Honduras Child Alliance

Volunteers teach English, computers, art, photography, sports, math, and so much more! We are looking for energetic and enthusiastic volunteers who are 20+ years. Our volunteers come from all over the world and we accept all levels of ability to speak Spanish and English. You will be helping operate programs mainly focused on elementary age children but we also work with teens and adults.

Classes are split into morning and afternoon sessions Monday-Thursday and also on Friday mornings. Morning classes are from 9-10:30 AM and afternoon classes are from 1:30-3:30 PM. Volunteers must arrive at least fifteen minutes early in order to set up the classroom and review the plan for the day.

Class schedule:

1. Free-Time
For 15 minutes, kids solve puzzles and memory games; build objects with blocks; play board games, cards, and dominos; and much more in order to get their minds “prepared” for learning and creativity.

2. Circle-Time
During this time, the children and volunteers sit on the floor in a circle. Everyone introduces themselves by saying their name and age (in English) and then answering a question of the day. For example, if the question of the day is “what is your favorite sport?”, a volunteer or student would reply “My name is _, I am _ years old, and mi deporte favorito es _ (or) my favorite sport is ____ .” Once everyone has introduced themselves, the children are asked to review the class rules about how we treat each other. Then, the plan of the day is explained before “changing the language” to English.

3. English Immersion
During this time, volunteers lead an activity (a game, vocabulary review, etc.) speaking only in English. We encourage volunteers to speak slowly and using big hand motions and exaggerated facial expressions in order for the children to understand what is being said to or asked of them. English Immersion is not a time to introduce new vocabulary to students, but rather to allow them to become familiar with hearing words in English and connecting the dots.

4. Snack

5. Spanish Literacy
The language is “changed” back to Spanish. This time is dedicated to students improving their ability to read and write in Spanish. Once a week, each class uses either tablets or computers to read books or practice typing. Some activities have included reading a book and having students act it out, or typing lists of household items.

6. Activity One/Two
Each activity lasts about 15-20 minutes. These activities are usually creative art projects, information on nutrition, an introduction or review of new vocabulary, field time, and much more; it all depends on the curriculum unit and primary lesson of the week. Morning classes only have one activity and afternoon classes have two.

7. Final Circle
During Final Circle, students are usually asked what was their favorite activity of the day, when the next class is, and at what time.

Each volunteer is assigned to lead one part of the class but all volunteers participate and assist in the full class as well as being responsible for bringing either the snack, kindles, computers, and/or other materials for each activity.