A eye-opening experience teaching in Bali

Last week I volunteered for a one-week assignment with Global Future Institute to teach English to primary school students in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia. Many low-income families cannot afford private language lessons for their children, and access to quality education in Bali public schools is severely lacking. The primary school I was assigned to had only 1 English teacher, so there was one English class per week per class. The level of English for these disadvantaged children is very basic. Volunteers help these students speak conversational English so they will have a future in the tourism industry that pours millions of dollars into Bali every year.

This volunteer opportunity is an eye-opener for me. Amidst the wealthy tourists and affluent hotels, more than 150,000 Balinese live in poverty, and school facilities are woefully inadequate. Many of the air conditioners are installed but don't work, and neither do most of the audio-visual equipment. English classes are conducted in Indonesian. Students welcome English teaching volunteers as it gives them the opportunity to practice conversational English. I find the students very enthusiastic, friendly, and willing to learn.