Support rural students to complete high school and build brighter futures

Encouragement House (EH) in Maliana provides safe, supervised accommodation for students from remote villages so they can complete their secondary education. Many of these young people would otherwise have no access to schooling. With over 125 students living on site, Encouragement House plays a vital role in shaping future teachers, nurses, journalists, community leaders, and public servants.

EH, through Palms International Volunteering, is seeking a motivated English Tutor to support students’ language development, confidence, and academic success. This role is ideal for recent school leavers, university students, or young adults eager to make a meaningful contribution while gaining international experience.

What you’ll do

First few weeks – Learn, observe, and build trust

• Learn local language, cultural norms, and farming context with support from a local mentor.
• Observe existing practices and document strengths and community assets.
• Avoid recommending changes during this period; focus on understanding local approaches.

Ongoing responsibilities

• Teach English and basic computer skills to students aged 13–18.
• Support students informally through conversation, homework help, and daily interactions.
• Help organise activities, clubs, and engagement programs for young people.
• Collaborate with local English teachers to strengthen learning outcomes.
• Create or adapt simple learning materials and activities.
• Provide individual support to students who need extra encouragement.
• Assist with drafting or proofreading English documents for the Training Centre (if requested).
• Learn basic Tetun to support daily communication and relationship building.

What you’ll bring

• Completion of Year 12 with strong English results (Band 5 or 6 preferred).
• Experience in leadership, mentoring, or youth engagement (school captaincy, SRC, Scouts, Duke of Ed, youth ministry, tutoring, coaching, etc.).
• Friendly, patient, open minded, and able to explain concepts simply.
• Strong communication skills and comfort interacting with young people.
• Cultural sensitivity and willingness to learn from local staff and students.
• Adaptability and resilience in a low resource environment.
• Commitment to teamwork and building strong relationships.
• Willingness to live simply and participate actively in community life.
• Commitment to serve for 12 months with limited resources.
• TESOL training or experience is an advantage but not essential.

What you’ll gain

• National language (Tetun) training.
• Comprehensive preparation and ongoing support from Palms Australia.
• Professional development guidance for those interested in TESOL or education careers.
• Deep cultural immersion and lifelong friendships with Timorese students and fellow volunteers.
• Contribution to SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 17 (Partnerships).

About Maliana and Encouragement House Maliana is the third largest city in Timor Leste, located near the Indonesian border and surrounded by rice and maize farming communities. It is a safe, welcoming town with opportunities for weekend travel and cultural exploration.

Encouragement House provides a stable, nurturing environment for students who would otherwise miss out on secondary education. Your presence will help them build confidence, improve English proficiency, and access future study and employment opportunities.

About Palms International Volunteering For 65 years, Palms International Volunteering has supported skilled Australians to live and work alongside communities in the Asia-Pacific. Our volunteers don’t ‘fix’ problem - they build relationships, strengthen local capacity, and walk with communities striving for dignity and opportunity. These are ‘solidarity placements’. Accommodation and a small stipend is provided, as well as preparation and ongoing support.

The focus is on living as a true neighbour to learn, and to establish an effective mentoring role. This is the basis for lasting capacity building in the community. It is also a chance for you to step out of the rush and reconnect with what matters through a deep cultural immersion and genuine community relationships.