Teaching in the Elqui Valley

Product Details

The Location:

Looking at a map of Chile one feels a touch of amazement that so much can happen in this long, narrow strip of land, tucked between the towering Andes Mountains and the endless Pacific Ocean! It is a beautiful country, and the Elqui Valley with its breathtaking scenery, is home to our current volunteering projects.

89% of the Chilean people are Roman Catholic, (10% Protestant), and the vast majority only speak Spanish. It is essential that volunteers have or acquire some knowledge of Spanish prior to their departure. Previous volunteers have highlighted this as something which needs to be taken very seriously, as people in Chile in general, and in the Elqui Valley in particular, do not speak English.

The Project:

Our volunteers are working in three large primary schools based in Monte Grande, Pisco Elqui and Paihuano as well as in a secondary school and several small rural primary schools. Teaching English is the main focus of these projects although volunteers have also been active in teaching drama, sports and science.

The children are responsive and welcoming and the need is for enthusiasm and commitment from our volunteers, rather than formal qualifications. We offer an optional weekend short course in Oxford for those who feel they need extra teaching support. Qualified teachers are also welcome as they can assist with local teacher training.

In each country we have a local manager; we are very careful over security and health issues, and upon arrival you will be met at the airport by our manager and taken through an induction and to your placement to settle in.

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Our users say...

'Teaching has been hard work but so fun; I have really enjoyed myself. I am genuinely going to miss my family and friends here. I want to thank Mondo for being so good to me on my trip. I really felt cared for and an individual rather than just another volunteer... it has been such a great experience for me and I loved every minute' - Abi Wright.