Thailand: Volunteer Teaching

Introduction

Join us in a rewarding adventure as we make a positive impact on the vibrant Thai community! Discover the joys of teaching English to local students in and around Hua Hin while indulging in the beauty of the beach during your free time.

In the mornings, you’ll have the privilege of teaching young minds in local schools, and in the afternoons, you’ll prepare exciting lessons for the days ahead. It’s not just an opportunity to do good; it’s also an opportunity to feel good. You’ll be helping students expand their horizons and fostering a beautiful cultural exchange. Your teaching will be infused with creativity, songs, games, and other fun activities that make learning a delightful experience. Join us and be a part of this incredible journey!

Culture Week

The picturesque mountains surrounding Chiang Mai beckon with their natural splendour, offering a wealth of captivating attractions. Renowned as a hub for Thai handicrafts and adorned with two tribal villages, this city serves as the perfect backdrop for immersing yourself in Thai culture. Our program is a gateway to an authentic Thai experience, where you’ll partake in cultural activities, explore breathtaking mountain landscapes, and discover the heart of Chiang Mai.

Please note that this week is an optional add-on to your Volunteer trip, typically scheduled at the beginning of your journey.

Our program is thoughtfully designed to unveil the essence of Thailand through a spectrum of cultural encounters that will ignite your senses. You’ll have the rare opportunity to actively engage in Thai traditions, from customs and language to the art of crafting local Thai dishes. As you navigate the captivating sights of Chiang Mai, you’ll also delve into the intricacies of Thai culture.

A program highlight is the exploration of Buddhism through visits to revered Buddhist temples, known as ‘Wats,’ where the profound teachings of Thai Buddhism come to life. Scheduled visits to bustling local markets will immerse you in the vibrant Thai way of life, exposing you to an array of delectable culinary delights and unique products.

Join us on this remarkable journey to deepen your appreciation of Thai culture, forge lasting memories, and savor the rich tapestry of experiences that Chiang Mai eagerly awaits to share with you.

Schedule

Monday

• Breakfast
• Program Introduction, registration and general info. Introduction to Thai Culture, Do’s and Dont’s
• Thai cooking class and Lunch
• Dinner

Tuesday

• Breakfast
• Thai Culture Lesson: Thai history, religion, and customs
• Lunch
• Thai Language Lesson
• Dinner

Wednesday

• Breakfast
• Umbrella Village & Umbrella Painting
• Lunch
• Hot spring Water (Hot spring Pool)
• Dinner

Thursday

• Breakfast
• Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Ratchaworawihan
• Lunch
• Wat Pha lad
• Welcome and Goodbye Dinner

Friday

• Breakfast
• Lanna folklife museum, Warorrot Market
• Lunch
• Wat Chedi Luang & Night Market
• Dinner

This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

Daily Life

In recent years, the Thai government has been putting a strong focus on enhancing English education across all levels of the school system. However, despite these efforts, English literacy rates in Thailand still lag behind many other Asian countries. This presents a wonderful opportunity for you to share your knowledge and skills with the young generation of the Thai community by teaching them the English language and a range of valuable skills they can use in their future pursuits.

Our program primarily involves working with students in various schools, where your primary role will be teaching English. Over the years, we’ve established strong relationships with child development centers, kindergartens, primary, and secondary schools in and around Hua Hin. But our commitment to these meaningful community engagements doesn’t stop here; we have ambitious plans for the future.

Many schools are open to new teaching concepts and approaches, offering you the chance to introduce fresh ideas and teaching strategies that can complement the local Thai methods. You’ll be working in classrooms with a diverse range of students, typically numbering 15 to 40 per class, aged between 2.5 and 18 years old.

Our teaching program serves a dual purpose: first, it provides children in rural Thailand with a valuable opportunity to improve their English skills, even when their regular teachers may not be fluent English speakers. Second, it offers you a fascinating insight into the Thai education system and a wonderful chance to build connections with students and teachers alike.

During the program, you can expect to start your day at the center between 08:30 a.m. and 09:30 a.m., and you’ll finish teaching at around 11:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m., depending on the school’s schedule. You’ll typically teach for 2-3 hours each day, with classes scheduled either in the morning or afternoon, depending on available time slots. On some days, you might teach both morning and afternoon classes. Lunch will usually be provided at the school or center, depending on the day’s program. You’ll collaborate with other teachers and participants in the classroom, where you can contribute to lesson planning and organize engaging activities.

Additionally, please keep in mind the longer holidays, school breaks, and public holidays. During these times, you’ll have the chance to participate in special classes and English camps that are frequently requested by the local community. If you’re assigned to a child development center during these periods, remember that you’ll be working with young children who have unique needs. Your creative skills, such as using songs, dance, games, and repetition, will be valuable in making their introduction to basic educational concepts enjoyable and effective.

Before heading to your placement, you’ll collaborate with local coordinators to review teaching lessons, materials, and daily activities, ensuring a consistent and engaging learning experience for the children.

Itinerary

Monday
– Kick-off Meeting: We’ll start the week with an introduction meeting where we’ll go over house rules, set expectations, and provide you with essential health and safety advice. You’ll also learn how to handle important documents and take care of the necessary paperwork.
– Thai Culture Immersion: Get ready to dive into the rich Thai culture with lessons on “Thai Do’s and Don’ts,” and learn about the fascinating customs and traditions of Thailand. We’ll also introduce you to the basics of the Thai language.
– Lunch: Enjoy a delightful meal to refuel for the day.
– Project Meeting: We’ll discuss the specifics of your project, make necessary preparations, and visit the project site to observe the setup alongside our local coordinator.
– Dinner: Wrap up the day with a tasty dinner.

Tuesday to Friday
– Teaching Sessions: Your teaching sessions will be scheduled either in the morning or the afternoon, depending on the school’s requirements. A typical day in the program will include the following:
– Breakfast at Hua Hin Center
– Teaching: Engage with your students and impart knowledge and skills.
– Lunch: Take a break and have a delicious meal.
– Lesson Preparation: After teaching, you’ll have time to prepare lessons for the next day, collaborating with your fellow volunteers.
– Dinner at Hua Hin Center: End your day with a satisfying dinner.

**Note**: While you’re here, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy outside of the program. You can explore the vibrant night market, have a mall experience, or simply relax and unwind on the beautiful beach.

Please keep in mind that this schedule is subject to change or adjustment due to factors like weather conditions, local circumstances, and unforeseen events. We’ll strive to make your experience safe, enjoyable, and enriching.

Travel & Accommodation

You will be met at Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok) International Airport by a project representative and brought to the project HQ upon arrival.

Our centre is located in the hilly countryside of Prachuap Khiri Khan province amidst green surroundings. The accommodation consists of spacious rooms. There is a common area with a refrigerator, hammocks and a large communal swimming pool for you to chill.

All the meals served inside the accommodation are homestyle, vegetarian-friendly and you can expect that they will be typically Thai, including plenty of rice or noodle dishes with vegetables and occasionally some meat will be provided as well, along with seasonal fruits for dessert.

While we do our best to accommodate our participants, what we provide for most meals is local cuisine. If you are a picky eater, have dietary restrictions, or if you think that you will not be satisfied with the local dishes provided, you might want to consider supplementing our menu with your own western type foods and snacks that are more to your liking. From our accommodation and you can use our bikes to ride to a few convenience stores nearby.

Please keep in mind that refrigerator space is limited and to prevent insect infestation open food items are not allowed in the rooms.

Requirements

• Minimum age 18
• Be keen and enthusiastic to get involved in the project
• Ability to work within a team environment
• Minimum 2 weeks commitment
• Police check (or equivalent) showing that you have no previous criminal convictions
• Conversational English
• Necessary vaccinations
• Necessary flight & visas

Costs

£450 GBP per week

* Check the latest currency conversions with xe.com
** All payments incur a 5% bank transfer fee
*** Placements are confirmed with a 1 week deposit

What’s Included:

Project Fee includes

• 3 meals per day ( 2 meals on weekends)
• Accommodation
• Airport pickup
• Orientation
• In-country support and project activities.

Private rooms are available for an additional €100 per week.

What’s not included:

• Flights
• Travel insurance
• Visas (if applicable)
• Vaccinations.

Full assistance will be provided in getting all these arranged if you choose our Premium Support.

Premium Support Upgrade

We understand there’s a great deal to plan and organise for your trip. When booking a Placement, many of our participants choose to purchase our Premium Support Upgrade to benefit from the expertise, knowledge and experience of our Project Coordinators.

We can provide the personal advice you need to ensure your trip is organised with excellence and planned with efficiency; ensuring the very best experience possible. Read more about how we can help you.