Volunteer Teaching in Sri Lanka – Teach in Schools & Communities

On your Volunteer Teaching Programme in Kandy, Sri Lanka, most of your time will be spent helping children learn the basics of English. However, you’ll also be assisting the local staff with other day-to-day duties, as well as teaching other subjects including drama, music and foreign languages across different projects.

Your weekly schedule may look like this:

Daily Schedule

Tuesday – Friday

• Breakfast
• Volunteer Teaching
• Lunch
• Volunteer Teaching
• Dinner
• Free Time

Project Locations

Preschool Teaching

• Primarily teach English, but also teach drama, games, music, art and foreign languages
• Encourage children in academic work and promote all-round development of the child
• Assist teachers and other staff
• Prepare lessons

Special Needs School

• Engaging in educational activities with children as advised by the teachers
• Communicating with children through creative activities
• Playing games

Teaching English to Adults

• Teaching to write and speak English
• Improving communications skills in English

Village Children

• Preparing lesson plans
• Teaching English to children
• Organising cultural sharing activities
• Engaging in games and other interactive activities to improve their spoken and written English abilities

Please note: This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

Evenings and Weekends

After a day of medical volunteering, you can choose to explore the area or head further afield on the weekends. In fact, many of our volunteers enjoy mixing with their new volunteer friends during the week and plan their weekend adventures as they go!

Places to Visit

You will want to plan your own journeys with friends whilst you are here!  We recommend the Royal Botanical Gardens, Knuckles mountain range, Udawatta Kele Sanctuary, Hortons plains National Park – and don’t miss taking a boat ride on Kandy Lake!

Famous for the Temple of the Tooth and many ancient sites, Kandy is a vibrant city and bustling market town. Indeed, this is a culturally diverse city, and offers a host of cultural events and handicrafts, as well as ancient temples and adventure activities to discover. Interestingly, Kandy was a royal capital and the last stronghold of the Kandyan kings against foreign powers, and therefore, enjoys a very rich history. This is a great place to meet other travellers, and to experience history, culture and great cuisine as you volunteer!

Accommodation

Our accommodation is comfortable and is located 2 – 4 km from Kandy centre, comprising single-gender rooms sleeping 4 – 8 people. Further, private rooms can be requested but are subject to availability, depending on the number of Sri Lanka volunteers. Subsequently, if you would like to book these, please let us know at the time of booking your week. Likewise, if you have any dietary preferences, such as vegetarian, let us know so that we can cater for these.

Food Arrangements

You will be provided with three meals a day on weekdays and two meals per day on weekends. Usually, the meals are a mix of Western and Sri Lankan food, consisting mainly of vegetarian dishes including rice and vegetables. However, you can also eat out at any of the local restaurants for some great authentic Sri Lankan cuisine!

Facilities

Our volunteer centre is located 2 kilometres away from the city centre (a 15-minute walk), and you can find anything you might need for your Sri Lankan holiday here. Further, you will find ATMs, and a supermarket nearby, where you can buy anything you might need for the week ahead.

Volunteer in Sri Lanka with TRU. Sri Lanka is one of the most beautiful and diverse destinations in the world, offering golden beaches, lush tea plantations, tropical jungles, ancient temples and incredible wildlife. Known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka combines adventure, culture and spirituality in one unforgettable destination. From scenic train journeys and mountain landscapes to vibrant local towns and peaceful coastlines, Sri Lanka is the perfect place for meaningful travel and volunteering abroad.

Volunteering in Sri Lanka with TRU Experience Travel allows you to make a real impact while experiencing authentic Sri Lankan culture. Volunteers can take part in teaching projects, childcare support, turtle conservation, construction and renovation work, medical placements, nursing, midwifery and healthcare programmes. Opportunities also include women empowerment initiatives, sports coaching and community support projects. Every experience helps local communities while giving travellers valuable hands-on experience and cultural immersion.

Sri Lanka is also the perfect destination for travellers seeking adventure, road trips and spiritual journeys. Explore ancient temples, practise mindfulness and reconnect your body and mind in peaceful spiritual surroundings. Discover the ethereal beauty of Sri Lanka through yoga experiences, mountain retreats and cultural immersion with welcoming local communities. Experience true coexistence with nature while exploring tropical jungles, tea plantations and wildlife-filled national parks.

Animal lovers can experience unforgettable elephant encounters and turtle conservation projects along Sri Lanka’s stunning coastline. Support environmental initiatives while learning about wildlife protection and sustainable travel. Every project offers the opportunity to travel with purpose while creating meaningful memories.

During evenings and weekends, volunteers can enjoy incredible road trips across the island. Explore beautiful beaches, surf towns, waterfalls and hidden villages while discovering Sri Lanka’s rich culture and famous hospitality. Travel through scenic mountain roads, visit local markets and experience colourful festivals and authentic Sri Lankan food. Every free moment offers a new adventure and a chance to discover the true beauty of the country.

TRU Experience Travel creates life-changing volunteer experiences for travellers wanting more than just a holiday. Whether you are travelling solo, taking a gap year or searching for a meaningful adventure abroad, Sri Lanka offers the perfect combination of volunteering, cultural immersion and unforgettable travel experiences. Join True Experience Travel in Sri Lanka and experience a journey filled with purpose, adventure and discovery.