Cactus Language & Volunteering Programmes combine our in-country language courses with rewarding volunteer placements in a variety of different fields. By learning some of the language before you start volunteering, you will get much more out of your volunteer experience and the volunteer organisation, in turn, will get much more out of you.

Find out more about Language & Volunteering and the programme structure here:

• The Benefits of Language & Volunteering with Cactus
• The Language Course
• The Volunteering
• Accommodation
• Transfers
• Programme Duration
• Start Dates
• How to Book
• When to Book
• Programme Availability
• When to Pay

Benefits of Language & Volunteering with Cactus:

• Get to know the locals working on the project
• Get more of an immersion in the culture
• Understand what people are asking you to do
• Feel less of a holiday-maker
• Come away with a deeper understanding of the local population's issues & plights

One of the most important aspects of all our volunteering placements is that the only thing you pay for is the language lessons, accommodation and a small administration fee to cover the cost of finding the placement. The local organisation benefits not from a financial perspective, but from the time, effort and skills that you contribute whilst working for them.

Cactus Volunteering is different from some projects worldwide in that we're talking about genuine, local projects where you will have the chance to use and improve your language skills. There is a natural variance in the number of people required on certain projects throughout the year, and local project managers may look for a particular profile of volunteer to complete the work in hand.

The Language Course

The main emphasis is on you building your language skills before you volunteer. You take a general group language course of 20 lessons per week and, in addition, you have the option to take part in regular social and cultural activities, to ensure you have a great holiday whilst learning the language. These activities are all optional of course, so if you want to just hang out or explore on your own you still have most of each day free to do so!

The Volunteering

There are different categories of volunteering that you can choose from, based on your own skills and experience, such as: Social, Education, Environmental, Administration and Construction. These vary depending on the country that you choose. You’ll get the exact details of the organisation and what you’ll be doing whilst you’re at the school, where you will meet the local coordinator for your volunteering project.

There are more Social/Education placements than any other type and they are available in every location we offer. In our experience, we have found that local organisations which offer Educational placements require volunteers to stay for a minimum of 8 weeks; please take this into consideration when booking your Language & Volunteer programme.

Accommodation

Accommodation is provided throughout the duration of your stay from the Sunday before your course starts until the Saturday after the placement ends. During the language course this will ALWAYS be in a host family (meals as stated), and during the volunteer placement this will be in EITHER a host family OR local lodging (usually self catering and shared rooms). If you would prefer to stay with a host family during your placement, a supplement can be paid locally to cover the cost of the meals. This can also be dependent on availability.

Transfers

This programme includes an airport transfer on arrival at the local airport. See location for specific details.

Programme Duration

All programmes combine a language course of 2 – 12 weeks with 4 or 8 weeks of volunteering. When you book, you choose the total duration you require from 6 (2 weeks language course + 4 weeks volunteering) to 20 weeks (12 weeks language course + 8 weeks volunteering). The number of weeks of language lessons you choose will depend on your level. Beginners must book at least 4 weeks of lessons, while more advanced students can take just 2 weeks of lessons. This is designed to help you adjust to the local accent and any variations from the language you have already learned, as well as giving you the opportunity to meet other students/volunteers. You will also meet the local volunteer coordinator to discuss your upcoming placement. It is not possible to volunteer without taking some language lessons first. All volunteer placements are for a minimum of 4 weeks. If you wish to stay longer than 8 weeks your help will be welcome by the organisation and you can arrange this locally.

Start Dates

Your programme starts with your language course on the first Monday of the month, and your volunteering project follows on immediately after your course.

How to Book

1. Complete the Book Now drop-down menu, entering your level and start date
2. Follow the instructions to book your Language & Volunteering programme
3. Cactus sends you your Volunteer Profile form, or you can download the form at any time yourself from the Profile Form link in the left hand column. Please then email it to us at: volunteers@cactuslanguage.com
4. You complete and return your form and Cactus sends it through to the school
5. You receive confirmation for your Language & Volunteering programme, and then you can book your flights
6. Cactus sends you a full online Travel Pack containing all school and accommodation details
7. You receive your specific placement details once you arrive at the language school.

When to Book

Your booking should be received at least 8 weeks before you wish to start (consider the start of the language course as your start date). Late bookings may be accepted, subject to volunteering availability.

Programme Availability

If we are unable to place you we will notify you within 72 hours and your deposit will be refunded in full.

When to Pay

When you book you will be requested to pay a deposit of GBP 250 (USD 465 or EUR 365) if you are booking more than 8 weeks in advance. Full payment is requested 8 weeks before departure.