How does it work for you?

For your programme, we:

Based on your interests and our specialist knowledge of the country, we match you with the most appropriate placing in Thailand
Give you a pre-departure week-end in UK (details below) to give you a feel for Thailand (and a taste for its food!) and an introduction to teaching English as a foreign language.
Give you an orientation programme on arrival in Thailand (details below) to give you an understanding of Thai schools, to develop your skills in teaching English and give you more detailed background on Thai language and culture.

There's a lot of flexibility in terms of location and duration. And the price doesn't increase if you stay for longer (the longer you stay, the more help you are to the school, so we reflect that by keeping the price fixed and continuing to provide accommodation free of charge for the duration of your stay)

All people in Kaocha-ang love you. Because, you are a good person. If possible, come back to Thailand again, Kaocha-ang always welcome you.- Khattiya (School Headteacher)

What do you get?

A pre-departure week-end in UK, including:

Hotel accommodation (free of charge)
Meals in a Thai restaurant (free of charge)
An introduction to Thai culture; and a few words of Thai (with a Thai student who is currently studying in UK)
A CD on Thai language for you to keep
A Thai language phrase book for you to keep
A Thai SIM card for your mobile phone
A letter to the Thai Consulate to organise your visa
An introduction to teaching English (by a specialist and experienced teacher of English as a Foreign Language)
A good opportunity for you to meet other volunteers who will be in Thailand at the same time as you, and who will probably also be on the same orientation programme on your arrival in Thailand

An orientation week on arrival in Thailand, including:

Hotel accommodation (free of charge)
All meals (free of charge)
Visits to schools – to see Thai schools "in general" and English as a Foreign Language classes
“Survive and enjoy Thai” language sessions
Further briefing on Thailand and Thai culture
Further development of your skills in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (taught by staff of one of the Thai universities)
Tourist visits, for example to the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Keo

On-going support and help-line contact from out Programme Manger in Thailand, Dr Chawalert, and other members of our team (see the "Our Team" page).
On-going support and help-line contact on teaching, if and when needed, from staff of the Education Faculty of the local Rajabhat University (the teacher training university).
Most schools/universities can provide internet access, so you can easily keep in contact with friends and family; where that's not possible, throughout Thailand there are lots of inexpensive internet cafes.
Free accommodation - usually with a family homestay; in some schools or universities a teachers' house may be available. Usually, breakfast and dinner with the homestay family and lunch at school.

She is a good person. She likes to learn the differences and try new things. Everyone here loves her. She has become one of the family quite soon.
- Pu Yai Tong (Host family father)

Your Role

Although your skills and value will be of greater help than you may currently think...

...we do not ask you to take the role of a teacher with a class of your own (unless and until you want to)

Rather, we ask you to work as a teaching assistant, particularly in “informal English” – an English conversation assistant – working alongside a Thai specialist teacher of English.

You could expect to teach for about 10-20 hours per week (more if you want). That might not sound much, but you’d want to do a bit of preparation – and 10-20 hours with a bustling group eager to learn is quite intensive.

You can choose to work in a primary school or a secondary school, or a university if you wish.

Also, you can choose to be based in a town or a city, or in a rural area.

The school will have its own lesson plans and teaching materials which you can use; you’ll also pick up some ideas and materials during your pre-departure weekend and your orientation programme; and as you settle into the school you’ll probably want to develop some approaches and materials which have your personality stamped on them.

You’ll be supported, not pressured, and able to stretch yourself as much as you wish.

I’m very glad that you came to be a teacher here. Everyone welcomes you. Everyone loves you. Especially, the children like your teaching.
- Nisa (English Language teacher)

Why Thailand?

Lots of reasons, but 2 main ones:

For your future Thai friends and their families

They need you.
Thailand is 9th out of 10 countries in South East Asia for English language ability – so there’s a particular need for help there.
The schools in which we work need volunteers like you to help.

For you

It’s a fantastic place.
Thailand is not known as the “Land of Smiles” for nothing. The people are as friendly as you can meet anywhere.
Teaching in this situation (with children who are eager to learn and value education; and without the discipline problems which are found in some UK schools) is a very rewarding experience.
You’ll be known by all around – and known as someone who is there to help the children (and therefore their families) as a volunteer (not someone there simply to earn money). You’ll be surprised how many people want to thank you – by word, by very modest gifts, or simply by a smile.
You’ll get an understanding of another culture and get to know Thai people in a way which is simply not possible for ordinary tourists.

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