What do volunteers do?

Volunteers work 3 - 4 hours a day five days a week and teach children from 7 - 12 yrs. They are expected to be educated to A-level standard or equivalent. Volunteers are asked to both plan and teach speaking and listening classes. A volunteer's time is split between two or three schools during their stay. Teaching the same classes each week allows volunteers to watch their students develop their English language skills. By the end of their placement, volunteers are able to see a dramatic improvement in the English speaking ability and confidence of their students thanks to their own hard work, making for an extremely rewarding experience.

The Surin Education Administration ask you to commit to a minimum of four weeks volunteer work. (Qualified teachers will be exempt from this criterion). If you are interested in a longer-term position, placements can be arranged for anything up to six months.

Volunteers are expected to behave professionally, respecting Thai people, tradition and culture. Teachers are revered members of the community and you have a responsibility to act accordingly.

Volunteers work closely with one or two Thai teachers of English, planning lessons together based on the curriculum for that semester. Thai teachers offer practical advice and are always on hand to assist during volunteer classes, so a volunteer can concentrate fully on teaching.

Do not be daunted by the prospect of teaching. The children of Surin are keen to learn and will behave impeccably. In addition the Surin Education Administration offers a short course in teaching and basic Thai as part of volunteer's orientation. Essentially all of a volunteer's needs are taken care of every step of the way.

In addition there is a large selection of links to helpful teaching-related sites at in the Resources section of this site.

Many of the more rural schools love volunteers to visit them and host an English Learning Camp, which is simply a couple of full days teaching with the children. Camps can last for one, two or three days.

Volunteers can stay within the village during the camp's duration if they wish, which is an excellent opportunity to enjoy and experience rural Thai life. English Learning Camps are informal and very light hearted, incorporating many games and group singing. Children experience learning in a fun environment, encouraging them to take an interest in studying English in the future.

Volunteers are expected to organise the format and teaching lessons for at least one such camp during their stay. Examples of previous camps' timetables and teaching lessons can be found in the Resources section of this site.

About Surin's schools
In the primary schools of Surin and the surrounding villages, pupils number from 400 to 3000 and their facilities differ dramatically. Schools rely heavily on parental funding.

Schools will provide transportation and lunch for their volunteers. Lunchtimes are a great opportunity for volunteers to practice their Thai and the school's teachers love to practice their English.

If you have any further questions, please read our Frequently Asked Questions page or contact us.