The Program Guide is very thorough. It was easy to return to sections to double check details. I definitely gained an awareness of the reality for teachers in a third world country. They worked extremely hard with so few resources. I discovered that the Cambodian people with whom I worked with are so very resilient and well intentioned. Their circumstances are so very different from our first world circumstances they have no frame of reference, but were very eager to learn. I benefited tremendously from the experience, more than I anticipated. While I was there to help, which I believe I did, I received much in return.
Teaching English Volunteering in Cambodia - Battambang
Want to Teach English in Asia? Battambang, Cambodia is an awesome place to volunteer as a teacher! International Volunteer HQ’s Teaching English project is based in local schools and after school programs in the Battambang region. This is an excellent opportunity to gain experience as a teacher, share your English language skills and add something meaningful to your resume! Learning English gives local children and teens the opportunity to continue with further education and start a career in Cambodia’s rapidly expanding tourism and hospitality industries.
Highlights:
- Programs start every first and third Monday of the month
- Affordable fees from $430 for 2 weeks
- Includes accommodation, meals, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
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Help local children improve their English language skills
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Explore Cambodia’s history and temples
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Stay with other volunteers in beautiful Battambang
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
Key information
This program is ideal for:
Creative, self-motivated volunteers who are native or fluent speakers of English and want to help children learn the language. No teaching experience is needed, but completing some relevant training, like a TEFL certificate, is encouraged.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
The general level of education in Cambodia is considerably lower than other countries, leading to a high level of poverty and unemployment, and many families not being able to afford an education. For Cambodians, being able to speak English is a highly valued skill which helps widen their range of employment options in the thriving tourism industry.
As an IVHQ Teaching English volunteer in Battambang, you’ll be teaching young people aged between 5 and 18 years old, at a school compound in the Battambang Province.
Volunteers will teach English in the morning and afternoon. In the evening, volunteers will teach English to local children in extra community classes in the school compound for those children looking to further improve their language skills. You will be working alongside the local volunteer teachers.
During the placement orientation, volunteers are provided with a curriculum that the local volunteer teachers and IVHQ volunteers follow.
Want to teach English somewhere else in Cambodia? Check out our alternative Teaching English volunteer program in Siem Reap, the province that’s home to the famous temples of Angkor Wat.
COVID-19 requirements for Cambodia: There is a requirement for all volunteers on the Cambodia program to be fully COVID-19 vaccinated (including booster), at least 14 days before flying to Cambodia. These measures are in place until further notice so please do keep this in mind for your planning.
Why do Teaching English volunteering in Battambang with IVHQ?
As a Teaching English volunteer in Battambang you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Helping improve access to education in Battambang
- Giving students the chance to speak with a fluent English speaker
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining teaching experience abroad
- Immersing yourself fully in the Khmer culture
- Learning about Cambodia’s history
Volunteer requirements
- Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program
- 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
- 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 FreeNot sure which program to join?
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Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
Cambodia photo gallery
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Teaching English project
IVHQ Teaching English project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Special Needs Care project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Teaching English project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Teaching project in Battambang
IVHQ volunteers going to their volunteer project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Teaching project in Battambang
IVHQ Special Needs Care project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Teaching English project
IVHQ Teaching English project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ volunteers biking to their volunteer project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Teaching English project
IVHQ volunteer orientation
Exploring Angkor Wat temples
Exploring the markets during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Phnom Penh during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Angkor Wat temples
Exploring Phnom Penh during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Siem Reap during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring the markets during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Phnom Penh during an IVHQ weekend
ploring Angkor Wat temples
Exploring the markets during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Phnom Penh during an IVHQ weekend
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
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Barbara Leslie
13 Mar 2024
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Susan Perrie
06 Dec 2023
It was a positive experience and I will fondly remember the people I met. In the short space of time I was there I was welcomed into the community and became quite attached.
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Giulio Tortorici
11 Oct 2023
The resources given to prepare for the volunteer experience from IVHQ were specific and precise, and helped me to get ready for the program.
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Tanja O'Regan
22 Aug 2023
The program was great - I highly recommend it. The application is easy to follow and includes all steps needed from vaccinations to visas which makes it quick. We felt well prepared and welcomed in the guesthouse and school. It was great to have a day of introduction, learning some basic language skills and meeting other volunteers. It was also great to do it with my 16 year old daughter. I could see her grow day by day, having to write teaching plans and teaching in front of a class. It's a fantastic way of getting to know the culture and see how different lifestyles can be.
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LO
Lily O’regan
09 Aug 2023
The website is super well set up so following the steps for preparing for the trip was super easy and straight forward. I think I have gained personal skills, thanks to my placement, that I would otherwise never have, as well as a greater understanding of foreign cultures. The greatest element of my experience is how connected to the local community I felt and that is why I would recommend volunteering over a vacation to anyone.
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SK
Sunmyung Kim
11 Apr 2023
Despite applying to an IVHQ program, IVHQ constantly kept in touch with me to guide me through the preparation process and made me feel quite well-prepared for the trip!
This experience helped me grow as a person (I feel more confident about stepping out of my comfort zone), as well as grow in my career (I was reminded once again of why I decided to become a teacher, and the experiences & challenges I faced during placement contributed to my career development as a teacher!).
The science topic I taught my grade 1 class was 'plants'. We had an outdoor lesson where the students roamed around the school yard to find the different parts of plants (leaves, stem, roots, flowers, etc.). Seeing the students so engaged in their learning during this lesson was my favourite moment! The students all brought me different parts of plants to show me what they found with huge smiles on their faces :)
Getting to work with teachers at the school I was placed in had the greatest impact on me. The passion and care the teachers had for their students, despite the lack of resources and facilities at school, really inspired me. This program motivated me to become a better teacher myself, and I am so excited to bring this passion into my own classrooms and with every student I will encounter in my career!
This volunteer experience is so worth it! It can definitely feel scary and overwhelming, but the people you will meet during your volunteering trip will support you and guide you whenever you need. It is an amazing opportunity to be able to experience different cultures and explore another part of the world! It helped me grow a lot as an individual, as well as in my career development.
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To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
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
Recommended online TEFL course
We encourage volunteers on IVHQ’s Teaching and Childcare projects to come prepared by completing some relevant training, such as a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) course. Although formal teaching qualifications are not required on these projects as volunteers are supported by local staff, taking a TEFL course enables you to gain more from the experience. Visit our Online TEFL Course page to learn how to gain an internationally recognized TEFL certification at a discounted rate.
Get TEFL certified online
Location
In the heart of Southeast Asia, Cambodia is a country full of beauty and tragedy. As well as an abundance of beautiful beaches and temples there are many reminders of the history of genocide and civil war that left Cambodia one of the least developed countries in the world. In Phnom Penh there are numerous places where you can learn about what happened, including the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum or Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre. It is important to be informed about these poignant events in order to gain a better understanding and deeper respect for the Cambodian people and their culture.
As an IVHQ volunteer in Cambodia you could be based at placements in the capital city of Phnom Penh, the remote city of Battambang, or by the impressive temples of Siem Reap.
Arrival and orientation
The program orientation begins on the first and third Monday of the month and volunteers need to arrive in Siem Reap on the Sunday before orientation. There are two airport pick-ups times available: one at 10:00am and the other at 4:00pm. Arriving later than the Sunday before your start date is not allowed, as volunteers need to be ready for orientation early on Monday morning.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at the Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI). Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee when utilizing the 10:00am and 4:00pm pick-ups.
When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and taken to the volunteer accommodation in Siem Reap. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the Sunday night before your program orientation.
If you are traveling in Cambodia prior to your volunteer program, the local team can pick you up on Sunday from any hostel or hotel in Siem Reap.
Orientation is hosted by our Cambodia team at the volunteer house in Siem Reap. Orientation begins on the morning of your chosen start date and covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Cambodia – an introduction to Cambodia, its culture and customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities and an 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 socializing.
Although you are expected to fly into Siem Reap, as this is where the program orientation is held, your placement may be based elsewhere; either Siem Reap, Phnom Penh or Battambang. After your time on the program ends, you can either fly out of Siem Reap or Phnom Penh, although please note that your transportation back to the relevant airport is at your own expense.
Volunteer schedule example
First Day
On your first day of volunteering, you will be escorted to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with.
Weekdays - A typical volunteer day might be:
| 7:00 AM | Breakfast in the volunteer house or with your host family |
| 9:00 AM | Volunteer leaves home and travels to the project to begin work |
| 12:00 - 2:00 PM | Lunch break. In Cambodia all workplaces have a lunch break for about 2 hours. Some start earlier, some later. During this lunch break you are welcome to stay at your placement. Some placements will offer you food. |
| 2:00 - 5:00 PM | Work at the project usually ends. You are free to travel home, sightsee or do some shopping. |
| 7:00 PM | Dinner in the volunteer house or with the host family. |
Weekends
Cambodia is packed with a vast range of things to do and see in your free time. In the modern capital city of Phnom Penh you can visit the king’s official residence, The Royal Palace, and the famous Silver Pagoda, check out the huge art-deco market, cruise along the Mekong or learn about Cambodia’s devastating history at one of the many museums.
The tourist hub of Siem Reap is home to Angkor Wat, a collection of temples that together form the largest religious monument in the world. There are many hotels, resorts, markets and museums, and nearby is a lake with floating villages, a national park featuring waterfalls, rivers and Cambodia’s largest reclining Buddha.
During the long public holidays in April, September and November, you may also wish to travel further afield to Laos, Vietnam or Thailand.
Accommodation and WiFi
The accommodation in Battambang is a community guesthouse which is located in the heart of Battambang. Volunteers can expect to share a room with up to two other volunteers of the same gender. Electricity, running water, a western bathroom can be expected. There is no WiFi in the rooms; however, WiFi will be available in the dining area.
Meals
Volunteers in Cambodia are provided with three meals a day which are served in the volunteer house. Breakfast generally consists of seasonal fruit and bread with a variety of spreads such as; peanut butter and jam.
Lunch and dinner is usually rice or noodles with fried vegetables and meat. These meals include a wide range of dishes consisting of rice, vegetables and meat with sweet, salty, bitter and sour flavors. Volunteers on the Animal Care project should expect a packed vegan lunch.
If you have any special dietary requirements, please let the team know when you apply for the program so arrangements can be made.
IVHQ local team prepare volunteer meal
Typical volunteer lunch
Typical volunteer lunch
Typical volunteer lunch
Typical volunteer dinner
Typical volunteer dinner
Typical volunteer dinner
Typical volunteer breakfast
Typical volunteer breakfast
Typical volunteer breakfast
Phnom Penh volunteer kitchen
Phnom Penh typical volunteer bedroom
Phnom Penh typical volunteer bedroom
Phnom Penh typical volunteer bedroom
Phnom Penh typical volunteer bedroom
Phnom Penh typical volunteer bedroom
Phnom Penh typical volunteer bedroom
Siem Reap volunteer accommodation
Siem Reap typical volunteer bedroom
Siem Reap typical volunteer bedroom
Siem Reap typical bedroom upgrade
Siem Reap typical bedroom upgrade
Siem Reap volunteer kitchen
Siem Reap typical volunteer bathroom
Battambang volunteer accommodation
Battambang typical volunteer bedroom
Volunteers eating a meal in Battambang
Pricing
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 2 weeks | $430 Equivalent to $31/day |
| 3 weeks | $565 Equivalent to $27/day |
| 4 weeks | $680 Equivalent to $24/day |
| 5 weeks | $795 Equivalent to $23/day |
| 6 weeks | $910 Equivalent to $22/day |
| 8 weeks | $1,140 Equivalent to $20/day |
| 10 weeks | $1,370 Equivalent to $20/day |
| 12 weeks | $1,595 Equivalent to $19/day |
| 16 weeks | $2,035 Equivalent to $18/day |
| 20 weeks | $2,475 Equivalent to $18/day |
| 24 weeks | $2,915 Equivalent to $17/day |
- Accommodation
- Meals
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Airport pick-up
- Personalized 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 $329) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- The Animal Care project has an extra cost of US$10 per week to cover the resources that the local team donate to the placements, i.e. food and snacks, while the Medical project has a separate fees table (please see the Cambodia Medical project page) to cover the support you receive from the hospital staff.
- 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 Cambodia generally find US$50-80 per week to be sufficient for expenses.
Check what's required to visit Cambodia
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.
Essential country information
| Capital | Phnom Penh |
| Population | 16.49 million |
| Languages | Khmer |
| Currency | Cambodian Riel (KHR) |
| Time zone | UTC+07:00 |
Weather and climate
Cambodia has two distinct seasons. The rainy season, which runs from May to October, can see temperatures drop to 22°C (71.6°F) and is generally accompanied by high humidity. The dry season lasts from November to April and temperatures can rise up to 40°C (104°F ) around April.
