About Volunteer at Monastery

TEACHING AT MONASTERY IN NEPAL
Teaching English: Buddhist Monastery in Nepal

We are proud to offer this unique opportunity to teach English to monks and nuns in Nepal and to be immersed in the Buddhist culture in Kathmandu, Nepal. If there is anywhere to experience authentic monastery / orphanage life, Nepal is it.

For those who only have 10-14 days to travel … we can provide this experience for you. If you have longer to give, this program can run as long as 5 Months.

Volunteer teachers from Plan Volunteer Nepal help to contribute to the education and personal development of both novice and full ordained monks and nuns while still supporting the culture and Buddhist practice. Many of the novice monks and nuns are orphans. Some choose to leave the monastery / orphanage, when they are older, therefore any additional enhancement in their education will help them in their future lives, which is crucial for them and their culture.

English language skills are valuable not only to those who may leave the institution in the future, but also to help future monks and nuns build ties with monasteries and Buddhist organizations in other countries as well as other faiths and also to draw attention to the urgent need for support. When Tibetan Buddhists speak to their counterpart in Nepal, Tibet or anywhere else in Asia, the use English as the bridge language, so it is very important skill even within faith-based communities.

The main duty of volunteers for this program is to teach English. The age of the student novices [monks and nuns] will range from 5 upwards. The overall general level of English is very low. Attendance at classes is voluntary and class sizes will vary from day to day, so this program demands volunteers who are extremely flexible and patient.

When not teaching, the volunteer teachers are responsible for planning lessons, conducting workshops, and organizing games and other activities. If you happen to be teaching just the novice monks and nuns, outside of class time you may also be asked to help supervise extra-curricular activities, depending on where you are placed.

In addition to teaching monks or nuns, volunteers may also teach at schools run by monks and nuns whose classes including disadvantaged or orphaned youth. This will be part of the volunteer’s experiences in addition to teaching actual monks or novice monks, and nuns.

Attendance at classes is voluntary and class sizes will vary from day to day, so flexibility is important. Volunteers are often left to their own devices when not teaching, and will be responsible for planning lessons, conducting workshops, and organizing games and other activities. Volunteers may also be asked to help supervise monastery chores or additional activities depending on where they are placed and the needs. If this does occur, it will only be in limited instances.

Is this Program for you?
If you have an interest in traveling to a new frontier, understanding more about Buddhism or teaching English to children, Monks and Nuns, this is a perfect program for you. Living in a monastery for a time as a volunteer teacher is an once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Professional Benefits:
Classroom experience with novice monks and nuns, adult monks and nuns we well as orphaned students, teaching English, working directly with a head of a monastery or monastery school. Add an international reference to your resume in order to help with future job applications or enhanced certification using your experience teaching English abroad in Nepal.
Can My Friend Come Too?
Consider traveling with a friend or as a couple. This is a great program if you are traveling with friends, family or a small group.
Program Length: 2 Weeks to 5 Months

Application Process

http://www.pvnnepal.org/applynow.php

Family-Friendly

Parents and children are invited and encouraged to get involved.