From Natalie, hotel manager, 25:    

My experience of Thailand has been amazing from the start from arriving in Bangkok. After a good rest after a long flight, I got some valuable info on teaching and the culture of Thailand.

 I arrived at the school after 12 long hours. The Director was very welcoming and the kids are just amazing. The villagers are also fantastic, treating me the best I’ve every been treated in my life. What more can I say other than my time in Thailand so far has been the best in my life. The children have changed my view on a lot of things. They are so willing to learn and love to be around English teachers. The whole experience has been life changing to say the least.

From James, entrepreneur, 24: 

What can I say about a place that has given me so many amazing memories and has literally changed my life. It is hard to express into words what this experience has given me. The school and the children are amazing. They will give themselves fully to you, engulfing you into their lives and culture. The children have a unique quality of wanting to learn, grasping each second with you. They are so responsive to what you are teaching, eager to learn. Their energy is absorbing. It is hard not to be excited and it compels you to each. Everyday was a surreal time being a novice teacher and in a different country. I expected it to be challenging, but the atmosphere of the school made it easy. The only advice I can give is enjoy the moment, go with the flow, relax, introduce your own ideas, make it enjoyable and the rest will fall into place automatically.

The villagers are the most welcoming people that I have met. They will never leave you wanting for anything. I have spent many an evening with families eating and enjoying each other’s company. Wonderful people.  Also, the Director of the school, a real nice guy. He took us to amazing places like elephant camps, waterfalls and temples. He is very keen to show you the culture of Thailand. He made my time there even more special.

This experience will stay with me for the rest of my life. I have even decided to stay in Thailand with the hope of becoming an English teacher.

From Sarah, 22, student:

This was my first time doing volunteer work and it was also my first time teaching.  So you can imagine how nervous I felt when I arrived in Thailand.  Very!

When I was told that my placement was in a very poor area, I expected my stay to be difficult and uncomfortable.  However, I was surprised to find that the living arrangements were actually quite comfortable and pleasant.  Two girl volunteers were actually teaching at the school when I arrived.  So three of us girls stayed with the same family.  I was really lucky to be doing the volunteer placement with 2 such lovely girls.  The family we stayed with were extremely kind to us, making sure we were well fed--they gave us loads to eat!  They always made sure we were comfortable and wanted us to be happy.  I am very grateful to have met such happy, kind and thoughtful people.  The teaching was quite an experience.  I had good and bad days, depending on which class I got but generally I enjoyed it.  Class 1 (the younger) were difficult, as there were a few really naughty boys who wouldn't pay attention and just run around the class hitting each other.  The majority of students however were willing and keen to learn.  They were very sweet! 

We also met the monks.  There was one monk in particular who took the time to speak to us in English and to talk about Buddhism which was very interesting.  It was so nice to see the importance that these village people attach to family life.  They are all very close-knit and their families are huge!

I would definitely love to go back to Thailand one day  to see these warm, kind hearted people again.

From Gurdep, 25, artist: 

When I first arrived in Bangkok, I was very apprehensive, as it was my first trip to Thailand.  The questions I had at the back of my mind were:  where would I stay?  with whom?  how would the children behave? would I fit in with other volunteers?  would delivering lessons to students be difficult?

All these questions would be answered by the VTT staff in Bangkok.  Arriving in the placement school in southern Thailand in the early hours of Monday, I was received by a very caring and kind lady who reallly made me feel at home.  She is the owner of the private school.  I felt very comfortable and relaxed straight away.  The place was very neat and tidy.  It wasn't unlivable but was surelly very different from home!

As it was summer school camp at the time, there were only a few number of pupils attending, as they were taught three hours a day and split into three lessons, English, Math and Thai. I had the kindergarten children (five in a class.)  The pupils were a great pleasure as they were very smartly dressed, well behaved, very keen to learn and respected back, the only issue was they were very shy to speak. 

I had to introduce activity lessons, eg, using balls, flash cards, color cards etc.  These games built their confidence in speaking loudly in order to be heard.  As I only had one week of teaching due to the bank holidays and the new year.  the other game that would be useful are Pass the Parcel, this would be a good way to introduce classroom objects to the kids.  Drawing a room, eg, table, telephone, lamp and chair and TV with 5 prepositions should be enough. 

My experience has been of a life time. I enjoyed every moment of it.  It was a shame I couldn't stay longer due to job commitments.  I wish every volunteer all the best of luck and to make the most of it. 

A special thanks to all the staff of VolunteachThailand for their hospitality and help.

Kate, 22, student: 

I came to Thailand in June with a good friend of mine.  We were both new to the country and it was actually the first time I had been so far from home without my parents.  I arrived feeling very nervous and afraid both about teaching itself and about Thailand.  Due to recent exams at university I had done little preparation before arriving in Thailand making matters worse.

However, we were greeted at the airport by a representative of the agency and driven to the volunteer house in Bangkok to meet the principals.  As soon as we met with these kind and friendly people I felt my fears start to disappear.  However, I was teased to death about the size (big) of my suitcase!  (Tip:  don't bring any summer clothes.  They are so cheap to buy here).  

We then got an orientation/introduction to the program including rules and regulations; traditions, etc.  We also learned about the kind of experience we were likely to have and how to ensure we made the most of it.  In addition we were told about some of the placement locations and it was suggested that we work in a school in the north of Thailand.    We both agreed readily attracted by the sights we would see and what we would gain from the plac we were to visit as well as the people we would meet. 

We were taught a few basic Thai phrases but unfortunately I don't think I was very good but was very grateful for the effort.  We felt at home at the volunteer house and were able to shower and freshen up.  We made a trip to a nearby mall so we could buy a few things and get a feel for the country.  That was very useful.  We left that evening for Chiang Rai.

We arrived Monday morning at 7 a.m. and were greeted by the school Director and the principal of the school.  My first impression of the Director was that he was a warm and friendly gentleman who we could depend on.  Time proved that these initial impressions were right and we were readily welcomed into the teaching community.  Teachers often brought us gifts of fruit and desserts. 

What struck us as we met the children was how well behaved and eager they were to learn.  This made us feel happy to teach them and I began to look forward to each class.   The younger classes required a lot of patience and repetition to ensure the lessons were effective.

Out and about

On the weekends were visited Buddhist temples, the city of Chiang Rai and a nearby elephant camp where we rode on elephants.  The border area between Burma and Thailand is very beautiful and just in one weekend I saw things that were impossibly impressive to describe.  

These two weeks, although difficult, were the best two weeks I have ever had, an experience I thoroughly recommend.  Thanks to everyone and I wish future volunteers the best of luck.

John, 27, bank employee: 

The first thing to say about teaching in northeast Thailand is that it will probably be the most eye opening experience you could imagine.  I have been teaching there for 3 weeks and have seen unbelievable things like the Buddhist ceremonies, food gathering from the villagers with the monks as part of their tradition.  Seeing the spectacular temples with their stunning architecture and history, feeding wild monkeys nuts out of your hand.  As long as you immerse yourself in the culture, you will discover a great place.

My accommodation was at the temple itself.  Accommodation was okay.  You get used to not having western luxuries.  The villagers are very welcoming and they will try to keep giving you food after food.  They are extremely helpful with your needs.

Teaching the novice monks was an experience.  Novice monks enjoy games and songs to learn English.  I suggest to anyone going there to volunteer that you learn some Michael Jackson songs, as they just love that guy.  Also football is a great subject for them to focus on while learning English.

From Jeremy, marketing supervisor,  23: 

As cliché an opening to this review is, I just don’t know where to even begin summing up my time at the school. One thing you should take from reading all of these is the consistency of what’s being said. Therefore is you are sitting reading this a bit scared and apprehensive, then let me put your mind at ease…if you get a good orientation to teaching and support while you’re here, as I did, you’ll have few problems.  

 I’m not an English teacher. I have no English degree or qualifications and slightly doubted myself prior to arriving. Sitting here now I can tell you all that worrying was for nothing as the one quality you have that they don’t is a native tongue and that is all you need!  The children are magic!   They put English children to shame and will blow you away with their energy, intellect, passion for learning and mostly their ability to make you smile. They make you realize all of the problems and “issues” you deal with back home are insignificant when you see how little they have in terms of wealth but what they lack in material items they make up for in love, friendship and a passion for life.

I consider myself in touch with my emotions. I can sit through many sad stories of love and war and not shed a tear but leaving the children? Heartbreaking! Truly indescribable! Seeing their faces as they beg you not to leave them while they are crying was the hardest thing. Be prepared—the longer you stay, the more you will cry! 

The Director at our school is a  truly wonderful human being. Funny, crazy, constantly singing some awful song he’s made up in English and very generous. He will look after you.

Northern Thailand ROCKS!  It has become second home for me now and will cater to your western cravings, i.e., pizza, massive burgers, English tea, KFC, fast internet, great shopping and even better Thai nightclubs (be prepared to be the only westerners in the clubs which I loved). Great tattoo shop too. 

The village where the school is situated is remote—basic amenities-enough to get by during the week. It is wonderfully Thai. As Thai culture as you will find! The villagers will embrace you with open arms and boundless hospitality  I will wrap this up be saying that this has been the most rewarding, incredible and most significant chapter in my life to date. I am now seeking a paid English teaching job here inThailand.

I can’t imagine doing anything else that I would enjoy more. The country, the people and the way of life must all be heavily praised as idyllic and fairytale-esque.