Hill Tribe English Teaching Thailand

* Currently not running. Check back soon or join another exciting project!

WHY we need you in Thailand

volunteers receiving bracelets as a gesture of goodwill

HOW can you help?

WHAT can you do?

Why Involvement Volunteers International?

travelling overseas can truly change your life!

  PROJECT NAME: HILL TRIBE ENGLISH TEACHING

LOCATION: KAENG KRACHAN

  START DATES: WEEKLY (SAT/SUN ARRIVALS)

  ACCOMMODATION: VOLUNTEER HOUSE (SHARED ROOMS)

  MIN DURATION: ONE WEEK

  MIN AGE: 16+

  SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Criminal background check required

Overview

This is an incredible opportunity to gain a real insight into the traditional way of living. You will be staying up in the hills of the tribe community and will get the chance to experience their way of living and their ancient traditions. You will be teaching at a Karen Hill Tribe School, teaching English and other subjects to the local children. Teaching is informal and you are free to be as creative as you like! You can also get involved in other projects around the school, such as construction and renovation, keeping the school a nice environment for the children.

You can also get involved in after school activites or events in the community. This a true cultural immersion experience, set amongst the most stunning scenery.  

Location

Kaeng Krachan is set in the incredible scenery of the Kaen Krachan National Park close to the Myanmar border you will have the chance to experience the authentic Karen Hill tribe way of life. This placement is off the beaten track and really allows you a deeper and more authenic travel and volunteering experience. 

Project Tasks

  • Teach English to hill tribe children
  • Get involved in other tasks in the school and community (such as school renovation)
  • Interact with the hill tribe and learn about their culture

Food & Accommodation

You will stay in dedicated volunteer accomodation within the hill tribe community in Kaeng Krachan National Park, for a real cultural immersion experience. You will be living amongst some stunning biodiversity and mountain scenery, including lakes, waterfalls and the jungle. Rooms are single gender and shared between around 2 to 4 people per room. The showers are only cold water, but you will have a western toilet. Facilities are basic but comfortable. Wifi is not available but you can purchase a local SIM for data. 

3 meals a day (2 on weekends) are provided and will be homemade Thai style,  including plenty of rice or noodle dishes with vegetables and occasionally some meat will be provided, along with seasonal fruits for dessert.

While we do our best to accommodate volunteers specific needs, the food will mostly be local. If you are a picky eater, have dietary restrictions, you can buy western style foods and snacks from Hua Hin or from the local supermarket. You can use our bikes to ride to a few convenience stores nearby.

Please keep in mind that refrigerator space is limited and to prevent insect infestation open food items are not allowed in the rooms.

All prices in USD
  • 1 Week - $395
  • 2 Weeks - $450
  • 3 Weeks - $595
  • 1 Month - $795
  • 2 Months - $1795
  • 3 Months - $2655
Vol House
What's Included
  • Accommodation
  • Meals
  • Airport Pickup
  • Local Transportation
  • 1 Day Orientation
  • 24/7 In-Country Support
  • Project Materials & Equipment
  • Pre-departure Expert Advice
  • Preperation Tools & Checklists
  • Certificate of Completion

Testimonials...

FAQ

Anyone interested getting off beaten path and wanting an authentic cultural experience, this could be the project for you! No experience is required, so inspiring teachers are welcome to gain some valuable new skills in the classroom. 

  • Accommodation
  • 3 meals p/day weekdays / 2 meals p/day weekends
  • Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
  • Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
  • 1 day orientation
  • Daily transportation to project
  • In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
  • Fundraising support
  • University course credits (where applicable)
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Airfares
  • Travel Insurance
  • Tours, Souvenirs & spending money

Volunteers in Thailand are encouraged to take up the orientation week to help you ease into the lifestyle and pace of Thailand. You will get to know your town and it’s facilities and everything required to make your stay comfortable. You may choose after the first few days to move straight into your chosen volunteer placement if desired or otherwise just enjoy the company of your new friends and extended family!

When confirming your dates please take note of the long holidays (mid-March till mid-May and October). During these times, renovation work continues, with the option to join special classes and English camps that are regularly requested by the local Thailand communities involved.

Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project. Your accommodation on the Sunday is included in the program fees. 

A free airport pickup is included when arriving to Bangkok BKK (Suvarnabhumi) Airport, Level 2, Entrance 4. You must arrive between 06.00 and 16:00 on Sunday.

If arriving outside the pickup times, you can book a private transfer and any extra nights accommodation for an extra fee.

Alternatively, if arriving early you could wait at the arrival’s terminal for the pickup time, book accommodation at the airport and meet us during the pickup times or make your own way to the project (we will advise on how to do this). 

From the airport to the accommodation in Hua Hin, it takes around 4 hours by public bus and then a shuttle bus.  

Sunday-

  • If this is your first week, you will be transferred directly from Bangkok to Hua Hin upon arrival
  • Stay overnight at Hua Hin accommodation.

Monday to Wednesday-

  • Breakfast
  • Transfer to Kaeng Krachan
  • Morning ritual at the school, then English teaching
  • Break
  • English teaching
  • Help to prepare the children’s lunch
  • Lunch at the school
  • Free time
  • Activities and games with the children
  • Dinner

Thursday-

  • Breakfast
  • Morning ritual at the school, then English teaching
  • Possible trip to a nearby waterfall
  • Lunch at the school
  • Learn to weave a traditional bag
  • Free time
  • Activities and games with the children or community projects
  • Dinner
Friday 
 
  • Breakfast at the school
  • Morning ritual at the school, then English teaching
  • Teaching
  • Break
  • Teaching
  • Help prepare lunch for the kids
  • Lunch at the school
  • Transfer back to Hua Hin
  • Time to explore Hua Hin and stay overnight there

*This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances

**From mid-March to mid-May and the month of October, schools are closed. During these months you will volunteer at English camps in Hua Hin.

Weekends are always free for relaxing or sightseeing of your choice. Our local team will help you organize additional trips with special (non tourist) rates which can be paid directly in local currency. As a volunteer in Thailand you will gain access to local knowledge, opportunities and value you simply would not find if staying as a standard tourist in resorts.

For information on holidays and any programs affected, please see the following link: TH – Holidays – All Programs

 

With a long sandy coastline and jungle-topped islands anchored in crystal blue waters Thailand is a tropical getaway and favorite traveling destination for holiday makers and volunteers from all over the world. Thailand’s culture is generous, warm and outgoing and the cuisine is world renowned for a tropical abundance of fresh and varied flavors of spicy, sweet, salty and sour. 

Thailand is a fascinating and exotic country to explore. Through volunteering, you’ll gain a love in the people, culture, scenery, cuisine and in the overall lifestyle of Thailand.

We offer diverse project options catering to many different interests. Volunteering is the ideal way of assimilating into the local Thai culture and experiencing the real lifestyle in Thailand.

November to Febuary is the best time to visit Thailand, with a pleasent temperature through most of the country. From March to May temperatures can get very hot. The monsoon rains start from about June to October. Showers usually are quite predictabe and come in short bursts, so this time of year can be great to visit, as everything is so green and there are fewer crowds!

Temperatures are around 30 degrees on average throughout the year. If in the North of Thailand in the winter, evenings can get quite chilly, so bring some warm clothes too!

Vietnam has one of the oldest cultures in South East Asia, creating a rich history with ancient traditions dating back thousands of years. It also has a large Chinese influence. Elders are very well respected in Vietnamese culture, the older you are, the more respect is shown to you. ‘Saving face’ is a concept shown by most Vietnamese people and is thought of as extremely important in their culture. This means that if you feel angered or annoyed by someone, you do not show it and remain respectful. If you lose your temper/ are rude, then this is seen as losing face and therefore a loss of reputation and self-respect.

Vietnamese is the most widely spoken language, other languages include Chinese, Khmer, Cham and tribal dialects. Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism are the main religious beliefs in Vietnam, and you will find many temples dotted around the country. You will often see the local people giving fruits and burning incense to give as offerings.

30 Years Non Profit Experience

IVI is an Australian charity & non profit organisation founded in 1989 and is one of the pioneers of overseas volunteering successfully placing over 20,000 volunteers globally.

Affordable Volunteer Travel

We’re not motivated by shareholder profits.   Our fees are fully transparent to ensure maximum benefit where it is most needed. 

Safe & Responsible Projects

All projects include a dedicated 24/7 in-country management team, operational & risk assessment & overseas support contact.   All projects are personally inspected to ensure very high quality.
 

Work Experience & University Credits

We place thousands of Uni students and can assist you with course credits and in-field experience points.   Many of our project coordinators are qualified practitioners in their respective fields allowing unique in-field supervision and Uni accreditation options

Check out this amazing blog with step by step info on how to raise funds for your overseas volunteer experience to help maximize your impact abroad. Guide to Fundraising

Weekends & Extra Tours

Ready to Volunteer in Thailand?