Teaching in Mongolia

When you arrive at your school in Ulaanbaatar, don't be surprised if you find an old "communist-style" concrete structure with basic facilities, but clean and functional. The stark buildings certainly don't reflect the nature of the people. Our Teaching Abroad Mongolia staff will introduce you to a friendly supervisor, usually one of the English teachers at the school, and lots of enthusiastic students.

Your main role is to help the local teachers by teaching the conversation part of their lessons. Although language is the aim, many of your lessons will also be opportunities for cultural exchange. We work mainly with 13-to-17 year-olds - the perfect age to spend English lessons talking about football, current affairs and pop music! Find out about what Mongolians really think about fashion or whether they celebrate Christmas - with around 35 students in a class there'll be plenty of discussion to fill your lesson!

The exchange works both ways because teenagers in Mongolia are generally curious to find what life is like in the West. Sandwiched between China and Russia, you will find their perception of life outside the vastness of Asia and Eastern Europe is interesting - they always have plenty of questions for our volunteers!

If you'd like to work with younger children please ask us about the nursery placements we have available. Alternatively you may prefer to work with adults. We have placements working at language institutes where you can teach adults in small groups.

One of the things you notice in Ulaanbaatar is the enthusiasm of everyone to learn some English. This is particularly apparent in the local karaoke bar where businessmen may well be found booming out a stirring rendition of the Beatles "Yesterday"!

To read a more detailed information about this project, you may visit our Volunteer Teaching in Mongolia specialized website.