Thai Mueang Volunteers: Volunteer Primary School Teacher

  Thailand

• All Other Areas in Thailand: 
Mueang

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: flexible

Description: Volunteers will be teaching English at one of the ten under-funded schools in our local area, along with the supervision and help of a Thai teacher. The volunteer will be responsible for preparing their own lesson plans, but help from a TM Volunteer staff member is always available. We want the volunteers to focus on creative thinking and imagination, and create a fun learning environment, as a change from the Thai curriculum. We want the students to learn English because they want to, not because they have to.

Volunteers will also be living within the community, learning about Thai culture, and the peoples' way of life. We want the volunteer to set a good example, to eliminate some of the stereotypes on foreigners. Basically, we need the volunteer to have fun, teach English and become part of a Thai community.

Who will I be teaching?

We are in contact with ten schools in the area and they are all in need of English teachers. We are also working closely together with a nursery school that looks after children starting at ages 4-5. Phratom is the name for primary school classes and they are approximately 6-12 years old. Mathayom is the name for secondary school classes and they are appoximately 13-18 years old.
      
Where will I stay?

TM Volunteers will provide you with a clean, comfortable four-bedroom house for the duration of your stay. The house is equipped with: a hot/cold shower, a washing machine, American-style bathroom facilities and a fridge. It is located in Thai Mueang, in a peaceful residential area, with a beautiful scenic view.

Does anyone speak English?

There will always be a TM Volunteer staff member, who can speak English, in contact with you everyday. The teachers and other people in the community may not speak English, but we will be there to help you overcome any difficulties you may face.

What will I do on weekends?

On weekends we recommend that volunteers travel around and experience as much of Thailands unique culture as they can. Thai Mueang is situated near many popular beaches, cities (for a bit of nightlife), Buddhist temples and spectacular natural points of interest. We can help arrange your weekend travel plans if you would like us to.

Highlights: The most important aspect of our program is that we are community based. We do not send volunteers all over the country, where we can not provide them with adequate support. Everyone stays in our local area, where we can always be of assistance should any issues arise. We also want all proceeds to go directly into the community. Only Thai people are hired, such as drivers, cooks, etc. and all the schools that are chosen are truly in need. We love and love this community, and want all others that travel here to have a great experience and love it too.

Our main volunteer related aim is to create a safe environment in which the volunteer feels supported and well taken care of. Both the schools and the community are well-informed as to what role the volunteer will play and what should and should not be expected of them. Teachers, police and community-members will all work together to create an environment that allows the volunteer to make as easy a transition into a Thai community, as possible. TMV itself provides 24 hour support and has evening meals together so that volunteers can voice their questions and concerns as well as receive the answers and advice they need daily. It also gives the volunteers a chance to discuss what they have learned and encountered during their day at the schools. It is experience and logic that shows a volunteer that is happy with their living conditions will enhance their ability to focus on their lesson plans and their time with the children. This increases the value of the experience for all parties involved.

Qualifications: Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and be native English speakers. An educational background is not necessary. Teaching experience, degrees and certificates are all a bonus, but what is truly important is the volunteers ability to create a fun learning environment for the children. We want to know what your ideas, skills and talents are, and how you will incorporate them with teaching English. The children will benefit more from an English course based on games, songs, or art skills, than they would from grammar exercises. What is absolutely necessary is your willingness to make the experience the most positive and beneficial for the children.

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: Registration fee:USD 215 - One Month Fee: USD 580

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: A typical volunteer is someone who loves children and wants to teach a skill the children will need in the future, English. They are ready to help, eager to learn and always ready for new challenges. An open mind and patience are essential to having a satisfying and memorable volunteer experience. Volunteers are a special breed, they have an ease with smiles and a positive outlook on life. Volunteers put as much effort into their volunteer experience, as they hope to get out of it.

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Thailand Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Other
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Thai Mueang Volunteers's Mission Statement: We are a small, community-based organization in Thailand with the aim of bringing English to the children of under-funded schools in our area. We want volunteers to come to Thailand and interact with the children in order to; improve their English skills, remove their fears of speaking to people of different nationalities and show them all the opportunities that are available to them. We bring English speaking volunteers from all over the world, to work together with the local teachers, and give the children an experience they would otherwise not have. Volunteers will be living within the community, experiencing Thai culture and working with the local people, bridging gaps between perceptions and differences. We want to show the children how many possibilities there are, and truly open their eyes to what the rest of the world has to offer.

Year Founded: 2007