amapChobar Kathmandu, Nepal
Tsoknyi Gechak School, Chobar Kathmandu Nepal
Tsoknyi Gechak School, Chobar Kathmandu Nepal

Volunteer Opportunity

Job Title: Volunteer English Teacher
Location: Tsoknyi Gechak Ling, Chobhar, Nepal
Reports to: School Principal (for school) and Shedra Secretary (for monastic institute)

About us:

Tsoknyi Gechak Ling Nunnery is a place for contemplation and study of Buddha Dharma. A K–8 school for young nuns and a ten-year Monastic Institute for advanced Buddhist education (Shedra) are located within the nunnery.

Purpose:

We are looking for an energetic, flexible, and creative English teaching volunteer to join our nunnery community and teaching team. We have capacity to accept two volunteers at a time – one for school and one for Shedra. Volunteer will team teach with our grade or language teachers. They may also teach an after-school class to teaching staff and the nuns. We are asking volunteer to commit for three to five months.

We are particularly interested in improving all our students and teachers’ English. Knowledge, skill and experience in this area are particularly desirable.

Qualifications:

Required:

  • Native speaker of English or an individual with advanced level of English skills
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution
  • A police background check as volunteer will come in contact with children in a residential setting

Preferred:

  • Graduate of a TOEFL, TESL or another similar program
  • Primary or Second level teaching experience or experience teaching English as a Second or Foreign language
  • Experience living or travelling in Nepal/India/Tibet or another Asian country or another developing country
  • Knowledge of technology that is relevant and useful to English language learners.

Working and Living Conditions

Volunteers will work 5 days per week, including Monday through Friday. Hours run from 9am to 4pm and comprise 4-6 class periods. Typically, volunteers will be asked to teach 4 to 5 classes per day. A work schedule including class planning time will be worked out with the volunteers on arrival.

This is a volunteer position without salary or stipend. Volunteers must cover their own travel expenses, health and travel insurance, tourist visa costs and pocket money. Room and board at Tsoknyi Gechak Ling (TGL) are provided.

Tsoknyi Gechak Ling is located outside Kathmandu in the small Newar village of Chobhar with few amenities or shops. The larger town of Kirtipur is a half hour away on foot. The public transport service to Kathmandu is unscheduled and generally requires pushing into an already overcrowded bus. Taxis and motorbikes to pick you up can be booked but are obviously more costly. You can use Pathao or inDrive ride sharing apps to book taxis and motorbikes. We suggest you buy your own helmet if you plan to use motorbikes. It takes about 45 minutes to get into downtown Kathmandu by bus, 30 minutes to get to Swayambu and an hour and a half to get to Boudha.

Life in Kathmandu has many challenges – daily electricity cuts and water shortages are normal. Potholes, overcrowded buses, crazy traffic, noise and dust are endemic. Getting anything done might feel extremely difficult! We are therefore looking for brave hearted individuals who can cope with frustration, chaos, dust and language barriers!

To apply:

First to learn more about the position and application process, please read the Frequently Asked Questions document. Then please send a completed application form and Resume to Rashmi at [email protected]. Please mark the subject: Volunteer English Teacher Application.

Documents