Trip Details

Volunteer Teaching Coral Coast Fiji

If you’ve ever dreamt of teaching on a tropical island, then our Volunteer Teaching programme on the Coral Coast of Fiji Visit is the answer! Come to the beautiful town of Sigatoka and teach children of various age groups to make a worthwhile contribution to their lives. Whether you are an active teacher on a heavenly sabbatical, a retired teacher looking to put your seasoned skills to good use – or haven’t done this before, this programme needs you! Both experienced and inexperienced volunteers serve to provide great value here, as a mix of fun, natural creativity, and structured teaching methods will help reach the diverse groups of children here.

Bring Something New to Fiji’s Children as a Volunteer

During this programme you will have the freedom to create lessons as you see fit – we only ask that you add lots of fun and creativity to how you engage with the children! There is little contact with the outside world in Fiji, as most can’t afford to travel, so your stories of home will be a delight for children and teachers alike! You will be expected to plan your lessons, and will be supported by the local teachers, as you take them through basics in the English language, music and art as well as other subjects. Importantly, this volunteer programme is also about building the children’s confidence and belief in their own abilities to create a brighter future, so a positive approach is a must! All the while, you will have the unique opportunity to genuinely immerse yourself in the culture and way of life of the Fijian community.

Have fun, relax, and explore the island on ‘Fiji Time’!

Time has less meaning here than in the western world; everything moves at a much slower place. That said, you’ll have lots of activities you’ll want to fit in! For some adventure, head to the Kila Eco Adventure Park where you will find rope courses, and giant swings, or cool off in the azure waters with some scuba diving or snorkelling. Further, there’s the Tavuni Hill Fort to explore, and the Arts Village is a must-see! Also, if you’re a golfer, you can practise your swing at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course before heading down to Sigatoka Market for something good to eat. And for those evenings when a good sunset and a cool drink is in order, simply hang back at your beachfront accommodation and mix with your new found friends.

Why Volunteer Teaching on the Coral Coast of Fiji?

  • Give something back to the Fijian community, helping children build their confidence
  • Get to experience real Fijian life – not as a tourist, but as a member of the community
  • Explore the Fijian islands, it’s culture and wide range of adventure activities
  • Make new friends of locals and fellow volunteers as you work in local schools
  • Enjoy teaching in a tropical location with all meals and beverages* included

*water, tea, coffee and milk

Get in touch to find out more or browse through our many other volunteer experiences.

Trip Itinerary

Arriving on Sunday, you’ll have plenty of time to relax after your long journey and get used to your surroundings, before beginning your Teaching Volunteer programme here on the Coral Coast of Fiji.

Mandatory Orientation Day

On the Monday of your first week at this location, you will join our orientation day, to familiarise yourself with the surroundings as well as the local culture. Your programme will continue as usual from Tuesday onward throughout the rest of the week.

Schedule

Welcome, introduction to Fiji and projects, House rules, Code of Conduct and handling of documents
Sigatoka City Tour
Kava Ceremony – The Traditional Fijian Welcome Ceremony

Weekly Schedule

Tuesday to Friday

On your Volunteer Teaching Coral Coast Fiji, you will be teaching children of all ages, and ca choose to focus on music, arts and crafts or any expertise which you already have. Spending part of your day in a formal teaching setting, you will follow the Fijian Ministry of Education’s formal dress code – so no teaching in swimsuits!

Monday

  • Breakfast
  • Introduction
  • Lunch
  • Introduction
  • Dinner

Tuesday to Friday

  • Breakfast
  • Volunteer Teaching at the school
  • Lunch
  • Volunteer Teaching at the school
  • Preparation time for the next day
  • Dinner

Volunteer teaching Activities

  • Planning lessons
  • Arts & crafts
  • Computer classes
  • Conversation
  • English language teaching
  • Level exams
  • Dynamic activities

Please note:

This schedule can be changed depending on weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

Evenings and Weekends

After a day of volunteering, you can choose to explore the area or simply chill. Many of our volunteers enjoy mixing with their new volunteer friends through the week and plan bigger outings at the weekends!

Places to Visit

  • Sigatoka sand dunes
  • Kila Eco Adventure Park: enjoy a high rope course, a leap of faith and a giant swing.
  • Scuba and snorkelling
  • Tavuni Hill Fort
  • Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course
  • Sigatoka Market.
  • Arts Village at Pacific Harbour: Enjoy the footbridges, the water-lily ponds, the pathways, the Fijian bure and experience how life was in the olden days!

Trip Accommodation

Sun, fun and adventure as you teach! You can be sure to enjoy a comfortable stay on your Volunteer Teaching programme on the Coral Coast of Fiji.

About the Accommodation

You will most likely stay at our beachfront centre which is located in the Sigatoka area. Here, your room will be within a male/female separated dorm and will usually have between 4 – 6 people in each room with a private bathroom. In addition, there are refrigerators at the accommodation for volunteers to store their own food and snacks if they choose. The house also has a communal garden as well as a volleyball court. Lastly, please note that whilst there is Wifi available at the accommodation, volunteers staying for a long period may choose to get a local sim card to stay in touch with family and friends.

Food Arrangements

During the week, you will have 3 meals a day, and at weekends we serve breakfast and dinner. Breakfast is western style and lunch and dinner are typically Fijian style cuisine.

Facilities

ATM’s: There are many ATM’s near the centre which is about a 5 to 10 minutes from the house, and the local supermarket is a 5-minute walk from the centre. Also, for those who wish to buy a personal SIM card for their mobile, these are available at the local shop. Additionally, if you wish to visit Nadi, the closest city, it’s about 1.5 hours from the centre, with public transport regularly available. Finally, should you need medical attention at any point during your stay, there is a medical centre, 10 mins away from your accommodation.

Trip Country Info

Fiji

Capital: Suva
Language: Fijian
Currency: Fijian Dollar (FJD)
Time zone: ICT (UTC +7)

Country Information
Fiji is an archipelago of 333 sun-kissed, picture perfect islands tucked away in the South Pacific, close to Australia and New Zealand.

It’s famed for its rugged landscape of blue lagoons and palm-lined beaches, and eco-activities from mountain climbing and surfing to soft-coral diving and zip-lining. Its major islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, contain the lion’s share of the population, meaning much of the country is uncrowded.

The 20th century brought about important economic changes in Fiji as well as the maturation of its political system. Fiji developed a major sugar industry and established productive copra milling, tourism and secondary industries.

As the country now diversifies into small-scale industries, the economy is strengthened and revenues provide for expanded public works, infrastructure, health, medical services and education.

The country’s central position in the region has been strengthened by recent developments in sea and air communications and transport. Today, Fiji plays a major role in regional affairs and is recognised as the focal point of the South Pacific.

Fiji is now home to many other races — Indians, Part Europeans, Chinese and other Pacific islanders living in harmony, and keeping their own cultures and identity. Fijians, slightly over 50 per cent of the total population, are essentially members of communities. They live in villages and do things on a communal basis.

Climate
The climate in Fiji is tropical marine and warm year round with minimal extremes. The warm season is from November to April and the cooler season lasts from May to October. Temperature in the cool season still averages 22 °C (72 °F).

Rainfall is variable, with the warm season experiencing heavier rainfall, especially inland. Winds are moderate, though cyclones occur about once a year (10–12 times per decade).

Culture
Fiji was first settled about three and a half thousand years ago. The original inhabitants are now called “Lapita people” after a distinctive type of fine pottery they produced, remnants of which have been found in practically all the islands of the Pacific, east of New Guinea, though not in eastern Polynesia. Linguistic evidence suggests that they came from northern or central Vanuatu, or possibly the eastern Solomons.

Before long they had moved further on, colonising Rotuma to the north, and Tonga and Samoa to the east. From here, vast distances were crossed to complete the settlement of the Pacific to Hawaii in the north, Rapanui (Easter Island) in the east and Aotearoa (New Zealand) in the south.

Unlike the islands of Polynesia which showed a continuous steadily evolving culture from initial occupation, Fiji appears to have undergone at least two periods of rapid culture change in prehistoric times.

Participant Criteria & Requirements

Standard Requirements

Under 18, Parental Consent is Required
DBS, Police Background Check
Travel Insurance

Additional Requirements

Team Player
Open Mind

What's included

  • 24/7 support in case of emergencies
  • Accommodation
  • Airport Pick up
  • English speaking coordinator
  • Meals
  • Orientation

What's not included

  • Airport drop off
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Vaccination
  • Visa