I gained appreciation, love and worth. I'd tell someone who is hesitate that, in time you will tell your future partner about the lasting impact the trip had on you then your children and then your grandchildren!
Teaching Volunteer Program in Sri Lanka
Purpose
Improve access to quality education
Start dates
Programs start every Monday
Duration
Choose from 1-12 weeks
Volunteer hours
Up to 5 hours per day
Age
Volunteers aged 16+ and families
Accommodation
Volunteer house
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:
Volunteers who speak fluent English are are passionate about sharing their skills and knowledge with students in Sri Lanka. You’ll be supervised by local staff so no teaching experience is required, but some relevant training like a TEFL course would be helpful.
Project details
Eager to be a volunteer Teacher in Sri Lanka? International Volunteer HQ’s Teaching project gives volunteers a great opportunity to help teach English in temples, monasteries, schools for people with disabilities, preschools and village homes in Kandy. Volunteers gain teaching experience while sharing their English expertise and skills with local students who would otherwise not be able to access language lessons.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
Private language lessons are often the best way for Sri Lankans to learn English, however it can be an expensive endeavour that many cannot afford. By bringing your skills as a fluent English speaker you’re helping break down that barrier and providing better access to language learning opportunities for Sri Lankans.
As a Teaching volunteer you’ll be placed in a local village, where you will be running an after school class in the afternoon with students ranging in age from 6 to 15 years old. You may teach with another volunteer or by yourself and get creative with your lesson planning. There is an informal curriculum and past volunteers have examples that you can use to help plan your lessons. Volunteer duties will vary depending on your placement but generally include:
- Teaching English classes
- Lesson planning
- Arranging educational activities
- Tutoring students
In the morning you will do lesson planning or if you would like to volunteer more there may be capacity to help in the Childcare or teach Women.
During school holidays volunteers can expect to get involved in one of the following placements: teaching village children (during the day, rather than after school hours) teach English to monks or join the Women’s Education project.
Why do Teaching volunteering in Kandy with IVHQ?
When you volunteer to teach English in Sri Lanka you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Improving access to language education for local communities
- Helping students improve their English
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining teaching experience
- Immersing yourself in Sri Lankan culture
- Discovering Sri Lanka’s rich history
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 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 Sri Lanka, 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.
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.
Sri Lanka photo gallery
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Turtle Conservation project
IVHQ Construction and Renovation project
IVHQ Women's Education project
IVHQ Elephant Welfare project
IVHQ Turtle Conservation project
IVHQ Turtle Conservation project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Women's Education project
IVHQ Elephant Welfare project
IVHQ Turtle Conservation project
IVHQ Construction and Renovation project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Turtle Conservation project
IVHQ Elephant Welfare project
IVHQ Women's Education project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Turtle Conservation project
IVHQ Elephant Welfare project
IVHQ Construction and Renovation project
IVHQ Women's Education project
IVHQ Construction and Renovation project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Women's Education project
IVHQ Elephant Welfare project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Turtle Conservation project
IVHQ Elephant Welfare project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Women's Education project
IVHQ Turtle Conservation project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Elephant Welfare project
IVHQ Construction and Renovation project
IVHQ Turtle Conservation project
IVHQ Construction and Renovation project
Typical volunteer classroom
Typical volunteer transport
Exploring during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Kandy Markets during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Kandy during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring by train during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Kandy during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Sri Lanka during an IVHQ weekend
Visiting Sigiriya during an IVHQ weekend
Visiting Sigiriya during an IVHQ weekend
Visiting Sigiriya during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Kandy Markets during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Kandy Fish Markets during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Kandy Markets during an IVHQ weekend
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
JP
Joshua Paterson
23 Jan 2024
...
IF
Ingeborg Fetscher
18 Dec 2023
I had yet another marvellous experience, this is my 5th volunteer project with IVHQ. All I’d advise people who are new or hesitant to this kind of activity is, not to expect the convenience etc. You might enjoy in your home country, but rather embrace and learn from other/different cultures. Helping others comes back to you a thousand fold and is the most rewarding experience.
...
RW
Ravinder Wadhwa
01 Nov 2023
I want to tell all my friends and whoever has time to help others and see a new country. This is the best program with safe accommodation. I have already booked my 4th program for next year.
...
KJ
Kithmini Jayawardane
14 Jun 2023
The local team were extremely kind and supportive. They made sure I felt safe throughout my stay, and always messaged me in the evening as to how the volunteering went and if there was anything I needed. My favorite moment from the volunteer experience was teaching the kids how to say what their future jobs are in English. It made me so happy to hear that most of them were saying they wanted to be doctors and engineers. I will never forget this experience and am super keen to do it again next year. To know that you are providing such a big impact on these kids lives is absolutely amazing. The meals made were absolutely amazing. I enjoyed all the different types of curries.
...
PH
Paul Haiselden
27 Jan 2022
The local team staff were without question one of the kindest people I've ever met. A favourite moment was working with an absolutely lovely student to help her prepare for her exam, as well as getting to know the wonderful team in Sri Lanka.
...
MM
Meghan Mulvihill
11 Feb 2021
Before arriving in Sri Lanka, I felt fully prepared thanks to the information I was given through the info booklet, profiles of previous volunteers, and my Program Manager's detailed answers via email. Thank you for making this trip easy! I'm thrilled to say that I felt more than prepared for my first time volunteering abroad. The food is incredible in Sri Lanka, and the littlest effort can make such a difference when you're doing your projects. I did 1 week at the disabled orphanage, 3 weeks temple renovation and taught in Sigiriya. My favourite project was teaching, but the others were rewarding and fun, as well. It's very easy to switch your project if you want to, the local team do all they can so you will have the best experience!
...
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
Known as the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’, Sri Lanka is an island nation set off the south-east coast of India. Famous for its tea plantations, cinnamon exports and cricket rivalries, it also boasts a vast array of beaches, Buddhas and big beasts like elephants and whales.
While Sri Lanka is a well-developed country which has made great strides towards making sure its residents don’t live in extreme poverty, there are still many places outside of the main centres where people struggle to access good quality education, healthcare and earn a decent living to support themselves and their families. Volunteers can help in these areas by providing important support to local initiatives that aim to improve the quality of life for people in these disadvantaged areas.
Most of IVHQ’s Sri Lanka volunteer projects are based in the small, sacred city of Kandy.
Arrival and orientation
The program orientation begins every Monday and volunteers need to arrive in Colombo on Sunday between 5am and 8pm to receive an airport pick up.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at the Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) on Sunday. Your airport pick-up on this day 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.
After you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation in Kandy. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the Sunday night before your program orientation.
If you are travelling in Sri Lanka prior to your volunteer program, you can meet the local team at the airport in Colombo on the Sunday before your program begins, or make your own way directly to the local team’s office in Kandy.
Orientation is run by the local team in Kandy, beginning on the Monday morning of your start date. Volunteers can choose to join a One-day Orientation or Introduction Week Orientation.
One-day Orientation: This provides you with all the key information you need, plus the chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socialising. It includes an introduction to Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan customs, rules and expectations, safety in Sri Lanka, travel opportunities in Sri Lanka, an introduction to your volunteer project and placement, Kandy city tour, cultural show and basic Sinhala language lessons.
Introduction Week Orientation: This is a fantastic way to start your volunteer experience in Sri Lanka and gives you the time to dive deeper into the culture and activities. It will include everything on the One-Day Orientation as well as the following activities:
- Visit a local spice and herbal garden
- Herbal Massage
- Visit to a local tea factory and Ceylon Tea tasting
- Sri Lankan cooking lesson
- Visit to the famous Temple of the Tooth
- Lantern making
- Sri Lankan Dancing lesson
- Kandy City tour
- Gem Museum
- Sri Lankan Food Tasting
- Language and Culture Lesson
- Visit to the White Buddha
- Henna Painting with locals
If you wish to participate in the Introduction Week, you can indicate this on your application form when you apply for the program or let your Program Manager know at least two weeks before you begin the program.
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 is as follows:
| 6:00 - 7:30 AM | Breakfast at the volunteer accommodation. |
| 7:45 AM | Volunteers spend 1 to 2 hours planning for their projects or leave home and travel to another placement |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch |
| 2:00 PM | Volunteers head to their placements. |
| 9:00 PM | Dinner at the volunteer house. |
Weekends
During the weekends, volunteers are free to relax or take the opportunity to explore other parts of Kandy and Sri Lanka. Kandy itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has an exciting selection of things to see and do. You can visit a number of beautiful and ornate temples including the Temple of the Tooth - an important shrine housing a canine tooth said to belong to the Buddha; wander in the grand and impressive Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya; tour a tea plantation and factory; sample the tasty and widely-regarded local cuisine; or take a walk up to the biggest Buddha statue in Sri Lanka and be rewarded with fantastic panoramic views of the city. Long weekends can be taken to travel further afield to destinations, such as Colombo, Galle or even Southern India.
Accommodation and WiFi
Volunteers in Kandy are accommodated in a volunteer house. Bedrooms have bunk beds and you can expect to share a room with four to nine other volunteers of the same gender.
Living is comfortable and the accommodation has electricity, fans, running water. Bathrooms in the volunteer houses are all western style with a toilet, basin and a warm shower. Bedding is provided and includes a pillow with pillow case and top and bottom sheets. You will need to bring a towel, toiletries including hand soap and toilet paper, and a mosquito net if you wish to sleep with one.
The volunteer house has a safe member staying in the house at night and there is an 8:00pm curfew on weeknights and 12:00pm on weekends at the volunteer accommodation, please be considerate and reduce noise.
To access the internet during your program, we recommend bringing an unlocked mobile phone and purchasing a local SIM card when you arrive in Sri Lanka, as WiFi is not available in the volunteer accommodation.
Private rooms can be arranged for an additional $90 per person, per week, subject to availability at the time.
Please note that families with younger children are required to book a private room for their time on the program.
Meals
Volunteers on the Sri Lanka program are provided with three meals a day during the week and brunch and dinner during the weekend. Breakfast includes toast, eggs, fruit, tea, coffee and milk. Sri Lankan foods served for lunch and dinner include roti bread, dhal, curries, vegetables and salads. Meat is rarely eaten except on festive occasions.
Bottled water is readily available in Sri Lanka and volunteers should budget approximately £4 per week for 2 litres per day. There are also water filters in the volunteer houses. If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know when you apply for the program so we can discuss this with you. However, you should not expect to eat as you normally do at home. The local team will do their best to see that you are well taken care of, but as a volunteer, there is a need to be flexible. If you wish to supplement some of your meals with home comforts, there are basic kitchen facilities available to use.
Outside of volunteer house in Kandy
Typical volunteer bedroom in Kandy
Typical volunteer bedroom in Kandy
Typical volunteer bedroom in Kandy
Private room upgrade in Kandy
Private room upgrade in Kandy
Typical volunteer bathroom in Kandy
Typical volunteer bathroom in Kandy
Volunteer living room in Kandy
Outside of volunteer house in Hanguranketha
Typical volunteer bedroom in Hanguranketha
Typical volunteer bathroom in Hanguranketha
Typical volunteer dining room in Hanguranketha
Volunteer living room in Hanguranketha
Outside of volunteer house in Dambulla
Outside of volunteer house in Dambulla
Typical volunteer bedroom in Dambulla
Volunteer accommodation in Randeniya
Volunteer accommodation in Randeniya
Volunteer bedroom in Randeniya
Volunteer bedroom in Randeniya
Volunteer bathroom in Randeniya
Volunteer dining room in Randeniya
Volunteer social area in Randeniya
Typical volunteer breakfast
Typical volunteer lunch
Typical volunteer dinner
Typical volunteer breakfast
Typical volunteer breakfast
Typical volunteer lunch
Typical volunteer lunch
Typical volunteer lunch
Typical volunteer lunch
Typical volunteer dinner
Pricing
Secure your place for just US$299 (approximately £250), pay your Program Fee later.
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$299 (approximately £250) 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.
|
|---|---|
| 1 week | $390 Equivalent to $56/day |
| 2 weeks | $542 Equivalent to $39/day |
| 3 weeks | $734 Equivalent to $35/day |
| 4 weeks | $906 Equivalent to $32/day |
| 5 weeks | $1,078 Equivalent to $31/day |
| 6 weeks | $1,250 Equivalent to $30/day |
| 8 weeks | $1,594 Equivalent to $28/day |
| 10 weeks | $1,938 Equivalent to $28/day |
| 12 weeks | $2,282 Equivalent to $27/day |
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately £250) 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 Sri Lanka generally find US$50 per week to be sufficient for expenses.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Airport pick-up
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Personalised preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- 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.
- Return to the airport when your program finishes
- Transport to and from your volunteer placement each day
- 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 Kandy
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 Kandy program.
Lion's Rock Fortress and Safari - 1 night/2days
Embark on an unforgettable weekend getaway to Sigiriya, where ancient history and breathtaking nature await.
£319
Trekking Week
Discover the best of Sri Lanka on this week-long tour. Enjoy the diverse flora and fauna, take in stunning hilltop views, and ride the world’s most scenic train. Climb Lion’s Rock to explore the ancient kingdom’s ruins from 500 AD.
£855
Airport Drop-off
Enjoy a stress free ride from Kandy back to Bandaranaike International Airport arranged by our local team.
£81
Check what's required to visit Sri Lanka
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 | Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte |
| Population | 21.8 million |
| Languages | Sinhala and Tamil |
| Currency | Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) |
| Time zone | UTC+05:30 |
Weather and climate
The climate is tropical and warm, due to the moderating effects of ocean winds. Mean temperature ranges from 17°C (62.6°F) in the central highlands, where frost may occur for several days in the winter, to a maximum of 33 °C (91.4°F) in other low-altitude areas.
Apply to check if you're eligible!
