Volunteering in Nepal - Teaching English in Monastery

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Teaching English to Buddhist Monks program is designed for people who are interested in religious culture, to teach English in one monastery for a period of two weeks or more. Volunteer Society Nepal can provide longer stays upon request. Volunteers will teach English to the monks, both young and old, for around two to three hours per day. In turn, the monks will share their knowledge and culture with the volunteers. Meditation practice, as well as field trips to Hindu and Buddhist holy sites, will be included in the program.

For the first one week, the volunteer will take intensive language classes, as well as teacher training, every day at the VSN Office, in Kathmandu. The monks will be able to speak both languages so it is really a matter of the volunteer’s preference; however, most people find Nepali easier to learn. the volunteers will visit holy sites around the Kathmandu Valley. After one week, they will be placed in a host family near to the monastery depending on the availability of place stay in the monastery, where they will stay for a total of six weeks or more. This program combines religious research, through an experiential approach, with volunteer English teaching. Due to the fact that the monks spend their lives inside the monastery, this program provides them with the amazing opportunity to learn English, as well as experience another culture, from an international volunteer.

As a volunteer in Nepal teaching English to Buddhist monks in a monastery, you will primarily work as English instructors to the monks. You’ll teach English to monks for 2-4 hours a day. You are encouraged to hold discussions and debates as this will greatly increase the ability to grasp and speak English. Daily activities may include:

• Teaching English (teaching English to Buddhist monks in a monastery) grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation
• Planning lessons and curriculum development
• Leading classes to teach basic conversational English
• Organizing extracurricular activities such as dancing, games, music, sports, art, etc.
• Helping monks with their homework
• Assisting monastery administrations
• Fundraising for the monastery
• Helping around the monastery

Note: in addition to teaching, you’ll also be allowed to sit, observe and learn about the rituals, prayer ceremonies and meditations inside the monastery and learn about Buddhism from the monks.