English Teaching Volunteering in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Travel to the ancient city of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover Laos and teach English to Buddhist novice monks and local lay students, both children and young adults, increasing their quality of life and access to education. The second part of the project takes place in Thailand's Chiang Mai Province, where you volunteer with elephants relieved from working in the tourist industry. Assist with the elephants' rehabilitation and help mahouts (traditional elephant keepers) and other villagers establish alternative livelihoods.

A region accentuated by the colorful robes of Buddhist monks, the vivid greens of rice fields and jungle forests, and the cultural diversity of hill tribe communities—this is the ultimate Southeast Asia semester. Each country offers a unique cultural experience unto itself, and each faces the challenge of reconciling urban expansion and industrialization with indigenous land rights, free movement of nomadic peoples, and equal access to resources. This semester, walk among ancient temples, traverse mountainous jungles, and explore the clear blue water of Thailand’s beaches. You’ll explore tradition, globalization, and human rights against the backdrop of two of Asia’s most complex nations. Immerse yourself in community life through homestays and visits to remote villages. Emerge with your self-awareness and perspective forever altered. 2025: CLOSED Spring 2026: February 25 - May 6 Fall 2026: September 24 - December 4

Thailand is an exciting country to travel too. Not only is is cheap, easy to get around, with friendly locals, it’s also an adventure lovers playground! Theres so much to do here, from exploring the capital city of Bangkok, trekking in the jungle, swimming in natural waterfalls, relaxing on the beach or any number of adreneline pumping activities. A lot of our projects are concentrated on conservation, as this is a big problem, now more than ever. You will get to experience the ‘real’ Thailand, for a true authenic travel experience, and with the knowledge that you are helping underprivilaged communites and the environment! Volunteer with IVI for authentic, affordable and life changing projects in Thailand. We have over 35+ years of experience as a charity and non profit org and are passionate about helping those less fortuanate than ourselves.

This meaningful project was created to improve the education of Thailand’s Buddhist monks. Love Volunteers works with a local organization offering free programs involving English learning to novice monks in temple schools. These schools are also open to non-monastic students from poor backgrounds, so volunteers may find themselves teaching children from different backgrounds. The role of volunteers in the classroom depends on the school and their comfort level with certain tasks. They are paired with a Thai teacher and can choose to assist with daily lessons or teach students (if they are confident). Many of these Buddhist monks have led relatively sheltered lives, joining the monasteries at a young age. This program shares with them interesting insights about other cultures and places, allowing for cross-cultural teaching and understanding.

Explore the lush mountains and vibrant cultures of northern Thailand as you travel through Chiang Mai, Mae Ai District, and Chiang Rai. Teach conversational English to local students, contribute to hands-on construction projects at village schools, and learn from community members who call this region home. Between service days, hike to jungle waterfalls, cook traditional Thai dishes, practice Buddhist customs, and dive into the region’s diverse highland traditions. Cap your journey by exploring Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai—dynamic cultural hubs rich with temples, markets, and history.

Looking to volunteer in Thailand? You have made a great choice! Thailand, also known as the Asia for beginners, is a place to feel at ease. It is a country full of beautiful beaches, lots of smiles, and simply a place where you will find it easy to let go of everything. At the same time, its ancient temples, ruined cities and exotic jungles with diverse wildlife are a playground for adventurers. Being a volunteer in Thailand will be a great experience for you, and we want you to be prepared for your travel. That's why we are here to help you find out about the available volunteer projects in this South-East Asian country. The opportunities are as varied as the country itself so there will be the right thing for everybody. Let's get started!

Experience the true colors of Thailand! GIVE’s Thailand Immersion Excursion places you in the heart of colorful hill tribe communities throughout Northern Thailand. This unique program enables you to connect with rural villagers by immersing yourself in their culture and way of life, living like a local. Positively impact their communities through participation in our volunteer initiatives and make life-long connections with the incredible people you’ll meet along the way! The trip culminates with a bamboo rafting journey down the Mae Tang River, stopping along the way to learn about elephant conservation and trek through the jungle to find these majestic giants. Thailand is the perfect introduction to this fascinating region of the world; take it one step further by adding the Elephant Experience add-on for an additional week. Note: All Southeast Asia programs and add-ons can be combined for the ultimate Southeast Asia Experience (travel up to 7 weeks!)

Kindred Spirit is looking for volunteers to come out and help its new elephant sanctuary in northern Thailand. The sanctuary has just rescued four elephants from the tourism industry, and it has brought them home to live out their lives in the forest, in semi-wild conditions. The sanctuary needs volunteers to help keep these elephants happy and healthy in their natural habitat. Volunteers will carry out health checks, perform research on their natural behaviors and the surrounding forest, and take part in community projects, such as teaching English at a school and to other locals, cutting grass for the elephants during the dry season, helping out in the fields, planting and harvesting crops, and educating both locals and tourists on the captive elephant situation in Thailand to help combat illegal trade. Days begin with early morning hikes through the forest to find the elephants, staying with them while observing and taking data on their natural behaviors until lunch. Some days, lunch is eaten with the elephants in the forest. Upon returning to the village, community projects are carried out.

Teach English to Buddhist Monks in Thailand. Volunteers work with novice Buddhist monks within the age range of 12-18 years old. The school aims to enhance the knowledge of the novices and monks in both secular and religious subjects and to provide secondary education to underprivileged boys. All the students at four of the schools are novice monks and many, but not all, of the faculty and administration are Buddhist monks. One of the schools has both novice monk students and non-monk students (however the majority are monks) separated by classroom. Volunteers assist the Thai faculty with English (and optionally in art) education roughly 15-20 hours a week (Monday-Friday). You will have the choice of either leading your own class or assisting a Thai teacher in his or her daily lessons. Your placement is completely dependent upon your level of comfort within the classroom. Depending upon your educational background, you may also want to teach art or help in other subject areas and activities that may be occurring at the school during you service. It is important to the school administration that volunteers aid in English education at the school, but also that volunteers receive a rich experience about Thailand, Thai culture and Buddhism during their service. For this reason, be prepared to learn as much as you teach. Also, know that Thai Buddhist monks aren't known for being in a hurry. Therefore, the atmosphere at the temple schools is rather relaxed.