Teach English on a Tropical Island in Thailand - Koh Chang

  Thailand

• Other Cities in Thailand: 
Rural Areas

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks

Description: The islands in the Gulf of Thailand have been perfectly positioned; close enough to the equator to be baked in sunshine and far enough away from Bangkok so that you're not kept awake by the karaoke bar next door. Don't worry though, when the rhythm of the beat calls you the capital is close enough for a weekend break, but you may not be able to find the time given how much there is to enjoy on the island. Sandy beaches loop Koh Chang and compete with a waterfalls and jungle-clad mountains for your attention. The children on the island only have access to very basic language tuition, mainly because the teacher only speaks very basic English, so it's clear where your talents will be directed; using your free TEFL certification to teach basic conversational English .

*Project details:
You will be working at a state school that caters for primary school children. In Bang Bao the school has about 90 kids aged between 6 and 12. In Whitesands, you will work in one of two primary schools with up to 300 children, again aged from 6 up to 12 years old. They are currently taught some English by a teacher that speaks limited English and the school needs help from English speaking volunteers to improve the level across the school.

The school also hopes that volunteers will be keen to become involved in other areas of the school such as; sports and art etc.

*Why the project needs volunteers:
Thailand has a proud history of not being colonized by the West and as a result has maintained her own distinct language, culture and tradition. The government did not focus on English language in the past but has recently acknowledged its value in terms of international development. Many schools are keen to employ native English speakers but can not afford to employ good paid staff. In many schools children do not actually get the chance to practice day to day conversation.

Volunteers will need to focus on basic conversational English, which means helping students to speak simple English. By teaching young people English you will be able to make a positive impact on their lives and make more opportunities available to them, particularly as tourism is a growing industry on the island.

Highlights:
* Becoming a real part of the community on Thailand's second largest island
* Hiking through the forest and finding 'hidden' waterfalls
* Learning some Thai - not as hard as you'd think and massively appreciated by the community

Qualifications: What kind of skills you need to go on this type of project:
You need to have a love of children and be prepared to fully immerse yourself in the project. You will need to use your initiative, be patient and use your imagination. You need to be confident, resourceful and thrive on a challenge. You also need to be prepared to help out with a range of activities.

Your role as a volunteer:
You will be teaching basic conversational English and helping the other English teachers. You will need to spend time planning lessons and make things as interactive and stimulating as possible.

You can also be involved in arranging and running other activities such as crafts, sports, conservation activities and games. School resources can be limited, so volunteers may like to bring teaching materials such as simple reading books, postcards, photos and picture dictionaries.

Cost in US$: USD 1,975.00 for 4 weeks, USD 220.00 for every week thereafter

* Accommodation: Shared room in guesthouse
* Food: Food is not included; you will need to purchase your own food (budget approximately USD 50 per week)
* Airport Pickup: Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you're arriving early!
* Training: In-country orientation and Online TEFL course
* Support: Pre-departure helpdesk, Local in-country team and 24hr emergency support

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18-80

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Thailand Independently

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

i-to-i Meaningful Travel's Mission Statement: i-to-i is an award-winning organization providing unique opportunities for you to travel, work and live abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 18 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations and over 50,000 have learned to Teach English as a Foreign Language through our tailor-made TEFL courses. With over 400 projects on 4 continents, you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching, community development, sports coaching, conservation, building or internships in tourism, marketing, journalism, or health.

Year Founded: 1994