| |
|
|
| |
This Galapagos teaching project provides an amazing opportunity to live and work on the
Galapagos Islands. Volunteer in Galapagos on your gap year or career break and teach English, art, maths,
science, dance, music or sports in the local schools.
Description of Project
The Galapagos Islands are located 625 miles off the coast of Ecuador. They are comprised of thirteen
islands and over forty islets. Some 18,000 humans inhabit five of the islands (San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz,
Isabela, Floreana, and Baltra) and 97% of the islands' total area is designated as National Park.
Land animals and plants have somehow migrated across the sea and over the course of time they have adapted
themselves to Galapagos conditions and come to differ from their ancestors on the mainland. Many of them are
found nowhere else in the world. Charles Darwin recognized this in 1835 and his observations played a
substantial part in his formulation of the theory of evolution.
The Galapagos have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. They offer some of the most interesting
and most beautiful places in the world for swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving. The only ways of earning a
living on the islands are fishing and tourism. Recently, the fishing has become very tightly controlled by the
government. Tourism is therefore the only way forward. For this reason local people have a burning desire to
learn English. Outreach International projects are based on San Cristóbal, which has a population of approximately
8,000 people. It is a beautiful place but the people live humble lives. The only money that comes to the island
is through tourism, but visitors tend to stay on their private boats and do not support the local economy.
You are needed at your school from 7:30 am until 1pm. In the afternoon you would be asked to volunteer at a
different project. This might include teaching adults, helping at the Oscar Hospital or carrying out some
conservation work. Alternatively, you could stay at your school and put on extracurricular activities such as
art, craft, dance, gymnastics, games. The main part of your project, however, would be teaching at one of the
schools listed.
The Projects
Kindergarten Pre-school
There is a great little pre-school for all the children on the island aged 4 – 6 years. Like pre-schools in the
UK, the focus on Galapagos is on educational play, art, craft, music and basic number work. There is a good outdoor
play area and with the all year round sunny climate this is in constant use.
Primary School
The Charles Darwin primary school has 50 children aged 5-12 years. The director Mr Fabian Paez wants volunteers
to teach all the classes English and also to help look after the little ones at the pre-school. You would also help
organise extracurricular activities, particularly art, drama music and games. There are also some modern computers,
but nobody knows how to use them. The school is situated just outside the main town in a little village called El
Progresso. The grounds are spacious, full of trees and shady areas. The one local bus runs the three or four miles
to El Progresso every morning.
Combined School
A school for 400 children aged 4–14. You would teach English, PE, Art and any other subjects that interest you.
The director is very keen to have volunteer support and is aware that some of his teachers use outdated methods. There
is a small specialist centre for special needs children. There is also a purpose-built language laboratory. English is
the most important subject in the curriculum. Like all the schools on the island the working day is 07:30 until 13:00.
In the afternoons you can support one of the community projects. However, the director realises that this time could be
used for volunteers to put on 'clubs' for the children. Sports such as football and basketball would be particularly
popular.
College
The college provides vocational training for 120 teenagers aged 13-18. There is a focus is on tourism and
computer training, but English is the most important subject. Every class has a compulsory two hours of English
a day. Unfortunately, there is a lack of good speaking English teachers. The college is well equipped by Galapagos
standards with a specialist language laboratory and modern computers. The campus is rather tatty but the project
would be ideal for anyone really wanting to help small groups of eager students. They are very keen to invite
volunteers to their homes to practice their English.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Summary
- Project Code:
G3
- Main Activity of Project:
Teaching English and extra curricular
activities.
- Minimum Period of Stay:
Two months.
- Cost:
Two months: £3200.
Three months: £3800.
For full details of our prices please see our costs page.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Articles / Volunteer Evaluations
| |
|
|
| |
Arriving in Quito on the 19th of June was an exciting, but nerve-wracking
experience. Being in a strange country half way around the world and alone was a
scary thought indeed, however, after stepping off the plane it was comforting to
see the Outreach International representative waiting at the arrivals gate and
holding up a board with my name on it!
Two weeks of Spanish lessons at the Spanish school was extremely helpful and
although my Spanish was far from fluent at the end of my project, I'm very
grateful for the help provided by my two Spanish teachers Cristina and Edith, and
for their perseverance and patience! Six hours of one-to-one Spanish lessons, 5
days a week for two weeks was hard work indeed, but it was a lot of fun, even
though the intensity of it almost reduced me to tears at times.
Whilst in Quito, I was provided with the opportunity to help out on the rubbish
dump children project for an evening, with a group of volunteers who were based in
Quito. This was one of the most vivid memories that will continue to stick in my
mind for many years to come. I have good memories of around 15 of us all sitting
on tiny child-size chairs chopping vegetables around the table to make an evening
meal for those individuals who earn their living on the dangerous rubbish tips in
the city. When the workers finally stood outside the centre ready to collect their
food, I remember thinking about how lucky I actually am. I distinctly remember the
workers walking passed the door giving us a smile and a wave of thanks and I felt
really choked-up.
After 16 days in Quito, it was finally time to fly to Galapagos and commence my
project on San Cristobal Island. I was really glad to leave the hustle and bustle
of Quito behind and looking forward to experience the clean air and tranquillity
of island life.
My host family on Galapagos were an absolutely amazing bunch of people and I
was so sad to say goodbye to them when it was time to leave. Despite my terrible
Spanish and the fact that only the 14 year old grandson could speak English, we
all managed to form a great relationship with one another. It was a great
experience living with a local family and I was lucky enough to eat my lunch and
dinner in the family restaurant which was on my doorstep every day. Almost every
week I was lucky enough to share meals with and be introduced to people travelling
to Galapagos from all over the world.
Paulina Ratti the Outreach International coordinator on the Galapagos is an
amazing person. She was always there at the end of the phone, or in person
whenever we needed her. She is organised, practical and helpful with a positive and
bubbly personality and I can't praise her enough.
My project on Galapagos was to be a Teaching Assistant at a local school called
Alejandro Alvear and Paulina also organised for Outreach International Volunteers
to work on a second teaching project during the afternoons.
My expectations of working within the school were very different to what I was
faced with. I'm not sure whether I went into it with a naïve idea of what it would
be like, but I don't think anything could have prepared me for what I experienced.
My initial thoughts and pre-conceptions of working within the school was that the
classes would be fairly small, the schools would be lacking in facilities and the
children would be 'children', but would be fairly well behaved! However, when I
got to my school, I was taken aback by the huge English Lab which resembled a
lecture theatre with all of the mod-cons including a projector for the children to
watch educational cartoons on, and the individual stations where the children had
access to their own head-sets and microphones!!! ( Some of the other schools were
much more basic and lacking resources).
On a hugely positive note, Paulina gave me and a fellow Outreach volunteer the
opportunity to prepare and take our own English lessons in a church hall during
the afternoons, 3 days a week. The classes were set up for those children in the
community whose parents felt that they would benefit from extra curricular English
classes outside of school.
I loved every moment of these classes and although the children often
misbehaved, we easily controlled them by diverting their attention to educational
games and songs, where they could turn their energy into something more positive.
The classes here were much smaller than in the school and we got to know each
individual child's personality and their sense of humour. The children appeared to
enjoy the extra attention that they were not getting during their classes at
school and this had a positive affect upon their ability to learn. When it was
time for us to leave, the older children in the class came over and gave us a huge
hug and a kiss, and some of them had even bought us both a present to say thank
you.
Overall my experience of the Galapagos was outstanding and I am so grateful for
the great memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
|
|
| |
|
|
-
Evaluation by Victoria Purnell
| |
|
|
| |
I have just got back to Quito from Galapagos. I had the time of my life out
there, I was absolutely devastated to leave. The family that I stayed with were the
nicest people that I have ever met, and I had some wonderful friends out there
too. I really enjoyed my projects. Teaching at Ingala was great - I had never
taught adults before and I really enjoyed it. I think it's is really important
that they have another volunteer there soon to carry on the classes because its
really easy to forget things in a foreign language if youre not practicing. I also
suggested to Paulina that the next volunteer works more at Ingala, teaching
different classes at different levels, because not all the workers there are at
the same standard of english. I also worked at one of the schools with 5 year olds,
which proved to be very challenging but rewarding as well. I know I was lucky
because my class teacher, Gina, was great - very clued up with her teaching, great
with the kids, and really lovely to me. i do know, however that that was not the
case with other teachers who had volunteers in their classes. For example, Eliza's
teacher, although she was a lovely lady, kept leaving Eliza alone with the
children for long periods of time, which is really bad because if something had
happened Eliza could have been held responsible. We did speak to Paulina about it
and she spoke to the teacher and it was all fine, but I think its really important
that the teachers know what is ok to do and whats not ok as regards having
volunteers in the classroom. However, like I said, my experience was great.
Paulina was also wonderful - really helpful and very organised!
I think that everyone going to Galapagos will want to see more of San Cristobal
than the beaches close to the town, and also some of the other islands as well,
because being in Galapagos for that length of time is a once in a lifetime
experince. A four day tour of the islands cost $400 (dollars), a days snorkelling
at Kicker Rock is $60, diving $100, and getting taxis over to Galapaguuerra or
Puerto Chino isnt cheap either if you are only going with a couple of people. Also
day to day things are more expensive too, because its Galapagos. I really didnt
mind spending the money, because I wanted to make the very most of my time there,
which I feel i did. It's not a problem, just make sure that future volunteers are
aware that they need a bit more spending money for trips and excursions!
I have had the most wonderful time being in Galapagos and doing my projects,
thank you for your work in sorting it out for me. Now I just have to start planning
when I can go back!
|
|
| |
|
|
-
Evaluation by Charlotte Kane
| |
|
|
| |
Arriving on the Galapagos Islands I was blown away by the barren land and
volcanic rock that surrounded me. It was not at all like the vision I had in my
head. Nevertheless, Hayley and I were met by Paulina, the co-ordinator for the
Galapagos, at the airport. After getting over my shock that they had taxi's on the
island, we drove up to my host family's house. It was amazing to see the sunshine
and bright blue sea, and also the way that the people live on the island of San
Cristobal. I met my host family, and I have to say after staying with them for
near enough 3 months I did not want to come back to my family in Scotland. They
were welcoming, friendly and thankfully for me the daughter spoke English pretty
much fluently. Throughout my whole stay they were helpful when my Spanish failed
me, and no thing was too big enough to do for me. I couldn't have been happier
with my family.
I was introduced to the head of my project the day I arrived. I found out I
would be teaching children from 5 years old to adults from 2.30pm to 7.30pm
Monday, Wednesday and Fridays, and that I would be starting the next day. I would
be teaching 5 classes in 5 hours: 5-6 year olds; 7-8 year olds; 9-10 year old;
11-12 year olds; and 13+ year olds. Thankfully there were still two volunteers
there so they could show me the ropes. I was told that as well as this I would be
starting another project as well but this would start after I had settled in at
Nueva Era Foundation Galapagos. William, the project co-ordinator, was always very
helpful to me providing me with some teaching materials and he was always there to
lend a hand with discipline. I have to say even though the children were so
friendly, and most of them were eager to learn English, discipline in the school
system is very poor and at first trying to deal with the children was a big
challenge. But after getting over this hill the children were a delight to teach,
with the odd exceptions.
In general, I have to say that being on the Galapagos was an amazing
experience. A 4 day boat tour around the island was $430 and the PADI Open Water
Diving Course was $300. Both the diving course and boat tour were amazing things
to do and greaat ways to see the Galapagos.
Overall, I have truly had a great experience volunteering on the Galapagos.
When teaching it is an amazing feeling when you feel like you have taught someone
something. The 2 week intensive Spanish course was invaluable to me in learning
Spanish but my grasp of the language was greatly improved by living and speaking
with a family everyday. I feel like I have learned so much from the experience and
I feel like it will really help me in the future.
|
|
| |
|
|
-
Evaluation by Hannah Gilbert
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Conservation Primary School
This centre is for primary aged children to go in the afternoon to learn about the Galapagos' environment and
the importance of conservation. The Centre is very pleased to have volunteers helping with various activities
that are put on for the children. It is very informal and is run voluntarily as an after school activity club
focusing on conservation and the fragile Galapagos environment.
Administrative Centre
This project is working in the administrative centre for San Cristóbal, employing approximately 35 people.
They particularly deal with planning, tourism, issuing relevant licences, visas - and work permits for Outreach
International volunteers! To work more efficiently they would like to learn conversational English. A large, well
equipped room has been put aside for this. The staff work all morning and they would like you to help them with
their English every afternoon for three hours. The hours would consequently fit in well with work at one of the
schools.
Police Training Centre
There is a police training centre on San Cristóbal for forty-five police officers and their families.
Crime is almost non-existent, but there are the tight controls on tourism, fishing, building and aspects
of living that you would expect in such a sensitive World Heritage Site. The police and their families
are very keen to learn English because so much of their work involves dealing with English speaking
tourists.
The centre is in a spacious building in Baquerizo. There is an airy classroom where lessons are based.
You would be asked to teach the policemen, the wives and their children. Lessons for the adults would
probably be based in the classroom but you would have complete freedom to teach outside. Lessons for the
children could be taught through different mediums such as sport or art. This project needs volunteers
every afternoon so your mornings would be spent in a school-based project.
Maths and Science College
This college provides training in Mathematics, Physics and Biology for approximately 300 teenagers aged
12 to 18. These main subjects are important but English is essential. All students study English for an hour
per day. As in most school in San Cristóbal there is a lack of good speaking English teachers. The college is
well equipped by Galapagos standards with a specialist language laboratory and modern computers. The project
would be ideal for anyone really wanting to help and get involved in community life.
|
|
| |
|
|
|