Teaching Projects

English     Literacy     Maths     Science     Arts & Drama

Our community teaching projects are typically under-funded and under-resourced, our volunteers, and our resources, are always very much appreciated. Our projects assist in social and economic development and address priority areas such as moral regeneration and social cohesion by our volunteers engaging with the local community and providing essential life skills through teaching.

It is not a prerequisite for our teaching project volunteers to have prior teaching experience or qualifications, but a basic knowledge of your subject is important.

If you are studying to be a teacher or already qualified you will have an excellent opportunity to take on a greater level of teaching responsibility within our under-resourced partner schools.

Community Setting

Gap Year South Africa's teaching projects encourage school children to realize the importance of education as a foundation for life and are aimed primarily at previously disadvantaged groups, communities and individuals with a strong developmental approach. Our community teaching projects contribute towards transformation whilst removing potential access barriers such as cost, elitism, race and gender. The intended beneficiaries of our teaching projects are young people who have inherently been afforded very little exceptional opportunity.

Your Role as a Volunteer

During your teaching project you will be assisting and/or teaching various classes at a number of our under-resourced partner schools in local communities. Through your teaching and energetic presence at our partner schools you will be adding immense value to the education of underprivileged children. You will be working alongside teachers from the community with an opportunity to learn a great deal from their experiences. Community teachers will also benefit a great deal from your educational experiences.

Project Flexibility

Volunteer Profile

We seek a passionate and energetic individual with an enthusiasm for an adventure of a lifetime. If you are a post-school or post-university gap year student, a university undergraduate or postgraduate, or a career breaker, our projects are ideally suited for you. Our excellent teaching projects are also tailored for qualifying and qualified teachers.

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Donation of Educational Resources

A portion of your funding contributes towards educational resources, various teaching aides and the renovation of classrooms enhancing the educational environment for the children.

Our under-resourced partner schools certainly do welcome any additional contributions or resources.

Location

You will be based in the South African coastal city of Port Elizabeth which is affectionately known as the friendly city. As a volunteer you will have the famous Garden Route on your doorstep as well as some of the world's most beautiful golden beaches, dunes and wilderness. Port Elizabeth enjoys warm sunny days most of the year with average temperatures ranging from 17C - 30C and sea temperatures ranging from 16C - 23C. Port Elizabeth is an ideal location to travel and experience all that South Africa has to offer. Situated 10 hours from the majority of gap year world traveller destinations, Gap Year South Africa is an ideal stop on your global adventure travel.

Accommodation, Food and Transport

You are personally hosted by the Team of Gap Year South Africa in our comfortable accommodation for all our volunteers. The volunteer house is a very safe and friendly environment within Port Elizabeth and is located a short distance from all the golden beaches and the warm Indian Ocean. The house is nearby to a wide range of amenities for all your additional needs.

Volunteers receive three balanced meals each day prepared by our local chefs. The food prepared is very similar to that of which you enjoy in your home country. However volunteers will also have an opportunity to experience some local dishes.

On arrival you will be welcomed by our Gap Year South Africa Team and be transferred from the airport to the volunteer house where each volunteer receives a welcome pack including a pack of biltong and bottle of South African wine. All transport to and from the projects is provided as well as a selection of the volunteer group excursions.

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Travel and Adventure

Port Elizabeth is known as the watersports capital of South Africa and it's surrounding areas offer a wide range of activities and excursions including malaria free game viewing, walking with elephants, horse riding safari's, bungy jumping, mountain biking, sea kayaking, tree top canopy tours as well as a vibrant night life. To the west of Port Elizabeth, you are within a short flights distance from the mother city of Cape Town including famous attractions such as Table Mountain, Robben Island and the world renowned Winelands. To the east of Port Elizabeth you have magnificent Wild Coast, leading to the tropical region of Kwazulu-Natal featuring the Drakensberg Mountains and the Greater St Lucia Wetlands.

Playing Sport and Qualifications

In addition to your teaching project, you will have an opportunity to learn to surf and gain certificates in scuba diving and surf-lifesaving which take place along PE's golden beaches.

You will also have the option of playing sport for local community sports clubs. The club teams range from social to premier league teams.

Social Life

A very important part of your experience is the social interaction with your fellow volunteers, team members of Gap Year South Africa and the local community. Port Elizabeth offers a wide selection of restaurants, pubs, bars and clubs. The Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment Complex is located on the Port Elizabeth beach front and provides volunteers with a further selection of retail outlets, trendy café and cinemas all situated around a man-made lake

Our Shebeen (Local Tavern) tour always proves to be a highlight on our list of social events. The tour provides volunteers with an opportunity to enjoy a uniquely South African experience. Shebeens are the heartbeat of the local community where locals meet for a drink, music and dancing.

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