Teach English in Argentina
Overview of the Project
Bernardino is a small rural public school that has only kindergarten and elementary grades. The school is located in Pajas Blancas, a small community located 25 km (roughly a 40-minute bus ride) northwest of Córdoba city and close to the small Sierras. The town cannot afford a high school so this is the children's only certain opportunity for education.
The 100+ students of Bernardino range in age from 5 to 12 years and come from the rural and poor communities of Córdoba's perimeter. The three available classrooms are divided in two shifts: morning (for higher grades) and afternoon (for lower grades). The school serves a daily lunch for all of the students at the same time between these shifts.
- Program: Volunteer in Argentina
- Project: Teach English in Argentina
- Start dates: 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month
- Departure and End Point: Córdoba International Airport
- Language Need: Basic Spanish fluency and English fluency
- Accommodation and meals: Homebase (meals not included)
- Activities: Teaching English to elementary school children
- Working hours: 25-35 hours per week
Role of Volunteer
Our teaching English in Argentina project supports these challenged children who are eager to learn, but have obviously limited resources. Volunteers work side by side with teachers and other volunteers providing care for the children, teaching them basic English and academic skills, organizing and developing sport activities and simply playing with them. Note: English teaching volunteers do not have to be native English speakers, but do need English fluency and a mastery of English conversational skills.
Skills/Qualification Needed
No specific qualifications are required to join teach English project beyond a fluency in English and basic Spanish fluency, but your mastery of the Spanish language can help improve the experience for you and your students. Consider enrolling in our Spanish Language program in Córdoba. Volunteer teachers should have strong English fluency, both written and verbal, yet no previous teaching experience is required. Volunteers should have a love for teaching, English and conversation. Volunteers should be enthusiastic, reliable, flexible, patient and strive to be good role models for the children.
Please note: A basic level of Spanish fluency is mandatory to join our Argentina program. If you do not yet speak/understand a basic level of Spanish, it is important for you to study prior to departure. Alternatively, you should consider other Latin American country programs in which you can volunteer without basic Spanish fluency. This includes Peru, Costa Rica, Argentina and Ecuador.
Volunteer in Argentina: Project Locations and Free Time Options
Global Crossroad’s volunteer in Argentina program is based in and around Córdoba. This city is a traveler’s dream and hosts numerous exciting chances to immerse into a balance of modern-day progress, well-preserved colonial histories and culturally rich experiences. Córdoba's pulsing cultural vibe has produced a number of influential writers and its own musical style known as “El Cuarteto” (in addition to classical, jazz, rock, pop and techno). There are also many monuments, lively festivals, pleasant theaters and a pulsing nightlife. Volunteers reside in accommodations located just minutes from the downtown area. This unique living situation makes it easy for volunteers to get to know each other. Tango lessons are offered to our volunteers at the residence and are a uniquely Argentinean experience.
While volunteering in Argentina, you will have weekends and evenings free throughout their project and while our local staff does not arrange activities during this time off, they can provide priceless assistance in making appropriate arrangements for travel throughout Argentina. Most volunteers use this free time for mini-trips and local exploration. Argentina is one of the most stunning and multi-faceted countries in the world offering a bounty of opportunities for a completely unique experience. Please use our resources for travel tips, advice and publications about Argentina
