Volunteer in Local Schools in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Thailand: Teach English and Make a Difference
Looking for meaningful volunteer opportunities in Thailand? Join Volunteer Thailand’s English Education programs in Bangkok or Chiang Mai. This unique project allows you to teach English in local schools while immersing yourself in the vibrant cultures of Thailand’s most iconic cities.
Why Volunteer with Volunteer Thailand?
Our schools are located in some of the most authentic neighborhoods in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, many within the boundaries of the ancient moats or nestled within beautiful temple complexes. With school sizes ranging from 100 to 1,000 students, you’ll have the chance to work with children across all grade levels, from kindergarten to high school.
Each day, you will start with the national anthem alongside students, giving you a chance to engage them in English conversation practice from the start. Whether you’re sharing lunch with Thai teachers or exploring local street food, your experience will be enriched by daily interactions with local communities.
Experience Teaching English in Thailand with Volunteer Thailand
By volunteering with Volunteer Thailand, you won’t be placed in a well-funded private school where foreign teachers are mere showpieces. Instead, you'll be working in financially strapped public schools in Bangkok and Chiang Mai that genuinely appreciate your efforts to enhance their English language skills.
Most Thai public school teachers excel in grammar and mechanics, but there’s a gap in fluency and conversational practice. As a native English speaker, your role goes beyond textbooks, helping students gain confidence and proficiency through real-world interactions.
Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities
Your role as a volunteer English teacher will vary depending on the school's needs and your comfort level. You might assist a Thai teacher or lead your own classes, providing a rewarding opportunity to engage directly with students. Volunteers typically teach 10 to 20 hours per week, but additional time can be devoted to lesson planning or assisting with school projects.
Qualifications and Requirements for Volunteers
To volunteer with Volunteer Thailand, you must be at least 18 years old, fluent in written and spoken English and have a passion for teaching. While no formal teaching credentials are required, volunteers working directly with children must provide a certified police background check.
Affordable Volunteer Program Fees
Participation in the English Education Volunteer Project starts at $799 for a minimum of two weeks, with each additional week costing $119. The fee covers accommodation, breakfast, lunch on workdays, airport pickup, orientation, and ongoing support.
Program Start Dates for 2024 and 2025
We offer flexible start dates throughout the year for our teaching volunteer programs in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Whether you're available in January or looking for a summer opportunity, there's a date for you!
What Past Volunteers Say About Volunteering in Thailand
"Volunteering with Volunteer Thailand was a life-changing experience. I taught English to children aged 6-12 in a local school, and it was a joy to see their enthusiasm and love for learning. The experience has inspired me to consider teaching as a career." – Ankita Karn, UK, 2012.
"My three weeks as a 1st-grade English teacher in Chiang Mai were deeply fulfilling. The students, staff, and community welcomed me with open arms, and I left feeling like I had made a genuine impact." – Clarissa Baquiran, USA, 2013.
Get Involved and Make a Difference Today!
Ready to start your adventure and make a positive impact in Thailand? Join Volunteer Thailand’s English Education program in Bangkok or Chiang Mai and help shape the future of students in need while gaining an unforgettable cultural experience.
Daily School Schedule
- 8:00 Morning Assembly
- 8:30 classes begin
- 11:10 Lunch/Break
- 12:10 After lunch Assembly and classes begin again
- 4:20 School ends for the day.
A volunteer is free to come and leave the school as they wish. It’s recommended to stay at the school during most of the day to get to know the staff and students as well as possible, but if a volunteer is free to leave the school during times when they don’t have classes if they have something they would like to do off campus.
Teaching a Lesson in the English Education Project
It is important to plan and prepare lessons. For the inexperienced teacher, lengthy, in-depth lesson plans are not necessary. It is, however, crucial that when preparing/planning a lesson one must write down a simple procedure of how they plan to conduct the class. Attempt to cover all four skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) in the period of an hour class. Below is a basic plan as to how inexperienced teachers can plan lessons:
- Introduction to the class and a short fun warm-up activity
- Presentation of new material/review of already covered material
- Practice of the material presented
- Speaking activity then writing activity using the material covered
- A quick wrap-up/closing activity
English Education Project – Suggestions for Topics
- Colors
- Numbers
- Time
- Animals
- Days of the week/months of the year
- Sports
- Hobbies
- Sports
- Food
- Places around town
- Countries/travel vocabulary
- Things at home
- Things at school
- Music
English Education Project – Suggestions for Basic Activities
- Tick tack toe (with vocabulary)
- Memory (vocabulary and definition/picture)
- Word searches
- Crossword puzzles
- Skits
- Dialogue type games
- Songs (to follow, but not sing)
- Hangman
- Scrabble type games
- Bingo (with numbers, pictures, vocabulary, whatever)
- Pictionary
- Spin the bottle (conversation/vocabulary, not kissing)
- Simon Says
- Running Dictation
English Education Materials, Stationary, and Books
Most of the schools use student textbooks and workbooks in their English courses. With this being said, most of the textbooks are not very well written and are often times far above the abilities of the students who are using them. Some volunteers are free to use any material in their lessons, however, it is recommended that volunteers try to use the textbooks and workbooks when possible, as it is important that the students follow the curriculum, especially considering the students will continue to use the textbooks and workbooks after the end of the volunteer’s service. With this being mentioned, please don’t think that textbooks and workbooks have to be used exclusively. Pictures and different materials from a volunteer’s country can be a lot of fun and incredibly educational.
There are stationery stores close to many of the schools. Unfortunately, there is no budget available for volunteer teacher resources. Therefore if a teacher wants to purchase supplies or materials for their classes they will have to do so with their own money. Friends for Asia staff will be happy to show you the way or take you to a stationary store during your orientation or service to help you prepare for your lessons. Most of the schools have some type of procedure for copies that volunteers are allowed to use. For specific information regarding the system of making copies, a volunteer would have to consult their coworkers at their assigned school.
Volunteer Transportation in Chiang Mai
Airport pick-up, the city tour, and the transportation to and from the cultural show and dinner are covered in the project fee. Friends for Asia staff also sends volunteers and interns to seek medical assistance in non-emergency situations. Obviously, in the case of an emergency, a proper ambulance would be called and used. A volunteer will have to cover the cost of their own transportation if they make multiple appointments to see a doctor or dentist.
Volunteers in the English Education Volunteer Project are responsible for their daily commute to and from the Volunteer House and their school. More details are listed below but expect to pay anywhere between $1.50 – $3.00 per day for transportation. Although all the schools where volunteers work are a decent walk from the house, many volunteers take this on-foot option to take in more of Chiang Mai and Surat Thani during their service.
Transportation by SongThaews (Thai-style mini-buses) is normally 20 THB (roughly $0.70 USD) per ride. Therefore, most volunteers spend around $1.50 USD a day on transportation to and from work. Tuktuks (three-wheeled, motorized rickshaws) are more expensive, but faster. A regular-priced ride in a tuk-tuk is about 50 THB ($1.60 USD). On the first day of your project, the volunteer coordinator will escort you to your school and introduce you to the administration at the school. Volunteers travel with the coordinator on that day by local transportation in an attempt to teach volunteers how to get to the school and back by themselves on the following days of their volunteer service.
