English Language Teaching Volunteer Program

Teach and practise English with local learners in the Unawatuna and Galle area through a weekday morning volunteer placement.

The program is available year-round for volunteers aged 17 and above. Regular hours are 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Monday to Friday. The fee is $180 per week and includes accommodation, breakfast, dinner and Wi-Fi.

What is the English Language Teaching Program?

This volunteer program places participants in local English learning activities around Unawatuna and Galle.

Volunteers can help plan lessons, support classes, lead English exercises and organise suitable extracurricular activities. Learners may be children or adults, depending on the placement.

The exact class, age group and English level depend on the placement available for your dates.

What can I teach?

English teaching can include:

• conversation practice
• vocabulary
• pronunciation
• reading
• basic grammar
• sentence building
• listening activities
• speaking exercises
• classroom games
• practical communication

Lessons should match the learners’ level. A beginner class needs different material from a group that already understands basic English.

Lesson planning

Volunteers can prepare their own lesson plans or build on work developed by previous volunteers.

A useful lesson has a clear goal and enough repetition for students to practise. Volunteers do not need to make every session elaborate. Conversation prompts, short reading passages, role-play and vocabulary exercises can work well when they match the class.

Do I need teaching experience?

The general volunteer role does not list a formal teaching qualification as a requirement. Ask the team about any placement-specific requirements.

Volunteers should still prepare properly, communicate clearly and follow guidance from the local placement. If you already have teaching experience, language training or classroom skills, include that information in your application.

Who will I teach?

The program provides English support for local communities and may involve children or adults.

Because learner groups can vary, the specific class should be confirmed with your placement rather than assumed before arrival.

Why English teaching?

Access and cost can be barriers to English learning for some local learners. This placement adds teaching time and language practice within participating community settings.

The role should stay practical. The aim is to support the learners in front of you rather than make broad promises about changing their future.

Accommodation and daily life in Galle

Volunteers stay at the Volunteer House at No. 24, Buonavista, Rumassala, Galle 80600. Each volunteer has a single air-conditioned room, and free Wi-Fi is available at the house.

The accommodation is around a five-minute tuk-tuk ride from Galle City. Breakfast and dinner are prepared daily. Meals are mainly Sri Lankan, with some Western dishes included in the weekly menu. Sri Lankan food can be spicier than some visitors are used to and may include seafood and meat. Vegetarian meals are available on request.

Western food and other dining options are easy to find in the Unawatuna area.

The daily routine at the Volunteer House starts with breakfast, with meditation included as part of the morning routine for volunteers who wish to take part.

Free time around Galle and Unawatuna

Regular volunteer hours finish in the morning, so afternoons are generally available for rest, local travel or personal plans. Weekends fall outside the usual Monday to Friday placement schedule.

Possible activities around the south coast include visiting Galle Fort, spending time at Unawatuna Beach, snorkelling or diving around Unawatuna, visiting Jungle Beach, travelling toward Mirissa, swimming at the Talpe Rock Pools, visiting Koggala Lake and exploring Kanneliya Rainforest.

Travel activities, entrance fees, tours and transport are separate unless they are specifically included in your confirmed arrangement.

Airport pickup

Airport pickup is provided for volunteers who commit to four weeks or more. If you plan a shorter stay, confirm your arrival transport before travelling so you know how you will get from the airport to Galle.

How to apply

1. Choose this volunteer program.
2. Select your preferred dates and planned length of stay.
3. Complete the volunteer application.
4. Wait for confirmation of your placement and stay arrangements.
5. Prepare for your trip to Sri Lanka.
6. Arrive in Galle and begin your placement.

Because placements depend on local arrangements, submit your preferred dates before making assumptions about availability for a particular week.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the English teaching volunteer program cost?

The fee is $180 per week.

Where is the program?

It operates around Unawatuna and Galle in southern Sri Lanka.

Who will I teach?

Learners may be local children or adults. The exact group depends on your confirmed placement.

Do I need a teaching qualification?

The general volunteer role does not list a formal teaching qualification as a requirement. Ask the team about any placement-specific requirements.

Can I prepare my own lessons?

Yes. Volunteers can create lesson plans or continue from material used by previous volunteers.

What are the hours?

The regular schedule is 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Monday to Friday.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. Volunteers receive a single air-conditioned room plus breakfast, dinner and Wi-Fi.

Is airport pickup included?

Airport pickup is included for stays of four weeks or more.

Apply for the English Language Teaching Program

Send your preferred dates, intended length of stay and any relevant teaching or language experience. The team can then confirm the current class and placement arrangements.