Italy

The ColosseumLive with an Italian family and in exchange for spending several hours a week helping them learn English they provide food and accommodation! Weekends are normally free to experience the culture by traveling around Italy.

This is a great programme for people who want to experience life in Italy and the Italian culture in-depth. The programme has a focus on cultural exchange and host families are not only excited to learn English but also love to share the characteristics of their country, culture and cuisine.

This is a high-energy and really fun position. We provide the materials; you provide the personality to liven up a family class or dinner conversation! Find out first-hand how an Italian family lives day-to-day. Sometimes there are opportunities to take part in family activities and to meet extended family. Plus, they can show you landmarks and the hidden gems of Italy.

Overview

The need

People with English as their first language to volunteer 15 hours a week helping your host family with Conversational English. That's it. Many Italian families want to learn English or get better at speaking English through conversation. They are willing to provide a private room and 3 home-cooked, healthy meals each day.

Benefits

  • Travel for less.Rome
  • You put in a couple of hours each day literally talking, and the rest of your time is spent traveling and experiencing the culture in depth.
  • Do you want to learn Italian or brush up on your language skills? We can easily arrange optional language classes for you. It's up to you.
  • Tip the advantage to you by enhancing your C.V. by volunteering with the Conversation Corps. Job: "Private Language Tutor." References: Global. It just doesn't get any better than that.
  • You "meet" your family in advance through email and phone calls. Each family is interviewed and carefully screened by in-country staff.
  • Exclusive materials which will give you "a bag of tricks" as you engage your new family.

Duties and Responsibilities include

  • Sharing your language with the host family for at least 15 hours a week Monday to Friday.
  • Using our Bag of Tricks and your exclusive membership in the ESL-Lounge, provide creative, fun and informative language sessions.
  • Keep your room tidy and clean and respect the host family’s rules and habits.
  • Manage your own personal expenses (telephone bills, clothing, entertainment and spending money).
  • Be available to help the children with their English homework.
  • Play games in English with the children.

Programme details

Italian coastlineProject details

  • Length: 2 to 3 months in increments of 1 month.
  • Locations: Cities and towns all around Italy.
  • Orientation: A formal orientation is not given. If there is a local coordinator in your area, you will be able to have an orientation by that person. Otherwise, you can also call our office in each country for orientation and for assistance locally.
  • Accommodation: Private room with the host family and 3 healthy meals a day.
  • Working hours: 15 hours each week.
  • Availability: Flexible. Actual arrival date is coordinated between you and your host family, although Friday is the preferred day to arrive in Italy.

Requirements

  • Fluent English i.e. you should have English as your first language.
  • 18 years old and over.
  • Good health.
  • A good basic education e.g. Secondary School and above.

Costs  PRICE REDUCTION

Duration Cost
2 weeks US$ 912
1 month US$ 1122
2 months US$ 1122
3 months US$ 1122

If available near your placement, assistance is provided in identifying suitable language lessons. The cost of language classes is not included in your programme fee.

Please note, due to fluctuations in the exchange rate, prices are given in US$.

What is included in the cost of the programme

  • Personalised Volunteer Placement with a host family through our Partner in Italy, including all the coordination, in-person visits and communication necessary with the local organisation.
  • Your orientation by a local coordinator.
  • A comfortable, safe place to live in Italy, your own private room, and all of your meals.
  • An experienced Programme Manager (and former volunteer) who will serve as your coordinator and liaison with our in-country staff in Italy.
  • In-country basic language assistance.
  • Professional, locally-based staff to provide orientation, supervision and guidance throughout your stay.
  • Extensive medical, accident and dental insurance along with emergency evacuation insurance.
  • Important documents, including in-depth pre-departure packs, orientation information, and all in-country informational materials.
  • A 24-hour emergency hotline.
  • Our own text book, A Tutor's Guide--Teaching English To Families and Children.

What is not included in the cost of the programme

  • Flights.
  • Airport transfers.
  • Local transportation.
  • Personal spending money.
  • Visa fees.

Application process

Once we receive all documents (host family letter, photos, etc.) we will need 2 full months to find a suitable family. Please allow for this in your travel plans.

Stories

Paris in Italy!

Staff and volunteers in Matera cityCiao, my name is Paris. I volunteered through EIL on the Leonardo da Vinci programme and I had the time of my life! I spent a month in a city called Altamura in Southern Italy with a not-for-profit organisation called Link. Link engages young people in non-formal educational activities and promotes creativity through arts and media education. My project was mainly media related, but I did a little bit of everything.

I was also a guest on the local radio every week, which was always hilarious! All the people I met there were genuine people who treated me as if I was family and I can’t wait to go back on another project.

Escape plan?

CC logo

Yesterday, after I had scraped ice off my car to get to work, I received an email from Julie who went to a family in Spain on the Conversation Corps programme. (Conversation Corps volunteers live with a family to help them improve their conversational English.) This is what Julie had to say…..

‘I thought I'd let you know that I've been getting on fine. My family has been very welcoming, and I settled in quickly. In fact, things have been going so well that I plan to stay on beyond the two months originally agreed.

Photos and Videos

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Videos: 

Please check back later to see if someone has uploaded a video.

More info

Conversation Corps information request

If you're interested in taking part in the Conversation Corps programme please contact us.

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