Teaching & working with children

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iGapyear Case Study: Sarah taught children in a school in South Africa with Real Gap - read what she has to say.

iGapyear Case Study: Jo experienced the local culture with the Maasai in Africa and taught in an Open School through MondoChallenge - read what she has to say.

iGapyear questioned several volunteer project companies so that you can find out more about what to expect from your volunteer project - read their answers.

iGapYear: General gap year advice

iGapYear: What should you do in your gap year?

iGapYear: Gap year ideas

iGapYear: Money & fundraising

Teaching and volunteering with children




The perfect choice if you are looking for a truly rewarding gap year volunteering experience – working with children. Most projects involving work with underprivileged children are to be found in Africa, Asia and South America.


As well as knowing that you are making a big difference to the lives and education of the children you work with, you will also gain valuable skills and experience in interacting with children, keeping control of a classroom and speaking in public. As a result of your teaching project, you will be sure to gain a big boost in your confidence. This type of volunteering project is also a great way to truly experience the culture of local communities and to see the countryside properly, as you will most likely be working right in the heart of the country with poorer communities.


We have placements all over the world where you can get involved in working with children.



Search for teaching volunteer projects

Working with children

You don't have to be a qualified teacher to help. A good command of spoken English is all you need. The type of volunteering projects you will find vary from teaching English to children in schools; teaching children sports, music, art; working with children in a local orphanage, working with AIDS orphans.


You could also be involved in teaching other academic subjects, such as maths, science, geography, computing and IT, and sports such as football. You are likely to find yourself involved in playing games (whether for developmental purposes, or just for fun!), singing and dancing.


You could choose to coach sports as your full time placement, or do this alongside teaching another subject.


Paid teaching jobs

If you are looking for a paid teaching job, rather than volunteering, see our TEFL jobs page for more details on teaching English as a foreign langugage.