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Teach English Through Sports: Volunteer & Play in Rio de Janeiro!

5.0
(10 reviews)10

The experience

Share Your Energy. Build Confidence Through Sports.
Join our community in Vidigal and discover how sports can create connections that go beyond language. We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to play, teach, and learn alongside local children. No professional experience needed—just a willingness to participate and share positive energy through climbing, soccer, volleyball, and general fitness activities.​

What you offer

12 hours of help per week

Arts: Help with painting, graffiti, sculpting or drawing.

Social Work: Help with volunteer work in local projects and communities.

Teaching Sports: Teaching or assisting the host, guests, or local communities in practicing sports or physical activities.

Teaching Languages: Teaching a language to the host, guests, or local communities.

Additional fee required

Amount: US$ 15 Per day

Fee pays for: Materials for volunteer activities and Donation to project

Description: Where does your contribution go? 62,5% - House Rental, maintenance, cleaning, utility bills, taxes and furninshing ​ 25% Salaries and free accommodation for our permanent team of cleaners, maintenance, administrator and teaching coordinators. ​ 12,5% School Equipament, games, cleaning and promotion

What you get

3 days off per week

Private Room: You will have a bed in a private room. In other words, a room just for you.

Shared Dorm: You will have a bed in a shared room, which means you will share the same room with other travelers.

Team Dorm: You will have a bed in a shared room, which means you will share the same room with other people.

Discounts on Parties: Get discounts at nearby parties and clubs.

Discounts on Restaurants: Get discounts at nearby restaurants.

Discounts on Tours: Get discounts for tours and excursions around town.

Free Laundry: You can use our laundry room freely.

Free Tours: We’ll take you on tours and rides around town. For free!

Free Hiking Tours: We’ll take you on excursions and hikes around town. For free!

Free Parties: Get free entrance for the best parties in town.

Free Events: Get free entrance for the best events in town.

Surfboards: You can use our surfboards as much as you want.

Dance classes: Take free dance classes at our place.

Language lessons: Take free language classes at our place.

Use our equipped kitchen: Feel free to use our kitchen and make your own delicious food.

Fast Internet Access: High-speed internet for you to work remotely

Dedicated Workspace: Specific space for you to work remotely

Requirements

Beginner English

Over 18 years old

Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers

What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

Program Details

Our program merges English language learning with sports through an active immersion methodology. Volunteers assist our permanent team of local coordinators (Daniel and Guto), who plan all activities. The focus is not on formal lessons but on using sports—like soccer, climbing, volleyball, and general fitness—as a natural context for communication. Children learn English organically through instructions, encouragement, and interaction during practice, all within small groups to ensure individual attention. This approach promotes holistic growth, building teamwork, resilience, and confidence in a supportive community setting.

Safety & Structure: Vidigal is considered one of Rio's safest Favela, with a welcoming community. Volunteers are not responsible for lesson planning or administrative work outside activity hours. This is a genuine community volunteering experience; all classes are free for participants.

Activities & Shift

Core Daily Activities (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday, 2/3 hours per day):

Community Soccer: A weekly open game integrating volunteers, students, and the local community.

Girls' Soccer & English: Sessions for girls focusing on technical development, confidence-building, and practicing English in a sports context.

Climbing & Personal Growth: Activities on Vidigal's mountain designed to teach overcoming challenges, emotional control, and respect for nature.

General Sports & Fitness: Dynamic games and activities to develop coordination, teamwork, and fun.

Rules

Flexibility & Communication: We understand volunteers may have other commitments. We require clear communication and at least 2 days' advance notice to the sports coordinator if you cannot attend a session.

Volunteer Profile: We seek people who enjoy sports and working with children, with a positive, patient, and adaptable attitude. No formal teaching qualifications are needed—we value enthusiasm and consistency over specific skills.