Is teaching during a gap year a good option?

I've heard of some people teaching during their gap year and it sounds interesting to me. Does anyone have experience with this? Are there specific programs or opportunities I should look into?

Teaching during a gap year can be a rewarding and enriching experience, but whether it is a "good" option depends largely on your own interests and career goals.

Firstly, teaching can be an opportunity to develop key skills including leadership, communication, problem-solving, and adaptability. These skills will undoubtedly serve you in almost any career or educational path you might pursue later.

Secondly, teaching can provide you with cultural immersion if you consider teaching abroad. This can broaden your horizons and can be a unique talking point on your resume or college application. Programmes like TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) can enable you to teach English abroad.

On the flip side, teaching isn't for everyone. It can be challenging and it does require a significant commitment. Before diving into a teaching gap year opportunity, it would be beneficial to try and gain some experience first through volunteering opportunities at local schools or educational nonprofits.

As for specific programs, City Year is a popular choice in the U.S. It's an AmeriCorps program that places young adults in schools to provide student support. Teach for America also has a gap year program where you can teach in low-income communities. Both of these programs provide training, so you'll learn along the way.

So, while teaching can provide numerous benefits, you'll want to take some time to understand what you hope to gain from your gap year experience and be clear about your motivations before making a decision.