TEACH DELIGHTFUL THAI CHILDREN IN MUAK LEK

Teach English and other subjects to children in a Thai Village. A fascinating cultural experience awaits you in this land of smiles! Embrace Thai culture while assisting others to perfect their English in a small community to the north of Bangkok. You can help teach English and other subjects. Children also receive Thai lessons every day and you can participate in these Thai lessons for free if you would like to learn some of the native language.
 

Also on this page:

• Your Accommodation

• Travel and Support & Backup

PROJECT OVERVIEW
You'll be based in the small town of Muak Lek, located in Thailand’s Saraburi province, a 3 hour drive to the north of Bangkok. Here you’ll teach conversational English to a classroom of excited students in the town’s Seventh Day Adventist International School, a private organisation supported by the church. The school is non-for-profit, so all profits are channelled back into the school for its benefit.

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT:

• An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into Asia and Thai culture.

• The enormous satisfaction of helping disadvantaged children and knowing that you made a difference to them.

• New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.

• An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market

• And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!

ABOUT THE SCHOOL:
The school accepts students from various nationalities, backgrounds and religions (students do not have to be from Seventh Day Adventist backgrounds - in fact around 70% of students are actually Buddhist) and there are also many International students. All subjects are presented in English because the curriculum is based on the American Education System. In 1989 the school consisted of just one classroom, but it has since expanded and developed into an international educational institution, located within a new building donated as a gift from the church.

WORK CONTENT:
You’ll help students from the ages of 4 to 14 years to have conversations in English, as well as assisting with other lessons in Science, Maths, Arts and Crafts and Sports. There are around 200 students at the school, with class sizes usually not exceeding 25 at any one time.

The school are very keen to receive help from native English speakers to encourage fluency. Exposure to native English speakers is crucial for these students - interaction with you enables them to learn correct pronunciation and vocabulary and gives them confidence to use English. Occasionally you may be asked to help with spelling and vocabulary as well as conversational English. 

Because of the religious background of the school that you’ll be teaching in, there are some restrictions in terms of dress codes and general behaviour (such as observing Saturday as the Sabbath where no work is done). You’ll be advised on appropriate behaviour once you’ve applied for this placement.

"The school is great and I've been introduced to some of the kids.. it's all new for me! And the teachers have also been very welcoming - we've got plenty of things to talk about. Back at the house, the family have been so helpful in getting me settled in.. from the food I eat to anything I need for the room. Apparently they had a female graduate stay with them the last time so they we're apprehensive about a guy stopping.. so maybe they were as nervous as I was!  They haven't showed it though and have taken me in as part of the family which is brilliant. 

We've been to Bangkok already, and to some surrounding attractions, and they have a few more plans for the weekends.  I couldn't ask for more, everything's going really well." Darren Shaw on his teaching placement

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
2009/2010 term dates are as follows;

• 1st QTR: 17th August - 16th October
• 2nd QTR: 19th October  - 18th December 
• 3rd QTR: 11th January - 12th March
• 4th QTR: 15th March - 4th June

2010/2011 term commences on 16th August.

Teaching is available during term times for a maximum of two volunteers at any one time.

During the main school holidays (June - August) there is a summer school which is ideal for volunteers to attend as it provides an opportunity for English to be taught in more of an informal setting, through games, drama, sports and music. Formal teaching at this time won’t take place so you’ll need to be prepared to be flexible in your approach. For 2010 the summer camp will run between the 21st of June and the 23rd July. This means there is no teaching between the 5th - 20th of June and the 24th July - 15th August. During the summer camp there are a lot of educational games and fun activities for the children to join in.

We provide a Teaching Suggestions Guide which will help you to prepare lessons and you can also do an intensive 1-day Open Teacher Training Course in the UK before you leave, to give you some confidence and some very effective basic training.

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The school canteen

You’ll either live with a host family (one of whom will probably be a teacher at the school), or you’ll live in your own house, possibly sharing with other volunteers. Australia village has a swimming pool and small convenience shop.

ABOUT  MUAK LEK:
Muak Lek is a traditional Thai village with a lovely community atmosphere, situated 108kms from Bangkok and just a 5 minute drive from the school. Muak Lek has all of the necessary public facilities such as a post office, several shopping centres, internet cafes, restaurants and banks.

Saraburi province is famous for its waterfalls and there is also a national park in the region.

"The children and staff were really friendly and tried really hard to include me in everything so I felt very welcome and at home."
Rob Coward on his teaching placement