Overview
Teach English to Communities in Krabi, Thailand

This exciting volunteer teaching programme takes participants to the beautiful Krabi Province of Thailand, Asia. From the start of the project, volunteers are immersed in community English teaching programmes for the adults aged 15-80 which run in conjunction with their TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) certification training, and have the opportunity to become qualified teachers by the end of a four week stay. Longer stays of 5-10 weeks allow for gaining added teaching experience with the support of on-site trainers and staff either teaching adults at the community centre or students at local schools. Throughout the project exciting optional adventure and cultural side trips are run to gain the most of this stunning region. GVI offers a job placement service to all GVI graduates, assisting them in finding placements in local communities around the world or paid positions in the TEFL Industry. GVI is listed as an Institutional Member of the International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL) and is a Member the College of Teachers (CoT).

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The Thai students are so eager to learn English, and are just as eager to teach you their language. Not only have I learned how to teach English as a foreign language but I’ve also learned about an entirely new culture and way of life. A truly life changing experience.

Vanessa Bittner, 2007, Teaching Volunteer

What Difference Does This Project Make?

Ao Luk is located in the south of Thailand in small, yet rapidly developing traditional Thai town. GVI’s Thailand project focuses on building local capacity by providing English language and environmental education to the local people, so they can maximise from the benefits of local development. In Ao Luk, GVI works closely with a number of local organisations and attendance of GVI’s English lessons is fully credited towards graduation from one of the area’s recognised education centres. This English language education assists in providing local people with viable employment alternatives, who have previously had little or no opportunity.

Highlights

Participating in a 50-hour or 100-hour TEFL course, as desired; immersing yourself in a traditional Thai community within a beautiful tropical paradise; living and working alongside local people, experiencing their culture, food and way of life; assisting in both child and adult environmental education and awareness programs, visiting and teaching within the local community centre, schools, project base and in the open environment; learning how to cook a number of tasty Thai dishes, including some regional favourites; going on an exciting trip to Wat Tham Seua (the Tiger Cave Temple) – a forest monastery built upon a karst cliff with stunning views; and visiting beaches in your free time.

Skills And Qualifications Received

TEFL Training and certification (50 or 100-hour), Classroom teaching experience, Curriculum development and lesson planning, Resource making, Report writing and public speaking experience, First Aid & CPR training (certification optional), Basic Thai Language, Thai culture and community including cooking, religion, etc, Environmental education and community development, Interpersonal skills

See Requirements And Training page for more information

Location

The Krabi province is located on the Andaman Sea, and is blessed with an abundance of natural resources, numerous national parks and stunning scenery with a wide range of attractions. Krabi is made up of white sandy beaches, tropical islands, amazing limestone rock formations and a rich culture. Being close to town, the project base gives volunteers the opportunity to be immersed in the local culture with the opportunity to explore local attractions on the weekends.

Field Conditions

The project base is a large house located in the town of Ao Luk in the Krabi Province, close to a number of natural attractions including mountains, waterfalls, caves, mangroves and beaches. The base has running water, electricity, a basic kitchen, a communal area, a small library and dorm-room accommodations with bunk beds, and outdoor sitting areas. Cooking and cleaning of the base is shared on a rotational basis by volunteers. The TEFL training will take place on base, and the English Language lessons will principally be conducted at the local community centre. Other projects take place in surrounding rural villages.