English teacher volunteer resources โ Hello, future volunteers Teaching English!
Congratulations on your good choice to become an English teacher volunteer! You are in for a very rewarding and interesting experience.
I have volunteered as an English teacher 5 times, in Nicaragua and in Peru, and three times in Ethiopia. My experience is that the easiest way to make a popular contribution to a school is to bring songs, and here I would like to share the sound files and lyrics to some 20 songs, along with advice on how you can bring them and work with them at the school.
Preparation for your volunteer trip
When you have decided where you will be a volunteer, check out the resources available at your future school:
1. Schools with large screens in classrooms
If the school has access to large screens in the classrooms, all you need to bring is a couple of memory sticks with the sound files and a PDF file with the lyrics for display on a big screen.
2. Schools with limited resources
If the school has limited resources, you should also bring a couple of Bluetooth speakers with rechargeable batteries. Most teachers have some kind of smartphone these days, and that’s all it takes since Bluetooth technology doesnโt require WiFi or internet.
3. Additional tip: laminated Song lyrics
You (and the teachers after you leave) can of course write the lyrics on the board. However, if youโre willing to spend a bit more, you can buy a simple laminating machine. I made and brought about 30 copies each of two double-paged PDF documents with lyrics. The laminated copies are of high quality and made to last.
The teachers can continue using the laminated song lyrics in their classes for a long time. This was a very popular contribution at the last school where I volunteered.
The laminating machine I used only cost 30 USD.
Why use songs?
The songs I have collected are great for learning grammar and vocabulary or simply because they have a fun melody that makes them enjoyable to sing.
Resources for your volunteer work
Watch this video for suggestions on how to work with the songs.
If you are interested in accessing the sound files and PDF lyrics, please get in touch with the voluntouring team, who will be happy to assist you
Good luck with your teaching!
Best wishes,
รrjan Hansson
Stockholm, Sweden
