Volunteer Teaching English Program in Chiang Mai

Volunteering Solutions offers Teaching English volunteer placement where volunteers teach English to Thai students at one of many different underprivileged schools throughout the city of Chiang Mai.These schools range from having kindergarten, primary and/or secondary (or all three). Some of the schools are quite large, with over 1,000 students, whereas others are rather small, with only 100+ students.

In this project, your daily commute will carry you through some of central Chiang Mai’s most authentic neighborhoods. All of the involved schools are in the city center – most within the boundaries of the ancient moat. Some are part of larger temple complexes, complete with monastic communities and Buddhist shrines; others are stationed on dedicated school grounds. Each has its own dynamic, with anywhere from 100 to 1,000 students enrolled. Volunteer teachers have the option to work in any grade level.

Our local coordinators seek schools that have no foreign teachers on staff. These are financially strapped public schools that are thrilled at the opportunity to welcome native English speakers.

In Thailand’s public schools, members of the English faculty are well versed in grammar and mechanics. If anything’s missing, it’s the fluency that develops through practice in a native-speaking environment. Regardless of your teaching background, your mere presence in this public school gives students and faculty the chance to take their English skills out of the textbook and put them to work in the real world.

But there’s more to this arrangement than language arts. For many of these students, this is the only chance they have to meaningfully interact with a Westerner. The classroom is a world away from the tourist scene, and you’ll be in a unique position to influence the way these children grow up thinking about foreign cultures.

Volunteer Tasks

Your role in class depends on the school as well as your own comfort level. You’ll be paired with a Thai teacher and have the option of going into class with this person and simply helping out with daily lessons. However, for anyone with the confidence and the drive to do their own lesson planning, nothing’s quite as rewarding as leading your own class. The students love it, and it gives Thai teachers the chance to catch up on projects and paperwork.

The time you’ll spend in class depends on the school’s needs as well as the time of year. Generally, you’ll be in front of students anywhere from 10 to 20 hours per week. Volunteers with plenty of ambition can donate more time planning and possibly helping out with projects at school.

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Program Requirements

Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the beginning of the program. Volunteers need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. Volunteers should be proficient in written and spoken English.

Project Location

The project placement is located in the city of Chiang Mai which is Northern Thailand’s largest city. It is a pleasant city, encircled by mountains and lush rice fields.

During your Free Time

Volunteers can take part in the Thai Cookery classes or Thai Massage course which are available all around Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai also boasts of restaurants of every international cuisine. During the weekends, you can travel to the cities of Pai , Chiang Rai or fly down to the capital city of Bangkok.

What we provide

Airport Receive/ Transfer: The project starts on 1st and 3rd Monday of the month. Volunteers need to arrive 3 days prior to the start date, on a Friday. Volunteers should book their flights to arrive in Chiang Mai between 8am-8pm.

Orientation: All volunteers are provided with a two day orientation before starting their project work. The Orientation session covers areas like, local Thai culture, greetings, locations, transportation etc. Volunteers are also given a city Tour of Chiang Mai.

Lodging: Volunteers are provided accommodation in a volunteer’s home in Chiang Mai. Accommodation is shared with other volunteers. The volunteer house accommodations are located in very safe and secure neighborhoods of the city of Chiang Mai. To view the volunteer house video tour, please click here

Food: Volunteers are provided with breakfast at the home everyday. Lunch is provided every workday.

Insurance: Volunteers have the option to purchase Travel and Medical Insurance at a nominal extra cost from Volunteering Solutions. To buy insurance from Volunteering Solutions, please click here

In-country support: 24 hours support provided by our local staff. You will be provided with the contact details of the local coordinator and staff who will be contactable 24 hrs once you are in country.

Pre-departure information: After we receive full and final payment all participants are provided by a pre-departure information booklet by e-mail which will have all vital information about your program. The Pre Departure Information Booklet provides the complete details of the country, project locations, Visas, Immunizations, Things to Pack list, Accommodations, Contact Information etc.

Start Dates

The project starts on 1st and 3rd Monday of every month. Volunteers need to arrive 3 days prior to the start date, on a Friday. Volunteers should book their flights to arrive in Chiang Mai between 8am -8pm.The schools in Thailand have their holidays during April and the start of May, with a shorter holiday in October as well. The project is closed during this time period. Volunteers can choose to join the orphanage program during these dates.

Program Costs

Volunteering Solutions strives hard to keep costs low and offers one of the most affordable volunteer abroad programs. Compare our prices and services to other organizations and you would be surprised to see the difference.

USD GBP EUR

2 Weeks	3 Weeks	4 Weeks	5 Weeks	6 Weeks	7 Weeks	8 Weeks	Extra Weeks
$650	$700	$800	$900	$1000	$1100	$1200	$125

Please Note: -An application fee of $200 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

2 Weeks	3 Weeks	4 Weeks	5 Weeks	6 Weeks	7 Weeks	8 Weeks	Extra Weeks
£455	£490	£560	£630	£700	£770	£840	£88

Please Note: -An application fee of £140 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

2 Weeks	3 Weeks	4 Weeks	5 Weeks	6 Weeks	7 Weeks	8 Weeks	Extra Weeks
€520	€560	€640	€720	€800	€880	€960	€100

Please Note: -An application fee of €160 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

What are you Paying For ?

24 hrs Assistance and support from Staff
Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
Airport Pickup in Chiang Mai
2 Day Orientation and Half day city tour
Cultural dinner and show
Food - 2 meals a day
Accommodation
Travel & Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost)

What's NOT Included ?

Return Airport Drop
Local Transportation
Visa Fee
Vaccinations

Does Volunteering Solutions help with Visa?

Receiving a tourist visa for tourism purpose is the volunteer's responsibility. Volunteering Solutions strongly recommends all volunteers to apply and get a tourist visa before departing for Thailand. If needed, Volunteering Solutions do provide with written document which would help volunteers in getting the Visa.

When should I apply for the volunteer programs in Thailand?

We are able to offer placements from every 1^st and 3^rd Monday of each month year round. Because of the increasing volume of applications, participants are requested to apply in advance to secure their spots.

How long does it take to process my application?

Once you have applied, we will send you details of your placement usually within 7-10 working days.

How do I get to the program location?

Your country coordinator will take you to your placement and introduce you to everyone after giving you a basic orientation about the program/city/culture etc.

I want to know more about accommodation arrangements?

We provide you with accommodation from your start date to the end of the program. Accommodation will either be in the volunteer’s home or with a host family. Accommodation is shared along with other volunteers. You need to bring your own toiletries, mosquito net and sleeping bag.

Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the Thailand-based volunteer programs?

The only qualifications are: -

-- Volunteers must be 18 years (for summer program, minimum age requirement is 17 years) or older at the beginning of the program

-- Volunteers need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment.

-- The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.

-- Be in good health.

What immunizations/vaccinations will I need?

We recommend you speak to your doctor before coming. The following are recommended vaccinations: -

Hepatitis A and B
Typhoid

Are there more expenses once I arrive in Thailand?

Your program fee covers you for food, accommodation, airport pick up, Orientation, Pre departure information and in country staff support. You will need to cover yourself for your personal expenses, such as traveling, telephone, internet, shopping, sightseeing etc. However you should carry around $40 - $50 per week for your basic personal expenses, such as water, local transport, phone etc.

Is there phone and internet available on projects?

Yes there is usually a phone at every placement we provide. However you will have to use Internet café’s to use Internet. It is strongly recommended that you carry a mobile phone while travelling to Thailand. You can get international roaming or can simply buy a local sim-card from the airport when you arrive.

What hours will I volunteer every day?

Volunteers usually work for 5 to 6 hours a day depending on their program. You will have weekend off so you can go to travel on weekends. However some organizations will need you to work on some Saturdays as well.

Where can I change my money in Thailand? Are there ATMâ€™s in Thailand?

You can change money in any bank or at the airport by showing your passport. There are ATM's located all around the Chiang Mai/Bangkok city.

Can couples or families join the volunteer program?

Yes, couples and families are welcome to join our programs. We make special provisions for families joining our volunteering programs; we will be able to provide them with program placements and accommodations together.

What will be the food arrangement?

The host family provides two or three meals per day. Depending on your host family you will be provided with two or three meals a day. Lunch and dinner will be rice, a bowl of soup, fried meat (chicken, beef. pork or fish) and a lot of vegetables. Thailand food is light and healthy and is not very spicy and hot.

Do I need to buy health insurance?

Volunteers have the option to purchase Travel and Medical Insurance at a nominal extra cost from Volunteering Solutions. To buy insurance from Volunteering Solutions, please click here

What sorts of clothes are required for Thailand?

Lightweight clothing and rainwear is recommended as well as warmer clothing for the evenings (light jacket and/or light sweaters). A pair of walking shoes is highly recommended as well.

Do you recommend any cheap airlines flying into Thailand?

We would recommend you to visit, http://www.kayak.com, http://www.orbitz.com to have more details on cheap airlines to Thailand.

When do I need to arrive in Thailand for my program? What will happen once I arrive in Thailand?

All volunteers need to arrive two days before their program start date. Volunteers are picked up from the Chiang Mai/Bangkok International Airport by the local coordinator or representative. Those volunteers who are arriving overland or are already in Thailand will be picked up from the bus station or at a meeting point decided beforehand.

Carmella Caltagirone (USA)

The highlight of our trip was when our kids were able to repeat back to us phrases we had taught them three days beforehand that we never even expected them to remember. It was so touching...... read more

Elly Zacharakis (Australia)

The experience was both challenging and very rewarding. The teachers and students at the school were warm and welcoming...... read more

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