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EDUCO: Teach English in Italy at Summer Camps

Name: EDUCO: Teach English in Italy at Summer Camps
Brand: EDUCO
SKU: 209421
Rating: 4.79 (85 reviews)

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EDUCO

4.79 (85 reviews)

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EDUCO: Teach English in Italy at Summer Camps

EDUCO

4.79 · 85 reviews

Community Choice Award Winner

Location

Italy

Length

4 - 12 weeks

Classroom Audience

Pre-School Elementary Middle School

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Program Details

Qualifications

Mother tongue English Speaker, 18 years old+, love working with children

Job Type

Tutoring

Classroom Audience

Pre-School Elementary Middle School

Housing

Host Family

Age Min.

Pricing

Salary / Benefits

Paid Study Grant

Starting Price

200

Price Details

All tutors accepted onto our program must attend one of our orientation courses. The summer 2023 orientations will be held in Sanremo. The orientation fee is 200 euros and covers five days' hotel accommodation, meals, didactic training and materials.

What's Included

Accommodation Activities Meals Transportation

What's Not Included

Airfare

Last Updated: Aug 21, 2024

Last Reviewed: Feb 20, 2026

Wish List

134 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

EDUCO is a social enterprise that provides Italian students and teachers with fun, enriching, and hands-on opportunities to learn the English language.

We are recruiting creative, passionate and responsible mother tongue English speakers to teach English to children in summer camps throughout Italy - from the Alps to the islands of Sicily and Sardegna - on our accredited TEFL through Performance & Play program. This is a unique opportunity to enhance your CV and cultural horizons by learning how to teach through games, sports, drama & songs all taught at our orientation. Accommodation, food and transport during and between camps is all covered. Tutors also receive a generous study grant which is based on the number of weeks spent teaching.

If you dream of spending a summer in Bella Italia while doing rewarding work with children and meeting people from all over the world - then this is the experience for you.

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Video and Photos

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Program Highlights

Living with Italian host families, working in a culturally diverse team environment, free transport from camp to camp, company accommodation during weeks on hold, networking possibilities in Italy following program
Earn a TEFL through Performance & Play Certificate accredited by the International TEFL Accreditation Council
We are proud to provide our tutors with the highest compensation of any summer camps program within Italy, and among the highest within the EU.
Networking opportunities + longer term vacancies following completion of program

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Program Reviews

4.79 Rating

based on 85 reviews

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Rating Spread Teach

5 rating 89.41%
4 rating 4.71%
3 rating 2.35%
2 rating 2.35%
1 rating 1.18%

Benefits 4.7
Support 4.7
Fun 4.9
Facilities 4.75
Safety 4.8

Good for Solo Travelers, Building your resume, Adventure travelers

Showing 1 - 8 of 85 reviews

This experience was one to never be forgotten. Being able to be such a blessing and impact to the kids at the camps will stay in my heart forever. While in Italy, I had the opportunity to travel from one of the most southern parts of Italy (Sicily) all the way to Milano. Being able to be immersed in the culture and the way of living is unforgettable. As a tutor being hosted in the families houses, I found it absolutely astonishing to LIVE with the Italians and be able to be part of their family. Everyone is so welcoming and want you to feel at home and like their own child. I would say I even picked up the Italian language which was truly an experience of its own.

I would say related to the camps, the work you're expected to do was nothing I ever thought of. For example, you are expected to "teach" an hour to three hours of lessons to kids per day depending on the length of the camp. I had never had any teaching experience and being put in this position was a bit hard at the start but all I can say is by the end I got the hang of it and was enjoying it to its fullest.

Pay is the same regardless of the size of your camp. So for example one week I had a camp of 130 kids but then the other week was 13 kids. Honestly, I wasn't there for the pay though. The kids are such a blast and it is very interesting to see the different personalities comparing the south of Italy to the North.

One of my favorite parts would FOR SURE be the training week though. That was a community I will NEVER forget. Also, just the amount of people I met and connected with was truly, truly a blessing.

I would do this 100x again. I recommend it all the way.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

I ate horse at my first camp host family. Never would I have imagined that I would eat horse haha. It was very yummy.

Pros

Food
Family
Experience

Cons

Some travel times were long in between camps
Pay is same for any size camp
Sometimes you don't always get placed where you want or with who you want

I had an overall amazing time with EDUCO last summer. Going to different camps each week, with new students and workbook levels, definitely challenges you, in a good way. When being placed in camps, there's naturally an element of this being a lottery, i.e., students, staff and host families each being different. However, there's a lot of goodwill and a good 'vibe' towards the camps from people you work with. I was a little bit older doing the camp (33), but just about managed it energy wise.

The EDUCO mentors are very professional and try to look after you. You can Whatsapp message them at any point during placement.

As a possible small point of feedback to EDUCO, I think that some pre-orientation tasks might help participants prepare so as to avoid overwhelm during orientation. This could include learning about EDUCO methodologies, as well as encouraging successful applicants to learn 1-2 camps songs or games beforehand.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Definitely get enough rest before the orientation programme. I had a jam-packed weekend in Nice before orientation, and quite honestly, you don't get much rest time during the orientation week, which really does drain you. This made the initial camps difficult, as I was exhausted/feeling sick.

Pros

Travel
Fun
Creativity and skills

Cons

Exhaustion, particularly from orientation
Some Italian assistants work against you

I loved every minute of teaching with EDUCO.

My host family's have been very kind and accommodating and I am forever grateful for their kindness. I don’t think I have had one bad meal within a host family. The food has been amazing! Furthermore so many family’s have been kind enough to take me to places. I've been to famous lakes, fancy restaurants, firework displays, night markets, beaches and so many other things. It’s been wonderful working with children has been very rewarding and I loved to see how there confidence in English grows from the start to the end of the week. Being part of there English journey is such a privilege.

Overall I would express that EDUCO is a wholesome and adventurous experience.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?

For me the most nerve-racking experience was my first classroom.

I had all the training from the week before but I still felt scared because I had never done it before.

I over came this by just going with it and using the tools I’m given.
I found that each camp became easier and easier and in end the classroom time became second nature.

Pros

Amazing Food
Amazing places
Amazing people

Cons

Not much notice on where you will go.
You don’t know your host family’s untill you meet them
Some sleeping arrangements aren’t ideal you will have to share so be adaptable.

Educo was such an amazing experience and one I whole heartedly recommend. You begin your time in Italy at orientation week, where while learning al the resources and methods to prepare you for your teaching journey, you are creating strong bonds and long lasting friendships with the other tutors. My orientation week had 45 other participants and everyone was so friendly and the staff are so supportive and want to see you do well it really helps foster a sense of security and comfort. While I definitely expected to gain invaluable teaching skills and a summer travelling beautiful Italy, I did not expect to make the strong friendships I made. After orientation week you receive allocations and then you are off on your adventure travelling Italy equipped with your new skills in teaching. Staying with host families was special and gained me access to parts of Italy and traditions I never would have known. Educo is really good for allowing a different and truer experience of Italy and a deeper access into its culture. Many of the host families I stayed with I am in contact with as you grow so close to these families. As for the teaching, at first I was nervous as it was my first time in this field, but with the tools my orientation leaders had provided and the support from the other tutors, I was able to take it in my stride. I found it really rewarding and fulfilling, furthered by how adorable the children were. I met so many amazing people while travelling and saw some of the most beautiful sights. I spent my whole summer with Educo and I had the best time ever. An Educo summer is one I strongly recommend.

What was your funniest moment?

My funniest moment was defiantly during my Placement in Alcamo. I was staying with the mayor at the time and he took us to a festival in the town where me and my fellow tutors watched him perform in a Radiohead cover band. We admittedly stayed out quite late but it was such a fun and surreal experience.

Pros

Adventure + Travel
Amazing New Friends
Rewarding work

Cons

Can be quite demanding
Requires a level of patience

I spent a few weeks working with Educo this summer, and it’s been amazing. I love working with kids and Italian culture so this was just what I was looking for. I would 100% recommend this program. I got to see many places of a beautiful country while meeting new people from all over the world. Job wise, some summer camps can be easier than others depending on how big your class is or the age group, etc. but overall camp directors take very good care of you and the families are very welcoming. In my opinion, this was a very fun job that brought me some great memories and I can’t wait to go back this next summer.

Spending my summer teaching at Educo Italia was truly one of the best experiences of my life. Each day was filled with fun and learning, and I gained so many valuable skills and lessons that I’ll carry with me for life. The children were also extremely interested in learning, which made teaching them even more rewarding. Another amazing part of teaching here was all of the people I met, the close community made it very difficult to say goodbye. I enjoyed my time so much that I didn’t want to return home. It was an unforgettable experience I’d recommend to anyone!

Working with Educo was an incredible experience! I loved meeting amazing people and learning a completely new, interactive way of teaching. Their games- and songs-based approach made lessons so fun for the kids, and it was rewarding to watch them grow more confident in English while having a great time.

What really stood out to me was the energy and creativity that filled every day. No two lessons were ever the same, and I was encouraged to bring my own personality and ideas into the classroom. You also get a TEFL certification out of it which is such a plus! I left each day feeling supported by the team and students around me!

A few months ago I did not expect to return home to Canada with such amazing memories of my Summer with Educo! I would 100% recommend Educo for anyone interested in exploring a career in teaching and seeing the beautiful country of Italy. It is such a unique and special experience to be welcomed with open arms by local families who are equally as eager to learn the english language as well as their children. From the materials provided to the leadership of the Educo orientation team to the friendships I made with other tutors, I felt very supported and prepared to teach at summer camps all over Italy. My confidence has grown tremendously and I can't wait to come back next Summer!

Questions & Answers

Can I bring my children and husband?

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Do you have to know Italian?

You do not need to speak Italian in order to apply for our camps. While knowledge of the language can be an advantage, our camps are full English immersion and we discourage tutors from speaking Italian with the children. Every camp has local Italian staff (including the director and helpers) who may assist with any language barriers.

By Sophia Trozzo on February 23, 2020

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Maria Triantafyllou

Program

EDUCO: Teach English in Italy at Summer Camps

Maria is a dedicated teacher specializing in foreign language learning and teaching, with two years of experience in the field. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in foreign language learning and teaching, she resides and studies in Greece while harboring a passion for working abroad during the summer months. Maria possesses experience in teaching English at primary schools in Greece, a private institution in Spain, and across English summer camps in Italy over the past two years.

Interview

Why did you choose this program?

Educo marked my endeavor to apply my teaching knowledge outside my home country, in my second language within a domain of my greatest interest: performance and play in education. Initially, I aspired to cultivate a career while engaging in summertime work abroad, and Italy emerged as an appealing option due to its cultural similarities with Greece. During my first exploration of international work opportunities, Educo prominently surfaced in my search inquiries. The organization's comprehensive website provided me with further insights, giving me a solid foundation to conceptualize its working ethos and educational objectives. Encouraged by this discovery, I embraced the opportunity, willingly assuming the associated risks.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

The decision to embark on my international work experience was wholly autonomous, necessitating meticulous planning and organization of my responsibilities and travel arrangements. This process involved the submission of an application through the Educo website, followed by the requirement to provide a video showcasing the implementation of one of my teaching activities from an experiential standpoint. Subsequently, I was prompted to complete my profile on the Educo platform, facilitating communication with the individuals overseeing my training and placement within the summer camps in Italy.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

I highly recommend seizing the opportunity to engage with Educo and explore the prospect of working abroad, particularly if you are an English teacher inclined towards implementing lesson plans through experiential and non-formal methodologies, particularly within the realms of performance, drama, music, art, and play. An additional dimension to consider entails the necessity of periodic travel to diverse locations, necessitating adaptability to new environments, embracing Italian hospitality, and adjusting to new teaching contexts.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

My daily work with Educo entails a commitment from 9 to 5, Monday through Friday, particularly if opting to participate in non-residential or other specialized camps. Moreover, additional time is typically allocated for early arrival and late departure to facilitate preparatory activities and reflective sessions with fellow tutors and the camp director, respectively. Educo provides a very structured framework of the tasks required to implement, supplemented by recommendations provided within their accompanying guidebook. The morning sessions feature individualized instruction, while the afternoon sessions, following snack time and lunch, typically involve collaborative hands-on activities with all tutors, engaging students across various proficiency levels.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

The decision to embark on overseas employment presented a degree of uncertainty for me, particularly given the absence of prior insights or feedback from colleagues who had previously collaborated with Educo. Chief among my apprehensions was whether the organization's pedagogical approach would align with my instructional objectives and expectations and whether the transient nature of moving between camps and accommodation arrangements with various Italian families would give me a sense of sustained comfort over an extended duration of time. After numerous email exchanges and a phone call with the person responsible for my training and camp allocations, followed by informal exchanges with my trainers, my concerns were considerably answered.

Valeria

2022 Alum

Alita Powell

2018 Alum

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Sophia Trozzo

Program

EDUCO: Teach English in Italy at Summer Camps

Job Title

International HR Manager

Sophia is international HR manager for EDUCO's summer camps program since 2016. In addition to overseeing the recruitment process for over 200 educators annually, she is also responsible for allocating tutors to camps across the country and serving as their first point of contact throughout the program. She is based in Sanremo, but coordinates nationally with a team of EDUCO collaborators.

A group of participants posing in matching t-shirts

What is your favorite travel memory?

I have so many wonderful travel memories! It would be impossible to only choose one.

Snorkelling along the coral reef in Egypt's Red Sea, camel riding at sunset in the Sahara desert, racing (literally) through the Hermitage in St. Petersburg with my 13 month old daughter, solo travelling through Vienna, Prague and Budapest during the Christmas holidays, living in Paris (my favourite city) as a student, are only a few of the many treasured experiences that come to mind.

Unlike other countries, I've had the privilege of getting to know Italy profoundly and over a long period of time, largely thanks to my work teaching and recruiting for EDUCO. Some of my most precious memories in La Bella Paese include: long train rides from the north to south (I recall one particular journey of 12+ hours from Elba Island to Ricadi, Calabria where I watched one of the most beautiful sunsets of my life from my window), hiking in the mountains near Bergamo, having my taste buds awakened by Puglia's delightful and original culinary traditions, drives along the Amalfi coast, and day trips to Liguria's small, colourful fishing and mountain villages.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I moved to Italy from Montreal (Canada) in the summer of 2015, to begin a career in education in the country of my roots. Since then I've worked with dozens of people from various educational backgrounds - each of whom have shaped my vision for my work. My Italian language skills have greatly improved and I've gained invaluable insight into working within a bilingual environment. I've learned that providing young people with opportunities to work and travel in a foreign country is an enormous responsibility that, when taken seriously and carried out with passion, reaps immense joy and can even change lives.

But the biggest change for me personally undoubtedly came from becoming a mom. The experience of giving birth in Italy, away from my family and friends, and now raising my daughter here, has added an entirely new and incomparable dimension to my relationship with this country. I want to do the best work I am capable of, for her. I want her to grow up in an Italy that recognises the importance of learning languages, that celebrates ethnic diversity and cultural exchange. And I'm so happy she will grow up with access to my work environment, because it provides a window into all of that, and much more.

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What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

Each summer I receive dozens of emails from tutors who have completed our program and gained new perspectives. People write to say that, following our program, they are considering changing careers, or want to find full time teaching work in Italy, or that they've made friends for life. Sometimes they write to thank me for sending them to a location they were initially hesitant about, or for trusting them to handle a certain type of project or assignment. There is nothing more satisfying then seeing the people you've recruited grow, professionally and personally, over the course of a summer.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

Hands down our camps! I spent three summers as a tutor on our program and they are among some of my best experiences. EDUCO camps offer an incredible opportunity to travel to unique parts of Italy while doing meaningful work with children and meeting people from all across the world. Our tutors come dozens of countries, including: USA, UK, Canada, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.

In addition, you get to live with Italian families, who offer you a direct link to the culture - an opportunity to learn more of the language, the local secrets and specialities, and indulge in their region's cuisine. Your accommodation is provided and EDUCO covers all transport between camps, so your expenses (apart from your flight of course) are few to none. Plus, you earn a generous study grant for each week in camp, and a TEFL certificate following completion of the program.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

We are always striving to be competitive and attract the best talent for our programs. We recognise that this means setting a standard that is attractive for applicants across the world.

Currently, we provide the highest compensation of any summer camps program in Italy (and among the highest in the EU). We are the only company in Italy that offers a Theatre in Education program for children. We also provide outstanding networking opportunities on a national level, following the completion of our programs, with many of our recruits going on to accept full time or part time work in Italy via our collaborators and contacts.

Our staff are demonstrated experts in their respective fields and are continuously building on their education and training in order to provide the best for our new recruits.

EDUCO is a network of dozens of dedicated individuals across the Italian peninsula, from north to south. I don't think it can be stated enough, how difficult an undertaking it is to harmonize so many projects across great geographical and regional differences, but we do it! And I believe we're successful at it because, at the core of what we do is a strong human component. We are always feeding off of one another for ideas, ways to communicate better or synchronise our messages more thoroughly. Each year we involve over 100 000 Italian children and teachers in our programs. What we are able to accomplish on a national level annually makes me especially proud.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

The biggest factor in EDUCO's success has been strong, visionary leadership. Leadership that, at its core, allows the best characteristics and abilities of every person in our network and on our team to flourish. This, coupled with our ability to adapt to the needs of an ever changing world, and a gradually changing Italy, has made us a game changer.

Sophia Trozzo

International HR Manager

Location

Location:

Italy

Currency:

Euro

Weather:

Jan-Mar

59 F / 37 F

Apr-Jun

82 F / 46 F

Jul-Sep

88 F / 61 F

Oct-Dec

72 F / 41 F

Airports:

Rome Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino

( FCO )

Milan Malpensa

( MXP )

Venice Marco Polo

( VCE )

Italy has long been a bucket list item for people, and it's no wonder with the ancient ruins, astounding scenery, and renowned museums -- all accompanied by the beautiful Italian language. When visiting Italy, be prepared to see big differences in accents and food while moving between regions.

About EDUCO

We are a non-profit association concerned with promoting student-centred teaching/learning through the application of theatre and drama practices. Accredited by the Italian Ministry of Education, EDUCO utilizes the power of theatre and drama within a didactic framework to successfully teach English to Italian children all across Italy. Our touring...