Learn Arts, Indian Languages and Volunteer by Teaching English

  India

Aranmula

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months, 7-12 months and 1-2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Dates: Through out the year

Description: Learn and Teach at the same time in India. Learn Indian Arts, Crafts, Languages and teach English to poor village children and thereby have a genuine Experience of India, her Culture, her People and her Traditions, all in the beautiful back drop of a village at the Vijnana Kala Vedi Cultural Centre. At the Centre, you can learn, for short or long term as you wish, two subjects, chosen from a list of 18 subjects ranging from Music, Dance, Theatre, Crafts, Languages like Sanskrit, Hindi and Malayalam to Yoga, Martial Art and even Cooking. Most of the lessons are one to one and hence you can make maximum use of your stay.

You will have single accommodation and freshly prepared Kerala vegetarian food provided in the Centre. The setting of Village adds to the charm of the centre. Vijnana Kala Vedi centre has been introducing Indian and Foreign visitors into Indian arts, crafts and languages since 1977. The centre is the only private organization in Kerala described as a Cultural Educational Institution by the Government of Kerala. Centre receives students from around the world since 1977 and is also an excellent place to make good friends with people around the world. As our students say, centre mostly attracts only nice people and you will have lots of nice friends in the centre.

Highlights:
* You can chose to learn two subjects from a list of 14 arts/crafts/languages etc.
* You will have free lessons in Yoga and the Kerala Martial Art, thereby learning 4 subjects during your stay
* You can also volunteer to Teach English in the village schools for one hour a day. (optional)
* Your lessons are only from Mondays to Fridays. There are no kinds of activities on the week ends and can be used for resting or touring around
* Your lessons happen in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and cannot be compared with University style of education, but they are very intense, since most of the lessons are individual in nature.
* Your teachers are professional Indian artists and can communicate with you in English.
* You can decide on the length of your stay and can even change your subjects if needed.
* Your lessons usually begin on the next working day of your arrival
* You will have clean and comfortable 'single' accommodation in decent village houses, scattered around in the village. The food is purely Kerala vegetarian and is served on banana leaves.
* You can enjoy your stay the maximum because of the beautiful backdrop of the Kerala village. The Centre is scattered into 6 houses in the village and you will feel like living in a village rather than staying in a hostel or hotel room.
* You are welcome even if you are a serious student or researcher or just a cultural or art enthusiast, or a beginner, irrespective of your age, sex, race or nationality. Only an open mind to a new culture is required.
* The Centre is open throughout the year, except for 10 days during Oman festival which falls in Aug/Sep.
* The Centre organizes an Intense course in Hatha Yoga, for one month, twice every year for just 10 participants. The participants of this course can attend a special Teachers Training Course organized once every year.

Qualifications: Anybody with an open mind and respect to a new culture, irrespective of age, sex, nationality and race are welcome to live and learn in the centre. One needs to understand that this is a cultural centre for learning. Please ensure that all pages in our website including the regulation form is read and understood before registering yourself.

For volunteering, which is optional, anybody from an English speaking country, with basic High School education can Teach. But more importantly, the person should have flair for teaching and a commitment to the cause. If you are not from an English speaking country, a TEFL certificate is a must. The minimum stay of 2 months is required. Should bring any materials you would think as helpful for teaching.

Cost in US$: $450 per month

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: A volunteer at the Centre learn two subjects (chosen from a list of 18 subjects ranging from Indian arts, crafts or languages)during the day and will Teach English to poor children in the nearby schools for one hour in the evenings from Mondays to Fridays. Week ends are free for resting in the centre or touring around. The uniqueness of the programme is that you can learn and teach at the same time.

Age Range: 10 -70

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to India Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups of 3-4

Scholarships are Available. - If you are recommended by your country, you could apply to the Indian Council for Cultural Relation ICCR, who offers scholarships for learning in the Centre.

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Vijnana Kala Vedi Cultural Centre's Mission Statement: Experience India, Her Culture People and Traditions, by Living in a Kerala village, Learning Indian Arts,Crafts/languages and Teaching English to poor village children. Vijnana Kala Vedi cultural centre is a premium study abroad India centre, since 1977, for those who give importance to the quality of lessons than any affiliations with universities or International alliances. Intense Individual lessons are assured for many arts and language lessons and even when you are in a group, for eg: for subjects like Mural Painting, you are only with 3/4 other students, still ensuring enough personal attention. And we go out of the way to ensure that we provide all what is promised. VKV, as our students address us, offers a sincere organised and structured, family like environment for Learning in India. You only need to have that passion and time for learning.

Year Founded: 1977