Volunteering with children

Product Details

Your help is needed in the small town of Muak Lek, located in Thailand’s Saraburi province, a three hour drive to the north of Bangkok. Here you’ll teach conversational English to a classroom of excited students. You’ll volunteer in the town’s Seventh Day Adventist International School, a private organisation supported by the church. The school is run as a not for profit entity, so all profits are channelled back into the school for its benefit.

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. 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. Many of the teachers at the school are also from international backgrounds, where English is not their first language. As such, exposure to native English speakers is crucial for the students progression and confidence in English. This is why your help is required.

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. Facilities at the school include a Library, computer room with internet access, cafeteria, play ground, basketball court and students hall. There are 29 staff and teachers from various different countries such as Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, India, United States, and Thailand so this is a truly international environment to be based in!

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. Children also receive Thai lessons every day - for which you are you free to participate if you would like to learn some of the native language.

Teaching is available throughout the year for a maximum of two volunteers at any one time. During 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.

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.

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.

The village is most lively on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, when evening markets dominate the town, food stalls stay open late and locals integrate with one another. These markets are a great opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of a typical village in rural Thailand and try some of Thailand’s famous, delicate cuisine; fragrant rice, steamed vegetables and spicy coconut based curries await you!