Overview
Thailand Community Development Expedition

This exciting expedition takes participants to the beautiful Krabi Province of Thailand. From the start of the expedition, participants are immersed in community English teaching programmes which run in conjunction with their TEFL certification training, and have the opportunity to become qualified teachers by the end of the five-week stay. Throughout the expedition exciting adventure and cultural side trips are run to gain the most of this stunning region. GVI offers a job placement service to all GVI TEFL 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

What Difference Does This Expedition Make?

Ao Luk is located in the south of Thailand, in an area that was devastatingly affected by the Asian tsunami tragedy of 2004. GVI’s Thailand expedition focuses on building local capacity by providing English language and environmental education to the local people, so they can maximise from the benefits of the resurging tourist trade. 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 schools, hotels, expedition base and in the open environment; learning how to cook a number of tasty Thai dishes, including some regional favorites; 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 prime turtle nesting beaches.

Skills And Qualifications Received

TEFL Training and certification (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. Most famous is Phang Nga Bay, a geological wonder filled with islets, sunken caverns and startling rock formations rising sheer out of the sea. The 120 small islands are world-famous for their beautiful, unspoilt beaches and spectacular scenery which is renowned for attracting divers from around the world. Being close to town, the expedition base gives expedition members the opportunity to be completely immersed in the local culture, and enjoy the beaches and cultural destinations at weekends.

See Life on the expedition page for more information

Field Conditions

The expedition base is located in the Krabi Province, close to a number of natural attractions including mountains, waterfalls, caves, mangroves and white-sand beaches. The base has running water, electricity, a basic kitchen, a communal area, a small library and dorm-room accommodations with bunk beds. Cooking and cleaning of the base is shared on a rotational basis by expedition members. The TEFL training will take place on base, and the English Language lessons and other presentations will principally be conducted at the local community center.

See Life on the expedition page for more information

Internships

A ten-week internship is available for qualifying expedition members.

See Internships page for more information