This program was an amazing way to not only see Italy but also make new friends and gain a wonderful experience!
Teaching English Volunteering in Rome - Italy
Purpose
Improve access to quality education
Start dates
Programs start every second and fourth Monday of the month
Duration
Choose from 2-12 weeks
Volunteer hours
Up to 5 hours a day
Age
Volunteers aged 18+
Accommodation
Dormitory-style camping lodge
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.
This program is ideal for:
Fluent English speakers who are interested in a cultural exchange and teaching the English language. It would especially suit aspiring teachers looking to extend their teaching skills abroad and those with a passion for education. You will be supported by the local team and placement staff, so you do not need to be a qualified or experienced teacher to participate on this project.
Project details
Inspired to Teach English as a volunteer in Italy - Rome? International Volunteer HQ’s Teaching English project empowers volunteers to assist a local NGO with their efforts to upskill children and adults, some of whom come from underprivileged communities in Rome. Volunteers will gain experience teaching while sharing valuable English language skills with different age groups, including toddlers, children and teenagers. Knowing how to speak English can open many doors and provide opportunities for people to continue education or gain secure employment.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
In Italy, many people are not able to access proper English language education due to low-quality schooling and scarcity of economic resources in some areas. This often leads to a lack of opportunities for most of the population. The Teaching English project provides access to language lessons for a variety of different people, including children, youth, adults and the elderly.
As a Teaching English volunteer, you can expect to work with a local NGO providing access to education for these groups. You will help with structuring the education programming according to the needs of the individuals who attend as well as the objectives of the NGO you are going to support. You should plan to lead lessons and educational activities for students who range in ability. English is by far the most common language being taught but if you are fluent in another language, and there is interest from locals to learn it, you may also be able to teach that.
Depending on the students you are assigned, the focus of your lessons will change:
- With children and youth, you can alternate theoretical lessons with recreational and/or sports activities in English, such as songs, fairytales, outdoor games and other activities, while assisting with daily routines, lunch and snacks
- With adults, you will focus on vocabulary to assist in a certain sector such as tourism, administration, health, and more, depending on their professional or personal needs
- With the elderly, you can have fun teaching them basic vocabulary and creating handcraft activities or other projects that make them feel active, loved, and useful in their community.
Why do Teaching English volunteering in Rome with IVHQ?
As a volunteer English Teacher in Rome you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Improving access to education for marginalized people, when applicable
- Helping young children and adults upskill and learn English
- Practicing your Italian
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining valuable teaching experience
- Immersing yourself in Italian culture
- Discovering Rome, Italy’s bustling capital city
Volunteer requirements
- Volunteers need to be 18 years or over to participate in this program. If you are under the age of 18, IVHQ offers alternative volunteer opportunities for teens. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad page to learn more
- 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.
Not sure which program to join?
Get personalized recommendations >
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.
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IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Climate Action project
IVHQ Sustainable Farming project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Sustainable Farming project
IVHQ Climate Action project
IVHQ Sustainable Farming project
IVHQ Sustainable Farming project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Youth Support project
IVHQ Sustainable Farming project
IVHQ Climate Action project
IVHQ Sustainable Farming project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Sustainable Farming project
IVHQ Climate Action project
IVHQ Creative Technologies project
IVHQ Youth Support project
IVHQ Sustainable Farming project
IVHQ Climate Action project
IVHQ Climate Action project
IVHQ Creative Technologies project
IVHQ Creative Technologies project
IVHQ Sustainable Farming project
IVHQ Creative Technologies project
IVHQ Sustainable Farming project
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
AW
Avah Woodland
21 Aug 2024
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AC
Alecia Creasap-Simpson
21 Aug 2024
Very organized process, I appreciate the professionalism of all points of contact from IVHQ. The local team were great and sincerely wanted to make the experience positive and meaningful. Fantastic accommodations. The cabins were clean and the air conditioning was amazing since the temperatures in July in Rome were in the high 90's each day. I gained a greater appreciation for the amazing people that choose to travel the world to make a difference. The high school and college students were fantastic to learn from!
...
AK
Alexandra Kropop
20 Jun 2024
The preparation resources were well versed and the local team was very welcoming and super kind! My family and I had lunch with them and they are just a blast! With the steps to get to our location I enjoyed how one of them came with us to show us how to get to our placement. From this experience I really gained insight to how other cultures live and recognized my own privilege. I gained some Italian language knowledge and learned how to enjoy the simple things in life. The community showed me that coming together in a safe haven - cubo libre is really rewarding and shows unity.
...
LH
Lucy Holmes
14 May 2024
This was my first time solo travelling and I really enjoyed it! It has given me skills for teaching and immersed me in a new culture which I will hopefully use both in the future!
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RW
Regan Wychers
22 Apr 2024
I honestly had so much fun and felt safe throughout the entire experience!
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SD
Sarah Deakos
22 Apr 2024
I feel that I gained a greater sense of community and respect. I enjoyed getting to know people from around the world and coming together to reach a common goal.
...
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Academic course credit
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 creditRecommended online TEFL course
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 onlineLocation
Location
Rome is and has been many things - the capital of Italy, the Eternal City and the center of the ancient Roman empire. It is both brimming with reminders of bygone eras and teeming with dynamic, modern industry and entertainment. It’s also the setting of IVHQ’s Italy - Rome program, and volunteer placements are located throughout the wider city area.
Like any major city, there is a socio-economic divide in Rome and the people who fall on the disadvantaged side of this face a host of challenges. Volunteers can help make a difference to their lives by providing essential support to local initiatives designed to address these issues and others that affect the community.
Volunteers on this project should expect commutes of up to two hours one way from the accommodation to their placement, via public transportation. These long commute times are a result of Rome’s transportation system that almost always have long delays, ongoing repairs, and unpredictable schedules. Those who wish to join the Sustainable Farming project will usually have a longer commute than those on projects such as Youth Support and Teaching English, as this project is in the countryside on the outskirts of the city.
Arrival and orientation
The program orientation in Rome begins on the second and fourth Monday of each month and lasts for a full day. Volunteers need to arrive in Rome on the Sunday before orientation.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO). You can also arrive into Ciampino–G. B. Pastine International Airport (CIA) but should expect you may need to wait to be picked up. Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee.
When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and taken to the volunteer accommodation in Rome. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.
If you are traveling in Italy prior to your volunteer program and arriving overland, we can arrange for you to be picked up from a central meeting point in Rome on the Sunday before orientation.
Orientation is hosted by our Italy team in Rome. It begins the morning of your chosen start date and lasts for a full day. The orientation covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Rome – an introduction to Italy, culture and customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities, and a tour of the local area. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers with whom you can swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.
Your specific placement orientation will be held the following day and you will be shown how to travel to and from your placement, receive an introduction to your placement, and then complete a few hours of volunteering.
Volunteer schedule example
Weekdays
After your program orientation, you will have a morning or afternoon volunteer shift at your placement and will work for approximately 3 to 5 hours per day. Your schedule will vary depending on the needs of your particular project. A typical schedule is as follows:
| 7.30 AM | Breakfast begins at the volunteer accommodation and is available until 10.30 AM. |
| 8.00 AM | Travel to your volunteer placement to join local placement staff and begin work on your project. Please note that some placements run in the afternoon and volunteers on these placements will have the morning free to use as they wish. |
| 12.00 - 1:00 PM | Lunch break. Buy your own lunch from Rome’s many excellent cafes and eateries. After lunch, volunteers will continue volunteer work (where applicable). |
| 1.00 PM | Volunteers with afternoon or evening shifts travel to placement to join local placement staff and begin work on their project. |
| 6.30 - 10:30 PM | Dinner at the volunteer accommodation. After dinner, you will have the remainder of the evening free to relax and use as you wish. |
Weekends
On weekends, you can spend your free time discovering why Rome is one of the most popular and revered tourist destinations in the world. For a start, you can visit monuments to ancient history like the Colosseum, check out Vatican City, see Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, explore the Pantheon and throw coins into the Trevi Fountain.
Once you’ve ticked off those iconic experiences you can relax and find out which of the rest of Rome’s numerous attractions you’ll see next. It might be any one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites, the perfect authentic carbonara or a steaming cup of espresso, touring ancient churches, checking out the nightlife of buzzy Trastevere or stumbling upon the latest in fashion on one of Rome’s best shopping streets, Via del Corso.
If you’re ready for a change of scene, you can take a quick weekend train trip to see the ancient ruins of Pompeii, or Naples - the home of pizza. Nature lovers should also factor in a visit to the beautiful Amalfi Coast to complete the precipitous and spectacular Walk of the Gods. Volunteers staying for longer durations, or who wish to travel before or after their program, can visit areas further afield in Italy, including Venice, Cinque Terre, Florence, Milan, Pisa and much more. You can make travel arrangements once you arrive in Rome with the advice and guidance of our expert local team.
Accommodation and WiFi
Immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of Rome while staying in a freshly renovated, modern hostel right in the city circle. The dormitory-style accommodations offer a welcoming and social atmosphere, where you’ll share a room with up to three individuals of the same gender.
You’ll enjoy all the comforts of home, including WiFi, air conditioning, bedding, towels, and a private western-style bathroom for each bedroom. The accommodation is cleaned throughout the week, we encourage volunteers to keep their rooms tidy.
The hostel features three outdoor terrace areas, a vibrant communal lounge, and a fully equipped common kitchen.
Private room upgrades in various arrangements are available for an additional cost, subject to availability.
Meals
As a volunteer in Rome, you’ll receive three meals a day, so you can focus on making a difference while experiencing authentic Italian cuisine.
Breakfast at a charming local café, a baked cornetto (Italian croissant) and a classic cappuccino.
Lunch and dinner are both served at a nearby authentic Italian restaurant, featuring traditional dishes such as pasta, seasonal vegetables, and fresh salads.
Rome’s tap water is safe to drink, and the accommodation has a common kitchen where you can refill your reusable bottle. If you prefer bottled water, it’s widely available, and you can budget around $10 (approximately $10) per week for this.
Accommodation outdoor social area
Typical volunteer dining area
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical volunteer bedroom
Volunteer accommodation
Volunteer accommodation
Volunteer accommodation
Volunteer outdoor swimming pool
Volunteer dining room
Volunteer dining room
Volunteer dining room
Volunteer dining room
Accommodation outdoor social area
Pricing
Secure your place for just US$299 (approximately $299), pay your Program Fee later.
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$299 (approximately $299) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.
You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.
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 | $1,645 Equivalent to $118/day |
| 3 weeks | $2,315 Equivalent to $110/day |
| 4 weeks | $2,985 Equivalent to $107/day |
| 5 weeks | $3,655 Equivalent to $104/day |
| 6 weeks | $4,325 Equivalent to $103/day |
| 8 weeks | $5,665 Equivalent to $101/day |
| 10 weeks | $7,005 Equivalent to $100/day |
| 12 weeks | $8,345 Equivalent to $99/day |
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately $299) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Rome generally find US$150 to be sufficient for weekly expenses, transport and miscellaneous spending.
- Any changes or cancellations within 14 days of your start date are subject to a US$200 late change/cancellation fee.
- Breakfast and dinner
- Airport pick-up
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country emergency support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Comprehensive in-country day to day support and guidance
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- Transport to and from your placement each day
- Return to the airport when your program finishes
- Flights
- Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
- Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.
Popular add-ons & experiences in Rome
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with these popular add-ons and experiences. Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Rome program.
Italian Flavors Unplugged - Peak
Experience the heart of Roman cuisine with our hands-on cooking class. Craft authentic pasta and sauces, then savor your creations for an unforgettable taste of Italy!
$107
Airport Drop-off (06:00 - 22:00)
Relax and enjoy a hassle-free transfer from your accommodation to the airport, expertly arranged by our local team.
$87
Airport Pick-up (06:00 - 22:00)
Arriving outside our scheduled airport pick-up times? Reserve this add-on today!
$87
Check what's required to visit Italy
Safety and support
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
Essential country information
| Capital | Rome |
| Population | 61.7 Million |
| Languages | Italian |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 |
Weather and climate
Italy’s climate is quite diverse due to its long peninsula and mountainous terrain. The coastal areas of Liguria, Tuscany and most of the South are predominantly Mediterranean with dry summers and moderately wet winters. In the northern parts of Italy and areas of higher altitudes, the climate is cooler and the winter months can be cold, wet, and often snowy. Weather in Rome, where the IVHQ volunteer program is based, is pleasant throughout the year. Winter temperatures in Rome (December to February) vary from 4°C/39°F to 14°C/57°F while spring (March to May) is slightly warmer at around 15°C/59°F. Summer (June to September) in Rome can become very hot and humid with average temperatures ranging between 18°C/64°F and 31°C/89°F. Rainfall is heaviest in November and driest in July.
Apply to check if you're eligible!
