Volunteer to Teach English in Sicily

I've participated in Global volunteer programs in 3 other countries. This team was the largest team I've been with, there were 21 of us. Half of the 21 were folks under 26. The intergenerational nature of the experience was terrific. The team was cohesive, and fun! We had the opportunity to create a never before Summer School for kids in Castelvatrano. While it was challenging, it was also very rewarding.

I'd recommend the summer experience for families. It's a chance to work together as a family and build bridges with folks you would otherwise never interact with.

My 16 year old daughter and I volunteered at a Summer Camp in Castelvetrano teaching conversational English through Global Volunteers. The students were ages 6-10. The teacher provided structure but we did have the freedom to incorporate our own idea's for games, lessons, outside activities and arts and crafts. We really experienced an insider's view of the local culture within the community.

This was a great way to bond with my daughter while both exploring something new together. We actually stayed in a Palace and worked within a team of 20 people. Half of the team were teenagers and although the other teens were on a different assignment during the day, we all met in the afternoons for team meetings and spent dinners and evenings together. The teens really bonded and had a blast. We were so fortunate to have so many kids close in age that all got along so well. The teens sat together during dinners and played cards and board games late into the night.

Our team enjoyed daily excursions after our volunteer work to archeological sights, beaches, an olive oil mill, cathedrals and historical buildings, gelato store, etc. etc. Castelvetrano is an ancient city rich in architectural history, small family owned restaurants, and traditions. We even had a meeting with the mayor!

We were provided with connection to a local agency for weekend tours. Most of our team participated in this and it was a way to see so much of the sights without the inflated touristy prices. There was so much to do and see. It was fun doing this as a group.

Our team leader, Giovanni was extremely knowledgeable as he was a local from Castelvetrano. He understood the needs of the team and guided us to achieve all of our goals. As well as making sure we always had what we needed. Whether we had concerns or dietary needs, Giovanni was easily approachable and always open to listening and resolving any issue.

I have taken several Global Volunteers trips and each one was very different and special in its own way. You would never have this type of experience just being a tourist. I would highly recommend it.

Teaching in Sicily with Global Volunteers was a rewarding and beautiful experience. Castelvetrano is a well preserved medieval city. It is authentic Sicily. I know because my grandmother was born and grew up there.
I taught in the middle schools and quickly became a valued member of the community. The teachers treated me as a colleague and a friend. The students were curious and appreciative. The warmth I felt towards them was returned.
Best part is that your family doesn't have to be from there like mine was. Just caring enough to come all the way from America will open doors and elicit smiles. You won't be seen as a tourist, but as a member of the community.

For my first Global Volunteers experience, I was one of the lucky 6 beginning this
program in the beautiful and ancient town of Castelvetrano. We came as strangers from all over the US. For two weeks we lived and ate delicious food together, convened for daily check-ins and motivating discussion, and each worked intensely in our different schools. On the intervening weekend, we planned travel to several other notable Sicilian towns, with the invaluable help of Giovanni. We used afternoons for exploring such places as an olive oil processing plant, gelateria, patisseries, and singing at the "Sistine Chapel of the South." We left feeling a connection and respect not only to our students and host teachers but to each other and our leader, Phyllis.
We all knew the complications of travel during COVID, and it was more involved than any travel I'd done previously, but so worth the effort! It was hard to say goodbye; I gained so much, and loved the experience!

Loved being in one city -Castelvetrano - for a period of time, felt like home. The hospitality school I worked in gave me an insight to the high school system in Sicily - teachers change classes not the students. The sleep accomodations were out standing...and by going out to dinner with the volunteers we got to know each other on a friendly basis. The week-end we went touring a few cities in Sicily...seaside towns and of course Palermo, the capital!! The town of Castelvetrano was old architecture and beautiful.So so glad I experienced this.

We just celebrated 20 years of teaching conversational English in Monopoli, Italy. During this past year, volunteers engaged in English conversation with over 900 high school students and 35 local adults.
Many former students and community members who, thanks to the experience of practicing their English skills with the volunteers for a number of years, have been very successful in their university studies and professional careers. Some examples include:

• Fausto, at a very young age of 8 years, attended our Ostuni English summer camp in 2003. For the remainder of his schooling, he benefitted from classroom time spent with volunteers throughout grammar, middle, and high school. He now attends the University of Nottingham in Nottingham, England, where he is studying International Economics. I recently heard from him and he expressed gratitude for the opportunity he had to converse with volunteers to practice his English throughout the years.
• Marco, distinguished classical guitarist, an adult student always expresses his appreciation for the many hours volunteers have spent with him over the past five years. He performs worldwide, often in the United States, and his ability to speak English has been instrumental in his success

Yes, success stories and valuable volunteer experiences abound.

Monopoli is perhaps one of the nicest "creature comforts" locations in Global Volunteers. We stayed right on the Adriatic and walked to school on most days. The city opened their arms to us and we were know everywhere we went. Our students were varied and enjoyed learning so it was a delightful teaching situation.

It was something like ten years ago that we were there, so memories are less than distinct. But we surely enjoyed our experience hugely -- loved working with the kids. They loved it when Dick sang "The Star Spangled Banner" and when we played the Hokey Pokey and Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes. We loved traveling around the area. Our accommodations were very nice, and our fellow "English Conversationalists" were great. Altogether a delightful experience. Can't say for sure how much the kids benefited from our "teaching" but we surely did! Dick and Maryan Schall