Thailand, Chiang Mai5/5 (2 reviews)
Childcare and teaching project in Chiang Mai
Teach English alongside students and local teachers in schools and child development centers in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
- Where
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Length
- From 2 to 12 weeks
- Minimum age
- 15 years old
- Language
- English intermediate
from €1,050 for 2 weeks
Check availabilityTalk to the teamNo commitment. Anaëlle, Amélie or Maëlia will reply.
The project
This humanitarian project in Thailand involves working alongside students in various schools as an English teaching assistant. We support several child development centers, kindergartens, primary schools, and secondary schools, where students range in age from 2.5 to 18 years old.
When you register, you choose between the Child Care project and the Teaching project. They cover different age groups: kindergarten or primary school.
Family projects are designed for children aged 4 and up. Our advisors will provide personalized recommendations based on your children’s ages, the destination, and the type of mission.
The project during school holidays
During these periods, you can take part in activities at day camps and English workshops, which are frequently requested by the local community. If the local child development center requires assistance at that time, keep in mind that you will be working with young children who will need a very different approach compared to primary or secondary school students.
Be creative! Children love songs, dances, and games. You’ll have the freedom to bring your own ideas and initiatives to share your knowledge and culture with them. Those with a youth leader qualification (such as the French BAFA) or teaching experience will be particularly in demand for these missions.
Before heading to the mission site, you will work with local coordinators to review the day’s lessons, materials, and educational activities to ensure continuity in the children’s learning.
Why the project exists
Our teaching programme has two objectives. First, of course, it aims to help children in rural areas of Thailand speak and learn English (in most cases, even their teachers are not fluent in English).
Second, it will give you an insight into the Thai education system and allow you to discover what they learn and how. It is also a great opportunity to build connections with students and teachers, sharing and creating lasting memories together.
A project we follow
Projects chosen with care and followed through regular visits on site.
A typical week
Monday to Friday
Classes can be held in the morning or afternoon, depending on the school and its conditions. Here is an example of a typical day on the project:
- Breakfast at the center
- English classes for the children
- Lunch
- Lesson preparation for the next day with the team.
- Dinner at the center
You will leave the volunteer accommodation between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM, depending on the school. The classes you teach will last 3 hours and will be scheduled in the morning or afternoon, depending on the time slot availability and the school.
On some days, you will be required to teach children both in the morning and the afternoon. Lunch is usually provided at the school or the center, depending on the planned schedule. You will work alongside other teachers and classroom facilitators, where you can also assist in creating lesson plans and organizing activities.
You will prepare the next day’s lessons at the volunteer house between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Weekends are free.
This schedule may be changed and/or modified depending on the weather, local conditions, or unforeseen circumstances.
Accommodation and meals
The projects are located in Chiang Mai and the volunteer house is located 20-30 minutes from the schools. You will share a room with 4 to 8 people, with shared bathrooms for each room. The maximum accommodation capacity is 30 volunteers.
A local coordinator will be available 24/7.
Meals
Three meals per day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) will be provided during the week, and two meals (brunch and dinner) will be provided on weekends.
Additional information
“Modest” clothing (covering the knees and shoulders) is required at the school and within the local community.
Equipment and donations are welcome, if you wish!
You can bring educational materials/resources for your class, such as:
- Balls
- Interesting board games
- Educational games
- Books/Comics
- Musical instruments
- Sheets / notebooks (lined, A4, etc.)
- Interesting cultural objects (e.g. a miniature Eiffel Tower, a postcard from your hometown…)
- Anything else you think might be useful!
Budget
How long are you going for?
This project starts every week. Arrivals are on Sundays between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM local time at Chiang Mai International Airport.
What is included
- Accommodation in a shared room with 4 to 8 people (20-30 minutes from the project).
- 3 meals / day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the week, and 2 meals / day (brunch and dinner) on the weekends.
- Airport pick-up: Chiang Mai International Airport, every Sunday between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM
- 24/7 project coordinators
- Project orientation, training, and materials.
Not included
- Airplane tickets
- Travel and repatriation insurance
- Return transfer to the airport
- Visa
Where your money goes
Donations are reinvested in full and directly into the local associations. How the costs break down
See the budget week by week
| Length | Total programme budget |
|---|
Getting ready to leave
Your application
An up-to-date CV and a cover letter describing your background and what brings you here.
Conditions to take part
- 18+
- Minimum English level required: intermediate
- A criminal background check is required upon registration.
- Copy of passport required upon registration
Insurance
For any project abroad, Freepackers requires travel insurance covering accidents, illness, repatriation and third-party liability. With Chapka Cap Student, you get 5% off.
Online language lessons
With Clic Campus: video lessons and an e-learning platform, from home.
Questions
What do you need to volunteer in Thailand?
A packing list is usually provided before departure by the local organisations, with everything required and recommended for your suitcase, according to the destination and the project.
If you take prescription medicines, bring enough for the whole of your stay, along with a first aid kit (paracetamol, plasters and so on).
You may also want to get a local SIM card when you arrive in Thailand. Instructions are provided when you register for the project.
When is the best time to volunteer in Thailand?
All the humanitarian projects in Thailand are open all year round: the needs are constant and the projects run whatever the weather.
The one thing to watch: school holidays. Teaching and education projects close during New Year week and the school holidays.
What kind of accommodation is provided for a family?
You stay together, in private rooms, shared houses or comfortable local guesthouses.
Is it a safe trip for children?
Our projects are selected with safety in mind. Families get a reassuring setting and supervised activities. The days are designed to include young and old alike, with a flexible pace and time to discover things together.
Can you join a project as a family?
Yes. For families who want to travel together, we offer programmes designed to welcome children from the age of 4, 10 or 15 depending on the project. Our programme pages say whether they are open to families; otherwise, contact our team to find out more.
Another question? Ask the team, and someone who knows the project will answer.
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