YDC
Youth Development Center
Learn English. Change your Future.
Teach English. Change lives.
YDC is an English learning community in Battambang where Cambodian students gain confidence, practical English, and new opportunities, while international volunteers serve, teach, and grow alongside them.
I want to Learn
Skills That Take You Further
English taught by international native English speakers alongside dedicated Khmer interns, in a place where students keep coming back.
English is only part of what students gain at YDC. Here, students grow in confidence, communication, character, and relationships, rather than just vocabulary and grammar.
Every Friday, students come together for Connect. It is a space outside normal classes where students have fun, build friendships, and grow together. Through conversations and activities, students explore what it means to live well and become confident and resilient people. We play. We grow. We connect.
Language is the foundation for your future
Everything Changes When Your English Improves
Better English changes more than exam results.
It changes the way you carry yourself in a room. The way you speak in conversations and meetings. The way people listen when you talk.
Better English can help students:
- Pass university entrance exams
- Qualify for scholarships
- Access better jobs
- Communicate with international organizations
- Grow in confidence
You are not just learning a language. You are becoming someone who can go further.
Get Credited for Studying
At YDC, your studies count toward a government recognized certificate.
Students who want to go further may also have opportunities to join internships where they can grow their skills, build relationships, and gain valuable experience.
Details
New Term
New students join at the beginning of each term.
Check our Facebook page for upcoming registration dates.
Times
Monday to Friday
Classes begin at 5:00 pm.
Higher-level conversation classes begin at 4:00 pm.
Cost
$20 for 3 months.
Fees are paid during registration each term.
Program
We teach Cambridge Four Corners English, a program used in quality English schools around the world.
This means the English students learn is practical, structured, and designed for real life communication, not just passing tests.
Classes begin with the alphabet and continue from Level 1 through to Level 12. By the end, students can communicate confidently in English speaking environments, follow academic courses, and work in professional settings.
Students begin at the level that matches their ability. No previous experience is needed.
Many classes are taught by international native English speakers. Learning from native speakers helps students understand how English is naturally spoken in everyday life.
Certificate
Students who complete Level 6 receive a government-recognized certificate. Students who complete Level 12 receive an additional certificate.
These certificates are recognized by the Cambodian Ministry of Education and can be used for employment opportunities or further study.
Ready to start?
I want to Teach
Teach English and Be Part of Something Bigger
At YDC, volunteers and interns teach practical English to Cambodian youth.
You do not need a teaching certificate or formal experience. You simply need to speak English fluently and be willing to serve.
You will not be thrown in alone. From day one, you work alongside a mentor, and teacher training helps you grow in confidence and develop practical teaching skills.
But teaching is only part of the experience.
YDC is a living and working community made up of Khmer and international staff from around the world. People you eat meals with, work alongside, and genuinely get to know.
Leaders and teammates invest in your growth while you invest in others.
You don't need to be an Expert to make a difference
Your English can open doors for young people in Cambodia.
At YDC, volunteers build relationships, teach practical English, encourage students, and become part of a vibrant Khmer and international community serving together in Battambang.
We have seen students go on to become accountants, teachers, and professionals in many different fields.
Behind those stories is someone who showed up, invested in students, and believed in them.
That could be you.
Details
Teaching
We teach and assist English classes, lead small group conversations, build relationships with students, and support activities and workshops.
No teaching certificate is required. Fluent English and a willingness to serve are enough.
From day one, volunteers work alongside mentors who help them grow in confidence and teaching ability.
Duration & Cost
The length of service and costs depend on whether you join as an intern or volunteer.
Intern
If you join as an intern, the YDC team will work with you to outline expectations, responsibilities, and the length of service.
Volunteer
Most short term teams and individual volunteers serve through our Mission Builder pathway. This is usually between one and three months.
Visit our Mission Builder page to learn more.
Class Times
Monday to Friday
Classes begin at 5:00 pm.
Higher-level conversation classes begin at 4:00 p.m.
Living
Volunteers live on campus as part of a community made up of Khmer and international staff from around the world.
Meals are shared. Life is shared.
Community gatherings and shared rhythms are part of everyday life at YDC. This is not a solo experience.
Interested? Find out more.
If you have a heart to serve young people and would like to learn more, or you want to learn as a student at YDC, send us a message on Facebook or Telegram.
UofN Staff
Have you completed your DTS and feel interested in serving in Battambang? Get in touch with us.
Intern
Are you a YDC student or graduate interested in teaching?
Talk with us about joining the intern team.
Volunteer
Interested in serving at YDC as a volunteer for a season?
Our Mission Builder pathway is designed to help you get involved.