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Teaching Volunteer Project in the Philippines - Palawan

Teaching Volunteer Project in the Philippines - Palawan

Want to be a volunteer Teacher in the Philippines? International Volunteer HQ’s Teaching project enables volunteers to help in local schools. Volunteers will gain valuable teaching experience while giving lessons in English as well as other school subjects. Filipino children benefit greatly from communicating with fluent English speakers and having volunteers teaching in schools means students get regular exposure to English expertise that can rapidly accelerate their learning.

Highlights:
  • Programs start every Monday
  • Affordable fees from AU$609 for 1 week
  • Includes accommodation, meals, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
  • Teach English in local primary and secondary schools

  • Discover the incredible natural beauty of the Philippines

  • Stay with other volunteers near the beach in Tigman Village

Key information

Improve access to quality education
Based in schools on Palawan
Dormitory-style hostel accommodation
Volunteers aged 16+ and families
Fully hosted experience from AU$609 for 1 week
Durations from 1 - 24 weeks
Introduction Week orientation available
Up to 5 hours volunteering a day

This program is ideal for:

Volunteers who are fluent in English and interested in teaching and sharing their language skills with students. You’ll be working alongside the local team and teachers so no teaching experience is required.
Who is this program suited to?

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

In the Philippines, schools struggle with large class sizes, poor infrastructure and a lack of affordability which can make it difficult for students from low-income communities to access. Volunteers can support local teachers by helping lighten their workload so they are better able to provide quality education to their students.

As a volunteer Teacher you’ll be leading the class under the supervision of the local teacher, with lessons that follow the government curriculum. It’s expected you’ll spend time each day preparing your lessons, and the local staff are available to help you with this. You may teach lessons in:

  • English
  • Math
  • Science
  • Arts and crafts

During school holiday periods, you’ll help to conduct classes in the community, where you’ll be free to use your creativity in delivering lessons that are outside the usual curriculum.

School holiday dates:

  • 1st July 2024 to 16th September 2024

During holiday periods, the local team organize holiday classes which run at the same times and structure as normal classes. These holiday programs often have a bigger turnout than normal school lessons as children from further afield travel to participate in these lessons also as they are very well regarded by the locals. Volunteers can do different activities with the help of the coordinators and teach something different from the given school curriculum, for example, teach kids about sports, about your country, teach how to dance or sing, arts and crafts or painting.

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 volunteering in Palawan with IVHQ?

When you volunteer as a teacher in the Philippines you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:

  • Improving educational outcomes for students
  • Helping students develop life skills in a safe place
  • Developing your communication skills
  • Gaining teaching experience
  • Immersing yourself in Filipino culture
  • Exploring the beautiful island of Palawan

Volunteer requirements

  • Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program
  • Volunteers aged 16-18 are required to provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program, and may be asked to provide additional documentation to the local team
  • All volunteers aged 13+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 13-17, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead
  • All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
  • To respect the local culture and customs in Philippines, volunteers should be aware that they’re unable to have anything obstructing their face while at their volunteer placement.
  • 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.

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What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience

TE
Taylor Elder
23 Aug 2023

I gained a global network of lifelong friends! If someone was hesitant, I would say to just do it, people abroad are so nice and becoming friends with the locals was genuinely the best experience of my life.

...
JL
Jay Leshem
01 May 2023

My best moment from the volunteer experience was spending time with the volunteers, after school on the beach. The biggest impact my volunteering trip had was seeing the kids improvement, upon the fact examination day at the end. Just do it! You can’t regret it!

...
ID
Izzy Driscoll
14 Apr 2023

My highlight moment was how proud and pleased a student (in 6th grade) looked when I told her she would go far (she will). Too many to describe but all my interactions with the kids. When a student in Grade 3 got excited because he had learnt his times tables now and asked for more. When a student in Grade 3 actually looked comfortable and happy to see me and eager to learn something she could do rather than being shy and not talkative.

The biggest impact my volunteering trip had on me was learning patience and kindness with the kids. How the smallest things in life can make people so happy. How long a 7 year old child can make a jelly worm last in their mouth (far longer than I thought). It was super safe and well organised, and as the kids have permanent teachers who speak their own language it didn't feel exploitative or touristic in the same way as some other programs.

...
BL
Barb Leteta
03 Feb 2023

My best moments were helping the quiet girls at the back of the grade 5 class with their maths and surprisingly they were doing really well but rarely raised their hands. I found it so rewarding to give them positive support. No matter where we go and who we meet, all people really want is to have connection. I may have volunteered my time but I received so much more from building relationships with kiddos, staff, and other volunteers. They all have left an imprint on my heart and soul even though our paths only crossed for a short time. My advice is just go for it and you will enjoy it more than you think. IVHQ will provide you with safe and interesting projects where you will feel connected to the community.

...
TS
Taylor Santos
18 Oct 2022

I loved the family feel with all the local team coordinators as I felt safe, heard, and accommodated for. My favorite moment from the volunteer experience was interacting with the children and teachers. The biggest impact my volunteering trip had on me was the cultural immersion and reconnecting with authentic Filipino roots. Take that chance, you never know what you'll experience.

...
AP
Akash Paul
06 Oct 2022

The local team were beyond amazing! The biggest impact my volunteering trip had on me was everyday I was at peace because the children made me smile and showed me everything about life is something to be grateful for.

...

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 the Philippines with IVHQ

Location

Set in the western Pacific ocean, the Philippines is a collection of incredible islands that are home to nearly 110 million people known for their friendly smiles. With a multicultural population and a newly industrialized economy, cities in the Philippines have been making great strides towards reducing poverty. However, in the country’s more remote areas low-income communities still struggle to access basic necessities like healthcare and education. Volunteers are valued in these areas for the help they provide to local schools, community services and initiatives that aim to improve the quality of life for those outside the main centres.

IVHQ’s Philippines program is set in the Arborlan District on Palawan - an island often considered one of the most beautiful in the world. With turquoise waters lapping at the edges of white sandy beaches, breathtaking scenery, UNESCO World Heritage sites and world-class diving spots, it’s a coastal paradise to rival any place you could dream of. Volunteers will stay near the remote Tigman Village on the east coast of Palawan.

Arrival and orientation

The program orientation is held every Monday and volunteers need to arrive in Palawan on the day before orientation.

After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at the Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS) between 10am and 5pm. 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 volunteer accommodation in Tigman Village. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation. If you are travelling in the Philippines prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up in Puerto Princesa on the day before your program orientation.

There are two options for orientation in the Philippines, a One-Day Orientation and an Introduction Week.

The One-Day Orientation: This begins on your selected start date and all volunteers will attend. It covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in the Philippines, including an introduction to the IVHQ Philippines program, the local team, general rules and a class on the local culture and language. In the afternoon, you’ll learn about the projects, take a walking tour of the local area and arrange your SIM card. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socialising.

Introduction Week: The Introduction Week begins on your selected start date and your volunteer program will commence the following week. The Introduction Week is very popular among IVHQ volunteers. We recommend all volunteers take advantage of this week to gain a deeper understanding of the Filipino culture, a true appreciation of life in the Philippines and bond with fellow volunteers while also taking a cooking class, necklace or bracelet making, and touring local attractions. It’s also a great way to help settle the culture shock you can face when arriving in the Philippines. The Introduction Week has an additional cost of US$365 (approximately AU$585).

If you wish to participate in the Introduction Week, you can indicate your interest in this option on your application form when you apply for the program or you can let your Program Manager know once you’ve been accepted on the program.

Volunteer schedule example

Weekdays: After the initial orientation week, you will work for approximately 3 to 6 hours per day, depending on the project and your placement. A typical schedule is as follows:

8:00 AM Breakfast with fellow volunteers.
9:00 - 11:30 AM Volunteers work at their placements.
11:30 AM Volunteers break for lunch. If volunteers are unable to return to the volunteer accommodation, they will be given a packed lunch.
1:30 - 2:00 PM Work at the placement resumes (except Childcare volunteers, who use their afternoons to prepare for the following day)
3:30 - 4:00 PM Work ends and volunteers have free time to explore the local area.
5:00 - 6:00 PM Dinner with fellow volunteers.

Weekends: Volunteers have weekends free to relax and explore Palawan and the Philippines. In Tigman Village, the closest place to your accommodation, you can visit the colourful daily local markets and shop for fresh tropical fruits and vegetables, clothes and street food. You’ll also be able to step out the door of the volunteer accommodation and onto the beach for a swim.

As well as this, there’s a stunning number of things to do further afield in Palawan. This incredible island is known for its natural beauty, exotic and endangered wildlife and having a wide range of interesting things to see and explore. You could find yourself battling frothy rapids while white-water rafting, island-hopping to visit the picturesque spots at El Nido where major Hollywood movies were filmed, wandering the length of one of the world’s longest beaches, cruising down an underground river or relaxing poolside with a cool drink in hand.

Accommodation and WiFi

You’ll stay in dormitory-style accommodation in Tigman Village. Volunteers should expect to share a room with up to seven other volunteers of the same gender. The accommodation has air-conditioning in the bedrooms. Bedding is provided and includes a bottom sheet, thin blanket and a pillow.

There is a shared bathroom with western toilets and showers with cold running water (nice and refreshing in the hot weather!) A fridge is available to store your personal food items and there is an area for hand-washing laundry.

Couples, families or individuals who want more privacy have an option to upgrade to private room accommodation. Private rooms are subject to availability and therefore you must arrange this well in advance of your program.

There is WiFi available at the volunteer house for volunteers to use during their time on the program. However it is important to note that power outages are common so this can’t be relied upon. We therefore recommend bringing an unlocked mobile phone and purchasing a local SIM card with data when you arrive in the Philippines.

Meals

Volunteers are served breakfast, lunch and dinner on weekdays with just two meals provided on weekends. Breakfast consists of bread and spreads with tea or coffee, while lunch and dinner are local Filipino cuisine. Rice is a staple in the Philippines and most meals will include a portion of rice, accompanied by two or more dishes which will be a combination of vegetables, meat or seafood cooked in local spices and sauces.

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$608 Equivalent to AU$87/day
2 weeks AU$852 Equivalent to AU$61/day
3 weeks AU$1160 Equivalent to AU$55/day
4 weeks AU$1435 Equivalent to AU$51/day
5 weeks AU$1711 Equivalent to AU$49/day
6 weeks AU$1986 Equivalent to AU$47/day
8 weeks AU$2538 Equivalent to AU$45/day
10 weeks AU$3089 Equivalent to AU$44/day
12 weeks AU$3640 Equivalent to AU$43/day
16 weeks AU$4743 Equivalent to AU$42/day
20 weeks AU$5845 Equivalent to AU$42/day
24 weeks AU$6947 Equivalent to AU$41/day
  • Accommodation
  • Meals
  • 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
  • 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$528) 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 transport to and from your placement each day and return to the airport when your program finishes.
  • Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Philippines generally find US$100 per week to be sufficient for expenses.

Free-time experiences & tours in Philippines

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

Philippines Introduction Week
Philippines Introduction Week

Introduction Week for the Philippines

AU$585
Philippines Introduction Week
Philippines Introduction Week

Introduction Week for the Philippines

AU$585

Check what's required to visit the Philippines

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 Manila
Population 108 million
Languages Filipino, English
Currency Philippine Peso (PHP)
Time zone UTC+08:00

Weather and climate: The Philippines has a hot and humid climate all year round, with average temperatures between 25°C and 28°C (77°F to 83°F). The hottest months are April through to May, where the average temperature sits above 30°C (86°F). The dry season runs from January through to June. The wet season runs from July through to December.

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How to get started

Pick a destination + project and apply for free
Meet your personal volunteer travel expert
Pay the Registration Fee to secure your place and upgrade your MyIVHQ account
Get ready to volunteer abroad, we’ll support you every step of the way!