Teach In Buddhist Temple School in Thailand
Overview of the Project
For centuries, Wats (Buddhist temples) have served as the educational institutions for young Thai students. Although the influence Western has led to many changes in the educational system, Wats schools still function as a place of learning for many students. Wats or temples are important public gathering places where religious and social activities take place. There are about 30,000 temples in Thailand where monks live and practice Buddhism. All temples receive donations that are used for the maintenance of temples and their physical surroundings. In addition to being a place of worship, many temples support social welfare activities for their local community, one of these activities is often hosting a school within the temple complex.
As a volunteer teaching in Thailand, it is a reciprocal opportunity to give and to gain. Volunteers are immersed in temple activities and constantly exposed to the Thai culture/Buddhist religion that is deeply rooted in Thai society. This is primarily a teaching English in Thailand project, and as a volunteer you will teach students from primary and lower secondary school on weekdays, leaving evenings and weekends free for self-exploration and entertainment.
- Program: Volunteer in Thailand
- Project: Teach in Thailand (in Buddhist Temple School)
- Start dates: 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month
- Location: Ayutthaya, Bangkok
- Departure and End Point: Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Bangkok
- Accommodation and meals: Host Family or Home base and Thai cuisine three times daily
- Activities: organize informal English lessons and extracurricular activities for children
- Working hours: 25-35 hours per week
Role of Volunteer
Volunteers mostly work as English teachers in primary and secondary school run by Buddhist temples. You will teach English to the local young students - not monks - Monday to Friday. Volunteers will teach practical, conversational English skills in an interactive way with stories telling, playing games, performing plays, etc. Volunteers will also teach specific vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. A supervisor at each school will be assigned to help develop teaching lessons and provide guidance to volunteers. Additionally, volunteers support extra-curricular activities and organize sportive games. Though this is not a “teaching Buddhist monks” project, volunteers working in temple schools are exposed to the Thai culture and Buddhist religion which is deeply rooted in Thai society.
Skills/Qualification Needed
No specific qualifications are required to volunteer in this teaching in Thailand but your understanding of Thai culture and language can help improve the experience for you and your students. Consider enrolling in our one-week Language & Cultural Immersion program.
Volunteer in Thailand: Project Locations and Free Time Options
While volunteering in Thailand, you will be stationed in Ayutthaya and in Bangkok. Ayutthaya is located about 2-3 hours north of Bangkok, and was once a capital city of Thailand. It was also one of the largest city in Asia, before it was razed to ground by invading Burmese army. Today, Ayutthaya was a modern city that contains many fascinating relics and monuments from medieval times.
Bangkok’s ancient ceremonial name gives an idea of the vast cultural and religious legacies that abound in Bangkok. This ancient name is: Krungthepmahanakhon Amornrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharat Ratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphiman Awatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit and translates to "The city of angels, the great city, the eternal jewel city, the impregnable city of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city – abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated God, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukam". Bangkok is full of a constant parade of new skyscrapers, endlessly diverse restaurants and a frenetic cosmopolitan atmosphere that is simultaneously overwhelming and intoxicating. There are activities to suit every traveler in Thailand. From pristine beaches and ocean activities to urban adventures to lush jungles and dense forests – the menu of day trips and free time excursions is almost as long as the list of ingredients in traditional Thai food!
