English teaching in the Galapagos Islands

Product Details

The Galapagos Islands are located 625 miles off the coast of Ecuador. They are comprised of 13 islands and over 40 islets. Some 18,000 humans inhabit five of the islands (San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Isabela, Floreana, and Baltra), and 97% of the islands’ total area is designated as National Park. Land animals and plants have somehow migrated across the sea and over the course of time they have adapted themselves to Galapagos conditions and come to differ from their ancestors on the mainland. Many of them are found nowhere else in the world. Remarkably there are no predators on the islands, so the animals are fearless. This makes close encounters with them a daily occurrence. Charles Darwin recognised this in 1835 and his observations played a substantial part in his formulation of the theory of evolution. The Galapagos have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. They offer some of the most interesting and most beautiful places in the world for swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. The only ways of earning a living on the islands are fishing and tourism. Recently the fishing has become very tightly controlled by the government. Tourism is therefore the only way forward. For this reason local people have a burning desire to learn English. Outreach International projects are based on San Cristobal which has a population of approximately 8000 people. It is a beautiful place but the people live humble lives. The only money that comes to the island is through tourism but visitors stay on their private boats and do not support the local economy.

All volunteers spend two hours a day helping at a centre and putting on activities for poor people from the community including disabled children and the elderly. The activities might include art, craft, dance, gymnastics and board games. The main part of your project however would be teaching at one of the school listed below.

The Projects.

INNFA.
This is a state funded school for children aged 1 - 5 years. There are 70 children and 6 members of staff. Volunteers are needed to help with reading, very basic English, cooking, painting and play activities. The school operates from 7:30 - 13:00 hrs. In the afternoons the centre operates as a crèche for up to 18 children. Like most of our projects your exact role will depend on your particular skills and interests.

Fundacion Nueva Era Galapagos
A project for young teenagers who want to attend extra English classes and help with conservation type activities on San Cristobal. In some ways it resembles the UK scout movement. Volunteers are needed to teach English, art, sports and organise outdoor activities for the children. These include cleaning the beaches, assisting the elderly, controlling the spread of non-native species of weeds and carrying out community work in the local town. The busiest time of year is Jan - April when the schools on the island are closed, but volunteers are needed throughout the year. Many of the teenagers parents also want to learn English so there are adult evening classes throughout the week. William Puga, the project co-ordinator speaks fluent English.

Colegio Tecnico Ignacio Hernandez
The college provides vocational training for 120 children aged 12-16. The focus is on tourism, and English is the most important subject. Every class has a compulsory two hours of English a day. Unfortunately none of the staff speak the language!!! The college is well equipped by Galapagos standards with a specialist language laboratory and modern computers with Windows XP. The campus is rather tatty but the project would be ideal for anyone really wanting to help small groups of eager students. Some of them speak good English and are very keen to invite volunteers to their homes to practice.

strong>Alejandro Alvear School
A secondary school for 400 children aged 4 - 14. You would work teaching English, PE, Art and any other subjects that interest you. The school is closed from January until March. There is a small, specialist centre for special needs children. There is also a purpose built language laboratory. English is the most important subject in the curriculum. The curriculum is sponsored by UNICEF. Like all the schools on the island the working day is 07:30 until 13:30. Afternoons are normally free for preparation and to enjoy the island beaches.

Pedro y Pablo.
A nursery for 170 children aged 2-5. This is a lively, ‘buzzing’ school that provides a warm, welcoming environment. Senora Mercedes Paladines is the charismatic director. It is well decorated, bright and stimulating but short of basic materials and equipment. Volunteers are needed to help as classroom assistants to the six permanent members of staff. The curriculum is practical with emphasis put upon cutting, painting, craft, singing, dancing and hands on activities.

Accommodation / Food / Free Time
The schools are a central part of the community. You would therefore have a key role in this, become involved in island life and the social activities of the town of Baquerizo. The island is warm, welcoming and slightly lost in time. The inhabitants fully appreciate the efforts of volunteers and go out of their way to help you make it a home. Accommodation is normally in spacious, private rooms in a house owned by a local family. They are a short walk to the projects, the ocean and a variety of beaches. Meals are taken with the family. The basic diet is fish but there is an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables, some of which has to be brought in from the mainland. Although the cost of volunteering on Galapagos is higher than the other projects, volunteers would be given a specialist ‘residents’ visa. This entitles you to heavily reduced rates for all travel and trips throughout the islands. Week ends are always free to enjoy surfing, swimming, snorkeling or catching a boat to neighboring islands. Like all Outreach volunteers you would attend a two week, intensive Spanish course in Quito prior to beginning the project.

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Our Users Say…

“Well where to start? Galapagos was amazing. I’ve never experienced anything like it, not even in my wildest dreams. The highlight of the trip for me was when we got a call on the radio to say that a whale had got beached at Baquerizo. It turned out to be a blue whale. The rescue operation was the most intense 14 hours of my life. That was incredible. Volunteering here helps with the overall protection of the islands. Without a good education the children grow up with very little prospects and do not learn to respect their environment.” - Chris Parola. English Teacher