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Teaching English Volunteer Program in Peru - Cusco

Teaching English Volunteer Program in Peru - Cusco

Want to Teach English in Peru - Cusco? International Volunteer HQ’s Teaching English project empowers volunteers to assist in local schools and community centers, gain teaching experience, and pass on invaluable English language skills to local children and adults. In turn, this gives local students the opportunity to secure jobs in the booming tourism and hospitality sector, pursue higher education and support themselves financially.

Highlights:
  • Programs start every Monday
  • Affordable fees from AU$607 for 1 week
  • Includes accommodation, breakfast and dinner, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
  • Help locals learn English so they can secure tourism jobs

  • Discover Peru’s stunning mountains and ancient ruins

  • Experience daily life in Cusco by staying with a family

Key information

Improves access to quality education
Based in schools and community organisations
Local homestay accommodation
Volunteers aged 16+ and families
Fully hosted experience from AU$607 for 1 week
Durations from 1 - 24 weeks
Add on a tour of Machu Picchu
Up to 5 hours volunteering a day

This program is ideal for:

Suited to volunteers who enjoy working with children, are passionate about education or aspiring teachers. No previous experience is required as you’ll be working alongside qualified teachers. An intermediate level of Spanish language is recommended, but not required.
Who is this program suited to?

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

As the closest city to Machu Picchu, Cusco’s employment opportunities for local people are predominantly in the tourism and hospitality industries and require a high level of English language experience. Therefore, local people are enthusiastic about learning English and the chance to practice the language with a native speaker is extremely valuable.

As a volunteer teacher in Cusco, you’ll assist qualified English teachers and help with English lessons in local schools, after-school programs, drug rehabilitation centers and community centers. You’ll help students to develop their spoken and written language skills in a fun and interactive way. Day-to-day teaching volunteer work varies, but generally consists of:

  • Tutoring students
  • Setting up small workshops
  • Assisting local teachers
  • Arranging educational games and activities

Please note, the Teaching English project has morning, afternoon, and evening placements. While we can note your preference for the local team to consider, ultimately placement selection will depend on where the need is at the time you are participating. You may also be assigned to a variety of placements throughout the week.

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #4: Quality Education

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #4: Quality Education

More than half of all children and teens do not meet minimum proficiency standards in reading and mathematics. Quality education provides an opportunity to learn and grow in a safe environment and is key to preventing poverty, securing long-term employment and improving quality of life.

Why do Teaching English volunteering in Cusco with IVHQ?

By Teaching English in Peru - Cusco, you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally:

  • Improve access to education in Peru - Cusco
  • Help students develop the skills they need to find long-term employment
  • Practice your Spanish
  • Develop your communication skills
  • Gain teaching abroad experience
  • Immerse yourself fully in the Peruvian culture
  • Explore the stunning mountains and ancient ruins of Peru

Volunteer requirements

  • Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program
  • Volunteers aged 16 or 17 on their program start date are required to provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program, and may be asked to provide additional document to the local team.
  • All volunteers aged 18+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 16 and 17 will need to provide 2 character reference letters to participate
  • All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
  • All volunteers must speak fluent English.
Are you eligible to volunteer?

Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.

Apply For Free

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What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience

MD
Maria Durand
13 Dec 2023

I loved my program - it was a wonderful experience and I definitely want to do another volunteer trip with IVHQ again soon. IVHQ made everything clear, and everyone was so nice to work with. I believe I touched many hearts and succeeded on my volunteering objective through my project work.

...
IT
Isaac Tng
08 Dec 2023

This has been a great and fun experience to enrich my travel experience.

...
MH
Melissa Hardy
10 Oct 2023

Even though I was there for a short period, I felt like my experience had a huge impact on the community. I feel that I really gained a new perspective on service from this experience. I learned that the purpose of volunteering is to help people who need your help, even if you need to do things you weren’t expecting. My advice to someone hesitant about joining would be to ask them “why would want to volunteer?”. If someone really wants to help a community that needs help and is unsure if volunteering is the way to go, I would highly encourage it.

...
MZ
Michaela Zajacová
09 Oct 2023

I came to Peru to travel, to get some cultural insight, to help people in need and to enrich my personal network. And it gave me much more. I fell in love with Cusco, with local people, food, and traditions. I had many hustles to get there, and it did not impact my overall experience at all. For which I am giving a credit to IVHQ and the local team, also for giving me this opportunity and supporting me from the beginning of the trip to the very end of it.

...
DR
Danni Riggs
12 Apr 2022

I had a fantastic overall experience in Cusco, Peru. This program definitely helped me grow as an independent individual due to the nature of the volunteer work, and I gained a lot from facing the challenges presented to me during my time on the project site. Getting outside of the city for the volunteer work added significantly to the depth of cultural immersion and fullness of this project. Overall, I think that the volunteer site was meaningfully placed in the community and did a good job of working with local individuals to establish long-term goals and provide focused support.

...
CP
Christina Patricio
23 Nov 2021

I recommend anybody that is hesitant about volunteering - just do it! It will be one of the best and most fulfilling experiences in your life!! Mine was! I was able to volunteer with my sister and daughter, this was truly an unforgettable and memorable experience for all of us!! I had a fantastic time volunteering in Peru! One of my best experiences!!

...

To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.

Academic course credit through International Volunteer HQ and Intern Abroad HQ.

Academic course credit

Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!

Learn about course credit
Volunteer Abroad in Peru, Cusco with IVHQ

Location

Cusco is one of the oldest cities in South America and situated in the stunning Peruvian Andes. The city is close to famous Inca trails, ruins and temples, such as Machu Picchu. It’s a hive of culture, adventure and culinary delights - all of which makes it a prime destination for visitors to Peru.

The IVHQ Peru - Cusco volunteer program has volunteer placements located in Cusco and surrounding valleys. Volunteers are important to Cusco because despite the thriving tourism industry and government investment in the region, many local people make little money and struggle to access food, water, shelter, healthcare and education. Volunteers can make a difference by supporting local initiatives that aim to help people improve their quality of life by making sure they have the basic necessities and opportunities to help them improve their futures.

Arrival and orientation

The program orientation begins every Monday and volunteers need to arrive in Cusco on the Sunday before orientation. Orientation will be held within 24 hours of your arrival.

After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at the Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) in Cusco. Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee. We recommend that volunteers under the age of 18 travel internationally with a notarized letter from their parents to support their documentation.

When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the local team’s main office and then to your homestay. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation. If you are travelling in Peru prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up in Cusco on the day before your program orientation.

Orientation is hosted by our local team at their offices in Cusco. Orientation begins on Monday morning and covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Cusco – introduction to Peru, Peruvian customs, language lesson details, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities in Cusco, introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socialising.

Volunteer schedule example

First Day

On your first day of volunteering, typically Tuesday, you will be escorted to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with.

Weekdays

Volunteers will have a morning, afternoon or evening shift which will last about 3 to 5 hours. Volunteer roles and hours are dependent on your project and placement. A typical morning schedule might be as follows:

8:00 AM Breakfast with your host family.
9:00 AM Leave the homestay and travel to your placement, where you will be given a structure sheet and a plan for your work.
12:00 PM Lunch at a local restaurant.
1:00 - 6:00 PM Work at the placement usually ends. You are free to travel back to your accommodation, go sightseeing or take Spanish lessons.
7:00 PM Dinner with your host family.

Weekends

On weekends volunteers have spare time to relax or take the opportunity to explore other parts of Cusco and Peru. Sunday is a religious day of rest and most stores and restaurants are closed on Sundays, as most Peruvians devote the day to spending time with their families. If you like, you can accompany your host family to their local church, as a Latin American church service is a unique and special experience for many volunteers.

Cusco is a lively metropolitan city with a fascinating history and lots to see and do. There are places where you can learn about the Mayan and Incan culture and traditions, see ancient ruins, a beautiful central square bordered by restaurants and cafes, cooking classes, a chocolate museum offering all kinds of tasty delights or dance the night away in some of Peru’s best nightclubs. It is also an outdoor-lovers paradise with plenty of horseback riding, ziplining and hiking opportunities, including Rainbow Mountain.

Long weekends can be taken to travel further afield to visit other parts of Peru, such as Lima.

Accommodation and WiFi

Volunteers on Cusco based projects will be accommodated in either a dorm-style volunteer house or a homestay with a local host family.

You will find living conditions are comfortable in both types of accommodation, and all homestay families have been approved by our local staff. Bedrooms have single and bunk beds with bedding provided. You will share a room with up to four other volunteers of the same gender.

The volunteer house can accommodate up to 30 volunteers, whereas the homestays can host up to 6 volunteers at one time. If you prefer a private room, these are available in our homestays and you will need to arrange this through your Program Manager once you’ve secured your spot on the program. Private room upgrades cost AU$101 per person, per week.

You can expect the homestays to have electricity, drinkable running water and western bathrooms. Low pressure showers are common and the water is not always heated.

Please note, homes in Peru are not typically heated but your hosts can provide you with additional blankets upon request. We also advise wearing layered clothing as the temperature tends to drop at night, due to the altitude.

WiFi is available in the majority of homestays and you will have access to computers and WiFi at the local team’s office in Cusco.

Please note, volunteers under the age of 18 who are travelling solo will be accommodated separately from those over the age of 18, in a homestay. If there are other volunteers under the age of 18 participating at the same time, the local team will do their best to ensure they are accommodated together.

Meals

In Cusco, volunteers are provided breakfast and dinner at their accommodation.

A typical Peruvian breakfast consists of bread, spreads, fruit and eggs accompanied by tea or coffee. Dinner commonly consists of meat (often chicken), soups, pastas, starches and vegetables. We recommend budgeting between US$3 (approximately AU$4) and US$10 (approximately AU$16) per day to purchase lunch. Local staff will give recommendations on economical places to eat in Cusco.

Please let us know of any dietary requirements you have so we can make special arrangements for you.

Pricing

  • USD
Duration
Program Fee
Due 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
  • USD
1 week AU$607 Equivalent to AU$87/day
2 weeks AU$1034 Equivalent to AU$74/day
3 weeks AU$1349 Equivalent to AU$64/day
4 weeks AU$1638 Equivalent to AU$59/day
5 weeks AU$1958 Equivalent to AU$56/day
6 weeks AU$2278 Equivalent to AU$54/day
8 weeks AU$2919 Equivalent to AU$52/day
10 weeks AU$3559 Equivalent to AU$51/day
12 weeks AU$4199 Equivalent to AU$50/day
16 weeks AU$5480 Equivalent to AU$49/day
20 weeks AU$6760 Equivalent to AU$48/day
24 weeks AU$8041 Equivalent to AU$48/day
  • Accommodation
  • Breakfast and dinner
  • 24/7 in-country support
  • In-country program orientation
  • Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
  • Airport pick-up
  • Personalised preparation tools, guides and check lists
  • Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
  • Discounts on language lessons
  • Discounts on travel and tour add-ons
  • Certificate of International Volunteer Service

Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.

  • All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately AU$540) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services. IVHQ fees are priced in USD but you may elect to pay in AUD.
  • A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
  • Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check, public transportation to and from your placement each day and return to the airport when your program finishes.
  • Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Cusco generally find US$100 per week to be sufficient for expenses, such as lunches (except for Amazon Jungle Conservation, Andean Immersion, and Eco-Agriculture Conservation volunteers), in-country tours, and Spanish language lessons.

Free-time experiences & tours in Peru

Take your volunteer experience to the next level with IVHQ's affordable activity and tour add-ons in Peru! Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Peru program.

Lake Titicaca Tour (2 nights/1 day)
Lake Titicaca Tour (2 nights/1 day)

Prepare to be in awe of this unique landscape and surroundings on this overnight tour!

AU$229
Machu Picchu Overnight Tour  - Upgrade (2 days, 1 night)
Machu Picchu Overnight Tour - Upgrade (2 days, 1 night)

Explore Machu Picchu on an exhilarating 2-day & 1-night tour.

AU$804
Machu Picchu Tour (Full Day)
Machu Picchu Tour (Full Day)

Experience the awe-inspiring wonders of Machu Picchu in just one day without stretching your budget!

AU$614
Lake Titicaca Tour (2 nights/1 day)
Lake Titicaca Tour (2 nights/1 day)

Prepare to be in awe of this unique landscape and surroundings on this overnight tour!

AU$229
Machu Picchu Overnight Tour  - Upgrade (2 days, 1 night)
Machu Picchu Overnight Tour - Upgrade (2 days, 1 night)

Explore Machu Picchu on an exhilarating 2-day & 1-night tour.

AU$804
Machu Picchu Tour (Full Day)
Machu Picchu Tour (Full Day)

Experience the awe-inspiring wonders of Machu Picchu in just one day without stretching your budget!

AU$614

No experiences or tours for Lima, yet...

Affordable Spanish language lessons

Fluency in Spanish is not a prerequisite for the IVHQ Peru - Cusco program, however on certain projects volunteer work will be restricted with limited language ability. We recommend that volunteers take advantage of the very affordable language lessons offered exclusively to IVHQ volunteers by our local team in Cusco. Past volunteers feel that taking these lessons help immensely with day-to-day volunteer work and communicating with local people. The language lessons are tailored to each volunteer’s current level of Spanish and classes run from Monday through to Friday. The cost is very affordable and offered exclusively to IVHQ volunteers.

  • Group Class: 2 hours a day - starting at AU$146 per week
  • Private Class: 1 hour a day - starting at AU$155 per week
  • Private Class: 2 hours a day - starting at AU$311 per week

How to book IVHQ’s language lessons: Once you’ve paid your registration fee, you will be able to select language lessons as an “Add-on” via your MyIVHQ profile.

Spanish language lessons are not available on the Andean Immersion, Eco-Agriculture or Amazon Jungle Conservation projects due to their remote nature. However volunteers will have plenty of opportunity to practice with locals.

Check what's required to visit Peru

Safety and support with IVHQ

Safety and support

IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.

  • All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
  • All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
  • All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
  • All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Learn more about IVHQ's safety

Essential country information

Capital Lima
Population 32 million
Languages Spanish
Currency Peruvian Nuevo Sol (PEN)
Time zone UTC-05:00

Weather and climate: Peru, unlike other equatorial countries, does not have an exclusively tropical climate; the influence of the Andes and the Humboldt Current causes great climatic diversity within the country. In the mountains, rain is frequent during summer and temperatures and humidity diminish with altitude up to the frozen peaks of the Andes. The jungle has heavy rainfal​l​ and high temperatures, with the exception of its southernmost part, which has cold winters and seasonal rainfall.

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How to get started

Pick a destination + project and apply for free
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Pay the Registration Fee to secure your place and upgrade your MyIVHQ account
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