Ten Thai Government run boarding schools in Northeastern Thailand (Isaan region) taking in abused, orphaned, abandoned (due also to disabilities in cases), and otherwise unwanted children in need of someone who cares. Each school is situated on a very large campus and has truly dedicated teaching staff and administration, some of whom speak English.

Class size is generally large, and students are well-behaved and enthusiastic, if shy at first.

Housing is comfortable (by Thai and generally also foreign) standards, safe, and on campus. Schools will provide food and housing and a tremendous amount of hospitality, but have no budget to pay you. Applicants are encouraged to contact Kiwanis, Rotary, Elks or their religious organization at home for sponsorship. Loans can be deferred as you will be able to prove that you do goodwill work with no pay. A character building experience, and one that may well be the hardest you have ever gone through (culture shock, heat, adjusting to new situation etc.), but certainly also the most rewarding as most of these children have never encountered a foreigner. This is your chance to leave lasting impressions and truly improve lives for those who do not have the means to do so otherwise. In return, it will also touch and change your life forever. Option for short term travel available during the school year if discussed and agreed upon by the school administration prior to travel.

Thai Government Schools in two provinces (about 3 hours North of Bangkok) would love to have a native English teacher at their school. Parents have collected money to afford this foreign teacher and housing is provided by the school, including transportation to and from home and school. Teachers and administrators are very excited at the potential opportunity to host their first foreign teacher (i.e. you!), and help and hospitality will be ample. Children come from poor to modest backgrounds and will be well behaved and enthusiastic. As with option 1, you will be an instant celebrity at school and in the small towns, which comes with the responsibility to represent yourself and your “kind” (being a foreign teacher) and country well.

Your stipend is as much as a third year Thai veteran teacher earns per month. You may be asked to create the curriculum and suggest what you see as good ideas for improvement at the school, once the administration has recognized your respect for what the school has been doing so far. Large class sizes with students who will be generally well behaved and enthusiastic. Less freedom (to travel and experience Thailand due to stipend) than option 1, but great way to learn how a Thai school works and life changing experience for both your students, the school administration, as well as you. Loans can be most likely deferred as you earn below any reasonable rate by US standards.

Thai private and public schools in downtown and suburban Bangkok, the vibrant, interesting yet hectic and polluted capital city of Thailand, are always looking for certified US teachers. Due to the extreme shortage of qualified foreign teachers, recruiting agencies have been luring backpackers and globetrotters who fit the Thai image of a respectable foreign teacher (preferably fair skinned and native English speaker) to teach in Thai schools in this capital. Untrained individuals can not generally handle up to 50 ill-behaved children with next to no English skills in a classroom, so the turnover of foreign teachers has been great, exacerbating the problem of student discipline and interrupted learning. Schools are generally not open or interested in any of your improvement ideas, and since you will earn more than a Thai teacher of 30 years, you will be more on your own than in option 1 and 2 (aside from our presence in Bangkok). An interesting and life changing experience in that you can live in a city that is going through economic and political change, trying to cope with Western excess and cultural influence, while struggling to maintain its own cultural values.