A Pirivena (Buddhist Monk Schools) in Sri Lanka, serves both monks and some community people. Young monks, who live in the Pirivena along with senior and knowledgeable monks, study and practice the teachings of the Buddha and classical subjects like Pali, Sanskrit, history, prosody, astrology and logic etc. Apart from reading, recitation, discussion, retention and analysis, the education system in the Pirivena lays emphasis on learning by heart the scriptural knowledge.
Pirivena is also the place where the young monks are trained by masters to follow the rules and regulations promulgated in the Vinaya Pitaka (a Buddhist scripture, which is one of the three parts that make up the Tripitaka).
Buddhist Monk Teaching Volunteer Gallery
What is involved
Volunteers will be teaching English at basic and intermediate level (ages 11 to 19) to monks in small to midsized groups in the morning (not during their formal school hours). Timings will be between 08.00 am to 10.00 am (time table to be determined on arrival) for about 1.5-2 hours each. A lot of preparation will be required from volunteers to adequately plan for these sessions.
Volunteers can get help from our staff on the topics for the lessons and creative ways to teach, but lesson planning and teaching are the responsibility of the volunteers themselves. There will be between 2 to 15 students in one classroom and volunteers can work in small groups or with the entire class. There are very few teaching resources for teaching (generally basic class rooms with a blackboard) so please be mindful of that.
Classes will involve basic speaking, reading and writing English as well as some basic grammar sessions. We ideally prefer students who have completed a TEFL to be able to work in such an environment, however anyone who is keen to be a teacher or with good English skills should also apply.
Living and working in Sri Lanka is quite a unique experience as you not only get to live in tropical paradise but working in the community will give you a chance to experience the wonderful hospitality of Sri Lankans. On the weekends you can go surfing or get some beach time, enjoy the serene tea plantations or Ella or go for a wild life safari to Yala National Park.
Some details
We advise you to check with us about public holidays, full moon festival days and during Buddhist festivals during which the monks are busy and this project will not run and at times closed.
| SUNDAY | |
| 2024 | 2025 |
| Jan 28,24 | Jan 5, 12, 19, 26 |
| Feb 4, 11, 18, 25 | Feb 2, 9, 16, 23 |
| Mar 3, 10, 17, 24 | Mar 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 |
| May 5, 12, 19, 26 | May 4, 11, 18, 25 |
| Jun 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 | Jun 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 |
| Jul 7, 14, 21, 28 | Jul 6, 13, 20, 27 |
| Aug 4, 11, 18, 25 | Aug 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 |
| Sep 1, 8, 15, 22 | Sep 7, 14, 21, 28 |
| Oct 6, 13, 20, 27 | Oct 5, 12, 19, 26 |
| Nov 3, 10, 17, 24 | Nov 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 |
What your first week looks like
Arrival day
Weekdays
Weekend
Weekend activities
Iconic Train Rides
Yala National Park
Surfing in Lanka
Sigiriya
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