Teaching English in Cusco is our most popular volunteer program, and for good reason. English language skills open economic opportunities for Peruvian students in tourism, business, and higher education. As a volunteer English teacher in Cusco, you’re providing access to language learning that many schools can’t offer due to limited resources, large class sizes, and shortage of qualified English instructors.
Let’s be clear about what this program actually is: you’ll be working in real Peruvian schools with real students who need English education, not performing teaching theater for your Instagram. The schools we partner with are primarily in working-class neighborhoods of Cusco, serving children whose families can’t afford private English academies. These aren’t wealthy international schools with perfect resources. They’re public or low-cost private schools doing their best with limited budgets, overcrowded classrooms, and students facing economic challenges that affect their education.
Your role as a volunteer English teacher varies depending on the school’s needs and your experience level. Some volunteers lead classes independently after initial training. Others assist Peruvian English teachers, working with small groups or individual students who need extra help. Most teaching volunteers do a combination: co-teaching some classes, leading others, and providing supplementary instruction where needed.
We place English teaching volunteers in primary schools (ages 6-12) and secondary schools (ages 12-17) throughout Cusco. Each placement has different dynamics, student populations, and teaching challenges. Primary school teaching is highly energetic, requires creativity with young children, and focuses on basic vocabulary and pronunciation through games and activities. Secondary teaching involves more complex grammar, conversation practice, and preparing students for exams or real-world English use.
The impact of quality English teaching in Cusco is genuine and measurable. Students who learn English have significantly better employment opportunities in Peru’s tourism economy. They can pursue higher education that requires English. They access information and opportunities that Spanish alone doesn’t provide. But this impact only happens if you’re actually teaching well, not just showing up and babysitting in English.
We operate as part of My Peru Destinations, a locally-owned Peruvian organization with established relationships with Cusco schools built over years of placing international volunteers. Our local coordinators visit placements regularly, provide ongoing support, and ensure the partnership benefits both volunteers and schools. You’re not dropped into a classroom with zero support – you have experienced local staff available 24/7 to help you navigate challenges.
This program combines incredibly well with Spanish classes because (1) you’ll use Spanish constantly communicating with students, staff, and navigating school environments, and (2) learning a second language yourself makes you a better language teacher as you understand student struggles firsthand. We highly recommend the Spanish + Teaching combination for the most rewarding and effective experience.
Here’s what your actual day-to-day life looks like as an English teaching volunteer in Cusco:
Morning (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM): If you’re combining teaching with Spanish classes (strongly recommended), your mornings are dedicated to Spanish language study. You’ll attend classes with maximum 6 students per group, or private one-on-one lessons if you prefer. The timing works perfectly: learn Spanish in the morning, then immediately apply it in the afternoon at your school placement.
Your Spanish classes happen in central Cusco at our language school. Classes use communicative methodology focusing on actual conversation and practical use rather than pure grammar memorization. Teachers are native Peruvian Spanish instructors certified in teaching Spanish as a foreign language.
If you’re doing teaching-only without Spanish classes, you might use mornings for lesson planning, preparing teaching materials, visiting your school early to observe other teachers, or having free time to explore Cusco, rest, or manage personal tasks.
Lunch (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM): Return to your homestay for lunch, which is the main meal in Peruvian culture. This gives you a break between Spanish study and teaching, time to eat properly, and a chance to mentally prepare for the afternoon at school.
Travel to School (2:00 PM – 2:30 PM): Most Cusco schools are 15-30 minutes from homestay neighborhoods by combi (shared van) or walking. You’ll quickly learn your route and this commute becomes routine. Some volunteers walk if schools are close, getting exercise and observing neighborhood life. Others take combis, practicing Spanish by telling drivers where they’re going.
Arrival and Preparation (2:30 PM – 2:45 PM): Arrive at school about 15 minutes before classes start. Use this time to greet teachers and staff (very important culturally – you must greet everyone), set up classroom materials, coordinate with the Peruvian teacher you’re working with, and prepare mentally for teaching.
First Teaching Block (2:45 PM – 4:15 PM): Your first classes of the afternoon. Depending on your school, this might be two 45-minute periods or one 90-minute block. You could be teaching primary school 3rd graders basic colors and numbers through games, or secondary school students working on past tense grammar and conversation practice.
Teaching is active and demanding. You’re on your feet, projecting your voice, managing student behavior, explaining concepts in simple English (and sometimes Spanish), monitoring comprehension, encouraging participation, and adapting your plan when activities work differently than expected.
Break (4:15 PM – 4:30 PM): Short recess when students run outside to play and you collapse in the teacher’s room with instant coffee, catching your breath and preparing for the next session. This is when you chat with Peruvian teachers, ask for advice about students who are struggling, and get informal cultural education about how Peruvian schools actually function.
Second Teaching Block (4:30 PM – 6:00 PM): More classes with different student groups. By now you’re tired, students are even more tired after a full school day, and maintaining energy and engagement requires effort. Late afternoon classes are when classroom management becomes most challenging because everyone’s exhausted.
Cleanup and Departure (6:00 PM – 6:15 PM): After classes end, you clean up materials, say goodbye to students and teachers (again, culturally important), coordinate with supervisors about tomorrow’s plans, and head home.
Evening (7:00 PM onwards): Dinner with your homestay family around 7:00 or 8:00 PM. After dinner, you’ll likely spend time lesson planning for tomorrow, preparing materials (printing worksheets if you have access, creating flashcards, organizing games), reviewing student progress, or just resting because teaching is exhausting.
Some evenings you’ll go out with other volunteers for socializing, exploring Cusco’s restaurants and bars, or attending cultural events. Other nights you’ll stay home recovering your energy for another day of teaching.
Lesson Planning Reality: Good teaching requires preparation. Expect to spend 3-6 hours weekly planning lessons, creating materials, and thinking through how to engage students effectively. Volunteers who don’t plan adequately end up with chaotic classes where students are bored, behavioral problems arise, and no real learning happens.
Weekends: Completely free for travel, exploring Peru, resting, or whatever you want. Many teaching volunteers use weekends for trips to Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Rainbow Mountain, or other Peruvian destinations. Others use weekends for intensive lesson planning and material creation for the coming week.
Variation by School: Each placement has slightly different schedules, number of classes, and student populations. Some volunteers teach 3-4 classes daily, others teach 5-6. Some work with the same students all week, others rotate through many different classes. We’ll match you to a placement that fits your experience level and preferences.
Teaching English in Cusco has specific requirements because you’re working in real educational settings with students whose learning matters:
Minimum Age: 18 years old. Schools require adult volunteers for liability and professionalism reasons. No exceptions.
Minimum Duration: 4 weeks strongly recommended. We technically accept 2-week placements, but here’s the honest reality: week one you’re figuring out the school, students, teaching approaches, and what works. Week two you’re just hitting your stride. Then you leave. Students need consistency and continuity. Teachers you’re assisting need reliable help, not revolving door of volunteers who disappear right when they’re becoming useful.
Four weeks minimum allows you to establish relationships with students, understand their learning needs, see progress from your teaching, and make genuine contribution. Longer commitments (6-8+ weeks) create significantly more impact and more rewarding experiences for you.
English Fluency Required. You must be a native English speaker or functionally fluent. We’re not teaching conversational basics – we’re teaching English as a foreign language to students who need proper pronunciation, grammar, and language models. If you’re not confident in your English, this isn’t the right program.
That said, you don’t need perfect grammar knowledge or teaching credentials. Enthusiasm, patience, and willingness to learn teaching skills matter enormously. We provide teaching orientation and ongoing support. But you must speak English fluently and correctly.
Spanish: Intermediate Level Highly Recommended. Here’s where many volunteer programs aren’t honest with you: yes, you’re teaching English, but you’ll use Spanish constantly. Explaining grammar concepts students don’t understand, managing behavior, communicating with Peruvian teachers and staff, navigating school logistics, understanding student questions – all of this happens in Spanish.
Can you survive with basic Spanish? Technically yes. Will you be as effective and have as good an experience? Absolutely not. The volunteers who struggle most are those with minimal Spanish who can’t communicate effectively with students or staff.
We strongly recommend either arriving with intermediate Spanish or combining teaching with intensive Spanish classes. The Spanish + Teaching combination creates powerful synergy: you learn Spanish formally in mornings, then practice it all afternoon at school, accelerating your learning dramatically.
No Teaching Experience or Degree Required. You don’t need to be a certified teacher or have education degree. We welcome volunteers with teaching backgrounds, but also complete beginners who have enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Good teaching is partly skill (which you can develop) and partly genuine care for students and commitment to doing the work well.
Patience and Flexibility. Essential personality traits for teaching in Peruvian schools. Students test boundaries, classes don’t go as planned, resources you expected aren’t available, schedules change without warning. You must be able to adapt, stay calm under stress, and maintain positive attitude even when things are chaotic.
Cultural Humility. You’re volunteering in Peruvian schools, supporting Peruvian teachers, working within Peruvian educational system. Your Western teaching ideas might not apply directly. Peruvian classroom culture differs from what you’re used to. Approaching this with humility and willingness to learn rather than assuming you know better is crucial.
Commitment to Quality Teaching. This matters more than any other requirement. Are you willing to plan lessons thoroughly, create engaging materials, show up consistently, give your best effort, and actually teach well? Or are you viewing this as easy resume padding between Machu Picchu trips? The students deserve volunteers who take teaching seriously.
Our Teaching English in Cusco program is all-inclusive with no hidden fees or surprise charges:
Accommodation with Peruvian Homestay: You’ll live with a carefully vetted host family in a private bedroom. Homestays provide cultural immersion, Spanish practice, home-cooked meals, and family environment that enriches your Peru experience far beyond just volunteering. All host families are personally interviewed and selected by our local team. We ensure clean, safe, welcoming homes in residential neighborhoods.
Alternative accommodation in shared volunteer houses is available if you strongly prefer more independence, though homestays offer deeper cultural learning and better support network.
Meals – Breakfast and Dinner: Included with your homestay accommodation. Peruvian families prepare traditional home-cooked food – you’ll eat what the family eats, experiencing authentic Peruvian cuisine daily. Breakfast is typically bread, eggs, fruit, and tea or coffee. Dinner is the main meal with rice, meat or chicken, vegetables, soup, and varied traditional dishes.
Lunch is on your own – either return to homestay, eat near your school, or pack lunch. This flexibility works better than requiring you to be at specific places for lunch.
Airport Pickup: When you arrive at Cusco airport, our team meets you with identification sign and provides direct transfer to your homestay. No navigating alone, no taxi stress, no confusion in an unfamiliar place.
Comprehensive Orientation: Your first 2-3 days in Cusco include detailed orientation covering:
School Placement as English Teaching Volunteer: We match you to specific Cusco school based on your Spanish level, teaching interests (preference for primary vs. secondary students), experience, and availability. You receive clear information about your school, expectations, schedule, students, and support structure before starting.
Teaching Materials and Resources: Access to shared library of teaching materials, lesson plan templates, games and activities that previous volunteers have created and found effective. While you’ll create many of your own materials, you’re not starting from zero.
24/7 Local Support: Our Cusco-based coordination team is available around the clock for emergencies, questions, teaching challenges, or any support you need. You have direct WhatsApp contact with coordinators who respond quickly and can visit your school if issues arise. We’re here locally in Peru with you, not managing from distant office in another country.
Ongoing Supervision and Check-ins: Regular check-ins with coordinators about how teaching is going, challenges you’re facing, support you need. We visit placements periodically to observe, provide feedback, and ensure positive experience for both volunteers and schools.
Certificate of Completion: Official documentation upon finishing your program specifying dates, hours, grade levels taught, and evaluation of your teaching. Useful for university credit, resume building, or personal records.
Pre-Departure Support: Before leaving home, you receive comprehensive information packets covering:
Optional Add-Ons:
Spanish Classes: We highly recommend combining teaching with Spanish instruction. Available at all levels from complete beginner through advanced. Small group classes (max 6 students) or private one-on-one lessons. Morning schedule (9 AM – 1 PM) coordinates perfectly with afternoon teaching (2:30-6 PM).
Classes use communicative methodology focusing on actual conversation and practical use. Native Peruvian instructors certified in teaching Spanish as foreign language. Materials and official certificate included.
Weekend Trips and Activities: We can arrange weekend excursions to Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, Sacred Valley, and other destinations. These aren’t included in base program price but available through our sister tourism company at competitive rates with volunteer discounts.
NOT Included:
We provide transparent, personalized pricing with no hidden fees or application charges. Because every volunteer’s program is unique – varying by duration, whether you add Spanish classes, accommodation preferences, and timing – we don’t publish one-size-fits-all prices.
How Pricing Works:
Contact us with your preferred dates, duration, and whether you want to add Spanish classes. We provide exact quote within 24 hours showing precisely what you’ll pay and what’s included.
Factors Affecting Your Price:
Payment Terms:
Price Transparency: Everything listed in “What’s Included” is covered in your quoted price. We don’t surprise you with random fees later. If it’s not explicitly listed as “not included,” it’s part of your program cost.
Extensions: 85% of teaching volunteers extend beyond their initial commitment. If you want to stay longer once you’re in Peru (which happens constantly because volunteers love the experience), we apply the same rate structure to additional weeks. Extensions are easy to arrange – just notify coordinators at least one week before your planned end date.
Value Proposition: Compare our all-inclusive pricing to programs that charge separately for accommodation, meals, placement fees, support fees, orientation, materials, and hidden costs. Our transparent approach means you know exactly what you’re spending, and often saves significant money compared to itemized billing.
For Specific Quote: Email us:
We respond within 24 hours with personalized quote and comprehensive program information.
Contact us for exact pricing for your specific dates and preferences.
What ages/grade levels will I teach? Depends on placement availability and your preference. Primary schools serve ages 6-12 (grades 1-6), secondary schools ages 12-17 (grades 7-11). We’ll discuss your comfort level with different ages and match you accordingly. Primary teaching is more energetic and games-based. Secondary teaching involves more grammar, conversation, and exam preparation.
How many students are in each class? Peruvian public schools typically have 25-40 students per class. Yes, this is large and challenging compared to Western classroom sizes. Private low-cost schools might have 15-30 students. You won’t have 8 students sitting quietly awaiting your wisdom. You’ll have crowded, energetic classes requiring real classroom management skills.
Will I teach alone or with a Peruvian teacher? Varies by school and your experience level. Some placements have you assist experienced Peruvian English teachers, working with small groups or individual students while they lead the class. Other placements have you co-teaching, splitting responsibilities. Experienced volunteers or those staying longer might lead classes independently after initial training period. We match responsibility level to your capabilities.
What if my Spanish isn’t good enough to explain things? This is why we strongly recommend either arriving with intermediate Spanish or combining teaching with intensive Spanish classes. You’ll struggle significantly with only basic Spanish. Students ask questions in Spanish, behavioral management requires Spanish, coordinating with teachers needs Spanish. The program is technically possible with limited Spanish but dramatically more difficult and less effective.
Do I need to follow a curriculum or can I teach what I want? Schools have basic curricula and learning objectives their English program should cover. You’re not completely free to ignore this and teach random topics. However, you usually have significant flexibility in HOW you teach required content and what supplementary activities you add. We’ll explain your school’s expectations during orientation.
What teaching resources are available? Basic resources at schools: whiteboard, maybe some textbooks (often outdated or insufficient quantity). You’ll likely want to create supplemental materials: flashcards, worksheets, games, activities. We provide access to shared library of materials previous volunteers created. Some volunteers spend personal money on extra supplies (markers, poster paper, printing), but this isn’t required.
How do I handle discipline problems? Peruvian schools have different discipline approaches than Western schools. Physical discipline (hitting) still happens in some schools though it’s officially prohibited. As a volunteer, you cannot use physical discipline under any circumstances. We provide training on positive classroom management, setting clear expectations, using games and activities to maintain engagement, and working with Peruvian teachers for serious behavioral issues.
What if I’m not good at teaching? Everyone starts somewhere, and teaching is a skill you develop through practice. Week one will probably be rough – awkward lessons, classroom management challenges, activities that flop. This is completely normal. The volunteers who improve are those who reflect on what went wrong, ask for help from coordinators and experienced teachers, adjust their approach, and keep trying. Those who give up or don’t put in effort to improve continue struggling.
Can I choose which school I teach at? We match you to schools based on their current needs, your Spanish level, preferences for age groups, and availability. You don’t get to select from a catalog of schools, but we do consider your preferences. We’ve built relationships with multiple Cusco schools and place volunteers where they’ll be most effective and have good experience.
What happens if I really don’t like my placement? Communicate immediately with coordinators. Sometimes placements aren’t good fits due to teaching style mismatches, personality conflicts, or logistical issues. We can often arrange switches if there’s legitimate problem and alternative placement available. However, we encourage working through initial challenges before requesting changes, since many difficult first weeks improve dramatically by week two as you adjust.
Do I teach every single day? Typically Monday through Friday, afternoons. Some schools might want volunteers 4 days weekly, others 5 days. Weekends are always free. Peruvian school holidays (which happen fairly frequently) mean days off from teaching. We’ll explain your specific school’s schedule.
Can I take time off during my program for travel? Short programs (2-4 weeks): we discourage taking days off because students and teachers need consistency. Longer programs (6+ weeks): taking a few days off for important travel or rest is usually acceptable with advance notice. Communicate with coordinators and your school supervisor. Frequent absences undermine your effectiveness and frustrate schools depending on you.
Will I get feedback on my teaching? Yes. Coordinators check in regularly and can observe classes to provide constructive feedback. Peruvian teachers you work with will informally share thoughts about what’s working or not. You should actively seek feedback rather than waiting for it to be offered. Asking “How can I improve?” shows professionalism and commitment to doing good work.
What should I wear to teach? Business casual at minimum, leaning toward more formal. Peruvian teachers dress professionally – women in slacks/skirts and blouses, men in slacks and button-down shirts or polo shirts. As a volunteer, you represent international presence and should dress respectfully. Definitely not: shorts, tank tops, ripped jeans, flip-flops, overly casual clothing. Covered shoulders and knees essential. You’ll stand in front of classes and represent yourself, the volunteer program, and your country.
How do Peruvian students behave differently than students at home? Generally more reserved with authority figures initially, though energetic once comfortable. More respectful toward teachers in traditional hierarchical sense, but also can be more chaotic in large groups. Peruvian education emphasizes memorization more than critical thinking. Students might be unused to interactive activities and need encouragement to participate. Asking questions or challenging teachers is less common than in Western progressive education.
Will language barrier be a huge problem? It’s a challenge but manageable, especially if you’re combining teaching with Spanish classes and improving constantly. Use lots of visual aids, gestures, demonstrations. Simplify your English when explaining. Learn key classroom management phrases in Spanish. The language barrier decreases significantly as your Spanish improves and as students get used to your teaching style.
Can I use technology in teaching? Depends on school. Some have projectors or computer labs (rare), most don’t. Plan for low-tech teaching: whiteboard, printed materials, physical games, activities that don’t require electricity or internet. This limitation actually makes you more creative and forces you to develop solid teaching skills rather than relying on videos and PowerPoints.
What if students don’t seem to be learning? Language learning is slow, incremental, and not always visible class-to-class. Don’t expect dramatic transformations. Look for small indicators: students remembering vocabulary from last week, increased willingness to speak English, improved pronunciation. Keep realistic expectations about what’s achievable in 4-8 weeks with large classes meeting a few hours weekly. Focus on engagement and planting seeds rather than achieving fluency.
Am I taking a job from a Peruvian English teacher? Legitimate concern. Here’s the reality: Peruvian public schools are severely understaffed and underfunded. They cannot hire enough qualified English teachers even if they wanted to. You’re supplementing overstretched Peruvian teachers, not replacing anyone. The schools we work with specifically request volunteer support because they lack resources to provide adequate English instruction otherwise. You’re filling a gap, not displacing workers.
Does short-term teaching do more harm than good? It can, if done poorly. Volunteers who are inconsistent, unprepared, or treat teaching as tourism do create problems. Volunteers who are unreliable make more work for teachers. Those who bond intensely with students then disappear create abandonment issues. This is why we require minimum 4 weeks, encourage longer commitments, and emphasize quality engagement. Done well, even short-term teaching provides value. Done badly, it’s potentially harmful.
How can I maximize positive impact? Stay longer (6-8+ weeks is significantly better than 4 weeks). Plan lessons thoroughly and create quality materials. Show up consistently and be reliable. Learn student names and treat them as individuals. Respect Peruvian teachers and learn from them. Focus on building students’ confidence and enthusiasm for English, not just grammar memorization. Leave behind materials and resources for teachers to use after you’re gone. Stay humble about what you can achieve.
Should I bring donations or supplies for the school? Small, useful items can be helpful: markers, notebooks, flashcards, educational games. Coordinate with school or coordinators about what’s actually needed rather than showing up with random donations that might not be useful. Don’t make big show of charity – just quietly provide useful resources. And definitely don’t post photos of yourself handing out supplies to students for social media savior content.
Ready to teach English in Cusco and make genuine impact on Peruvian students’ lives?
Teaching English in Peru isn’t easy volunteering. It requires preparation, cultural adjustment, classroom management skills, and genuine commitment to student learning. But for volunteers who take teaching seriously, respect Peruvian culture and education systems, and invest effort in doing the work well, it’s incredibly rewarding.
You’ll develop teaching skills, improve dramatically in Spanish, build relationships with students and teachers, gain insight into Peruvian education and society, and contribute meaningfully to students who genuinely need quality English instruction.
If you’re ready to be a teacher rather than a volunteer tourist, if you’ll plan lessons and show up consistently, if you care about student learning more than your Instagram content, then teaching English in Cusco offers a profound way to spend your time in Peru.
Contact us to discuss your teaching program, get personalized quote, and start your journey toward meaningful volunteer teaching in Cusco.
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