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Essentials Opportunities Volunteering Students in Schools Information for International Students

Volunteering in schools as an international student

We offer a range of placements where your unique background and experience are valued — including one-to-one language support roles. These allow you to work closely with pupils who are learning English as an additional language (EAL), helping them build confidence and fluency in a supportive environment.

Key points:

  • Volunteering counts towards the RED Award

  • Your visa should allow volunteering, but it is your responsibility to check this

  • You’ll receive safeguarding and in-school training

 

Guidance on visa and immigration

Roles might include:

  • Supporting EAL pupils with reading or vocabulary

  • Helping students practise spoken English through conversation

  • Assisting with subject-specific language (e.g., science or maths vocabulary)

  • Encouraging confidence and cultural exchange

 

These placements are a great fit for international students or anyone with a passion for language and communication.

 

If you have any questions, please contact:
Alex Leiden
Email: SIS@reading.ac.uk
Lyle building 3rd floor

Read the FAQ

JoJo’s Story: Turning School Into a Safe Space

''JoJo volunteers to help a four year old boy from Hong Kong. His family have just moved to the UK so the world is a very overwhelming place for this little boy. Not only it is his first experience of school but is also one where everyone speaks in a different language to himself. 

The look on his face when he sees JoJo come in on a Thursday afternoon is absolutely heart-warming. There are no words to describe the joy on his face. We let JoJo know what we have worked on and she then translates into Cantonese, she is able to put this little boy's thoughts into words so we can understand and help him.'' 

 

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