Quick Facts
Program code
EC-VOL109
Category
Volunteer Work, Education
Country
Ecuador
Location
Isabela Island, Galapagos Islands
Program start
Flexible start and end dates, taking into account the school holidays (mid-January to mid-April, 2 weeks in mid-September and between Christmas and New Year).
Recommended arrival to the Galapagos Islands is Sunday or Monday. Before traveling to the island, at least one working day in advance, your orientation session will take place in Quito, on the Ecuadorian mainland.
Minimum duration
2 weeks (maximum 8 weeks)
Minimum age
18 years
Program details
The Galapagos Islands are one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and many dream of spending a few days on the impressive archipelago. South America Inside gives you the opportunity to stay on the Galapagos Islands even for several weeks, while you participate in our volunteer project.
The main objective of this volunteer project is to improve the English language proficiency of the Galapagos population. This is especially important, as the Galapagos archipelago, which is far from the mainland, relies on tourism, for which language skills, especially English, are indispensable. Unfortunately, many schools lack trained English teachers, so volunteers with English skills are in high demand.
This project aims to establish qualified English language teaching in early school years and to train local teachers on teaching methodology and pronunciation. The main task of the volunteers is therefore to support the local teachers in the daily lessons in order to promote the learning progress of the students. At the same time, conversations between teachers and volunteers will expand the knowledge of English teachers and train their skills.
Teaching English in an island paradise between exotic animals and along beautiful beaches, is what awaits you in this volunteer project. Encourage young Galapagos islanders to learn a foreign language and build the foundation of their future careers.
Tasks
As a volunteer in this project, you will work with teachers in local elementary schools. The children who attend those schools in the Galapagos Islands are between 5 and 12 years old. Each school has about 100 children, who are divided into different classrooms. You will assist the teachers during the class schedule, help prepare lessons, tutor the children in primary or secondary schools, and play with children during class breaks.
Classes usually take place during the morning hours, from approximately 7:30 am to 12:30 pm. In the afternoon, you have free time to enjoy and discover the wonders of the Galapagos Islands.
For volunteers who wish to dedicate more time to the volunteer project, they can assist the children with their homework, especially in English, Math, Computer Science, and exercise. Specific class schedules, the number of children at the school, and volunteers’ main work emphasis may vary depending on which school we place them in.
Note: The tasks may vary. They depend on factors such as number of volunteers, weather, season, current needs of the project, as well as self-motivation. Not every volunteer may be fully involved in all these tasks.
Accommodation
One of the priorities of our volunteer teaching programs in Ecuador is offering full cultural immersion. The best way to learn more about Ecuadorian culture and customs, and even to practice your Spanish skills, is to live in a homestay. With this in mind, all of our volunteers on the Galapagos Islands stay with local hosts. They provide you with a welcoming home and three meals per day. Laundry service is included once a week. All homestays are located either within walking distance from the schools or are only a short bus ride away.
Volunteers will have a single room or share one with another volunteer, while the bathroom is always shared. The accommodation provides all of the basic services, including a telephone in case of emergency, electricity, and clean water. Not all homestays have hot water, but the year-round climate on the islands is warm and humid.
Most homestays have internet.
Location
The Galapagos Islands are made up of various large and small islands. They are located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, directly at the equator. San Cristobal and Santa Cruz are the main islands of this East Pacific archipelago. Both islands have a port and an airport (in Santa Cruz via the offshore island of Baltra), each a small town and several small villages. The island of Isabela is the largest island of the archipelago but has the smallest population with only about 2300 inhabitants.
Our volunteer project is located on the island of Isabela. To get there, participants first travel to the island of Santa Cruz, where they spend a night and then take the boat to Isabela the next morning. A night in Santa Cruz costs between US$ 50 and $ 120, depending on the hotel or hostel standard. These costs are not included in the program price.
Language skills
Spanish at communication level. For optimal preparation for your volunteer work in Ecuador, we advise you to take a Spanish course before the program starts. This gives you the opportunity to slowly get used to the language, culture and mentality.
You can book your Spanish course in Ecuador directly with us!
Requirements
- Spanish skills (book your Spanish course in Ecuador!)
- Minimum age 18 years
- Application at least 4 weeks before the desired start of the program. Read more about our application process here.
- Completion of a foreign travel health insurance (get your travel insurance here!)
- Participation in an orientation session in Quito before arrival on the Galapagos Islands
Pre-departure and in-country support
Before arrival, our experienced team will be at your disposal to assist you throughout the booking process and travel planning. With the booking confirmation you will receive our 24-hour emergency number, so that you can reach us 24/7 in case of emergency.
In addition to the assistance given by our office staff you will be supported by the program coordinators in Quito.
Furthermore, there is a volunteer coordinator on-site.
Costs & Services
Our volunteer project at a School on the Galapagos Islands includes:
- Single or shared room in Homestay (accordining to availability)
- Full board
- Permission to stay as a volunteer on Galapagos
- Professional English-speaking advice
- Translation of your application documents
- Volunteer Work Placement on the Galapagos Islands
- English-speaking in-country support
- Introduction in Quito, incl. overnight stay
- Handbook Ecuador
- 24/7 emergency number
- Information about suitable travel health insurance
- Certificate of participation
Not included:
- Entry fee to the Galapagos Islands, approx. US$ 120 (to be paid on site in cash)
- Overnight in Santa Cruz (approx. US$ 80-100)
Costs
Application fee: US$ 120
Program fee: US$ 1,030 (minimum stay 2 weeks)
Extra week: US$ 260 (maximum 8 weeks)
Additionally, you can book:
Our tips (experience more + see more = save $$)
Is it difficult for you to decide between the many great projects? You want to see and experience as much as possible during your stay in Latin America? Then build your own itinerary - experience more & see more! Our program combination makes it possible!
All our stay abroad programs can be combined with each other: So, you can combine different volunteer projects in the same country or in different countries, or you mix Working Holiday with volunteer work or Farm Stay with Working Holiday ...and so on …
Your creativity knows no limits. The longer your stay abroad in Latin America, the greater the discount you get from South America Inside. Below you can see how much you can save:
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Note: Language courses are excluded from this promotion. These discounts can not be combined with other promotions.
If you need assistance in putting together your personal experience abroad, then please contact us. Our experienced staff will help you to set up your tailor-made stay abroad.
Volunteer Guide
Find valuable information about volunteering abroad in our program guides. Find out about all the benefits, possibilities and challenges, that a stay abroad offers you. Read more about the great opportunities that South America Inside has at your disposal.
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