Volunteer as an English Teacher
in beautiful Colombia's COFFEE REGION!
in beautiful Colombia's COFFEE REGION!
If you are creative, organized, empathetic, you want to share with our community about your culture and ways of seeing the world and you dream of contributing to the transformation of Colombia, you can join our volunteer teacher team in Chinchina Bilingue. You will gain from this experience as much as you put into it. You may volunteer part-time or full-time, from 30 days to 89 days via Minga House Foundation without any special visa requirement. If you wish to volunteer for more than 90 days then our foundation can sponsor your official volunteering visa which you may utilize for up to one year. You may also opt to switch from your initial volunteering role with Chinchina Bilingue on to a paid position anywhere in Colombia! See Job List!
As an assistant teacher you will have the opportunity to learn from your senior colleagues and not have to carry the full load of responsibility that teachers usually do. It is an opportunity for you to learn & practice your craft! You will also have the opportunity to exploring teaching each other subjects as well as lead cultural extracurricular activities based on your interest, experience, and skill set, if it is your desire. Perhaps you can coach a sport or teach music or coordinate a school event. There will be much flexibility as long as the objective remains to help the students and teachers of your school.
But wait, there's more! Volunteer opportunities often transition into a full-time paid teacher roles where you can make a living teaching and possibly extend your move to Colombia long-term and indefinitely. We have over 154 private bilingual school clients throughout Colombia which will love the opportunity to interview you and offer you a full-time paid contract. Volunteering short-term can simply be considered as your initial landing job! You will gain the experience needed to transition to a full-time position utilizing your newly gained in-country job reference. So, go for it! Let's get you started! Go, team!
As an assistant teacher you will have the opportunity to learn from your senior colleagues and not have to carry the full load of responsibility that teachers usually do. It is an opportunity for you to learn & practice your craft! You will also have the opportunity to exploring teaching each other subjects as well as lead cultural extracurricular activities based on your interest, experience, and skill set, if it is your desire. Perhaps you can coach a sport or teach music or coordinate a school event. There will be much flexibility as long as the objective remains to help the students and teachers of your school.
But wait, there's more! Volunteer opportunities often transition into a full-time paid teacher roles where you can make a living teaching and possibly extend your move to Colombia long-term and indefinitely. We have over 154 private bilingual school clients throughout Colombia which will love the opportunity to interview you and offer you a full-time paid contract. Volunteering short-term can simply be considered as your initial landing job! You will gain the experience needed to transition to a full-time position utilizing your newly gained in-country job reference. So, go for it! Let's get you started! Go, team!
10 ways to maximize your volunteer teaching experience in beautiful Colombia as part of Chinchina Bilingue?
- Student Teaching to earn your Teaching Credential - Example: 30 to 90-day Practicums/Clinicals requirement for Mooreland University
- Complete your TEFL/TESOL/CELTA/DELTA certification meeting the required classroom experience: Example with Oxford Seminars
- Teacher Onboarding to prepare yourself for an actual full-time teaching contract in beautiful Colombia - see weekly job list!
- Spanish immersion - There is nothing better than to be an educational setting working with educators and sharing with students; all professions welcome!
- Earn your BA in Global Education - Count your teaching hours as part of a Job-Embedded & Hands-On professional teaching experience shortening the time it takes to complete your bachelor's degree - Example: Reach University
- Earn a MA in International Development and Service (IDS) or Community Organizing and Social Activism (COSA) with Institute for Global Learning (IPSL) via the National University of Natural Medicine.
- Experience a Teaching Internship combined with other volunteering experiences in health, social work and/or animal care.
- Education Service Learning trips for university students with International Service Learning.
- Troops to Teachers! U.S. veterans finding a new way to serve! Utilize your GI Benefits by combining teaching experience while earning either completing your Bachelors, earning a Masters, or a U.S. Arizona Teaching Crerential. Speak to our veterans services counselor: [email protected]
- Explore new career! Take the plunge! Explore a new lane! Test your classroom management skills. Life is too short! What if you love teaching? why not? start a new chapter in your life living & teaching in beautiful Colombia! The Coffee Region of Colombia welcomes you with open arms!
(3) Volunteer Teaching Term Options
Locations: Chinchina
Worksite: Public School or Private School
Participants are responsible for covering their overhead costs; In the future, our program may count with grant funding which allows us to subsize part of the costs.
IMPORTANT: Once you speak with one of our advisors, we will be able to accommodate the most suitable and appropriate living arrangement for you within our community. There may be home-stay or independent living options; it is not a requirement that you reside in Minga, but it is imperative that you do meet the service commitment while you are part of our program. Failure to attend to any committed times or repeated tardiness is cause for dismissal and no refunds are available. So, let's talk and ensure mutual expectations are clear and documented.
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Service Break or Teacher Onboarding
14 to 30 days
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Student Teaching Quarter or Semester
31 to 89 days
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GAP Year (1 yr) or Masters
(2 yrs) 90 to 365 days
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Home-Stay Option: This option does not necessarily save you money as cost of living will vary throughout Colombia and within each city of Colombia. But if you prefer to do your student teaching or volunteering at other than our local community, then a home-stay option will give you that flexiblity. You would be responsible for those living costs directly with your host. Your one-time participation fee with Minga House Foundation to cover all legal requirements would be: $500 USD, regardless of the period you serve; up to one year. Note: After 89 days you need to pay Colombia for a volunteering VISA.
PARTICIPATION ELIGIBLITY
- Organized & reliable; self-starter!
- Committed, punctual, and interested in gaining teaching experience.
- Experience working with children and/or teens (preferred).
- Be from country of origin with English as national tongue or B2 English.
- Skills for the use of basic technological tools.
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Able to work as a team well and independently.
- Open to new cultures and cultural experiences.
- Spanish is not required; but commitment to learn Spanish is highly desired and helpful
- Bachelor's Degree is not required for assistant roles, but remember, there is an interview process and not everyone is accepted
- Criminal background check.
WHY VOLUNTEER WITH US?
- You will practice & learn Spanish.
- Because you will develop new skills learning from several teachers as you assist them.
- It will be a great experience for your life.
- You will use your professional experience to benefit others.
- You will meet new people and make new friends.
- You will get to know beautiful Colombia, especially the “coffee” culture.
- You will feel gratitude for sharing with vulnerable communities.
- You will help us make a difference.
- You will grow your confidence and self-esteem.
- Have the opportunity to live in a South American culture rich in natural resources and warm people.
- Have the possibility of discovering an exotic country with a variety of climates, foods and places.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF OUR VOLUNTEERS
- Part-time or full-time roles available (20-40 hours per week Monday through Friday)
- Design & commit to your weekly work schedule in collaboration with the school's leadership.
- Learn to do lesson planning and assist the teachers in teaching.
- Help in the planning of cultural or recreational events for the reinforcement of English or deepen in the USA/UK/CAN/AU culture, such as: English Songs Festival, Spelling Bee, Debate Club, Tour Guide Challenge, English Conversation Groups, etc.
- Lead and plan activities for your school's English club which is to be given to you as an extracurricular activity.
- Lead and plan English classes for the staff of the assigned school & community groups.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF MINGA HOUSE FOUNDATION
- Guarantee a workplace and a mentor teacher in a public or private school where you can give your best.
- Airport pick-up & return
- Program orientation
- Ongoing guidance & support.
- Guided cultural & recreational events, some are free and are not
- Accommodation, if funding is available
- Food, if funding is available.
- Monthly stipend, if funding is available.
WHAT CAN I DO ON MY TIME OFF & THE WEEKENDS?
You will be in the heart of the beautiful Colombian Coffee Region!
It's beautiful, lush, and alive!
You will be in the heart of the beautiful Colombian Coffee Region!
It's beautiful, lush, and alive!
- Coffee Tours - learn everything about coffee!
- Jeep & Rail Car Rides
- Hot Springs
- Horseback Rides
- Manizales & Pereira City Tours & Outings
- Bird Watching & Nature Hikes
- Lake Boating & Fishing
- Parque del Cafe Amusement Park & others regional attractions
- Community Sports Clubs - Futbol, basketball, volleyball, bicycling, roller blading, skateboarding, BMX
- Casa de Cultura - theater & music
- In-country flights are very inexpensive and there are many holiday 3-day weekend easily allowing you to plan visits to other regions of Colombia
- Volunteering - Health & Social Work. See all volunteering options
STEPS TO APPLY AS A VOLUNTEER
- Have read and agree with all the information provided about our volunteering opportunities.
- Fill out our online VOLUNTEERING APPLICATION and email your CV/resume to: [email protected]
- If you pass the first filter, we will invite you to an video interview via ZOOM or Google Meet or WhatsApp.
- After passing the interview, we will send you an email where we will notify you that you have been accepted into our volunteer program.
- When you arrive in Colombia you will have a welcome & orientation, plus any necessary training.
- The typical start-date for the cohort is late January and late July aligned with each school semester. But it is possible to have individualized start-dates.
Ask about Paid Full-Time Placements with private schools nationwide (requires one or two semesters commitment). https://www.mingahouse.org/teach-colombia.html
Testimonials from Our Teachers Volunteers:
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“I think the most significant thing about volunteering with the Minga House Foundation was, of course, teaching and interacting with the students. Their curiosity and desire to learn was the most inspiring aspect of volunteering. My favorite memory was the last day of my class with the 10th graders, when a boy came up to me and in perfect English said "I will never forget you."
"I 100% recommend this organization and will volunteer for all my friends!" |
“What I enjoyed the most about volunteering with the Minga House Foundation is definitely the feeling of doing something important for the local community. The most significant thing for me was giving people, both children and adults, the opportunity to learn more English. Learn and practice in our classes. I remember, I helped a 14-year-old boy pass a test in school by having three private lessons with him.
“I would definitely volunteer again if I had the opportunity. It is a perfect opportunity to get to know Colombia from the inside. That is why I would recommend this to all my family and friends. " |
"I notice a bigger difference when a child is very excited to show you the work they are doing." Complimenting and congratulating a child who does not get much attention at home on his progress makes a noticeable difference in his mood and sense of self-worth. "
"I would recommend volunteering to my friends and family because the people in Colombia are the most genuine I have ever met!" |