Overview
Volunteer with Children in Thailand

Thailand is a developing country famous for a diverse environment of beautiful beaches, numerous natural resources and stunning natural attractions. Thousands of tourists travel to the country every year making Thailand one of the most popular tourist locations in the world. Despite this fact, most Thai people have limited English speaking skills. By volunteering with local schools you can offer children the opportunity to get first hand native English language assistance to help them learn English, providing them with a valuable opportunity to improve their language skills. Your presence in the classroom helps to fulfil the demand of the community to help school children gain skills that can assist their success in education and personal development.

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Never again will you have the chance to teach such motivated students with an overwhelming desire to learn whilst absorbing an entirely different culture at the same time.

Katie Lucas

What Difference Does This Project Make?

Volunteering at the local schools and in the community gives Thai teachers and students the opportunity to practice their English skills with fluent English speakers. Students will gain confidence and interest in the English language providing them with skills that will greaten their opportunities for education and employment in the future. Teachers who have limited resources will benefit from volunteer teachers assisting with their classes. For those volunteers staying in home stays in addition to working with local schools you will help your host family and community gain valuable skills that will help them continue to support and develop their local community based tourism projects. This is an incredible opportunity to exchange culture and language.

Highlights

See the benefits of volunteer English teaching in a small duration of time, Experience real Thailand up close by teaching and living in the small town of Ao Luk or other surrounding communities. You will have the opportunity to experience a culture and a way of life that most tourists miss on the normal tourist trail. Visit local natural highlights such as limestone rock formations, amazing caves and white sandy beaches with crystal emerald waters. Learn how to cook Thai food, speak basic Thai, and immerse yourself in this vibrant and welcoming culture.

Location

Ao Luk is located in the Krabi province in the Andaman region of Thailand. This region is most famous for the surrounding islands, white sandy beaches and karst mountain formations which jut dramatically out of the land and sea. Ao Luk is a mostly rural district in Krabi. Being close to town, GVI's base camp gives volunteers the opportunity to be completely immersed in the local culture. Weekends provide the opportunity to enjoy the natural highlights and cultural destinations within the region. Home stays are located in more rural areas and provide complete immersion within Thai communities if volunteers choose this option.

Field Conditions

You have a choice of staying at GVI's base camp in the town of Ao Luk or at a rural home stay with a Thai family. The base camp is a centre for teaching and training and you will share dorm style accommodation with 10-20 other volunteers who are teaching or obtaining a TEFL qualification. Cooking and cleaning are done on a rotational basis with other volunteers. Volunteers can also choose to live with a traditional Thai family. Both options are basic but they do have electricity and running water. Food at the home stays will be simple yet delicious Thai meals.