Roles available:
Language Coach
Language volunteers in Poland will be based at a variety of schools from pre-school to high school level. They will officially adopt the position of Language Coach, but will often be in the position of planning and taking charge of lessons. You will work alongside permanent teachers and help with a range of activities, from English (or Spanish) teaching to accompanying children on school trips. There are many activities to get involved with and volunteer support is much needed and appreciated. It is a great opportunity to work with young people on a gap year!
Placement details
As a fluent English or Spanish speaker, you will primarily be responsible for coaching English or Spanish learners up to 18-20 hours per week. You will also get involved in all sorts of other activities involving music, art, poetry, DIY, theatre, outdoor activities, sports and homework guidance. Overall you are likely to work 3-5 hours per day, 4-5 days per week. There will also be the opportunity to work with disadvantaged children, particularly at convent schools.
Similarly, if you decide that you would like to work with children with mental or physical disabilities, you would help members of staff by bringing your enthusiasm to both academic and recreational activities. As well as using your native language skills to improve the conversational abilities of students, hosts are very keen for you to bring your interests and experience to extra-curricular activities. Whatever your hobby, be it basketball or knitting, setting up an after-school club or lunchtime activity group is a great way of engaging with students and helping their learning experience!
Accommodation, food and allowance
Bed and board for the duration of your placement are provided by hosts, usually with a host family. In some placements, you will be lodged within the school and will have your own separate room with a bathroom and access to a shared kitchen. All placements provide a monthly allowance (currently around 300 PLN) for additional food and living expenses.
Free time & travel
Voluntary work in Poland offers the chance to explore the untapped gems within its borders and is well positioned to explore destinations across Western and Eastern Europe, bordering six countries. Whether you love the outdoors, are a culture vulture or foodie, you will definitely find your niche in Poland. Music lovers may prefer to be placed near Warsaw where the lively night life and live music culture will keep your diary full for weeks. With regards to history, while a lot of the capital’s historical heritage did not survive the great wars of the twentieth century, venture down south to the likes of Krakow and prepare to be amazed by this living time capsule of a city.