Volunteer

‘Volunteer and Village help in Cambodia Organisation’ is aimed at teaching the Thnal Dach village kids English. Hak has been operating his volunteer service for more than 5 years, and has had volunteers from Open Minds Project, Thailand, the Monash University Seed Project, Australia, and many other volunteers from all over the world.

How big is the school?

The local primary school is a short walk from Hak’s house. There are around 70 students that attend school each day, at different times. These students are aged between 6-13.

There are two indoor classrooms, each with a blackboard, and one smaller outdoor classroom.

Additionally, informal classes (such as afternoon and evening) can be taught at Hak’s house using the whiteboard in the office.

Current classes taught by the two local teachers are Khmer and Maths.

What do volunteers teach?

“…I was determined, this time to help the children in my village become educated in English, a language, important not only around the world, but in Cambodia.”

Students have a very basic level of English. Students can recognise letters out of the alphabet without it being sung, yet only a handful can read English words. The opportunities for volunteers are to teach sounds of letter and words, pronunciations, grammar, and forming sentences – repetition is key!

Volunteers in the past have worked on greetings, days of the week, months, telling time, animals, colours, naming body parts, and games that incorporate the spelling and meaning of words that are associated with a particular letter. Students enjoy practising these with new volunteers as well as playing educational games.

How often can I teach?

In the past, volunteers have taught two different age groups in the classroom, one age group at 11am for an hour and a second age group from noon for an hour. However, please be open to adapt to changes in class times and “Cambodia time”, where due to family commitments some students will often come late. 

There is plenty of opportunity to teach outside class, for example at Hak’s house. Students will stay with you and ask to play games and continue learning outside the classroom. Hak will be your translator whenever you need him to explain your teaching material. Teaching through a translator takes more time, but carries across your intentions appropriate to the students.

The school is closed on Sunday, however it can be used to teach at any time of the day. Classes still run on Saturday until the early afternoon.

What teaching resources do I need?

As a volunteer, it is appreciated if you are able assist Hak with the cost of teaching materials and Hak’s time as interpreter. This can be done by small donation or local purchases.

Stationery can be readily bought at nearby markets. It is inexpensive and contributes to the local economy. Such items are chalk, whiteboard markers, exercise books, pens, pencils, etc. Photocopying can be done at Dam Dek market, which is approximately 10km from Thnal Dach. Any printing and use of internet cafe’s can be done at Siem Reap, as there are no facilities nearby.

Feel free to bring textbooks, worksheets, and any electronic activities you may want to use on your computer if you choose to bring one.