Teach English to Buddhist Monks
This unique volunteer opportunity is available in both Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
Picture yourself surrounded by saffron robes, morning alms, and novice monks—far removed from the usual tourist crowds. While it might seem surprising that such a traditional way of life still thrives in the 21st century, Thailand's temple schools remain far from the "everyday" norm. As a volunteer English teacher, you’ll get to experience this extraordinary environment first-hand.
A Day in the Life of a Volunteer in Thailand
The morning begins early at Thailand’s temple schools. As you arrive, you'll see novices lining up to receive morning announcements from the faculty. This is followed by prayer and meditation sessions leading up to the start of classes at 8:30 am. After lunch, another round of prayer and meditation takes place. Education in these temple schools is holistic—a unique marriage of mind and body, quite different from Western education.
Volunteer Tasks
Each volunteer brings their own unique background and skills, so your placement will depend on your comfort level. You might choose to assist a Thai teacher in daily lessons or, if you feel confident, take the lead in planning and teaching your own classes. Volunteers typically work from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, teaching 15 to 20 hours a week.
English proficiency is highly valued in Thailand, and your fluency makes you a sought-after resource. While your primary role will likely be teaching English, you may also have the opportunity to lead art classes or share other skills and interests with the novices. The program offers a flexible and rewarding experience.
Making a Difference as a Volunteer
In four of the five temple schools, 100% of the students are novice Buddhist monks. The teachers, too, are nearly all practicing monks in saffron robes. Many of the students come from underprivileged backgrounds and would not have access to education without the support of the Buddhist community. At these schools, they study both secular subjects and ancient Buddhist doctrines, while your contributions help them learn English—arguably the most important global language today.
This experience will likely be enriching for you, too. Tourists seldom have such intimate access to an authentic Buddhist temple. As a volunteer, you'll have the chance to join group meditation sessions, recite mantras with the students, and participate in festivals as a guest of the monastic community. Of course, none of this is mandatory, and you are welcome to focus solely on the academic aspects if you prefer.
Most importantly, you’ll help these students make connections at a formative time in their lives. Students at these temple schools typically range in age from 12 to 15 and have had limited exposure to foreigners. Volunteers are encouraged to share meals with the novices and teachers—a tempting offer when the menu features stir-fries, savory curries, and jasmine rice. These interactions offer plenty of opportunities for out-of-class conversations and help you build meaningful relationships with the monks you are teaching.
Volunteer Qualifications
The minimum age requirement for the Teaching Monks Project is 18. Volunteers do not need specific qualifications but should enjoy working with teenagers and young adults, and be open and respectful towards Buddhism and other cultures. Proficiency in written and spoken English is essential, along with a creative mindset, given the limited teaching materials available in the schools.
Friends for Asia requires all volunteers in this project (as well as any project involving direct work with children) to submit a certified police background check before beginning their volunteer service.
