Projects Abroad in Cambodia

Teaching in Cambodia

Due to a turbulent past and years of devastation much of Cambodia's population haven't had the opportunity to receive a formal education. However, now that peace has been restored schools have been re-opened. Furthermore, education for girls, as well as boys, is now being encouraged. Yet, there are still many problems in the school system. Cambodia is developing at an astounding rate, but it takes time and experience; you can't create a successful educational infrastructure overnight. A national curriculum was introduced in 2005, but a lack of text books, few teachers, low salaries and overcrowding there are many improvements still needing to be made.

With such poor conditions in schools, many bright children are unable to thrive as they should, as they simply don't get the attention they need, especially with external factors such as poverty and illness meaning that many children are unable to attend school full time.

Teaching English with Projects Abroad in Cambodia, you'll be given the chance to help these children overcome the restrictions imposed on them by the poverty of their beautiful nation, and the infancy of its education system. You'll teach free tuition classes in orphanages and in small community schools, to provide these children with the specialised attention they need to get their education off the ground, and to supplement the few hours of public schooling they receive. Your classes will normally be taught within a formal system with a timetable and small class sizes (10-20) enabling you to give plenty of personal attention to each student. Due to the shortage of teachers, you'll normally teach alone without a Khmer teaching assistant, but there are plenty of other staff around to help or translate if needed.

The ability to speak English will help pupils to improve their future career prospects. You will help the younger children grasp the basics whilst helping the older students advance in their studies. The time and effort you put in will ensure that they gain confidence in their ability. All our placements are based in and around the bustling capital city, Phnom Penh, where you will teach pupils ranging in age from 7-16.

There are also opportunities for volunteers to get involved with teaching other subjects, especially music and dance, since a number of orphanages and schools support themselves by putting on traditional dance shows.