Help to teach English in Manizales and Santa Marta, Colombia

Colombia

Favourited 586 times

Host rating
Feedback
58
Last activity
02/03/2021
Reply rate
96.2 %
Average reply time:
within 1 day
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Availability

2021

Min stay requested: 1 month or more

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Description
We are a language service centre in Manizales and Santa Marta, Colombia. We teach several modern languages and provide certified translation and interpretation services. We also provide widely recognized certified translation and conference interpretation in Colombia. Volunteers will have a great time either in in Manizales or Santa Marta. We can also take non-teaching volunteers to help run and maintain our facilities in Santa Marta.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Help around the house
Hospitality/Tourism
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Our project's family is keen on creating a family setting for those involved with the company. You will have plenty of time to interact with students, make friends and get to know the city and places around your workplace.
Help
Conducting conversation classes in English mainly, helping with office work and promoting our services online and other similar tasks the volunteer is capable of and prepared to do well. We also receive volunteers for other non-teaching positions such as gardening, construction and maintenance facilities. Please let us know which of these activities you are volunteering for.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
French: Fluent
Accommodation
Room and board at or near your volunteering place.
What else ...
Volunteers must be native speakers of the language they intend to teach or have a C1 level in that language. Social skills expected to ensure rapport with students and other staff members.

Our workaway volunteers stay at our own facilities in the city where they do their work.

Welcome to Colombia: Manizales, the heart of the Coffee region and Santa Marta, the Pearl of the Caribbean; the perfect combination of the 2 most beautiful natural regions: beautiful green mountains and the amazing caribeean sea.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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Feedback left by and about host (58)

These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.

Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)

Cultural exchange:
(4.9)

Communication:
(5.0)

02/04/2020

Left by Workawayer (James & Elisabeth) for host

We arrived a day early and Carlos met us at the bus station. We had a short tour of Manizales and Chipre district on the way to the apartment in La Linda. We got ourselves settled during the weekend and reviewed the conversation club material Carlos left. Both Carlos and his wife Lina, one of our students, were welcoming and we enjoyed having our… read more

(Excellent )

02/12/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (E.j.)

Working with Ellen was a quite pleasant experience. She is a very energetic person and is always willing to do more than what she is asked to do. She helped us with our non-for-profit activity called the Mobile Library in a little town and wrote very interesting personal stories about her trips around the world for our students to improve their… read more

(Excellent )

02/12/2019

Left by Workawayer (E.j.) for host

Carlos, the owner, was kind to accept me as a Workaway although his students had finished for the year. I helped with any projects he had, and mainly wrote stories from my past life experiences for his students to read. He provided me with a lovely apartment next to his home, and gave transportation money to cover those costs. Everyone in his… read more

(Excellent )

23/09/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Eimear & James)

We greatly enjoyed having Eimear with us for the two weeks she was here. She was helpful, punctual, willing to do her best in this new experience she had as a teacher, and most importantly, she always kept a warm smile on her face which allowed for immediate rapport with the students and people she came into contact with. She made excellent… read more

(Excellent )

22/09/2019

Left by Workawayer (Eimear & James) for host

I had a brilliant time teaching English in Manizales!I found Carlos to be so helpful both with support for the teaching and in general with any questions I had. I had never taught English before but with the training and guidance, I really enjoyed it!I found the students in Confa to be so friendly and enthusiastic, and the worksheets from the… read more

(Excellent )

19/09/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Ben)

Ben was a first-time English teacher with us and he couldn´t have done it any better. He is resourceful, passionate, witty and always keeps a good sense of humour for the class. His students enjoyed the conversation classes with him quite a bit. He adjusted easily to the city and the people here and rapidly made a lot of friends. We hope to have… read more

(Excellent )

18/09/2019

Left by Workawayer (Ben) for host

I had a great time teaching English in Manizales, Carlos is a good host who will help you out with everything you might need or want during and even after your stay with him. The staff makes you feel at home and part of the team straight away. The students are motivated and even took me out for dinner and drinks as a thank you after my last class… read more

(Excellent )

04/07/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Karey)

Karey was a very interesting person helping us with our project. She is knowledgeable on lots of aspects, helpful and always willing to go beyond what she´s assigned. She worked on educational videos, did team teaching and provided one-to-one language instruction. She has a great sense of humour and is quite pleasant to have around. We definitely… read more

(Excellent )

04/07/2019

Left by Workawayer (Karey) for host

I worked in Manizales for a month and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Carlos is a very enterprising person who has his fingers in many pies, but despite being very busy, always had time to talk with us (great racconteur!) and help with any minor problems. I had wanted to live with a Colombian family for part of my stay and he organised this for… read more

(Excellent )

21/05/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Judith)

Judith came for one month and stayed for three months, which proves things were really working well. We all were very happy to see she did an excellent job as a teacher and personal language coach for our student body. She is resourceful, efficient, gets students interested in and committed to learning. She is a clever teacher that prepares… read more

(Excellent )

20/05/2019

Left by Workawayer (Judith) for host

I spent also 3 months here, in Manizales which says it all! The institute is very professional and provides lost of guidance, inspiration and resources if needed, yet also allows freedom within the guidelines.Carlos is an impassioned teacher, very experienced and knowledgeable in many areas. If you love cycling you'll be in heaven as he's avid!… read more

(Excellent )

09/05/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Jeremy)

Jeremy is great fun to be with. He did an excellent work in teaching, making educational videos and helping us promote our services online. He is friendly, helpful and willing to commit to duties and other activities he gladly volunteerd for. We certainly look forward to having him with us in the future.

(Excellent )

09/05/2019

Left by Workawayer (Jeremy) for host

I spent 4 weeks teaching in Manizales and had a great time! The work is very manageable and ranged from assisting Colombian teachers with small classes of beginners to one on one conversational classes with higher level students. I found the stipend more than sufficient for bus transportation and food. Manizales is a great city to explore and the… read more

(Excellent )

29/12/2018

Left by Workawayer (Chun Wai) for host

I have been to this school helping with some promoting duties by making posters and websites. Usually in December they do not accept volunteers but they are really nice to host me. The job that I did maybe quite different from the ones you guys will be doing so I cannot really speak about my experience in teaching or helping the students. However,… read more

(Excellent )

22/10/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Becky)

We enjoyed hosting Becky! We made many great memories together as she took part in the different activities we did together with the team, Lina and Rocky. She enjoyed the big parks we had in Manizales and always found something interesting to do. She is a very laid back, easy going kind of young woman and was willing to go with the flow. She… read more

(Excellent )

19/10/2018

Left by Workawayer (Becky) for host

I had a great time teaching English for a month in Manizales. I was able to help in a range of classes from employees in the biggest company in Manizales Confa to university and school children in the office. I was also able to get some experience teaching young children for a couple of days in LaDorada. The ethos Carols has for teaching English… read more

(Excellent )

22/10/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Connor)

It was a pleasure to have had Connor with the team in Manizales. His enthusiasm and readiness for classes and assigned activities made him be part of the staff from the beginning. He followed procedures, recommended new ways of doing things, experimented with different techniques and enjoyed team teaching with the regular head teachers. I enjoyed… read more

(Excellent )

16/10/2018

Left by Workawayer (Connor) for host

I had a really great time working with Carlos and the team aka "the magnificent seven" ;) in Manizales. I stayed just under one month working on a new teaching project with a company called Confa. This was really great fun and we had the opportunity to meet lots of fantastic students from all different levels , we also had a variety of classes to… read more

(Excellent )

26/09/2018

Left by Workawayer (Martin Kirk) for host

Better late than never!
I spent three months in Manizales helping out at the Cambridge, initially I was only supposed to stay for one month but since I liked the life in Manizales so much I ended up staying for three months. During my stay I got to make a lot of local friends in Manizales as well as some good friends among the other… read more

(Very good )

06/12/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Martin Kirk)

Martin has a great sense of humour. He creates rapport with students, staff and other Workaway volunteers easily. He followed the leson plans we provided him with and he did an excellent job. He learns quickly, his Spanish is outstanding, he is resourceful and does his work well. He felt very comfortable with us and so did we with him and for that… read more

(Excellent )

19/09/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Sharva)

Sara as we called sharva has been one of the most helpful, positive and dedicated teachers we´ve had through Workaway. she made part of all possible experiences we offered her and she just did great. she had the chance to have her own bedroom , but she could also decide when she would stay stayed with Diana´s family to know what a typical large… read more

(Excellent )

10/09/2018

Left by Workawayer (Sharva) for host

This was a fantastic experience for me. One I will always remember. I appreciated this opportunity to work at the Language Academy in Manizales because it provided me with vital skills and taught me so much about teaching English as a foreign language. This workaway particularly interested me as I had completed a TEFL course and my goal of being… read more in South America was to teach English. It was great to be able to participate in the classes, some classes I held
on my own, and I was also able to observe classes, Evelyn's classes are a lot of fun, I learnt a lot from her as a teacher. The students were brilliant, super keen to learn, respectful and they all enjoyed having a native English speaker in their class. I was also fortunate to spend a week at the Language Academy in La Dorada although it’s very hot, the teachers and students there are very welcoming. It was an honour to have been able to share my language and speak to the students as many have never seen or heard a foreigner. I enjoyed being part of the Academy - the teachers made me feel welcome and Carolina is a fantastic manager. Taking the time to always make sure I was feeling comfortable and not just at work. She organized outings with her family members so I could get to know Manizales and its people. Diana and her mother Claudia are very special; friendly, warm, hospitable and her beautiful family made me a part of their familia. I wanted to practice my Spanish as it was basic and the family invited me to stay with them which I did a few days a week. The rest of the time I lived in La Linda, a short 30 min bus ride to town, where there are some small shops, oh and what a view. I loved going to the shops and chatting to the shop owners, especially the Panaderia, and immersing myself in the Colombian culture. They are all so patient, caring and kind…. I had a lot of fun spending time with them - they were always feeding me (too much)!! Overall, I highly recommend this workaway. Manizales is a fantastic city; it’s safe; nice cool weather; lots to enjoy in the area (Chipre, Cable, Los Nevados, Salento, Coffee tours, hiking, hot termales) and I felt like it was a city I could live in and feel at home. The Academy is a brilliant place if you are looking to spend time teaching and enjoying Manizales and the coffee region it's perfect!! I've had an amazing experience and I am sad to have left but a new adventure awaits.

(Excellent )

31/07/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Christian)

Christian stayed with us for almost three weeks. It was hard for him to click in with the staff --text redacted--

Coming to participate in a project in a city implies taking buses and spending time going from home to work, which definitely, in this case 20 to 30 minutes, does not constitute a hurdle so unbearable to carry as he let the staff… read more

(Neutral )

30/07/2018

Left by Workawayer (Christian) for host

The staff here were very friendly and pleasant, and all of the students were enthusiastic to learn and good fun to teach. The work consisted of a mixture of teaching classes of different levels, observing / assisting classes, office chores and overseeing and conducting exams.

It was definitely good teaching experience, however after 2 weeks i… read more

(Good )

29/07/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Courtney)

Courney and Darien stayed for a month with us in Santa Marta. They were quite open to teaching suggestions, they followed and made lesson plans as well, helped us here with translation, teaching and we even had time to play basketball at night. They were fun, ready for work, resourceful and with the charm to become easily accepted and appreciated… read more

(Excellent )

28/07/2018

Left by Workawayer (Courtney) for host

We spent 4 weeks in Santa Marta volunteering as English teachers. The students were wonderful. We taught private and group classes. Lesson plans were provided, so we always felt prepared for our classes. Carlos was always there if we needed anything, but gave us freedom to be creative with teaching. The work load was perfect-- only 5 hours per day… read more

(Excellent )

09/07/2018

Left by Workawayer (Chevallier & Guichardon) for host

We spent a month in Manizales, teaching english, doing speaking classes and assisting other teachers. It was a trully enriching experience thank to our wonderful students and the team we were working with. They made us feel at home. The classes were easy to teach. There are lessons´plans but we were pretty much independant and could organize our… read more

(Excellent )

04/06/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Corinna)

Corinna did a great job as a volunteer. She is enthusiastic and is keen to get students willing to use English to communicate in class. She is resourceful and always smiles. The students liked her a lot.

(Excellent )

04/06/2018

Left by Workawayer (Corinna) for host

THe 5 weeks at Manizales where my first expierience as a volonteer. I never teached before, so i wasen't sure what was expecting me. These experince was unique. I had to give speaking classes or asist at classes with Englishteachers and participate during the class.
The whole team was really nice and recives you with open arms. Whenever you need… read more

(Excellent )

28/05/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Matilda)

Matilda is a fun person to have around. She was ready to learn the new tasks she´d be assigned and performed brilliantly. She got along nice and easy with the staff and customers. She looked sharp and professional. She even helped us make fish and chips the london way and left us her special batter recipe. You´ll do well wherever you go.

(Excellent )

27/05/2018

Left by Workawayer (Matilda) for host

This was my first ever work away experience and I feel very happy towards my experience in Santa Marta with Carlos. My room in the house was very nice and I had my own bathroom. Staying in Santa Marta was perfect because at weekends I could travel to Taganga, Tyrona, Minca and Costeno beach. I really enjoyed the work I did for the place and I… read more

(Excellent )

17/05/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Jess & Chaneil)

Jessica has been the first Workaway volunteer to go successively through our three locations. The best of the coffee region, the magdalena river experience, and sunny Santa Marta. How I describe Jessica will nonetheless be an understatement referring to the amazing skills she has as a natural teacher, instaneous captivating rapport she establishes… read more

(Excellent )

06/05/2018

Left by Workawayer (Jess & Chaneil) for host

My experience as a teacher here was absolutely amazing. I was lucky enough to go to each of their three sites; in Manizales, La Dorada, and Santa Marta, and I thought each site had its benefits. In Manizales, I was taught how to teach English, which was great because I've never taught nor was I aware of how to best communicate so that I'd be… read more

(Excellent )

06/03/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Olesya)

Oleysa turned out to be a natural teacher. She was highly responsible and committed to giving the students a real language experience. She followed our lesson plans well and prepared interesting materials and activities. We look forward to having her around again.

(Excellent )

06/03/2018

Left by Workawayer (Olesya) for host

I had a great experience teaching English here in Manizales for about 4 weeks. It was my first experience at a language school, and I was excited to discover that I actually enjoy teaching. My working hours (about 4 -
4,5 hrs / 5 days a week) were according to the agreement, and all of them I spent on giving classes to students of different age… read more

(Excellent )

08/02/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Jonathan & Lisa )

Lisa and Jonathan have been our longest-lasting workaways. They were with us for about 4 months and that simply means both parties were extremely happy with each other. Lisa and Jonathan are resourceful, professional, willing and ready to commit to mastering new tasks and performing well under normal and stressful conditions without losing their… read more

(Excellent )

08/02/2018

Left by Workawayer (Jonathan & Lisa ) for host

Our experience as volunteers here was wonderful. The hospitality and accommodations were perfect. We were provided with our own room and had a stipend in which we could use to buy our own groceries. This was a huge plus because my husband and I love to cook and eat at the hour of our choosing.
Overall, the volunteer experience was great and… read more

(Excellent )

06/12/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Max)

Max is a young, but quite mature person always willing to do his best and much more than he is asked to do. He is diligent, responsible, puntual and committed to doing every single task way beyond what is expected from him. He is an outstanding teacher, he is witty with IT, his manners make him one of a kind, and he is thoroughly trustworthy and… read more

(Excellent )

05/12/2017

Left by Workawayer (Max) for host

I had an excellent time teaching and working with Carlos and his business. This was my 5th Workaway experience, and was the best treatment I've ever received from a host. Carlos and his family are generous, understanding, and accommodating, as volunteers were given 3 meals every day and each a private room in the beautiful neighborhood of La… read more

(Excellent )

13/11/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Naz)

It was very pleasant for al of us to have Naz on our team. She had the best attitude to do a very professional work. She was knowledgeable and was always keen to learn and assume new responsibilities. Thank you very much Naz for having come to work with us.

(Excellent )

13/11/2017

Left by Workawayer (Naz) for host

Carlos and the team at the school were great hosts; they were all very keen on ensuring we had a comfortable stay. The work was interesting, the team were friendly, Manizales is a great city and the accommodation was clean and comfortable in a scenic location around 30 minutes from the school (with buses leaving every few minutes). The students… read more

(Excellent )

14/10/2017

Left by Workawayer (Matt) for host

This was a great experience and is recommended to anyone who has interest in teaching. Everyone at the office was helpful, and I made some friends I will be returning to see in the new year. It was a fun place to gain skills and get familiar with the classroom setting.

(Excellent )

12/09/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Simon)

Simon did a great job with us. He learned quickly how to to help students develop communicative skills in English and he helped us assess school student´s level in this language. He was always respectful, kind and willing to help. Thanks for all your commitment and results.

(Excellent )

11/09/2017

Left by Workawayer (Simon) for host

This was an amazing experience, Thank so you so much to Carlos and everybody who made the experience truly special.. Manizales is a city blessed with some amazing views and amazing people. I would recommend to anyone looking to do a workaway in Colombia..

(Excellent )

29/06/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Aiden)

Having Aiden here in manizales with the family was a complete success. He gets along extremely well with every one, he´s got a great sense of humor, and he learns quickly. He helped us a lot with translation work and as a teaching assistant. He knows he´s got a place here with us whenever he wants to come back to Manizales.

(Excellent )

29/06/2017

Left by Workawayer (Aiden) for host

Volunteering here in Manizales was one of the best experiences I've had traveling in South America. In short, everyone there will go above and beyond to make sure you have the best experience you can. Carlos and everyone at the office were incredibly warm and accomodating, and Richy (who takes care of you at the house) was incredibly generous and… read more

(Excellent )

19/06/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (carley & tyler)

We all enjoyed having Carley here in Manizales. She's got a great sense of humour, is easy to get along with and does her best in the teaching assignments we gave her. She is also a very good cyclist and a lot of fun to be with.

(Excellent )

18/06/2017

Left by Workawayer (carley & tyler) for host

I had a wonderful experience teaching in Manizales! I felt really welcomed by Carlos and his family during my month and a half stay. Carlos is very protective of his guests, he will make sure that you know your way around the city. I stayed with Carlos, his wife Lina, and a family friend about a half an hour out side of the city in a beautiful… read more

(Excellent )

13/06/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Pearl)

Pearl was a very helpful assistant in the classroom. She was very active in class, prepared classes well and developed good rapport with the students. We all enjoyed having her with us in Manizales.

(Excellent )

13/06/2017

Left by Workawayer (Pearl) for host

I really liked teaching English in Manizales. The city is beautiful and there's lots to do on your time off. The classes last two hours and they were anywhere from beginner to advanced. They emphasized the importance of keeping these lessons fun and engaging, so you have to prep material and be focused. I lived about 30 mins outside of town in a… read more

(Excellent )

27/03/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Olya)

Olya is a very trustworthy person who is always attentive and disciplined to learn. She did an outstanding job with our students. We all felt quite comfortable with her.

(Very good )

27/03/2017

Left by Workawayer (Olya) for host

I volunteered in Santa Marta for 3 weeks and it was my first experience as a teacher. The lessons are individual, it is not hard, but you need to be concentrated and creative, I really enjoyed talking to my student Maria - it is a very good feeling, when you help someone to progress.
Both Carlos and Juan Carlos are kind and helpful, but most of… read more

(Very good )

14/03/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Brooks)

Brooks was our first workaway volunteer in Santa Marta. She enjoyed teaching and came to be very much appreciated by students and staff. She was responsible, puntual, well prepared and committed.

(Excellent )

12/03/2017

Left by Workawayer (Brooks) for host

I had a great experience in Santa Marta. For the most part, you will teach English in the mornings or afternoons with the weekend free. The students are so friendly, hard working, and welcoming. I hope to see them again one day!
The volunteers are lodged in a apartment a short 5 minute bus ride away from the office. The apartment is in a great… read more

(Excellent )

12/03/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Maja)

We had Maja for there weeks helping our students with conversational practice in English. Our students immediately felt motivated to study with Maja due to her jovial and exciting way to interact with them. She was always well prepared for class and did an outstanding job. We all miss her already.

(Excellent )

11/03/2017

Left by Workawayer (Maja) for host

I had the best time volunteering in santa Marta and I can only recommend it to everyone who loves interacting with locals and enhancing their language skills. They had a lovely apartment for us volunteers in a very safe and calm part of Rodadero, close to the beach and 5 min to the office. All the students I met were highly motivated, lovely… read more

(Excellent )

06/03/2017

Left by Workawayer (Greig) for host

This was my first Workaway experience and I feel fortunate to have spent time with Carlos and his family. I have been based at their Academy in Manizales; a nice city with very friendly people and pleasant climate. The teaching has been an enjoyable experience, enhanced by working alongside friendly professional people with a sense of humour. It… read more

(Excellent )

21/02/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Greig)

Greig is our first Workaway teaching assistant and I should say we could not have started with a better choice. He has demonstrated great talent, capacity to learn, eagerness to do his duties in the best way possible, and the utmost rapport to interact with our staff and students. Greig has enjoyed Manizales and has made many friends through all… read more

(Excellent )

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