Travel News

Voluntourism Spotlight: English Language Instruction in Mexico

This weekend Peter Greenberg Worldwide is coming to you from the Americas Summit of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). As Hilton CEO and WTTC board member Christopher Nassetta reminded us recently, one of the WTTC’s missions is to create jobs in the hospitality industry for those in the developing world.  This week’s voluntourism spotlight, shows how you can do your part and teach English in Mexico. Check back every Wednesday for more voluntourism opportunities and tune into Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio on Saturday for more information.

Step one to working a global market place is learning English, so English-language education is important for developing nations. This summer and throughout 2012, the International Volunteer Headquarters is bringing volunteers to Mexico to help non-English speakers learn. There are four placement opportunities for volunteers in the Cuernauvaca-based program: teaching, childcare, environmental protection and computer tutoring.

Volunteers in the teaching group work to immerse children in an English-speaking classroom environment and are encouraged to develop workshops on self-chosen themes. Childcare volunteers work in orphanages, government housing institutions and alternative schools with children from lower-income families to give special attention and instruction to disadvantaged youths.

No teaching experience is required, but volunteers must be at least 18 years old and have a high school education. Volunteer sessions begin on the first and third Mondays of each month and the program can last anywhere from one week to six months, depending on volunteer preference.

Orientation, accommodation in a home stay or volunteer house, and meals during volunteer placement period are also included in the costs. Volunteers are responsible for their own airfare, visa, vaccinations, transport to placements, travel insurance and spending money. The fees ranges from $270 (one week) to $2,700 (six months) and includes both the registration costs as well as the program fees.

For more information, visit the International Volunteer Headquarters website.

By Charles Edward Hicks for PeterGreenberg.com