2 weeks or more
Volunteer Teaching Sri Lanka
Teach English on Sri Lanka Coast
27 people have been looking at this trip recently
Get an extra week for free when you book our two-week option! Speak to a Travel Advisor to find out more.
T&Cs apply. Offer on 2025 start dates only. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other discounts. You must speak to a Travel Advisor to redeem the offer.
T&Cs apply. Offer on 2025 start dates only. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other discounts. You must speak to a Travel Advisor to redeem the offer.
Trip Highlights
- Teach children and young Buddhist monks English and basic life skills - no degree required!
- Stay at a beachfront volunteer house with weekly socials and meet like-minded travellers!
- Gain experience in a real classroom environment, while receiving support from our amazing local team
- Plan your own lessons with access to our in-house teaching library
- Unwind on the sandy stretches nearby and explore more of Sri Lanka in your spare time
Trip Overview
Whether you’re pursuing a career in education or want to make a positive difference while travelling, this volunteer project is the opportunity of a lifetime! Open to those without a degree, as part of this trip, you will help teach English to young children and young Buddhist Monks in rural areas of southern Sri Lanka. Supporting you at every stage is our incredible local team, as you create your own lesson plans and engage with the children in a variety of exciting learning activities. Choose any length of time from two to six weeks, with days off for you to unwind on stunning beaches or explore more of this gorgeous destination.
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- All your meals: freshly cooked and prepared every day
- All your accommodation: social volunteer house with swimming pool and super close to the beach!
- Airport transfers upon arrival
- Transport to and from the project
- Project training
- Orientation tour around Galle
- Included activities
- Lots of free time to explore Sri Lanka
- 24-hour emergency support
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Visas
- Travel Insurance
- Optional activities
- DBS Police Record Check
- Extra teaching resources (purchased locally)
- Return airport transfer
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On this project, you will stay at one of our gorgeous volunteer houses which are just a five-minute walk to the breathtaking Unawatuna Beach. The accommodation is located in a safe and quiet residential area, and it is only a 15-minute drive into Galle: a stunning coastal city filled with historic buildings, bars, shops and restaurants. The volunteer houses are also quite close to the iconic Mirissa and Jungle Beaches!
Rooms typically have a maximum capacity of six beds, however, most rooms are shared between four travellers. These rooms are single-sex and ensuite. Private upgrades are available at an additional cost; contact a travel advisor for more details.
The main house is split over four floors and has three kitchen areas, three common areas, a dining area, a private outdoor garden and a swimming pool. All of these facilities are available to all guests, regardless of their volunteer house. Hot water and Wifi are included.
Fresh, home-cooked meals are provided for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The meals are typically a mix of Sri Lanka cuisine and Western food, such as:
- Sambal
- Bread and fruits
- Rice and curry
- Pasta
- Salads
- Wraps
- Soups
Please let a travel advisor know if you have any dietary requirements, as most can be easily catered for with local ingredients.
About the teaching project
This project aims to support the education of young children who live in rural areas of southern Sri Lanka. There are significant differences in the resources and facilities available across schools in Sri Lanka, including English language teaching. As a volunteer, you can help to bridge this gap and foster an enthusiastic and nurturing environment for learning.
Role and responsibilities
Classes take place in the afternoons and last for two to three hours each day, with classroom sizes typically ranging from 20 to 30 children. These are scheduled for three to four days a week with local students, and one day with young Buddhist Monks. There will also be a dedicated planning session where volunteers can organise their lessons and acquire any needed materials in advance.
While volunteering, you will be teaching basic English (listening, reading, speaking and writing) through an activity-based learning style. Grammar lessons, proper pronunciation practices, comprehension and spontaneous speaking activities are also included. Alongside teaching English, volunteers will also cover broader areas to help the students' personal development. This includes basic life skills, basic computer literacy and table tennis.
Training and support
One of our top priorities is that volunteers feel fully supported and enjoy the project. For every activity, whether it is project-based or operational, our local team are here to help you out.
Upon arrival, a detailed orientation and training programme is provided; this covers areas such as health and safety and culture, as well as an orientation tour around Galle. Local staff will also provide basic training before the project begins.
Volunteers will have access to our in-house teaching library, where you can find manuals, books, old worksheets and more teaching materials to help you brainstorm and plan out your sessions - or find general guidance. Local transportation to and from the project is included every day.
Free time
The volunteer house offers a variety of optional activities for you to enjoy, including weekly yoga classes, movie nights, and monthly guided bike tours and BBQs.
There will be lots of free time as part of this project. This is a great time to visit the nearby beaches and relax, head into Galle (only 15 minutes away from the volunteer house), or if you're feeling adventurous, take a day trip to some of the surrounding areas.
Pre-school
While this teaching project is perfect for those looking to be more involved in English language teaching and working with slightly older children, our Sri Lanka Pre-School is perfect for those looking to volunteer with younger children.
Please note activities and itineraries are subject to change.
Booking Options Payment plans available
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Please note that there are various religious and public holidays during the year and on these days no activities take place. Please contact us for further information. During the month of August, special summer classes will take place therefore, hours and type of volunteering will vary.
Online booking is unavailable for this trip
Online booking isn't currently available but if you'd like to enquire please use the form below. Alternatively if you'd like to discuss alternate trips or if you have any other questions please don't hesitate to contact us.Call us on: 01892 527392
Email us at: [email protected]
Flight Options Quotes available
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Arrival Information:
Arrive at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport on day 1 of your stay. There will be two shared airport transfers available every Saturday. The morning transfer covers flights that arrive between 6am to 10am. The evening transfer covers flights that arrive between 2:30pm to 6:30pm.
If your flight arrives outside of these hours or is not scheduled to arrive on a Saturday, a private transfer can be arranged at an additional cost. Contact a travel advisor for more details.
Departure transfers are not included, however are easy to arrange while in the country.
Age & Eligibility:
This volunteer project is mostly designed for travellers aged 18 to 39; however, it is also open to those aged up to 50. It is also open to those without volunteer experience or qualifications. As you will be volunteering with children, a DBS check is required. Contact a travel advisor for more details.
This programme is suited to passionate, creative, caring and confident people who wish to make a difference and have a rewarding travel experience. You should have a flexible, mature attitude and be open to cultural difference. This is a cultural not a party trip, so you should be willing and happy to entertain yourself in your free time.
DBS
On this particular programme, as you’ll be working with children, you’ll need to undergo an enhanced DBS previously known as CRB, or Criminal Record Bureau check and will need to have a clean criminal record.
DBS checks may list past convictions, cautions, reprimands, warnings, and if applicable will show whether or not you have been barred from working with certain vulnerable groups. Non-conviction information such as fixed penalties may also be included.
There is an additional cost for the DBS check, please speak to your travel advisor at the time of booking. The DBS process is in 3 stages:
- Once we receive your booking payment, you will then be sent an online application link for the DBS check, which you will need to complete.
- Once you have completed the application, the DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) will need verification of your identity - to do this you will need to take 3 original documents to your nearest crown post office and use their DBS and ID verification service. This costs approximately £9 and is payable directly to the Post Office.
- Once the post office verification is done it usually takes up to 6 weeks for your DBS to be processed, and your DBS will be sent to you directly in the post.
Please note, enhanced DBS (criminal record) checks can take 6-8 weeks to come back, so please ensure your start date allows enough time for your DBS check to be completed.
Want to check the demographics of your start date? Request the demographics here >
