Volunteer Teaching English in Argentina
Gain hands-on classroom experience, immerse yourself in Argentine culture, and make a genuine difference to young people's lives on a gap year school placement unlike anything else.
Programme Fee
$1,150–$1,650 USD
Start Date
March or August
Duration
5 or 11 months
Age Range
18 – 30 years
Location
North Buenos Aires
Fee
$1,150–$1,650
USD
Start Dates
March
or August
Duration
5 or 11
months
Volunteer Teaching English in Argentina Like No Other
Are you ready for a dynamic, people-centred role teaching English in Argentina? As a school language volunteer, you’ll play a meaningful role in the educational journeys of children aged 6 to 11, helping them develop essential English skills in reading, writing and spoken language. Set in North Buenos Aires, these are real schools with real students, and your contribution matters from day one.
Your role is as varied as you make it. Alongside supporting classroom lessons and informal conversations, you’ll have the freedom to bring your own talents into the mix, whether that’s cricket, singing, drama or something else entirely. You might find yourself reading captivating stories, staging a dramatic performance, or taking children for a swim during the school day. If you’re interested in working with teenagers too, there’s the option to get involved with a Language Centre, where the atmosphere is more informal and the work equally rewarding.
Beyond the classroom, you’ll be immersed in authentic Argentine life, living with a host family, enjoying traditional home-cooked meals, and spending weekends and school holidays exploring one of South America’s most exciting cities. There’s even the opportunity to enrol in Spanish and cultural classes to make the most of your time in the country. If you’re looking for a gap year opportunity teaching English in Argentina that combines meaningful work with genuine adventure, this is it.
$1,150–$1,650
USD
Programme fee
Start Date
March or August
Duration
5 or 11 months
Have a question? Get in touch
What You'll Do Day to Day
A genuine mix of English language support, creative classroom activities, and contributing to school life.
Your primary focus is helping students develop essential English skills in reading, writing and spoken language. You’ll lead classroom activities and informal conversations, bringing the language to life in ways that are engaging, fun and genuinely useful for the students you work with.
Encourage & Inspire Young People
You’ll work with children aged 6 to 11, becoming a familiar and trusted presence in their school day. Whether you’re reading stories, running break times or staging a performance, your energy and enthusiasm make a real difference to their experience of learning and school life.
Bring Your Own Talents
This is a placement where your individual skills are actively welcomed. Whether you excel at sport, music, drama or something else, there are real opportunities to lead engaging classes that teach English while sharing your home country’s culture. For those interested in older students, the Language Centre offers a more relaxed environment to inspire teenage learners too.
Is This the Right Placement for You?
We share our requirements upfront so you can be confident you’re eligible before you apply. This placement could be perfect for you if you:
- Are at least 17 when applying, and 18 by the time you apply for your visa (and no older than 30)
- Are a native or near-native English speaker
- Enjoy working with children and young people
- Have a friendly, upbeat and adaptable personality
- Are enthusiastic about cultural exchange and trying new things
- Are interested in teaching, language or education
- Can cover the programme fee and other associated costs (flights, insurance etc.)
What Life at an Argentine School Actually Looks Like
Everything you need to know about the day-to-day practicalities of your placement.
Work Schedule
You’ll work Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm in the classroom, with the opportunity to get involved in other aspects of school life too. Weekends and school holidays are yours to explore Buenos Aires and beyond at your own pace.
Weekly Allowance
You’ll receive a spending allowance of approximately $300 USD per month, giving you the means to enjoy your free time and make the most of life in Argentina.
Food & Accommodation
You’ll live with an Argentine host family, experiencing authentic home life and traditional Argentine meals. Host families can cater to specific dietary requirements. You’ll have a private room and a genuine home away from home for the duration of your placement.
Community & Teamwork
You’ll always have at least one fellow volunteer by your side, as well as the wider local staff team around you. Volunteering in an Argentine school means working closely with a diverse team of all ages in a supportive and welcoming environment.
Support & Safety Throughout Your Placement
Every NVW placement is carefully vetted, and you are never on your own. Before you leave, your Argentina Programme Manager will prepare you thoroughly for everything ahead, from visa guidance to what to expect on your first day at school. Once you're there, you'll have clear roles, ongoing check-ins, and a direct line back to the NVW team if anything comes up. For you and your family, that peace of mind is built into every placement we offer.
Meet Your Argentina Programme Manager
Your safety and wellbeing during your gap year is our priority.
Mili Muro
Programme Manager Argentina
Mili trained as an English teacher in Buenos Aires and spent years working in international education, including running the Exchange Programme at Northlands School. She has been placing volunteers in Argentinian schools for over five years and understands both sides of the experience deeply.
“Teaching English in Argentina is one of those placements where the impact is immediate and visible. You walk into a classroom and within days you can see the students opening up, trying new words, finding their confidence. That kind of direct, daily feedback is something volunteers carry with them long after they leave Buenos Aires.”
Fee and Other Expenses
A clear breakdown of what's included in your programme fee, and what you'll need to budget for separately.
What's Included
$1,150–$1,650
USD
- Support acquiring a sponsored visa
- A thoroughly vetted, matched placement
- A volunteer role matched to your age, experience and interests
- A dedicated placement mentor
- Any necessary training and preparation guidance
- Accommodation with a host family throughout your placement
- All meals provided by your host family and school
- A monthly spending allowance (~$300 USD)
- Ongoing support throughout your time in Argentina
Other Expenses
In addition to the programme fee, you’ll need to budget for the following. Exact costs vary depending on your nationality, location and personal circumstances, we’ll go through what’s likely to apply to you during your interview.
- Return flights to Argentina
- Visa and any related processing or medical fees
- Travel insurance (must meet the requirements of the host country)
- Police check from your home country
- Medical clearance, if required for your visa
- Legalisation or notarisation of documents where applicable
- Personal spending money for travel and free time
Why does NVW charge a fee?
New Ventures Worldwide is a UK-registered nonprofit charity. The fee contributes to our operating costs and allows us to continue our mission of arranging carefully vetted volunteering placements for our global network of nonprofit organisations. A financial report is published annually to the UK Charity Commission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about applying for and completing this placement.
Start by completing our application form, which helps us understand your background, interests and what you’re hoping to get from the experience. Your Programme Manager will review it and assess your suitability for this placement. If it looks like a strong fit, you’ll be invited to a friendly video interview, usually around 40 minutes, where you can get to know the NVW team, ask your questions, and make sure the placement is right for you. If successful, we’ll match you with a suitable school and send you an offer letter. You’ll then secure your place with a deposit, and we’ll guide you through every step from there.
As early as possible. Placements start in March or August and spaces are limited. We recommend applying at least six months in advance to allow enough time for the interview process, background checks, visa application and travel arrangements. That said, if your preferred start date is approaching, it’s still worth getting in touch and we’ll let you know what’s possible.
Yes, most volunteers will need a visa, and you must be at least 18 at the point of application. Support with the visa process is included in your programme fee. We’ll explain exactly what’s required for your nationality and guide you through each step. You’ll complete the application yourself and cover the visa cost, but you won’t be navigating it alone.
No prior experience is required. What matters most is that you’re a native or near-native English speaker with a genuine enthusiasm for working with children and a friendly, adaptable personality. You’ll be supported from day one, and the placement itself is a brilliant way to gain real hands-on classroom experience.
The primary school placement involves working with children aged 6 to 11. If you’re interested in working with older students, there is also the option to get involved with a Language Centre, where the atmosphere is more informal and students are teenagers.
Yes, and it’s highly encouraged. There is the opportunity to enrol in Spanish and cultural classes during your placement, making this one of the few placements where you can develop a new language skill alongside your volunteer work. Living with a host family also gives you daily immersion in the language from the moment you arrive.
Yes, return flights and travel insurance are not included in the programme fee and need to be arranged independently. Your travel insurance must meet the requirements of the host country, and you’ll need to share your policy details with us before your placement begins. We’ll advise on what to look for if you need guidance.
The schools are located in North Buenos Aires, giving you easy access to one of South America’s most vibrant and culturally rich cities. Weekends and school holidays are the perfect opportunity to explore the wider city and country at your own pace.
You won’t be on your own. Your host school and Programme Manager are your first points of contact for day-to-day matters, and the wider NVW team is always available if something more serious arises. We check in regularly throughout your placement and visit placements annually to make sure standards are being met. No concern is too small to raise with us.
Volunteers consistently highlight the combination of personal growth, classroom experience and cultural immersion as the standout takeaway. You’ll develop real communication, creativity and leadership skills in a live school environment, all while living in one of South America’s most exciting countries. The chance to learn Spanish, explore Buenos Aires, and build lasting friendships with students, staff and fellow volunteers makes this one of our most well-rounded placements.