The Escola Casa do Mar (ECDM) hosts 10-15 volunteer English teachers at houses in Vidigal and Santa Teresa, teaching approximately 150 students, free of charge, at 4 sites across Vidigal, Rocinha and Mandela 1 (Zona Norte).
Classes are conducted in small groups, with an average teacher:student ratio of 1:3. You will make a meaningful contribution in three low-income favelas, and appreciate the great sense of community in these neighborhoods. “Tamo Junto!"
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The classes
is this program for you?
ESCOLA CASA DO MAR
An important component to our Teaching Director’s job is to determine how each volunteer can be best used in the classroom, depending on their language proficiency and teaching experience. She also plays an important mentorship role, facilitating conversations between volunteers after class as they discuss what went well and what could be improved for next time. Many of our volunteers have extensive experience working or volunteering in theatre, art, music, and sport. But others have never before taught in a formal setting. Some are fluent Portuguese speakers, while others speak no Portuguese.
If you don’t speak English, please get in touch, we are open to your ideas about workshops. We’ve hosted scientists, financial planners, and academics who have led activities in Portuguese for our kids.
The program is also designed for participants who have already completed a TEFL certificate, and are interested in gaining classroom experience and building contacts in the language teaching industry in Rio. We welcome participants of all ages and backgrounds: high school graduates and college students interested in becoming ESL teachers, professionals considering a change in careers, and travellers looking to step into community life.
WHAT DOES THE PROGRAM COST?
This is truly a volunteering experience, as opposed to a work exchange, with plenty of time to explore the city and shift into vacation-mode. You will not be expected to do any class prep or admin work outside of class hours. We employ two long-term local teachers (including a now-fluent former student), who know all our students well, providing much needed continuity. In the classes you will not have more than three/four students. Our classes are 100% free to attend and are all in the city’s low-income favelas where paying for a class would not be an option.
At both houses in Vidigal the daily contribution is 75 BRL ($12.50) - the nightly price for an equivalent hostel in Vidigal. This covers rent, daily house-keeping, transport to and from classes, classroom materials and help funds the salaries of our permanent teaching staff.
a truly volunteer
This is truly a volunteering experience, as opposed to a work exchange, with plenty of time to explore the city and shift into vacation-mode. You will not be expected to do any class prep or admin work outside of class hours. We employ two long-term teachers (including a now-fluent former student), who know all our students well, providing much needed continuity to our classes. By assisting in our classes, you allow us to bring down student:teacher ratios (1:3 is our goal), speeding up our students' progress by making the lesson more student-focused. While there is no pressure to design classes yourself, we greatly value the ideas that come from the 10-15 volunteers who stay with us each month from all over the world, and we are always excited to improve our curriculum. Our classes are 100% free for everyone to attend and are held in (safe) favelas, where paying for a class would not otherwise be an option.
life in Vidigal
Is it safe?
Vidigal is considered one of the safest areas in Rio. Unlike in other neighborhoods, petty crime is rare, and the community is welcoming and used to tourists. Since its pacification in 2011, there’s been strong cooperation between the police and local groups. Located just 5 minutes from Ipanema and Leblon, Vidigal offers stunning views, vibrant cultural life, and a strong sense of community.
partners
