from 608€

Outstanding 4.9rating (1432)

Nepal English Teaching Volunteers

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Outstanding 4.9  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Volunteer project with the highest quality. This project sets unprecedented standards in quality - an unparalleled level of excellence.

Highlights

  • 75% of volunteers are 18-22 years old
  • Enhance the future opportunities available for children in Nepal
  • Teach English & support learning through creative education
  • Explore the Himalayas, valleys & natural beauty of Nepal
  • Experience the colourful & unique Nepalese culture

Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Groups

About the program

Make a positive impact during your time in Nepal. Teaching English enables children to have a much better future and opportunities through education.

As a volunteer teaching English in Nepal, you will make a positive impact at a community level. In addition, you will immerse yourself in a fascinating local culture. From kindergartens to primary schools, you can lead classes and assist lessons to educate and inspire the next generation, preparing ...

About the program

As a volunteer teaching English in Nepal, you will make a positive impact at a community level. In addition, you will immerse yourself in a fascinating local culture. From kindergartens to primary schools, you can lead classes and assist lessons to educate and inspire the next generation, preparing them for a better future.

BACKGROUND TO THE TEACHING PROGRAM

As a volunteer teaching English abroad in Nepal, you will encourage students to develop a skill that will help them to achieve their future goals. By conversing with fluent, native English speakers, their language skills will greatly improve, which is essential for future employment. Therefore, education is the key to driving economic, political and social development. With the help of your volunteer work in Nepal, you can help to achieve this via the younger generation.

However, the education system in Nepal is of an extremely low standard. It seriously lacks real investment and many teachers are under-qualified, particularly English teachers. The sad result is that 41% of the Nepalese adult population is illiterate, leading people to basic jobs involving labour and low pay.

Tourism is Nepal’s biggest industry and source of employment, aside from agriculture. In addition, working in tourism brings in serious money and offers huge employment opportunities. However, a key requirement for a job in tourism is the ability to speak English. As a result, being able to speak English opens so many doors for young people in Nepal. Nonetheless, the level of English in government schools is poor, so effective English tuition is only a viable option for children from wealthy backgrounds in international schools.

As a volunteer teaching English in Nepal, you will expose the children to more opportunities in their future. Consequently, giving hope and inspiration to the young minds who do not have access to private school education. If you need motivation for volunteer gap year options, then our projects in Nepal provide some fantastic opportunities.

TEACHING VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT EXAMPLES

On your Nepal volunteer program, you will be placed at one of the local schools or kindergartens that provide education to some of the most deprived communities. Depending on your placement location and needs of the projects at the time, there may also be the opportunity to get involved in working at a day-care centre, which involves providing care and basic education to children of pre-school age.

Smart Kids Kindergarten - Located within Kathmandu Valley, this kindergarten was set up in 2015 with a strong focus on education in a child-centred infrastructure. They aim to provide an enriching and exciting environment for young children aged 3+. Although, they often have minimal resources and limited English communication. As a volunteer teaching English in Nepal, you can offer your language skills and passion to help boost the children's education from a young age. The activities here are focused on high interaction and engagement, underpinned with a focus of fun, as the children will not be so confident or able in English.

Chitwan Primary School - Our volunteers teaching English in Nepal may be based in the south, at a small local school within Chitwan town. The class sizes generally range from around 20 - 30 children, with ages varying from five years old up to lower teens. You will often be paired with one teacher for your whole placement, although this usually depends on the need and availability at the time. Additionally, there is usually a curriculum that you can follow at school. Otherwise, you may be free to design and lead your own classes. During your volunteer work in Nepal, you'll find the resources at the schools can often be quite limited. Consequently, it's good to find props and use your imagination.

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER TEACHING CHILDREN IN NEPAL

More Independent Experience - Due to the rural nature of the projects in Nepal, volunteers should be aware that this destination offers a more independent experience compared to some of our other locations. Participants are placed at various project locations around the country that often offer a basic level of accommodation. Our team are based in Kathmandu city where they support our team virtually online and via phone. Therefore, if you are looking for a highly social experience with a high level of support and daily in-person contact with our local team then we recommend considering an alternative destination. Nepal is perfect for people looking for a unique experience where they can immerse themselves in a completely different culture and are less concerned about the social aspect of the program.

Experience - For the English teaching program, teaching experience is not essential as the mere presence of a native English speaker is invaluable. As long as you are creative, determined and resourceful you can have a constructive impact on the development of the children’s education.

TEFL Course - We encourage volunteers to prepare as much as possible for their teaching program overseas. You can make the most out of your time by completing our convenient, inexpensive and international accredited 60 hour Online TEFL Course. The cost of this course is only 150 USD.

Resources - On the teach English in Nepal project, resources can be very limited. Volunteers are recommended to bring materials to the project each day to maximise their productivity and day to day involvement. It is therefore important for volunteers to prepare well in advance to get the most out of their teaching English project experience.

Project Location - When you volunteer in Nepal you may have the option to choose which location you will be placed in. This will be determined during your orientation day when you arrive at Kathmandu - a staff member will discuss the current need, availability and any preferences you might have. You may meet other volunteers in your orientation who you enjoy spending time with too!

Weekends - Your project work in Nepal runs from Monday-Friday and weekends are free. You are welcome to relax and hang out at the volunteer accommodation but most participants will use this time to travel and explore the country. As a result, you can check out our Nepal Weekend Travel Guide for top tips on how to spend your weekend.



Typical day

YOUR VOLUNTEER ROLE & TYPICAL TEACHING DAY

You’ll be up early with your host family to get ready for the day ahead. Make sure you wake up with plenty of energy! Depending on your location, it will probably be a short walk from your homestay to your volunteer placement, Otherwise, transport will be ...

Typical day

YOUR VOLUNTEER ROLE & TYPICAL TEACHING DAY

You’ll be up early with your host family to get ready for the day ahead. Make sure you wake up with plenty of energy! Depending on your location, it will probably be a short walk from your homestay to your volunteer placement, Otherwise, transport will be provided.

Your main role as a volunteer in Nepal is to teach English, Although, there is also the chance to teach other subjects such as Maths and Arts when required. The schools have local staff who will assist volunteers, but most of the time international volunteers lead their own lessons. In addition, the lessons are largely informal and volunteers have the freedom to be creative with their lesson plans.

During your lessons, we encourage volunteers teaching English in Nepal to use engaging educational activities to hold the student’s attention, as well as inspire their learning. Be creative, use exciting ways to learn new vocabulary and introduce interesting topics in a fun way. Use educational games like interactive word searches or Hangman to test the students. Or try a bit of class competition in Hot Seat or team quizzes. Games, songs, art, sport and music can all be great tools.

The schools usually have basic resources available. Some of the teaching project sites do have outdoor space and playground facilities as well as a range of toys and books to engage with the children. However, these can be limited at times so you may wish to bring some extra educational books or games to assist with your teaching whilst you volunteer in Nepal.

Flashcards and stickers are a good idea as well. Plus, you'll find it much cheaper to buy resources during your Nepal volunteer program, which puts money into the local economy too. Additionally, souvenirs from your home country can also be a great resource, especially for introducing yourself to the children and helping them learn about you and your culture.

As a volunteer teaching English in Nepal, you will typically be teaching around 3-5 hours a day from Monday-Friday, depending on which placement you have joined. School often starts around 9-10am, with kindergartens beginning a little earlier. You'll have a break for lunch and most projects will be finished between 2-4pm. Use your free time after your Nepal volunteer program to meet the local community in your neighbourhood, explore the local market or join in cultural activities.


Free-time activities

PMGY volunteers are offered a choice of rural and urban locations in this stunning and visually arresting country with volunteer programmes in Chitwan, Pokhara & Kathmandu. Each location is unique in its own way.

This off the beaten track destination offers such stark and beautiful scenic contrasts ...

Free-time activities

PMGY volunteers are offered a choice of rural and urban locations in this stunning and visually arresting country with volunteer programmes in Chitwan, Pokhara & Kathmandu. Each location is unique in its own way.

This off the beaten track destination offers such stark and beautiful scenic contrasts from mountains to jungle and there are few countries in the world that are as well set up for independent travel as Nepal. Wandering the trekking shops, bakeries and pizzerias of Thamel and Pokhara, it’s easy to feel that you have somehow landed in a kind of backpacker Disneyland.

Out in the countryside lies a quite different Nepal, where traditional mountain life continues at a slower pace, and a million potential adventures glimmer on the mountain horizons. This is a guide to just a few of them.


Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (intermediate level)

Criminal Background Check

required

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

You should also be physically fit, as volunteering overseas can be quite strenuous. If you have any medical/mental health conditions that may affect your participation overseas then these must be declared to us during your online application.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 09:00 - 14:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Plan My Gap Year

  • Accommodation
  • Meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) 
  • Airport Pick Up & Drop Off
  • In-Country Orientation
  • 24 Hour Support

Airport Pickup at Tribhuvan International Airport

You should arrive into Tribhuvan International Airport (airport code KTM) on the Sunday. The airport pickup is available 24 hours. 

On arrival a member of our local team or appointed driver will be at the waiting area for you holding a sign with your name on it. This waiting area is usually just as you exit from the airport. They will drive you straight to Asim’s House in Kathmandu where you can relax and settle in. This journey takes around 45 minutes depending on traffic.

Accommodation

The first few days of your Nepal volunteer program will be based in Kathmandu, living with our host team in their family home. The accommodation here is nice and comfortable, has Wi-Fi and is a nice welcome to life in Nepal. Your accommodation after these few days will depend on which program you are joining. The host team will keep in touch with you throughout your stay, plus there will be local staff at your accommodation site as your main point of contact during your volunteer placement. Your final night on the program will be back in Kathmandu at the family home before you depart for the airport.

It is important to note that for your volunteer work in Nepal the accommodation will be comfortable but generally very basic; particularly in rural locations. Most accommodation will have western-style toilets, however, some options only have Nepali style squat toilets so be prepared! More rural placements have bucket showers. Most accommodation does not have Wi-Fi access and electricity is intermittent so it’s a good idea to bring a torch and plenty of books! It’s a wonderfully rustic way to live and a million miles away from today’s hectic, hi-tech lifestyle, so enjoy every peaceful second!

Host Family

If you are a volunteer teaching English in Nepal you will be staying with a host family close to your project, usually within easy walking distance. This is a great way to immerse yourself into the Nepalese way of life and get involved in the local community and cultural traditions. The more questions you ask and the efforts you make to socialise with the host family generally correlates to how much they interact with you and open their home to you. You can be sure you will be made to feel like part of the family!

You will either have a private room or share with fellow participants. In general, you will be provided with bedding, a mosquito net and fan. There may be intermittent Wi-Fi available, however, volunteers in Nepal can purchase a local SIM card in-country to use with an unlocked mobile phone. You are encouraged to only bring essential items during your volunteer work in Nepal and use a padlock to keep valuables safe.

Please note that some host families have Nepalese toilets. These are squat toilets with a bucket of water to flush, and in more rural locations it can be a hole in the ground. Usually, there will not be hot water and you may have a bucket shower. The level of facilities at the host family will vary depending on how rural the location is, including access to nearby shops.

It’s always handy to carry toilet paper and some hand sanitiser when you volunteer in Nepal – just in case. Toilet paper is easy to find in the shops but hand sanitiser is only available in the cities, so it’s worth bringing a couple of bottles from home.

Food & Beverages

You will be served three freshly prepared Nepalese meals a day by your host family. Traditional Nepalese food generally uses a variety of fresh, local ingredients including; lentils, potatoes, tomatoes, cumin, coriander, chillies, yogurt and lots of rice so its may take a little getting used to.

 

Dhal Bhat is the national dish and is usually served for breakfast and evening meal every day. It is a dish comprised of rice, lentils and seasoned vegetables.

 

Most meals are vegetarian with typical dishes being pasta or noodles complimented by locally grown vegetables. There is the occasional chicken, pork or fish dish served up from time to time.


Volunteers are advised to notify our local team if the food is not to their taste who will aim to adjust the food appropriately.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu. We assist you to find cheap flights to Nepal. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Nepal provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Nepal you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Nepal. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

This program starts on the 1st & 3rd Sunday of every month

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 608€
3 weeks 711€
4 weeks 813€
5 weeks 915€
6 weeks 1,018€
7 weeks 1,120€
9 weeks 1,325€
11 weeks 1,529€
12 weeks (max. stay) 1,632€
Average fees 219€/week

Program fees

219€ per week 2 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

2 - 12 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Plan My Gap Year during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Plan My Gap Year

Outstanding 4.9 rating (1432 reviews)

Agency - founded in 2011

Verified by Volunteer World

  Excellent response rate

Coordinated by

Josh

Spoken languages: English

About the project

Plan My Gap Year is an award-winning international volunteer placement organisation based in the UK.

Meet your organization

Plan My Gap Year is an award-winning international volunteer placement organisation based in the UK. We provide safe, affordable, need-driven volunteer programmes from 1 to 24 weeks in 11 countries worldwide.

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT US…

Founded by volunteers for volunteers, Plan My Gap Year works with local communities in the developing world towards long-term sustainable goals. We know there is no better way to travel and make a positive impact on the world.

We work extremely hard to ensure that our opportunities are affordable for everyone who wants to make a difference. So fees are 100% transparent, something our volunteers really appreciate.

Plan My Gap Year structured programmes create the perfect platform for you to see the world, meet like-minded people and engage in meaningful volunteer work. We have teams in the UK and in our host destinations who will support you 24/7 throughout your time with us. Furthermore, every project on our network is regularly risk-assessed by our UK team to ensure our set up is safe and that our volunteers are making a positive impact.

There is also a great social element to our programmes. Plan My Gap Year puts you in touch with all your fellow volunteers via Facebook before you set off. Our projects receive volunteers from around the world throughout the year, so even if you’re travelling solo, you’re going to meet heaps of people along the way. Plus you’ll have plenty of opportunity to travel the country with your newfound travel buddies – it’s all part of the PMGY experience!

So if you’re thinking of doing something a bit different on your next trip abroad, then why not drop us a line and find out what extraordinary things you could be doing.

AFFORDABLE & TRANSPARENT FEES

Our aim is to make our programmes accessible to motivated travellers irrespective of their financial capacity. Plan My Gap Year focuses on providing the core requirements of a volunteer programme: safety, structure and sustainability.

We are 100% transparent with our fees. That way you know exactly how much of your money goes towards the local community.

Compared to the large majority of volunteer organisations out there, even most charities and not-for-profits, PMGY’s opportunities are significantly cheaper. Furthermore, as our reviews will testify, our support service and structured programmes are second to none.

SAFETY & RISK MANAGEMENT

Your safety is our top priority. All of Plan My Gap Years' programmes have been personally inspected and vetted by the PMGY team – which is not an industry standard by any means. We carry out independent risk assessments on an annual basis and our local teams constantly review the safety precautions we implement. This includes regular staff and safety appraisals.

 Our local teams are made up of highly experienced volunteer coordinators. They have hosted international volunteers for many years and are prepared to react in the unlikely event of an emergency. Whatever the problem, big or small, our local teams are available around the clock.

As part of our commitment to your safety, we keep in constant communication with local embassies and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office to ensure we can identify potentially dangerous situations and act upon them immediately. Our UK team are available 24/7 to assist volunteers and their families.

TRAINING & SUPPORT

We support our volunteers every step of the way. Before you go we will provide you with a detailed Volunteer Handbook, which will guide you through how to prepare for your trip. This Handbook contains literally everything you need to know – from what to pack, to how to obtain a visa, to local language guides.

Our experienced UK team are always available to provide assistance. Plan My Gap Year is always available to answer our questions and support you in anyway we can. 

On arrival, a member of our in-country team will collect you from the airport and help you settle in. Your orientation course will teach you everything you need to know about the country, how to stay safe and what to expect from your upcoming volunteer experience. 

Our local team are on-call 24/7. Whether you’ve lost your passport or just want some help in planning a weekend trip, our friendly in-country coordinators provide that safety net to ensure you are well looked after.

RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL

Plan My Gap Years' responsibility is not limited to our travellers but also the projects we support. That is why all our volunteers must provide a Criminal Background Check before they travel.

It is essential that our projects are need-driven and sustainable. We work closely with our local partners to ensure that our volunteers are contributing to bring about long-term development.

PERSONAL TOUCH

We really know our programmes. Our UK team have stayed in the accommodation, volunteered at the projects and met the volunteers. We carefully assess each application we receive so that your personality and skills are suited to the project. Whatever your query, you can feel assured that you will be speaking to someone who can tell you exactly what to expect.

HAVING FUN

One of the best aspects of volunteering is meeting some amazing like-minded people. We place over 2,000 volunteers every year so wherever and whenever you go, you have the peace of mind in knowing you will be living and working alongside other PMGY volunteers. In many of our destinations, we run our own Volunteer House accommodation, which ensures all volunteers live together, and therefore guaranteeing a strong social element. In addition, our local team are always there to help you plan any independent travel or give you some tips for what to do at the weekend.

1432 reviews · rating4.9

Elizabeth rating4.8

2016 at Nepal English Teaching Volunteers

I really feel that out of all the organisations out there, PMGY is the best in so many respects, and they allow you the most rewarding experience imaginable! ...
Francesca Brocklebank rating5

2024 at Greece Turtle Conservation Volunteers

I stayed in lixuri in greece doing the tutle volunteering, it was amazing seeing all the hatchlings and great views. I also learnt so much about turtles that I never knew before. The accomidation is...simple, no air con and kitchen basics (non-catered) but lots of space to but your stuff away. ..
Ich hatte eine tolle Zeit in Kephallenia. Das Team war sehr freundlich und ich wurde nett begrüßt und auch direkt mit den anderen Freiwilligen in Kontakt gebracht.Am ersten Tag gab es eine umfangreiche Einweisung in die verschiedenen Arbeiten und aufgaben. Die Arbeit an sich war sehr entspannt ...
Erin Stright rating5

2024 at Greece Turtle Conservation Volunteers

Plan My Gap Year made my first time ever volunteering abroad smooth and easy process. This organization was very organized and had every answer to every question ...
Sophie Sbardella rating5

2024 at Greece Turtle Conservation Volunteers

I went on the Turtle Conservation Project in Kefalonia, Greece. The project was incredible!! I learnt so much and made some amazing friends- all the staff there are so supportive and ready to help if ever you need it. I went during hatching season which meant i had most of the days free- there was a ...
I had the most magical experience at the turtle conservation programme in Greece. Initially, I felt anxious about travelling alone. However, PMGY’s pre departure support, volunteer handbook and in-country support eased my nerves. The accommodation was as described and I was even sent a virtual ...

Location

Asia > Southern Asia > Nepal > Kathmandu

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