Volunteering Abroad!

Volunteers’ Responsibilities

By volunteering in Thailand, you will be working in temple school where you will teach conversational English to young children. Depending on your individual interests and skills, and on the needs of the local staff, your daily activities involve, but are not limited to:

• Teaching English to children (not monks)
• Helping students to improve their Basic English and conversational skills
• Supporting recreational and artistic activities focused on educational learning
• Organizing and developing activities that encourage learning
• Converse about the culture back home and ask about their childhood and life as a monk
• Assist with administration
• Organize games, drawing, singing, dancing and other creative educational and extra-curricular activities

How You Can Make a Difference

Relying on donations, temple schools often do not have adequate financial resources to hire trained and experienced teachers. English has become a necessity for young Thais, but the lack of good teachers mean that teaching them becomes increasingly difficult.

As a volunteer, you will play a big part in developing the English skills of the young students. Eventually, the students will be able to improve their English language, and move on to study in good schools.

In this project, you will have the fantastic opportunity to learn and understand not just Buddhism, but Thai culture as well.

In the monasteries, you will have plenty of occasions to take part in meditation, rituals, prayers, and songs with the monks. You’ll enjoy the work as the students are very well-behaved and extremely eager to learn from an international volunteer

Skills and Qualifications

There are no specific qualifications needed to join this project in Thailand beyond a fluency in English. Volunteer teachers should have strong English fluency, both written and verbal, although no previous teaching experience is required.

Volunteers should have a love for teaching, English and conversation. Volunteers should also be enthusiastic, reliable, flexible, patient and strive to be good role models for the students.

It is extremely important to note that monks are highly respected figures and follow strict and exemplary life rules. Only volunteers with serious discipline can join this project.

Project Location

This project is located in Ayuthaya.

Ayutthaya was once the capital city of Thailand and is 76 kms from Bangkok. It was also one of the largest cities in Asia, before it was razed to ground by invading Burmese army.

Today, Ayutthaya is a modern city that contains many fascinating relics and monuments from medieval times. The city is known for its magnificent ruins, temples and palaces.

Volunteers can get lost wondering through wats and museums and learn about the historical city, now a UNESSCO World Heritage City. In free time and on weekends, volunteers can take a 20 minute bus ride into Bangkok and get lost in its vibrant surroundings.

During the project, volunteers will have the weekend to travel around Thailand and enjoy the Thai culture and landscape. The southern part of Thailand is known for its pristine beaches and is very popular with tourists.

The northern areas include forests and hills and have many popular trekking and hiking destinations. The urban centers of Chiang Mai and Bangkok are famous for night life, good restaurants and also have many other attractions like temples, markets and museums.