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Volunteer Teaching English in Cusco, Peru
Join this exciting opportunity to support English teachers in local schools across Peru, working with students from diverse communities and age groups. As a volunteer, you'll assist teachers in improving students pronunciation, grammar, and overall English language skills.
You are placed as a teaching assistant in local schools in Cusco, working alongside Peruvian English teachers to help students aged 13 to 18, grouped by age, with pronunciation, grammar and conversation. You support 3 classes a day of 60 minutes each, following the school's existing curriculum and materials, and can also propose activities to keep lessons engaging. The placement suits volunteers age 17 and up who are comfortable in a classroom support role rather than leading a curriculum; some Spanish helps you connect with students and staff.
Placements run 2–24 weeks, with starts twice a month (sundays), next start 20 Sep 2026. You live with a host family in Cusco, sharing a room with other volunteers, and get three home-cooked meals a day Monday to Friday. Programs start from $744 (deposit included). Weekends are free, and many volunteers use them to visit the Sacred Valley or Machu Picchu, both within reach of Cusco.
- Volunteer to teach English in Peru to students from different communities and age groups
- Placements are facilitated in local schools in Peru
- Volunteers need to teach 3 classes a day, for 60 minutes each
- Volunteers can also be a teacher assistant to improve the pronunciation and English skills of the students
- Intermediate level of Spanish is very helpful for this project
- Volunteers are expected to work for 5 days in a week
- Opportunity to engage with locals, understand Peruvian culture and meet people from all over the globe
Your role on this program
- Co-teach or assist the lead teacher during English classes focused on pronunciation and conversation
- Help plan daily lessons using the curriculum and materials provided by the school's teacher coordinator
- Support students who need extra help and track their progress
- Run vocabulary-building activities and interactive, activity-based exercises
- Teach basic math alongside English to younger learners when needed
- Prepare simple assessments to monitor student learning
- Develop your own activities or small projects to engage students creatively
Exact duties vary with the placement's needs, the season and your experience.
Role boundaries
You work as a classroom assistant under the direction of the local teacher and the school's teacher coordinator, following their fixed curriculum rather than designing your own; you are not a substitute for a qualified teacher. Because the role involves working with children, a criminal background check is required, and duties may vary with the placement's needs.
A typical day and week
- Sunday – Arrival in Cusco, Peru
- Monday – An orientation session will be conducted by the local coordinator, informing the volunteers about relative topics such as safety, culture, language, places to visit, behavior, food, and other suggestion over things to do in Peru.
- Tue to Fri – Volunteer Work.
- Weekends: Free to explore the city/ Head out for Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley etc.
- Breakfast – 07:00 am to 08:00 am
- Working hours at the placement – 09:00 am to 01:00 pm and 02:00 pm to 03:00 pm (The second shifts depends on the requirement at the placement)
- Lunch – 01:00 pm to 02:00 pm
- Dinner – 07:00 pm to 08:00 pm
The same volunteer work schedule continues from the second week onwards.
Note: Please note, the schedule may vary depending on the particular project the volunteer is participating in.
Timings are the placement's usual pattern; the local team confirms your hours at orientation, and they can change with school terms, clinic rotas, weather and the project's needs.
Who can join and what you need
- Minimum age 17 (parental consent form required for under-18 participants)
- A clean criminal background check report, issued within 12 months of the start date
- Beginner to intermediate Spanish is an added advantage
- An open, flexible attitude and willingness to work in a new environment
- A genuine interest in working with children and taking initiative in the classroom
- Valid travel/medical insurance (your own policy or one arranged through Volunteering Solutions)
- No teaching qualification is required
The placement, its limits and your part in it
The placement is arranged directly with local schools in Cusco, where students are grouped by age and follow a curriculum set by the school's own teacher coordinator, who supplies the lesson materials volunteers use. You work under that coordinator and the classroom's lead teacher, who remain responsible for the students and the curriculum; your role is to support them, not to take over teaching.
Because the work involves children, Volunteering Solutions requires a clean criminal background check before you start, and the in-country coordinator is available for support throughout. Realistically, your contribution is extra English practice, pronunciation help and engagement activities for students who otherwise have less access to English speakers, delivered within the structure the school already has in place.
Our standards
- Responsible volunteer travel policyHow we choose, run and review every project
- Safeguarding policyBackground checks, supervision and our code of conduct with children
- Child & vulnerable adult protectionThe rules every volunteer follows on placement
- Certified B CorporationSocial and environmental performance verified by B Lab
- How we volunteer responsibly in PeruCountry-level partner context and standards
Start dates
Weekly start dates, year-round — pick any week across the next two years.
Program fees by duration
Prices include your $249 booking deposit — which is deducted from your total program fee. Your deposit stays valid for one year, during which you may enroll in multiple programs. A 5% international banking fee applies to credit-card payments in USD or AUD.
| Duration | Total price | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 week | $744 | |
| 2 weeks | $894 | |
| 3 weeks | $1,079 | |
| 4 weeks | $1,249 | |
| 5 weeks | $1,449 | |
| 6 weeks | $1,624 | |
| 7 weeks | $1,824 | |
| 8 weeks | $2,024 | |
| Each additional week | +$325 / week |
Indicative conversion — your booking is charged in the currency you choose at checkout.
✓ What you're paying for
- 24 hrs Assistance and support from VS Staff
- Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
- Pickup from Cusco Airport or Bus Station
- Orientation
- Accommodation in a homestay
- Meals from Monday to Friday
- Insurance (Provided at an extra cost)
- Certificate Of Completion (Upon Request)
Not included
- Airfare
- Visa and Visa extension fee
- Return airport drop and airport taxes
- Local Transportation
- Any personal expenses
Accommodation & meals
Airport Transfer
As soon as you land at Cusco Airport, our friendly local coordinator or representative will be there to greet you. If you’re traveling overland or are already in Peru, we’ll arrange a convenient pickup at a designated meeting point or bus station. You´ll see the VolSol logo and your name at the airport door.
Orientation
Get ready for an exciting journey with our orientation! Our local staff will introduce you to key aspects of life in Peru, covering topics like culture, greetings, transportation, safety, and your volunteer placements. This session will help you feel right at home!
Accommodation
Experience authentic Peruvian culture by staying with a local host family! You’ll share a cozy room with fellow volunteers, giving you the chance to bond and make new friends. Most host families have two bathrooms equipped with hot showers, and the accommodations are clean and comfortable. Many homes also offer Wi-Fi and cable TV for your convenience.
Meals
Enjoy delicious home-cooked meals with your host family, served three times a day from Monday to Friday. The menu varies daily and typically includes mouth-watering soups, fresh salads, rice, potatoes, refreshing juices, and delightful desserts.
During your Free Time
During your free time, feel free to explore, shop, or relax! Most weekends, volunteers seize the opportunity to visit the breathtaking Sacred Valley or the world-renowned Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas. In Cusco, take a leisurely stroll around the Plaza de Armas, discovering local restaurants and vibrant shopping areas along the way.
Life on the program
Getting there and who looks after you in Peru
Airport or bus station pickup
You arrive on a Sunday and are met at Cusco Airport, or at a designated meeting point or bus station if traveling overland, by a local coordinator or representative holding the VolSol logo and your name.
First night with your host family
You settle into your host family homestay, sharing a room with other volunteers, and meals begin the next weekday morning.
Orientation on Monday
The local coordinator runs an orientation covering culture, transportation, safety, greetings and your placement, so you know what to expect before starting.
First day at the placement
Classroom work begins Tuesday, running through Friday, with the same weekly schedule continuing from week two onward, and 24-hour staff assistance available throughout your stay.
From volunteers in Peru
Frequently asked questions
What do I actually do as a volunteer?
You assist local English teachers in Cusco schools, helping with pronunciation, grammar and conversation across 3 classes a day of 60 minutes each, and support activities like vocabulary games and basic assessments.
Do I need a teaching qualification or fluent Spanish?
No teaching qualification is required; you work as an assistant under the school's own teacher. Beginner to intermediate Spanish is helpful but not mandatory.
Who is this program suited for?
It suits volunteers age 17 and older who are comfortable supporting a classroom rather than leading one, and who have a genuine interest in working with children.
What does a typical day look like?
Classes run Tuesday to Friday, generally 9am to 1pm and sometimes 2pm to 3pm depending on the placement's needs, with breakfast, lunch and dinner scheduled around the workday.
How long can I volunteer and when do programs start?
Placements run 2–24 weeks, with new starts twice a month (sundays); the next start date is 20 Sep 2026.
What does the price include?
Programs start from $744 (deposit included), covering airport or bus station pickup, orientation, host family accommodation, meals Monday to Friday, and 24-hour staff support; flights, visas, insurance and personal expenses are not included.
Where will I live and eat?
You stay with a host family in Cusco, sharing a room with other volunteers, and receive three home-cooked meals a day Monday to Friday; weekend meals are on your own.
How does airport pickup work?
A local coordinator meets you at Cusco Airport, or at a bus station or meeting point if you arrive overland; look for the VolSol logo and your name.
What support is available if something goes wrong?
The in-country coordinator runs your orientation and remains available, along with a 24-hour emergency contact throughout the program.
Do I need a background check or vaccinations?
Yes, a clean criminal background check issued within 12 months of your start date is required since the role involves working with children; vaccination and visa guidance is sent before departure.
Will I be teaching the whole class on my own?
No, you work alongside the school's lead teacher and follow their curriculum, assisting with instruction rather than teaching independently.
What do I do on weekends?
Weekends are free; many volunteers use them to explore Cusco's Plaza de Armas or take trips to the Sacred Valley or Machu Picchu.
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