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Teaching Monks in Thailand
Experience
Volunteer
Destination
Thailand
Duration
2 to 12 weeks
Ages
18 to 65
38 others looking at this too. Next opening is Jul 2024, with limited spots.
Book now, pay later. Cancel anytime.
Trip overview
Thailand – home to tropical jungles filled with exotic wildlife, tropical beaches lined with palm trees, and a steady flow of curious travellers looking for adventure. And on this trip, you’ll be teaching Buddhist monks how to speak English while they show you their path to enlightenment.
Break out of your day-to-day routine and embark on an adventure that will make the world a better place and help you grow as a person.
On this all-inclusive volunteer trip, not only do you get to live and volunteer with a trusted partner organisation in Thailand. When you go with Global, you get:
- Volunteer project placement – Guarantee your spot at our screened and vetted project partner in Thailand. Start your volunteer journey without spending months searching for a reputable organisation on the other side of the world.
- Comfortable accommodation – Enjoy shared volunteer accommodation in Hua Hin. Complete with Wifi and laundry facilities. Or choose to stay over at the temple for a fully-immersive experience!
- Food stipend – 1000 baht a week will get you enough local Thai food to keep you satisfied!
- Buddhist immersion – Let the monks show you their ways. Participate in guided meditations, Buddhist history talks, and observe Buddhist activities at the monastery.
- + way more.
Can you picture it? You’ve spent a few hours in the morning at a beautiful monastery in Hua Hin. You taught English to a group of monks, orphans, and children from underprivileged backgrounds.
Your duties are over for the day. But you decide to stay at the monastery. You’re joining in on a guided meditation in the afternoon. Just another thing to add to all the invaluable life lessons you’re learning while being surrounded by Buddhist monks.
For most people, spending some time at a Buddhist monastery in Thailand is a bucket-list experience.
Although most people don’t get the chance to experience something like this. Interacting with Buddhist monks while sharing knowledge with one another is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
And when you book with Global, you book with the best. You get the full experience for a fraction of the hassle. Your volunteer placement and accommodation is sorted before you leave, so you know exactly what you’re getting into.
Inclusions
Tap to expand
60-hour online TESOL course
Volunteer project placement
Dedicated Trip Coordinator
Local Cultural Experiences
‘Welcome to Thailand’ orientation
Comfortable Accommodation
Buddhist Immersion
Personal Travel Concierge
Return airport transfer
Pre-Departure Guide
Trip visa guidance
Project supplies
Certificate of completion
Ongoing local team support
Global Emergency Line
gWorld access
SocialNEW
Global AcademyNEW
Marketplace dealsNEW
$250 off your next trip
Qualification
To qualify for this trip you must meet the following requirements:
- Be between 18-65 years of age
- Be a citizen of an eligible country
- Have no criminal convictions in the past 5 years
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Trip details
The best and most enjoyable way to learn about a new place is by total immersion in its culture. Still, we're all human, and we understand how scary it may be to take the plunge. Your trip has been meticulously planned to provide maximum acclimation before arriving in Thailand.
Feel at ease knowing that you have our complete backing. There will be a Trip Coordinator available to help you out before you go and a committed crew waiting for you in Thailand to ensure everything goes well and you never feel out of place.
As soon as your flight touches down at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, a personal transfer will be waiting to whisk you away to your accommodation.
You will primarily teach from Monday to Friday, with occasional weekend duties. When that happens, extra time off will be spread out over the week. As a volunteer, you will teach conversational English to senior monks and nuns, young novices, people from the community, orphans, migrant children, and youths with very poor proficiency.
The session timetable is flexible and may be adjusted to meet the needs of the students. Classes will last an average of two to four hours and, more often than not, have a different number of participants each time due to attendance being entirely up to the students. Being adaptable and understanding is essential as a volunteer.
Your daily duties will include teaching, leading seminars, and coordinating extracurricular activities. As a volunteer, you are not forced to engage in daily activities at the teaching site and will have plenty of spare time; nonetheless, the experience becomes more meaningful as you get more culturally integrated.
On top of that, you get to participate in two cultural activities: a cooking class and Muay Thai lesson.
A trip like this is excellent for your portfolio, CV, and personal growth since it will help establish everlasting friendships and expose you to another culture and way of living.
Requirements
You must be aged between 18-65.
What extra costs will I have?
Flights, travel insurance, souvenirs, daily subsistence & spending money.
Purpose & impact
As a volunteer, you’ll teach English to monks and nuns of all ages, novices, community members, orphans, migrant children, and youngsters with poor proficiency in English.
As globalisation increases and tourism expands, being able to speak English is becoming more and more valuable. As the most common global language, English speakers all over the world will have an advantage in the tourism industry.
Unfortunately, the people who stand to benefit the most from learning English don’t have access to the education you need.
Which is why teaching English at a monastery is so important. A monastery is, primarily, a holy site for Buddhists to practise their religion.
It’s also a safe place for community members – from all walks of life – to gather and share knowledge and information. Which means that when you teach an English class, you can expect monks, nuns, orphans, and people of all ages attending your lessons.
The class timetable is flexible because it needs to adapt to the changing needs of your students. So, while you need to remain flexible, you know no two days are going to be the same, either.
Most classes are 2-4 hours long. Once they’re done, you’re free to do whatever you please.
Accommodation & meals
Once you touch down at Bangkok International Airport in Thailand, a driver will be waiting to take you straight to your volunteer accommodation in Hua Hin.
Your accommodation is in a shared hostel-style volunteer house with gender-separate bedrooms and shared bathrooms. You'll have Wi-Fi access and the ever important air-conditioning. The house has a comfortable living space that includes a lounging area, a kitchenette and work tables.
Your accommodation is also conveniently located within walking distance of laundry facilities and public transport.
And for the full experience, you can even stay overnight at the temple!
With your accommodation in Thailand sorted and your volunteer placement organised, what will you do about food?
You’ll be given a weekly food stipend of 1000 baht. If you stick to local food from markets and street vendors, this will be more than enough to cover your expenses.
Trip itinerary
Before you leave
Your volunteer placement – including accommodation – is confirmed and organised before you leave home.
You’ll need to complete the 60-hour, online TEFL course before you leave so you’re fully prepared for what you’re about to do. Here is a breakdown of the course:
Module One – TESOL Theory, Methods, and Lesson Planning
Module Two – Teaching Speaking
Module Three – Classroom Management
Module Four – Teaching English in Non-Traditional Settings
Arrival
When you arrive at Bangkok Airport, a driver will be waiting for you. You’ll be taken straight to your initial accommodation at a shared volunteer house in Hua Hin.
Take some time to relax, settle in, or explore the area.
Day 2-4
Your first few days are all about getting you prepared. You’ll receive training and classroom observation from certified educators. You’ll learn all about the monk’s program, different study methods, Thai culture, and daily life. You’ll also go through a crash course in the Thai language and be provided with teaching materials.
Ongoing
You’ll lead a class most days for 2-4 hours in the morning, just after breakfast.
In your off time, you’ll be able to explore your amazing location. Fully immerse yourself in monastery activities if you’re on the path to enlightenment. Or explore everything that Hua Hin and the surrounding areas have to offer.
Once your placement is over, you can choose to stay on in Thailand to explore what else it and the surrounding areas have to offer.
Hop onto gWorld – our social app for Global Travellers – and link up with other travellers to explore the region together. You could even join a bucket-list Global Getaway with other Global Travellers.
Head off to explore the islands on your own terms, experience an infamous Full Moon Party, or hop on a short flight to another bucket-list location in South East Asia.
Whatever you choose to do, we can help make it easy.
We’ll be in touch with you throughout your stay. If you ever need advice or support our team is available to answer your questions. And our 24/5 emergency support line will help with urgent matters.
Don’t go alone. Go with Global.
Why choose us
When you travel with the best we take care of pretty much everything so you don’t have to. You’ll arrive in Thailand totally prepared with a plan of action and trusted people helping you along the way.
Our volunteer trips are designed to help you make a real change in critical causes around the world. All while experiencing off-the-beaten-path locations with passionate locals. Our goal is to save you time, money, and stress while eliminating the risk of returning home early. Here’s how we do it:
We’re on your side from the moment you get started.
You’ll be assigned a dedicated Trip Coordinator. They’ll guide you through the next steps and answer all your questions. They’ll also help you with the pesky visa. No guesswork – only the right paperwork, approved the first time, in your hands before you leave.
Your Personal Travel Concierge will help with flights, insurance, and any add-ons you’d like for your trip. These are real humans too – no robots here.
We maintain relationships with a huge network of screened and vetted partner organisations all over the world. We know they’re trustworthy and that you’re in good hands because of all the successful trips Global Travellers keep having with our partners.
Our team is well travelled so you can rely on our experience. We’re with you every step of the way.
Join 75,000+ travellers – giving us 10,000+ 4 & 5 star reviews – by choosing Global to make your travel dreams come true.
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Frequently asked questions
Why are you the best company to choose?
As the world’s leading gap-year and "work & travel" company, we pride ourselves on providing a premium service for Global Travellers. Choose from a variety of awesome experiences worldwide, and let us assist you with visas, pre-departure preparations, flights, insurance, and tours. Throughout your journey, our cool tech features will support you every step of the way. As a Global Traveller, gain access to gWorld, our personalised app designed to enhance your travel experience. Keep important documents and trip details handy, and take advantage of exclusive Marketplace deals, a vibrant social network, language learning resources, side trips, meet-ups, and more. It's like having all your favorite travel apps merged into one, but even better! But our support doesn't end there. With four international offices, over 100 dedicated staff members, a 24/5 emergency team, and the backing of over 90,000 Global Travellers who have turned their travel dreams into reality with us, rest assured you're in good hands. We also proudly boast the most and best reviews in the biz, and maintain a massive following on our social channels including Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Embark on your next adventure with confidence and ease. Join us and discover the world in a meaningful way!
Are flights & insurance included?
While we would love to include flights and insurance in our trip packages, it is not feasible to have a fixed price due to the diverse destinations, trip durations, and individual coverage needs of our travellers from around the globe. However, once you register for the trip, we will assign you a dedicated Travel Concierge. They will work closely with you to arrange the ideal flights and insurance tailored to your specific adventure. Rest assured, our team is here to ensure you have a smooth and hassle-free travel experience from start to finish!
Why do I have to pay to volunteer?
The trip fee covers all the essential trip inclusions that ensure you have a meaningful and safe volunteering experience. It includes comprehensive pre-departure support to assist you throughout your journey. Once you arrive at your destination, the fee covers transportation, accommodation, and in most cases meals and some amazing excursions you'll do alongside other international volunteers. This comprehensive support is essential to provide you with a positive and secure volunteering experience, which is of utmost importance to us. Your trip fee allows us to ensure your well-being while making a meaningful impact, and it contributes to the sustainability and effectiveness of the volunteer projects we support.
Will I receive guidance and support before starting the volunteering trip?
Absolutely! Before starting your volunteer placement, you will receive comprehensive pre-departure support, which includes project-specific information, cultural orientation, and advice on preparing for your journey. Additionally, most trips include on-site training and an orientation to ensure you are well-prepared and confident in your volunteer role.
How do I choose the right volunteer trip for me?
With so many incredible options, we understand that selecting the perfect volunteer trip can be tricky. That's why we recommend booking your favourite one, and your dedicated Trip Coordinator will guide you through the project details. They will consider your interests, skills, desired location, and the impact you want to make. If we find another trip that better suits your preferences, we can easily swap you over to ensure you have the ideal volunteer experience. Rest assured, we're here to help you find the right fit!
How long should I volunteer for?
We offer flexibility in our volunteer trips, allowing you to choose the duration that best suits your schedule and desired experience. While most volunteers join us for 3 or 4 weeks, our trips accommodate durations as short as two weeks or as long as 12 weeks, and even extended stays. The choice is yours!
What ages are most volunteers?
The ages of our volunteers can vary depending on the project, but we have a wide age range. Our volunteers typically range from 18 years old to 85 years old! Our Trip Coordinators ensure that all volunteers are vetted before embarking on their journey. While age may differ, what unites our volunteers is their shared passion for travel and their dedication to making a positive impact in the community or wildlife conservation efforts they are involved in. Regardless of age, anyone with a passion to contribute and explore is welcome to join our volunteer trips.
Is it safe to volunteer overseas?
Safety is our utmost priority, and it drives our thorough trip planning process and comprehensive inclusions. With a successful track record of safely sending tens of thousands of travellers overseas since 2008, we prioritise your well-being throughout the journey. Before you depart, we provide full support, ensuring a smooth and secure experience. Upon arrival, we take care of every detail, including secure airport transfers, comfortable accommodations, usually meals, and dedicated project supervision. Additionally, our 24/5 emergency line ensures immediate assistance whenever needed, providing peace of mind throughout your entire volunteer experience.
Why should I book now?
After the last unexpected disruption to travel caused by the..c word..people are now more eager than ever to venture out and explore the world, determined not to miss out on any experiences. Global Work & Travel works on a first-in-best-dressed basis. Booking earlier ensures that you don’t miss out on the best intake, season, placements and more! We recommend our travellers take 6-12+ months to plan their trip for a reason - to make sure you’ve got everything organised perfectly, stress-free. As a Global Traveller you’ll get exclusive access to gWorld, our personalised app where you can keep all of your important documents and trip details in one spot and gain insider access to everything Global. This is where you will find exclusive Marketplace Deals, a unique social network to connect you with other like-minded Global Travellers, access to our Academy with an ever-growing range of skills & languages, and so much more. Think all of your favourite apps merged into one, but like, better? Why not give yourself something to look forward to by booking that trip!
Can I travel with a friend or partner?
Yes you can! Simply tell your Trip Coordinator after booking that your friend is also going and they can link your profiles. For most of our trips we should be able to have you and your friends placed together or nearby. Meaning that you can live, work, play & travel together! But wait there's more! Not only can you travel the world with your besties at your side, you can also earn some extra cash towards your own trip just by referring your friends to Global Work & Travel. You can learn more about the great referral rewards program inside your gWorld account once you join. And for those who decide to go-it-solo, we’ve made it easier to meet other Global Travellers in the same region as you. Just like any other social platform, you’ll be able to interact, share, chat and meet with some really cool people who are doing trips just like you!
Can I bring my pet along?
At Global Work & Travel, we share a deep love for animals and fully understand the special bond you have with your pet. We recognise the challenges of embarking on a trip without them. Due to travel restrictions, requirements, and limited pet-friendly accommodations among our host organisations, we regretfully cannot facilitate their inclusion in the journey. However, many of our customers choose to entrust their pets to a family member or friend, embark on their adventure, and return home to wagging tails and furry cuddles.
What happens if I need to cancel my trip?
We know that life can get in the way of travel, so all our trips come with a great deal of flexibility. In most cases, if you cannot travel on your selected date, you can place your trip on hold to deal with whatever is holding you back, and continue in the future without incurring any penalty. You may also have the option of transferring to an entirely different trip and destination as well, or even transferring your trip to a friend or family member. In the event that you need to outright cancel your trip, if you give us 84* days notice you can do so with only a 50% cancellation fee. Your refund of the balance will come in the form of a Store Credit which you can put toward any other trip that we offer, including tours through third-party providers, as well as holidays through DealsAway.com, and is valid for 2 years from date of issue. As international travel can be complex, your options are based on the progress of your trip organisation and our support team can assist you in finding the best solution for your needs.
How it works
1. Choose a trip style
Find your dream experience & destination, then secure your spot with a flexible & low deposit. Activate your gWorld to unlock some cool perks. Well done! The hardest part’s over!
2. We become friends
Book a time to meet your dedicated Trip Coordinator who knows all the ins & outs of your trip. They’ll be by your side and working behind-the-scenes to pull everything together.
3. Time to go!
We’ll get your tickets, accommodation & transfers ready. Our in-country team or partner will have everything prepared & waiting for your arrival. Get on the plane with no worries!
4. 24/5 support
Never stress, knowing we’re there with you when you need us with ongoing & unlimited local team support. And just in case, we’ve got an emergency team on stand-by, 24 hours, Mon-Fri.
How it works
1. Choose a trip style
Find your dream experience & destination, then secure your spot with a flexible & low deposit. Activate your gWorld to unlock some cool perks. Well done! The hardest part’s over!
2. We become friends
Book a time to meet your dedicated Trip Coordinator who knows all the ins & outs of your trip. They’ll be by your side and working behind-the-scenes to pull everything together.
3. Time to go!
We’ll get your tickets, accommodation & transfers ready. Our in-country team or partner will have everything prepared & waiting for your arrival. Get on the plane with no worries!
4. 24/5 support
Never stress, knowing we’re there with you when you need us with ongoing & unlimited local team support. And just in case, we’ve got an emergency team on stand-by, 24 hours, Mon-Fri.
Still have questions?
Why go Global
Flexible trips
The unexpected can happen sometimes. Can't travel right now? Swap your trip, gift it or save it for later with our Lifetime Deposit Guarantee.
Worldwide support
Know that someone is always ready to assist throughout the journey & they’re only a call, tweet, comment, text or double tap away, 24/5.
We're the experts
With over 10 years in the industry and a team of over 90 passionate pros, you can bet we know our stuff better than anyone else.
Partner network
We have over 1,200 partners around the globe, so we have access to plenty of exclusive opportunities to make your trip the best it can be.
Flexible trips
The unexpected can happen sometimes. Can't travel right now? Swap your trip, gift it or save it for later with our Lifetime Deposit Guarantee.
Worldwide support
Know that someone is always ready to assist throughout the journey & they’re only a call, tweet, comment, text or double tap away, 24/5.
We're the experts
With over 10 years in the industry and a team of over 90 passionate pros, you can bet we know our stuff better than anyone else.
Partner network
We have over 1,200 partners around the globe, so we have access to plenty of exclusive opportunities to make your trip the best it can be.