25 trees will be planted on your behalf for every experience purchased, via our partnership with One Tree Planted.
See more at onetreeplanted.org
Overview
Under our Sikkim Teaching Project there are two teaching options available to you to choose from.
Teaching
Helping children to deal with daily activities through education is what we do. Giving knowledge that is applicable practically in life. Providing awareness to children about the surroundings, environment, health and safety are the focus of our teaching. Educate basic conversational English and other subjects of your choice to children from different age groups (5 yrs to 16 yrs) with different capabilities. During the project, you will gain valuable experience and learn by observing the procedures of the in-house teachers. The project can take place either at a regular government, private or community schools for children or at the school in the rehabilitation center.
Participating teachers enable students to form relationships with someone from another background and culture, and the teachers can learn different teaching methods and techniques.
You will be taking different classes on an average of five classes a day (each class would be about 40 minutes). The schools usually have a very dull curriculum, so out-of the box activities and creative experiences such as sports or games are more than welcome and really appreciated by the children.
You will mainly assist the regular school teacher and so do not need to have any teaching background. You will teach and educate the children from different age groups and with different learning capacities. You are free to use different methods to teach but you can use the course book as a reference or educate children through conversational and spoken English. During your time there, you can teach them different subjects such as mathematics, history, science, geography, computer, technologies, music and other subjects, arts and crafts, different educational games, spoken and conversational English, personal development, environmental awareness, general health and safety and so on. All higher education in India is in English, so it is vitally important that children must learn English to continue further higher education.
Child development activities could include a quiz contest, sports, awareness campaigns etc.
- To help the kids grow in their confidence and learn better English which will help them in many ways.
- To improve the standard of English language acquisition, supervising and interacting with the students and providing them with a higher level of self-confidence that they lack.
- The purpose of this project is to initiate new ideas that can help in their existing activities, lifestyle, health, and behavior. Working with children to help them improve their abilities based on the plan scheduled for them and also fun activities.
- You also could get an opportunity to participate in role plays in educating the community on topics such as the importance of education, health and hygiene, women’s rights, awareness on the provision/schemes provided by the state government. To create a stimulating and fun environment for learning.
- Classes are from Nursery to Grade 10, it is categorized into four different levels as Pre-primary (kindergarten), Primary (1-5), Lower secondary (6-8) and Secondary (9 to 10). Average numbers in a class are about 25 students.
Kindergarten Teaching
You will work as an assistant teacher at one of our many local kindergarten schools. This program helps children in the villages improve their English language. You will primarily teach children English, Mathematics, Arts and Crafts, games and educate them. You may be called upon to help teach drama, music and foreign languages. You will assist other teachers and staff and may have to create teaching plans, etc. All the teaching institutions are more than 5 years old. They all share the common values and aim to create a better future for the children. Some of them provide free education to the children. All the organizations are well managed and are supervised by officers from government and private organizations.
- Primarily teach English (spoken and written), but also teach drama, music, arts, crafts and foreign languages
- Encourage children in academics and promote all round development of the child
- Assist teachers and other staff
- Create teaching plans
- Mind building and physical strengthening games
Objectives
- The aim of the program is to bring international students in contact with local children such that the children and the participant can learn together and interact through education and learning.
Impact
Volunteer experiences have a direct and positive impact on local communities by injecting money into the local economy through the purchase of food, transportation, and tourism activities. Volunteering is a great way to give back to the comunity and make a difference in the world. Depending on the type of volunteer experience you are interested in, your time can be spent improving educational resources and opportunities, providing medical services to underserved communities, or promoting environmental conservation and sustainable farming techniques.
1% of gross sales will be donated to 1% for the Planet-approved charities via our partnership with 1% for the Planet.
See more at onepercentfortheplanet.org
Location
Sikkim, India
An area of unspoilt natural beauty, framed by snow-capped Himalayan peaks. The capital of Sikkim, Gangtok, reflects this tiny state’s extraordinary ethnic diversity. In the crowded city which spills precariously down a ridge, Lepchas (the region’s original inhabitants) live alongside Tibetans, Bhutias, Nepalis and Indians from the plains. Though now full of modern structures, Gangtok’s “Shangrila” aspects can still be experienced in pockets of the city and in its alpine environs.
Until 1975, Sikkim was a kingdom with the status of an Indian Protectorate. It was ruled by the Chogyals Buddhists of Tibetan origin, whose dynasty began in the 17th century. However, the British Raj’s policies of importing cheap labour from neighbouring Nepal for Sikkim’s rice, cardamom and tea plantations drastically changed Sikkim’s demography, soon Nepali Hindus constituted 75 per cent of the state’s population. In 1975, the population of Sikkim voted overwhelmingly to join the Indian Republic, ending the rule of Palden Thondup, the last Chogyal.
Itinerary
Sunday - Arrival
Arrive Sunday at Pakyong Airport, Sikkim (PYG) or Siliguri Bagdogra Airport, Bagdogra (IXB) in our pickup window of 08:00 to 20:00
Monday - Friday
Teaching
- School time is from 10:00 to 16:00
- The duration of each subject is 40 minutes.
- Lunch break is normally from 12:30 to 13:30
Kindergarten Teaching
- 9:30 to 12:00 - Start your day at the kindergarten school
- 12:00 to 13:30 - Lunch
- 13:30 to 15:30 - Continue at the kindergarten
Saturday - Departure
Leave the accommodation on Saturday morning. Take a jeep or bus to the airport. It takes 45 mins drive to Pakyong Airport and 5 hours drive to Bagdogra Airport from the accommodation.
Inclusions
- Shared Accomodation
- All meals included
- Free beverages
- Wifi in public areas
- Arrival Transfer (included with 2 wk+ trips)
- Departure Transfer
Options
More Information
Requirements
- minimum age18
- minimum english levelBasic
- CRB RequiredOn signup
- passport copy requiredOn signup
- resume copy requiredNo
Other Requirements
- Participants above the age of 65 should have medical clearance.
- It's a good idea to bring posters, pictures, music CDs, storybooks, flash cards and so on to brighten up lessons.
- Cover up as much as possible in the spirit of the local culture to avoid embarrassment.
- Your clothes must not be too short, too tight or too revealing. Kindly make sure your shoulders and legs are covered.
- Dress professionally since you will be working in a professional environment while teaching the children.
- It is completely fine to wear western clothes as long as they fit the local standards
- Be thoughtful of the graphics, symbols or text printed on your clothing and avoid wearing clothing styles that might be inappropriate
- Be thoughtful to poor communities by not displaying expensive items and clothes
- Wearing local clothes could help you build a good working relationship with the community
Food
The meals are a mix of Western and Indian food, consisting mainly of vegetarian dishes including rice and vegetables. You can expect to have a chicken dish about twice per week. You can also use the kitchen facilities to cook for yourself or eat out at any of the local restaurants.Accommodation
In our center, there is a mini library, a dining room, a lounge area where you can hang out with fellow participants and a beautiful garden to relax.
Furthermore, there is a refrigerator which you are welcome to use to store food and beverages.
