Q: When does the program start and end?
A: The program will start in late June and end in June of the following year.
Q: What organization is WorldTeach partnering with?
A: WorldTeach is partnering with the Western Cape Department of Education.
Q: How many volunteers will be accepted into the program?
A: WorldTeach will send approximately 20 volunteers to South Africa for the year long program.
Q: Are you still accepting applications?
A: Yes, we are still accepting applications for the South Africa Year Program!
Q: When will I find out where I'll be teaching?
A: Teaching placements are determined by the in-country WorldTeach field staff in consultation with the various host schools that have requested a volunteer teacher. Once accepted to the program, you may express general preferences with regard to your teaching or living situation. The field staff will take these preferences and your prior experience into account when matching you with a suitable school. Since WorldTeach also has to take into account the needs of the host schools and communities, we cannot guarantee any particular placement. The process of matching volunteers with placement sites is done once the field staff has received information on all the volunteers in the group. You will receive information about your placement site, and teaching assignment about one month prior to departure. Until then, please be flexible and keep an open mind!
Q: Will I receive training?
A: Yes. Prior to starting your placement, all volunteers are required to participate in a one month orientation. During this time, topics will be covered including orientation to the country and culture, South African local language classes (including Afrikaans) and teacher training. Teacher training will focus on TEFL teaching methods, lesson planning, teaching resources, and a teaching practicum. The orientation will encompass an experiential approach, with opportunities for volunteers to learn through experience so that they are prepared to live and teach in South Africa, which will make your transition and your time in South Africa easier.
Q: Where will I be teaching?
A: All volunteers will be placed in various schools located throughout the Western Cape. All sites will be within 2 hours of Cape Town and will be easily accessible by train.
Q: What will I be teaching?
A: Most volunteers will be teaching math, science, and accounting. There may be additional opportunities to teach classes in English and Life Skills. Volunteers will also be encouraged to run a variety of extra-curricular activities for the students, such as an HIV/AIDS clubs, a library committee, or coach sports teams.
Q: What are the schools like?
A: Many of the high schools will look like high schools you are used to and others will have limited access to books, furniture and other academic resources. Most likely the schools will not have heat or air conditioning.
Q: How large are the schools?
A: Of course the sizes of the schools vary, but a typical high school may have from 200 to 500 "learners" (students).
Q: How large are the classes?
A: In general, classes are not excessively large. You may expect 25 to 40 "learners" (students) in your classes.
Q: How long is the teaching day?
A: Many of the schools begin about 7:00AM. In general there are eight periods a day, five days a week. Class periods are usually 50 minutes long. The school day typically ends between 2:00PM and 3:00PM depending on afternoon classes. You will most likely have a lunch break mid-way through the day where you can return home or eat at your school.
Q: How many classes will I be expected to teach each day?
A: Each teacher, volunteer or local, is expected to teach 5 to 6 (50 minute) periods a day. You will have 24-30 class periods each week.
Q: Will I stay with my grade level or my students for the first semester of the following year?
A: This is possible, but not definite. You may work with your Principal to try to arrange this if you would like.
Q: What language(s) do I need to speak?
A: South Africa has eleven official languages. In practice, English is the only language a volunteer needs because it is used in the schools and understood everywhere, apart from the most rural of areas. Speaking some Afrikaans or an African language might be helpful, but is certainly not required for participation in the program. With practice, you will pick up some Afrikaans or one of the many local African languages, such as Xhosa!
Q: Where will I live during orientation?
A: During orientation, which all volunteers will spend together, volunteers will be living in a number of different living accommodations that may include a hostel, a school dorm, and a back-packer's hostel.
Q: Where will I be living during the year?
A: Volunteers will be placed at schools in the Western Cape located approximately one to two hours outside of the central Cape Town area. Most volunteers will be placed with another volunteer although there may be some placements where a volunteer is placed independently. (You may request this on your preference form that you will be given to fill out once confirmed for the program).
Housing accommodation may vary depending on the placement site. The most common arrangement is school-provided housing in a school hostel or dorm. This is typically a furnished apartment or a shared house with other teachers on school property. Volunteers will have their own room, although they might share common rooms with other teachers or staff. Buildings typically have cement walls, running water and electricity. Since living conditions in South Africa may be more basic than what you are used to, it is important to be flexible.
Q: What will I do for meals?
A: From your $300 per month living stipend, you can buy food and groceries at the local market. At each site, you will have access to a stove and a refrigerator.
Q: Do I need a visa?
A: Yes, you will need a visa to teach in South Africa. You will receive details on the visa requirements from WorldTeach shortly after your acceptance into the program, and WorldTeach will assist you in attaining the visa. You will then be responsible for collecting all of the required items for your visa application. Note that some documents can take time, such as a police clearance certificate, health exams and tests. You should allow yourself at least a month to gather all the required paperwork. You will then submit all the paperwork to World Teach by a deadline (usually a month or two before departure) and then you will receive your visa and work permit upon your arrival in South Africa.
*Please note that visa requirements change frequently. WorldTeach will keep you up to date as you go through the process and make it as smooth as possible. Non-US citizens may have very different visa requirements and should contact both WorldTeach and their consulate for more information.
Q: How will I travel to South Africa?
A: WorldTeach arranges travel for the group departing from a city in the US, most likely New York, Washington DC or Boston to South Africa. The group will meet at the departure city airport, have a brief meeting, and then travel together to Cape Town. The international round-trip flight from the departure city to Cape Town is covered by the WorldTeach program fee. More details of the group flight arrangements will be available about 2 months prior to departure. You will be asked to confirm your travel plans by a certain date so that WorldTeach can finalize the group air tickets.
Each volunteer is responsible for getting him/herself to the departure city. Many volunteers are able to find discounted or teacher/student fare domestic connections from the internet or student travel agencies such as Student Universe or STA Travel.
Q: Can I make my own travel arrangements?
A: Yes. You may opt out of the WorldTeach group flight. You should arrange your own flights if you plan to travel in South Africa before the program starts, or if you do not plan to leave from the United States with the group.
If you choose to travel independently to South Africa, you must plan to arrive in Cape Town on or before the date of the group flight's arrival, so that you do not miss any orientation activities. Volunteers traveling independently must inform the Program Manager in writing of their travel plans as soon as possible. If you purchase your own air ticket to South Africa, WorldTeach will deduct from your program fee the cost of one round-trip ticket.
Q: Can I come home during the year?
A: Yes. You may travel home during scheduled school breaks at your own expense. As a WorldTeach volunteer in South Africa, you are under contract with your host institution and are responsible for working full time. You might want to suggest for your family and friends to come and visit you in South Africa, ideally at the long break from December to January or at the end of your service so that you can spend more time with them.
If a family emergency or event requires you to go home during a term you must clear your absence with your school director and arrange coverage for your classes.
Q: Will there be a chance to explore Cape Town while I am there?
A: Definitely! The Western Cape is ideally situated along the South/Western tip of Africa and it is easy to reach central Cape Town by train where you can visit the majestic Table Mountain and Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. There are also many nice restaurants, cafes, and shops including the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, throughout the region.
Q: Will there be a chance to travel to other places?
A: Absolutely! There will be a long winter break at the end of the school year which runs from early December until mid-January. There will also be other school holidays where you will have the opportunity to travel. These breaks are an ideal time to explore the Western Cape, as well as the rest of South Africa and all its diverse regional offerings. Some places that many people find worth traveling to include Stellenbosch, the Garden Route, Kruger National Park, and the Eastern Cape
Q: What can I do for the long break?
A: Because of its location relative to the rest of Southern Africa, South Africa becomes an ideal departure point for travel to some of the surrounding countries, including Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique, which are all exciting travel destinations. In addition, Swaziland and Lesotho are also interesting and culturally diverse countries that should not be missed. Some volunteers may choose to travel to East African countries, like Tanzania or Rwanda to do a safari, see mountain gorillas or hike Mr. Kilimanjaro.
*Please note that any travel you choose to do will be at your own expense, and must be done during weekends, holidays or after the program has finished.
Q: What immunizations are required?
A: The most comprehensive source of information on immunizations and travel health is the Center for Disease Control's website. This site provides recommendations for travel to Africa as well as detailed information on specific diseases. Also refer to the Healthy Travel guide that WorldTeach will send you when you confirm your participation in the program. You must consult your doctor or a travel health specialist about immunizations and other health needs.
Please understand that WorldTeach staff is not qualified to give medical advice. All we can do is tell you what immunizations are usually recommended for travel to South Africa - only your doctor can give you specific medical advice.
Upon entrance to South Africa, you will not be required to show any information about immunizations, and none are necessary except that against TB (which most people have as a child).
Please note that Cape Town is NOT a malarial area.
Q: Do I need to be on malaria medications?
A: No. The Cape area and much of the rest of the region is malaria-free and you do not need to be on anti-malaria medication. However, before traveling to northern KwaZulu Natal, Kruger Park and other regions and countries to the north, you should consult a medical advisor about anti-malarial prophylaxis.
Q: Will I have Health Insurance Coverage?
A: As a WorldTeach volunteer you will have health insurance coverage that includes emergency medical evacuation insurance. For medical expenses such as doctors' visits, prescribed medicines, etc. you pay up front, keep the receipt, and then file a claim to get reimbursed by the insurance company. All volunteers are covered under the WorldTeach group insurance policy; it is not optional. The policy has been designed specially with WorldTeach volunteers in mind. If you have a pre-existing health condition that may require further treatment you should consider maintaining your own health insurance coverage as well. You will be sent the health insurance policy description when you are accepted as a volunteer.
Cape Town offers a number of adventure activities, such as sky-diving and shark-cage diving. Please note your insurance does not cover these!
Q: Will I be affected by HIV/AIDS and other diseases?
A: Rates of HIV/AIDS exceed 20% in many areas of South Africa and represent a major crisis for the country and region. For the sensible tourist this represents no direct threat. All volunteers need to be aware of these statistics and practice safety measures to protect against the disease.
TB rates are high in the township areas, but should not pose a threat to a healthy person. However, please make sure that you have been vaccinated.
Q: What if I get sick? What are the medical facilities like in South Africa?
A: Adjusting to a new environment, diet, and climate places demands on your body and health. Living in a new culture and taking on new professional responsibilities can and will be tiring. You will probably get sick at certain times; it is unavoidable. But you will also learn how to look after yourself, maintain your health, and seek treatment for sickness in this new environment. Please note that the water supply is of excellent quality in the cities and towns and does not need to be purified.
Pharmacies are widely available ('apteek' in Afrikaans). Quality private hospitals are available in all major centers of South Africa. The government hospitals vary in quality but some of the teaching hospitals offer high standards of treatment for serious problems. South Africa and Cape Town specifically, have some of the best trained medical professionals in the world.
Q: Is it safe?
A: Many people visit South Africa every year as tourists, students, or on business. By following certain safety precautions, including not walking alone, always using reliable transport like buses or private taxis and not carrying valuables, they remain safe. In the past, volunteers have been victims of petty crimes such as theft, pick pocketing and vandalism. Volunteers will need to be ‘streetwise’ at all times.
Cape Town has, in the last five years, instituted a major campaign for public safety and crime has been drastically reduced but is still a real problem. Please see the State Department for more information.
Q: What sort of support will I have in-country during the year?
A: All volunteers will have access to
24-hour field support by WorldTeach staff. Your in-country Field Director will run your Orientation and other trainings, will make site visits throughout the year, and be there to support you for any emergencies that may arise.
Q: Are there other volunteer groups in South Africa in the Ministry of Education?
A: Yes. There are other volunteer organizations, in particular VSO volunteers from the U.K. and Peace Corps from the US, teaching in high schools in the country as well. There will also be a WorldTeach Summer Program that will be there for the summer months, but will run seperately.
Q: Will I have access to email and phones in South Africa?
A: Yes! Internet access is available in internet cafes, and some homes and schools. It may cost R20 for 30 minutes. It is common courtesy that if someone lets you use their phone, be sure to give them at least R1 per minute local/ internet and R2 per minute international/ cellular.
South Africa has a highly developed cellular network (GSM) and mobile phones are widely available for $50 or less. It is also very cheap to buy a SIM card and pre-paid vouchers are widely available, so if you have a GSM phone, you may want to bring it along with you. The terrestrial phone network operates much as in any developed country.
Q: Is there a fee for the program?
A: Yes there is. The volunteer participation fee is $4,990.
Q: Why is the program fee so high?
A: The program fee covers all program costs including your airfare, food and lodging during orientation, your monthly living stipend, housing at your site, and your in-country Field Staff and US based office support. The program fee is actually partially funded by the Western Cape Provincial Government which helped lower the actual costs.
Q: Are there any scholarships or matching funds available?
A: Unfortunately, there are no scholarships or matching funds available for this program.
Q: Will I receive any stipend?
A: Yes. All volunteers will receive a living stipend of about US$300 per month, which covers your basic living expenses including food.
Q: How much money should I take with me?
A: The amount of spending money you will need is very subjective. Cape Town has excellent restaurants, shops and attractions. Although transport costs are relatively low volunteers often choose to take private taxis rather than trains or buses. Thus, spending varies enormously between volunteers. You will need your own spending money for personal costs such as transport to your school (about $2 per day), communication with home, social activities, and for paying up-front for medical expenses.
Volunteers in other WorldTeach programs have recommend taking or having access to about $1,000-1,500 in spending money, or more if you intend to do a lot of touring and traveling. These days, few travelers use Traveler's Checks since all ATMs in South Africa (and they are very common) accept international cards. You may, however, want Travelers Checks, US dollars and more than one card as a backup. Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted, Diners and American Express slightly less so.
Q: What should I take with me?
A: When you confirm your participation in the program you will be sent a booklet called Welcome to Cape Town. This booklet will contain a suggested packing list. We do not recommend taking a lot of electronics, as they are easily broken or stolen. Try to pack light; you will need to be able to move your bags easily, and you will find most things are available in Cape Town.
In terms of teaching materials, the WorldTeach field staff will have some teaching books and materials that you can borrow or copy but your school will supply most of the teaching materials you will need. You might want to take your own books, activities, or other materials that you think will be of use to you during your year. Posters or pictures from magazines, popular songs, or videos are valuable teaching tools that are harder to come by in South Africa. You can also speak with a returned volunteer for advice on packing.
Q: What if I want to extend for another year?
A: You may extend for another year without paying the program fee. You will be responsible for any airfare and insurance.
Q: Can I speak with a returned volunteer?
A: Because this is the first year long program in South Africa, we are unable to put you in contact with a returned Year long volunteer. However, we can put you in contact with a returned WorldTeach South Africa Summer volunteer who would be happy to tell you about their experience and answer your questions. We can also put you in touch with a returned WorldTeach Year volunteer from a different country. Please call our office or send a request by email to info@worldteach.org.
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