International Experience Program: Volunteer Teaching in Cambodia
Faculty of Education
Proposed 2014 program
This five week program will take students to the Chumkriel Language School in Kampot, Cambodia where they will work with local teachers to deliver English language classes. Chumkriel Language School is a registered Non Government Organisation supported by Rotary Australia World Community Services. Students will teach for two weeks and have a one week break before commencing another two weeks' teaching. Students will also participate in professional development workshops for local teachers.
This program is partially funded by the Australian Government’s Study Overseas Short-term Mobility Program through the Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education. CSU recognises the support of the Australian Government in providing targeted funds which have subsidised the cost of this program to students.
Program Dates: 4 January - 9 February (exact dates to be confirmed)
Number of places: 10 - 12 students
N.B. This program will require 10 students to go proceed.
Program Cost: approx $1000 (exact costs TBC)*
*The $500 Vice Chancellor Travel Grant (for eligible students) is not awarded directly to students but has already been included in program costings. Further information on the Vice Chancellor Travel Grant is available here.
Costs should include: International flights, insurance, program fee, interpreter fees, visas, airport transfer and accommodation.
Costs do not include CSU subject fees, meals, local transportation and sightseeing costs.
Please note all CSU Global Programs are group ticketed. Your program will depart from Sydney International Airport and return to Sydney International Airport on the dates listed.
Eligibility: All second and third year education students.
Indicative Credit: Credit Provisions (on application)
- Bachelof of Education (K-12 Middle Schooling) students are eligible for 1 week credit for the diverse placement in EPT 321
- B Education (HPE) students are eligible for 2 week diverse placement credit in EPT 441
- B Education (Primary) students may be eligible for an 8 credit point subject elective substitution
All Faculty of Education students are eligible to enrol in EEB310 International Cultural and Education Program.
Application time-line:
- Application close: 16 August, 2013
- Successful students notified (email): within 2 weeks of the application closing date
- Second round application closing date: (only if positions are still available)
- Non-refundable $500 deposit due: 13 September, 2013
- Final payment date: 7 October, 2013
(Students will need to have obtained a passport, valid for at least 6 months from the time of departure by 7 October, 2013) - Pre-departure cross cultural orientation: TBA
- Pre-departure teleconference briefings: TBA
Click here to download an application form [pdf].
Completed applications must be submitted by the due date to:
Alice Wood
CSU Global Promotional Officer
Office of International Relations
Charles Sturt University
Phone: + 61 2 6338 4068
Email: alwood@csu.edu.au
Program enquiries should be directed to:
Margaret Hamilton
Business Development Officer
Faculty of Education
Charles Sturt University
Phone: + 61 2 6338 4141
Email: mhamilton@csu.edu.au
Program Overview
About Chumkriel: Chumkriel is about 4km from Kampot and consists of four villages of around 1800 people. Most people living in Chumkriel are rice farmers and salt field workers, with some commercial fishing which is in rapid decline due to over fishing. The children in the farthest village walk more than an hour to school. Over 58% of families do not have access to reliable accommodation, sanitation and water, there is limited land tenure and access to reliable protein is a challenge. Approximately 680 students from the Chumkriel area attend the Chumkriel Language School (CLS).
About Chumkriel Language School: The primary function of CLS is to provide learning resources to the state run Chumkriel School, directly adjacent to the CLS centre, and to support programs such as:
- improving school attendance
- sanitation and community health education programs
- English language lessons
- teacher training and development
- providing a venue for community members to access IT services.
The School charges a nominal fee of 7c per class to students and this fee also provides a scholarship class free to about 80 students for those who cannot afford to pay at all. The school runs two one-hour classes per evening - Monday to Friday -and offers elective classes to students attending the adjacent state school for subjects not offered through the mainstream education system. CLS fills the gap for students who cannot afford English classes. English is the language of trade and in this case, teaching English to the very poor, allows them to participate in a commercial system that they may otherwise be victims of.
Chumkriel Learning Centre (CLC) is part of CLS. The Learning Centre offers a library service, health and hygiene information, a self-study group program, arts and crafts, sports and games coordination along with community based learning activities. CLS and CLC have eight Cambodian teachers and are directed by Mr Nget Sothy.
The CSU Program: CSU students will work with the Cambodian teachers to deliver the English language classes and the community based learning activities. The Centre delivers classes Monday -Friday with a half day on Saturday. Classes run from 8 - 5:00 with a siesta break in the middle of the day. Community language classes run from 5:00 - 7:00.