Project Words

This highly structured volunteer project runs in various schools in Cape Town. The volunteer gives intensive assistance to various disadvantaged young pupils learning the English language. This is partly realised by providing one-on-one teaching and participating in different reading programmes. For these pupils, English is their second or third language, so special teaching or English language qualifications are not required for volunteering, but volunteers must have a fairly good pronunciation of the English language.

Project information

• At 5 primary schools in Cape Town;
• Mainly Xhosa learners;
• Intensive supervision in English language, one on one teaching to several young underprivileged pupils. Intensive supervision is very useful to these pupils as these learners attend overcrowded classes which leave little room for personal attention;
• Besides intensive supervision, the volunteer can assist in various activities in the educational project such as the library, the ‘Bookclub’ and the 'Swap shop';
• Intensive supervision of pupils by a structured schedule is based on 4 different methods. The volunteer is introduced in these methods beforehand;
• The volunteer is expected to point out any possible teaching problems of it’s learners;
• The project has been successful for a few years and the results of this project are hopeful. South-African and foreign volunteers are active in this project;
• Working hours are Monday to Thursday 08.45 hours to approximately 14.00 hours. At Friday the administration is done and the volunteer is free to lend a hand as he or she wishes;
• To these young learners English is their 2nd or 3rd language. Therefore there is no requirement for the volunteer to have a degree in either English or teaching. The volunteer must speak good English with not much of an accent;
• Voluntary work in this project requires a minimum of 6 weeks commitment.