Teaching English in Syria Volunteer Program

Teaching English in Syria Volunteer Program

Teaching English in Syria offers an eye-opening experience for those who choose to visit the country and engage with Syrian youth, children, women, refugees, and community members in Damascus. Volunteers teach English to Syrian students at Volunteer in Syria, at local community development centers, at Syrian schools, at government institutions, at non-governmental organisations, and at refugee support centers.

Furthermore, participants actively immerse themselves in Syrian culture, daily life, and the broader region. Volunteer in Syria hosts volunteers and interns from all over the world throughout the year. This involvement provides you with the opportunity to meet international colleagues at the center, travel throughout Syria, collaborate in English teaching, and participate in a wide range of social, educational, cultural, and community development activities during your time in Damascus.

Teach English in Syria – 2026/2027!

We’re excited to announce our Teach English in Syria program for the 2026/2027 academic year! This includes summer programs teaching Syrian children, English-language programs for refugees, and winter teaching opportunities in Damascus and surrounding areas.

This amazing volunteer opportunity is perfect for anyone looking to volunteer in Syria or engage in educational work in the Middle East. You’ll get to teach English to Syrian children, refugees, and young people while experiencing the rich culture, history, and everyday life of Syria.

Arabic Classes

Learning Arabic is an integral part of the teach English program. Interns will receive 12 hours of conversational Arabic lessons each month, spread over 3 hours per week. You have the flexibility to choose the form of Arabic you wish to study:

  • Shami or Levantine Arabic (Amiyya dialect)
  • Colloquial Syrian Arabic
  • Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)
  • A mixed schedule, such as Modern Standard Arabic and Shami Arabic, can also be arranged.

Teaching English for a Short-Term Period

This teaching internship is designed for individuals seeking a unique, short-term English teaching opportunity. Volunteers are welcome to stay for 1 to 13 weeks. Volunteer in Syria accommodates people year-round, allowing you to choose your preferred start and end dates.

NO Prior Experience In Teaching English

This volunteer program for teaching English offers an exciting internship opportunity suitable for both those with prior teaching experience and those without.

Additionally, our teachers hold degrees in teaching English, English literature, and teaching methods. We also have experienced Syrian English teachers on our team who are highly skilled at teaching non-native English speakers. They are available to provide guidance and support to our volunteers during the program.

Furthermore, we organize workshops on teaching English, offer training manuals and activities, and our staff is always willing to provide tips and advice on teaching English to Syrians.

Program Components

Participants in the Volunteer to Teach English program in Syria will also enroll in 3 hours of Arabic language classes per week. These classes should further immerse volunteers in Arabic culture, while also allowing them to communicate with their students and with the local population of Damascus. 

This teaching internship program can last from 1 to 13 weeks, depending on the participant’s preference. During their stay, volunteers will live with either a local Syrian host family or in a very nice apartment, depending on availability. In either instance, volunteers will be based in the bustling city of Damascus, offering countless opportunities to practice their Arabic skills and immerse themselves in Arabic and Syrian culture. 

Activities In The Program: 

  • Conducting conversational English classes for Syrian children and youth
  • Assisting local public Syrian schools in Damascus
  • Teaching classes of between 15 and 20 Syrian students at Volunteer in Syria
  • Conducting one-on-one tutoring sessions with students at the center
  • Helping to manage after-school programs 
  • Participating in excursions around Damascus, as well as other parts of Syria
  • Attending Arabic language classes for 3 hours per week

Reviews And Ratings

Volunteer in Syria has proudly earned several Community Awards, including recognition as the Best Arabic Language School overseas, one of the best Online Programs for Syrian Colloquial Arabic Providers, and the Top Provider of Volunteer and Internship Opportunities abroad for the years 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. For further details, please visit our profiles on GoOverseas.com and GoAbroad.com.Damascus

Requirements For Our Volunteer

To intern as an English teacher in Syria, you will need to:

  • Be 18+ years
  • Have a bachelor’s degree or diploma (in any subject), or be a current undergraduate
  • Be fluent in English
  • Commit to a minimum of 1 week and a maximum of 3 months as a volunteer

    You Will Not Need To:

  • Speak Arabic
  • Have travel experience
  • Have teaching experience
  • Be a native English speaker

After finishing the volunteer program, Volunteer in Syria will furnish you with a certificate and a letter of recommendation that you can include on your résumé and use to earn university credits.

Program Impacts 

We thoroughly research and precisely tailor our Volunteer to Teach English in Syria program, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a deeper understanding of Syrian daily life, culture, and communities.

Our primary objective is to create a lasting impact on the lives of the local Syrian community through the exchange of ideas and the practice of “walking in each other’s shoes.” Volunteering and interning offer a unique opportunity to make a profound impact, not only on your own life but also on the lives of Syrian children, women, youth, refugees, and the local community.

Teaching English Over Summer

For people looking to teach English over the summer months (June to late September) in Syria, Lebanon, or Jordan, Volunteer in Syria offers great volunteer teaching opportunities from May to August.

These volunteer and internship programs are ideal for students, native English speakers, or anyone looking to volunteer during an extended visit or on a summer break. The summer teaching volunteer programs combine an Arabic language focus with an immersion and engagement in Syrian culture and history.

English Classes Size

At Volunteer in Syria, volunteers will conduct one-on-one English tutoring sessions in addition to teaching full classes, which can have from 10 to 20 Syrian students in attendance. The students’ ages range from 6 to 40, as Syrians of all ages are eager to learn new languages and connect with the outside world.

An Opportunity To Explore Syria

In addition to teaching English to the community here in Damascus, volunteers will also have the opportunity to explore the beautiful and historic land of Syria. 

Volunteer in Syria regularly conducts excursions in and around Damascus, and you will also have the opportunity to make your own way to neighboring cities and tourist areas. These excursions are meant to immerse program participants in Syrian history and to give volunteers a well-rounded understanding of a people and culture that have existed here for thousands of years.

Why Is This An Excellent Opportunity? 

Volunteering as an English teacher in Syria is a great opportunity to gain teaching experience, immerse oneself in a new culture, and aid refugees. Taken together, these activities are sure to make this program a rewarding experience. 

One of the most rewarding aspects of your time here will be watching your students improve their English language comprehension. The students, in turn, will share things about Syrian culture and the Arabic language. Volunteering as an English teacher in Syria is truly an immersive exchange, and a two-way street between different cultures, languages, and peoples. 

Reminder: This Program Does Not Have The Same Requirements As Other English Teaching Programs.

  • Volunteers need not have previous teaching experience
  • Volunteers are not required to have a teaching qualification or degree, such as CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults), DELTA (Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language), TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language), TESOL, etc. 
  • Volunteers will be provided with a teaching manual and the necessary materials by Volunteer in Syria
  • Our staff will be available to assist volunteers in their training and during their classes
  • Volunteers will interact closely with refugee communities
  • Classes will either be conducted on a one-on-one basis or in small groups
  • This program is available throughout the year

Teaching English in Syria Volunteer Program: Overview

Program LocationDamascus, Syria
Program FeesCheck Our Price List
Age Range Of Participants18-70 years old
Minimum Duration1 week
Maximum Duration13 weeks
Start/End DatesFlexible to fit the participant’s schedule
Application DeadlineNo deadline
Program LanguageEnglish
Program FocusTeach English in Syria
Volunteer with refugees 
Internship teaching English
Time Off Between Friday and Sunday
Number of Arabic Lessons Per Week3 hours in total
Educational Degree
Teaching Certificate Requirement
Not required
University CreditAvailable
Reviews, Ratings, and TestimonialsReviews (94%) on gooverseas.com
Reviews (96%) on goabroad.com
Video testimonials

Accommodation

When residing in Damascus, participants in the program will have the option of either staying with a host family (depending on availability) or in a cozy apartment. Both options offer unique advantages.

Whichever housing option the participant chooses, their time in Syria will be immersive, enriching, and memorable! 

What Do You Get From Volunteer in Syria? 

  • 12 hours of Arabic lessons for each month that you intern with us, or 3 hours per week
  • Accommodation with a host family or in a shared flat
  • Breakfast with other participants (6 times a week)
  • Support before your departure and during your time in Syria
  • Syria is full of historic and culturally rich cities. Damascus and Aleppo feature ancient architecture and bustling souks, Homs, Hama, and Bosra offer old city charm and Roman ruins, Palmyra is famous for its desert ruins, Maaloula preserves Aramaic traditions, Latakia and Tartus provide beaches and historic sites, and Daraa, Deir ez-Zor, and Al-Qamishli each offer unique cultural experiences.
  • Engagement in educational, social, and community activities
  • Arabic hospitality and a pleasant climate
  • Access to nearby cities and tourist sites
  • Assistance from well-qualified, attentive Arabic teachers with excellent educational backgrounds
  • certificate upon completion

Who Is This Program For?

The Volunteer to Teach English program in Syria is suitable for anyone wishing to assist Syrians while also gaining valuable teaching experience. The program is also ideal for those interested in the Arabic language and the Middle East and its rich culture and history. Furthermore, it would suit those who simply wish to dedicate some of their time to helping others.  

University students and recent graduates will find this program especially helpful in building their skillset while exploring topics related to teaching and refugee aid. In partnership with the Syrian Ministry of Education, Volunteer in Syria can provide university credits to students who volunteer their services. 

In summary, the program is suitable for:

  • University students who are studying English and who wish to teach abroad for a semester in order to gain university credit
  • Those interested in immersing themselves in the daily life and culture of Syria
  • Students who are studying Middle Eastern or Syrian history
  • People who intend to work as English teachers
  • People who would like to study and practice Arabic with native speakers
  • People who are willing to help Syrians learn conversational English

Who Can Participate?

Volunteer in Syria does not discriminate on any basis, including nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or any other basis. Volunteer in Syria has a long history of welcoming people from around the globe, from all walks of life and from all backgrounds and identities. All are welcome!

Previous participants on Volunteer in Syria’s programs have hailed from the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States! 

Traveling To Damascus, Syria

Traveling to Volunteer in Syria in Damascus is simple and stress-free. You’ll fly directly into Damascus, and from the airport it’s only about a one-hour drive — roughly 40 km — to reach our school. If you have any questions about your journey or need help with arrangements, our team is always happy to assist. You can find our contact information at the bottom of this page.

Summary

The Volunteer to Teach English in Syria program is perfect for those who want to teach English to non-native speakers, study Syrian/Levantine Arabic, and immerse themselves in Syrian culture and daily life. Teaching English to Syrians offers a unique chance to create an impact while experiencing personal growth in a new environment.

By volunteering in Syria, participants will broaden their understanding and knowledge of Syrian culture. They will hear new perspectives on global affairs and life in the Arab world, which may inspire them to change their outlook. If this teaching English program description has piqued your interest, please do not hesitate to apply, and we can begin the process today!

How To Apply

If you’re interested in joining the Volunteer to Teach English program, please email us at Info@ecsyria.org. We aim to respond to your initial inquiry within two business days.

In the subject line of your email, write “Volunteer to Teach English in Syria.” Upon your response, we will attach an application form for you to complete and return to us to begin the process.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at:

Info@ecsyria.org

Website: https://ecjordan.org/

EC Website: https://excellencenter.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excellence.center

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ExcellenceCenter