Volunteer Teaching in the Philippines
Gain practical classroom experience and help disadvantaged children improve their English
What’s included
Socials & Fun
Meals
Activities, Training & Equipment
Accommodation & Amenities
Starting at €2,095 for 2 weeks
Trip Overview
Improve education outcomes
Assist teachers and work with students to tackle disadvantage in the local education system.
Get classroom experience
Develop your practical teaching skills by leading lessons, creating engaging activities, and providing individual support.
Community and cultural immersion
Experience the warmth and hospitality of Filipino people first-hand by living with a host family and engaging directly with the community.
Freedom to explore
Use your free time to explore stunning beaches, go island hopping, and visit historical sites. Discover the true beauty of the Philippines.
Push your limits with limited resources
Compensate for a lack of resources through creativity! Inspire students with games, puzzles, and other fun activities.
What you need to know
Overview
This project is ideal for anyone who enjoys working with children and is looking for hands-on classroom experience. You’ll do practical work and learn from qualified local teachers. If you’re interested in becoming a teacher yourself, this teaching work experience in the Philippines will be an excellent addition to your CV.
You can still join us even if you don’t have any previous teaching experience. This is because you will receive a thorough project induction and have a supervisor guide you throughout your placement. We also run regular teaching workshops. During workshops, you can get advice, troubleshoot issues, and share experiences with staff and other volunteers.
Our start and end dates are flexible, and the project runs throughout the year, so you can choose what suits you. The longer you stay, the greater an impact you can make!
A Day in the Life
After enjoying a hearty breakfast at your host family’s home, you’ll travel to your placement via a motorised tricycle, similar to a rickshaw. You will be working either in a primary or high school in the local area. On your first day, Projects Abroad staff will accompany you to show you the way.
You’ll work Monday to Friday, from 8 am – 4 pm. There will be an hour for lunch. You will often bring a packed lunch with you, as it is usually too far for you to commute home and back.
On a typical day, you’ll teach English lessons to different classes of students. You’re encouraged to steer away from rote-based learning. Instead, use some creativity to make the lessons fun and engaging.
You’ll also assist the local English teacher in the classroom. Sometimes you will work with smaller groups of students, helping them to improve their conversational abilities.
Once you’re done for the day, it’s time to make the most of your new life in this beautiful country. Spend time getting to know your host family over a delicious dinner, or visit tourist hotspots with your fellow volunteers. We encourage you to also join us on one of our regular volunteer socials.
Aims & Impact
The aim of this project is to help disadvantaged students improve their English and support the work of local teachers.
A knowledge of English is an excellent way to improve their future job prospects and allow them to engage with the global community. In order to achieve proficiency, children need to work on improving their skills from a young age.
We focus on three main areas: reading, writing, and speaking. You’ll help students develop their abilities in each of these areas. Special attention will be given to those students who are struggling or have learning difficulties.
Volunteers will also provide additional support to teachers in the classroom. Public schools are often overcrowded, with a ratio of around 60 students to one teacher. You will help to reduce this ratio, allowing teachers to work with smaller groups of students. This, in turn, improves the overall learning experience for children, as they receive the attention and
educational support they need.
Other educational goals we’ve identified in the Philippines include:
- Improve literacy
- Improve proficiency in other subjects
- Encourage learning through creativity
Join us in the Philippines and support education for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Activities
At your volunteer Teaching Placement in the Philippines, you’ll work with disadvantaged students at primary schools and high schools and support local teachers. You will:
- Help children improve their English language skills
- Provide extra support for teachers and students
- Encourage learning through creativity
- Assist with extracurricular activities
Your work with a focus on the following areas:
Help children improve their English language skills
The best time to learn another language is when you’re young. In the Philippines, you’ll work with young students to improve their English skills. Your focus is on reading, writing, and speaking. Your efforts will help develop their self-confidence so that they feel comfortable expressing themselves in English. You may find yourself helping young children master the basics or working with older students to improve their pronunciation.
In 2017, the government implemented a new education system, K-12. Instead of going to school for 10 years, Filipino students now get 13 years of education. There is a focus on multilingual learning. English is introduced as a subject from Grade 1 and used as a medium of instruction from Grade 4 onwards. In high school, it is the main language used to teach.
In addition, the Philippines has a huge tourist industry. This means that being comfortable speaking English is a vital skill. As a volunteer teaching English in the Philippines, you have an important role to play.
Provide extra support for teachers and students
Many of the schools in the Philippines are overcrowded, with a ratio of around 60 students to one teacher. This means that students don’t always receive the attention that they need to thrive in the classroom.
You will provide an extra pair of helping hands for the local teachers. You’ll assist with tasks around the classroom and work with small groups of students who need extra help. By splitting the classroom into smaller groups, students will receive the guidance that they need.
Encourage learning through creativity
Innovative teaching methods can compensate for a lack of educational resources at disadvantaged schools. This can be done through art, games, drama, puzzles, or other fun activities. We encourage you to use your imagination!
Creative and original classes help to motivate students, keeping them interested and invested in what they are learning. These methods also encourage class participation and help children to focus.
Assist with extracurricular activities
As part of your teaching role, you will help out with extracurricular activities which are organised by the school. The specific type of activity will vary according to the school and time of year. It may involve anything from sport to drama. You’ll usually have one or two activities to assist with each month, which take place for 3 – 4 hours during the day.
Map & Location
The Philippines has incredible biodiversity with many endemic species and unique geological formations, like the popular Chocolate Hills. For a more urban experience, hop in a jeepney or tuk-tuk and enjoy Filipino pastimes like Karaoke and water sports.
San Remigio
San Remigio, neighbouring Bogo City on the northern coast of Cebu Island, is a laid-back town with stunning natural beauty. With over 65,000 residents, it boasts the longest coastline in Cebu, offering a variety of beaches with white sand and crystal-clear waters.
San Remigio has a tropical climate with warm temperatures all year, perfect for exploring the nearby beaches, islands, and historical sites. The town also offers a glimpse into local life with its public market and friendly community.
Bogo City
Bogo City, located on the northeastern coast of Cebu Island in the Philippines, is a growing city with a population of about 90,000. With a tropical climate, warm temperatures, and sunshine year-round, it is filled with beautiful beaches, lush green hills, and landmarks like the Bogo City Hall.
The city is famous for water sports and natural beauty, including several nearby waterfalls. Despite only being established as a city in 2007, it has all the essentials within easy reach.
Food & Accommodation
Get ready for unforgettable fun in the Philippines! We’ll set you up with a wonderful host family (vetted by us, of course!), providing a comfortable room, three delicious meals a day, and fresh drinking water. It’s all part of making your adventure amazing.
Your host family will provide you with delicious, local food and introduce you to the incredible Filipino culture. We’ll aim to have you share your host family with other Projects Abroad participants of the same gender and approximate age. We’ll also organise your transport to and from your placement every day.
Your home away from home will be clean, safe, and secure, the perfect place to explore the stunning scenery of the Philippines. You’ll also have easy access to nearby internet cafes, keeping you in touch with your loved ones.
Your Arrival Made Easy
When you arrive at your respective airport, a member of Projects Abroad staff will be there to meet you. You can find more detailed information on arrival airports, orientation, and visas on our Philippines Arrival Procedures page.
Book your adventure
Starting at €2,095 for 2 weeks
Call +353 (0)1 571 5080 to discuss special discounts or group bookings.