18 years old need a signed parental consent as proof of involvement of their children in the program. If possible, accompaniment by an adult is highly advised.
• High level of efficiency, accuracy, and responsibility, and has the ability to work under pressure and is a team player.
• Excellent time management and self-organizing and a strong desire to take on new challenges and learn as much as possible.
• Though pre-flight PCR test and proof of vaccination are no longer required to travel to Cambodia, however, be aware that if you have a connecting flight from your country to Cambodia, you will need to meet the requirements of the connecting airport, which may still require pre-flight PCR test and proof of vaccination. Thus, it is recommended that you have a COVID-19 Vaccination.
• You are advised to purchase travel, medical, and COVID-19 insurance prior to your arrival.
• Have completed or recommended the following vaccines: Polio, Hepatitis A, Diphtheria/Tetanus, Typhoid, Malaria, Hepatitis B, and Tuberculosis.

Dress Code:

• Cover up as much as possible in the spirit of the local culture to avoid embarrassment.
• Your clothes must not be too short, too tight, or too revealing. Kindly make sure your shoulders and legs are covered.
• Dress professionally since you will be working in a professional environment while teaching the children.
• It is completely fine to wear Western clothes as long as they fit the local standards.
• Be thoughtful of the graphics, symbols or text printed on your clothing and avoid wearing clothing styles that might be inappropriate especially inside the school premises.

Teaching materials (optional):

• Games, books, colored pencils, chalk, rulers, etc.
• Pictures from your country, family, and friends.
• Other small cultural objects from your country of origin.

Other:

• An environmentally friendly sunscreen or lotion is also advised to protect you from the heat of the sun and please carry with you preventive agents during outdoor activities, such as mosquito repellents for insect bites.
• Moreover, bring Medicines with you especially if you have to take specific medicines on a regular basis as well as other medicines for headaches and stomach aches.
• Refillable water bottles and hydration packs to stay hydrated throughout the day, particularly during class.

2023 and 2024:

This program begins weekly on every Monday. Plan to arrive at least by Sunday.

The core focus of the teaching project will depend upon the needs of the school at that particular point in time. Your main roles will be (but are not limited to):

• Preparing English lesson plans. It is advised to be more engaging and more fun.
• Teaching English with the assistance of the class teacher.
• Administering monthly progress tests to evaluate the children's level of knowledge in specific learning areas.
• Besides passing on your English knowledge, you may also be able to share some basic hygiene and sanitation routines, as well as, your own experiences and cultural background.

In addition, during the teaching activities, always be on time and be mindful of class schedules and come to school prepared, be creative in preparing lessons in fun and engaging ways, smile, and have lots of patience as you are working with children with various personalities and wear a dress that covers their shoulders and knees, and basically, the more that is covered the better. Men must wear trousers, T-shirts, and shoes and strictly follow the dress code policy. You are also expected to actively join other activities and of course to enjoy them.

Finally, make the most of your stay and make memorable learning experiences.

Monday

• Introduction meeting, House rules, Setting Expectations, Health and Safety Advice, and handling of documents.
• Khmer Do's and Don'ts, Khmer Culture Lessons, and Khmer Language Lessons.
• Tour around the compound and local area; where to find local shops, and arrange a sim card if necessary.
• Lunch
• Introduction to the Project, Visit the Project site and start participating in the project.
• Dinner

Tuesday to Friday

• Teaching time with the students is divided into two shifts, with lunch and free time back at the accommodation in between.
• After having breakfast at the accommodation, you will go to the placement/school alongside your coordinator for the first shift that begins in the morning from 08:00 -11:00  while the afternoon shift is from 14:00 - 17:00.
• You should also expect to spend time working on the next day’s activities/exercises so that you are prepared and comfortable for the duration of the lesson. Your typical day will end with a savory dinner that you will surely enjoy together with other participants. Get ready to enjoy some additional activities designed especially for you.

***This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions, and unforeseen circumstances.***

• Improve village children’s educational prospects especially character development, with an addition of English Proficiency and other sets of skills.
• Provide learning tools that empower students to create a better future for themselves.
• Gain invaluable and practical experience in teaching and have a glimpse of Cambodian educational approaches.
• Facilitate a cultural exchange that broadens the perspectives of all engaged in the program.
• Assist the local staff by providing an extra hand.

The accommodation in Samraong is simple and natural. There are no laundry facilities, so expect to wash your clothes by hand. However, there are some places where you can do laundry in the town for a small cost.

All locations have a communal area where you can eat, relax, meet fellow participants, or use the free Wi-Fi. Requests for specific locations or room configurations cannot be guaranteed.

There are bikes available, which you can use to explore the area during your free time!  You can also use the bicycles to get from your accommodations to the school.

For participants desiring more comfort and/or privacy, families, couples, and more mature participants, we recommend upgrading to a private room. These rooms have more amenities and may be in a different location than the standard rooms, which means that they may be noticeably quieter.

Food Arrangements

Prepare your palate! Three (3) good meals are provided every day of the program which includes Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner while on weekends only brunch and dinner. During your stay, the meals will be typical Cambodian style, which includes plenty of rice and noodle dishes. On a few occasions there may be meat, but generally speaking, there is no Western food served. However, meals will also be served based on your dietary requirements. Typically, Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner will usually be served at the Accommodation Center.

The core focus of the teaching project will depend upon the needs of the school at that particular point in time. Your main roles will be (but are not limited to):

• Preparing English lesson plans. It is advise to be more engaging and more fun.
• Teaching English with the assistance of the class teacher.
• Administering monthly progress tests to evaluate the children's level of knowledge in specific learning areas.
• Besides passing on your English knowledge, you may also be able to share some basic hygiene and sanitation routines, as well as, your own experiences and cultural background.

In addition, during the teaching activities, always be on time and be mindful of class schedules and come to school prepared, be creative in preparing lessons in fun and engaging ways, smile, and have lots of patience as you are working with children with various personalities and wear a dress that covers their shoulders and knees, and basically, the more that is covered the better. Men must wear trousers, T-shirts, and shoes and strictly follow the dress code policy. You are also expected to actively join other activities and of course to enjoy them.

Finally, make the most of your stay and make memorable learning experiences.

Samraong, which name translates from Khmer into “impenetrable jungle”, is a town located in northwestern Cambodia, close to the border with Thailand. Samraong is also famous for activities like hunting, slopes, and geological formation in Cambodia.

Meanwhile, You will be located in a small, rural village located in the center of the town. This remote location will give you a taste of what rural Cambodia looks and feels like, while at the same time allowing you to explore some of Cambodia’s highlights, as Siem Reap is located only two hours away.

Quick Facts

Name:                Kingdom of Cambodia        

Population:         15.14

Capital:        Phnom Penh

Language:        Khmer

Currency:        Riel (KHR)

Time zone:        UTC +7

Country Information

Once known as the Khmer Empire, Cambodia is perhaps best known for its monumental temples, especially that of Angkor Wat - a finalist in the election of the new 7 Wonders of the World in 2006. It is without doubt a country of incredible beauty, scattered with temples, fertile rice fields, and a rich and interesting history. For this reason, it is unsurprising that Cambodia has taken a firm place on the tourist map. Having been a protectorate of France for almost 100 years, the country gained its independence in 1953. Following this, however, Cambodia experienced years of civil war, turmoil, and political corruption, as well as suffering from its involvement in the Vietnam War.

Despite having this dark history, Cambodia really is an extraordinary country and has prevailed due to what has been described as the unbreakable spirit of the Cambodian people. The people here are known for their friendliness and their smiles.

Climate

Cambodia has a monsoon climate with temperatures ranging from 21°C - 35°C (The average year-round temperature is 27.7°C). Its monsoon season spans from May  - October, whilst the dry season lasts from November to December. The dry season is the most popular time to visit however rainy season can be incredibly beautiful in Cambodia due to the richer colours that it causes. The rain also can help to make temperatures more pleasant. The post-monsoon season is also a favorite time to visit because of the stunning green countryside

Whilst temperatures do not vary hugely, during the winter the northern parts of the country can be colder.

Culture

Buddhism is an important aspect of Khmer culture and is practiced by 95% of the Cambodian population.

Gastronomy

In true Asian style, the staple food in Cambodia is rice whilst fish from the Mekong River plays another major part in Khmer cuisine. You can also expect to find use of noodles, soups, stir-fries, curries, and salads so there is something to suit everyone’s taste. The French colonial influence can even be seen in the use of toasted baguette with Cambodian red curry.

It has to be said that Cambodian cuisine is relatively unknown compared to that of Thailand and Vietnam.

Transportation

From this location we do not provide free transport to other locations.