Overview
Community Development Expedition in Thailand

This Global Vision International teaching program is based in the Krabi Province of Thailand – an area that is renowned for its stunning natural beauty. By joining this expedition you can gain a TEFL qualification while volunteering on critical education projects and exploring the region, which contains gorgeous white-sand beaches, beautiful national parks, abundant wildlife and a rich culture.

Alongside your TEFL training, participants on this project will teach English in the community from the very beginning. This means you can gain teaching experience from the start which you will develop throughout the program until you finally earn a TEFL certificate at the end of the five week program. GVI offers a job placement service to all expedition members, to help them find paid positions in the TEFL industry. College credit may be available for those attending this expedition. Consult GVI’s college credit page for helpful tips and advice.

View Film Footage, images, blogs, volunteer stories from the field, volunteer video diaries and more at the programs media centre

To learn TEFL in the Kingdom of Thailand is absolutely spectacular, and to see the ancient temples and culture first hand and get so close to the local community is an experience beyond comparison. Add in the natural beauty of this stunning country and there is no better way to learn TEFL and do something incredibly useful.

Steve Gwenin, 2008

What Difference Does This Expedition Make?

Ao Luk is located in the south of Thailand, in an area that was devastatingly affected by the Asian tsunami tragedy of 2004. GVI’s Thailand expedition focuses on building local capacity by providing English language and environmental education to the local people, so they can maximise from the benefits of the resurging tourist trade. In Ao Luk, GVI works closely with a number of local organisations and attendance of GVI’s English lessons is fully credited towards graduation from one of the area’s recognised education centres. This English language education assists in providing local people with viable employment alternatives, who have previously had little or no opportunity.

Highlights

Participating in a 50-hour or 100-hour TEFL course, as desired; immersing yourself in a traditional Thai community within a beautiful tropical paradise; living and working alongside local people, experiencing their culture, food and way of life; assisting in both child and adult environmental education and awareness programs, visiting and teaching within the local schools, hotels, expedition base and in the open environment; learning how to cook a number of tasty Thai dishes, including some regional favorites; going on an exciting trip to Wat Tham Seua (the Tiger Cave Temple) – a forest monastery built upon a karst cliff with stunning views; and visiting prime turtle nesting beaches.

Skills And Qualifications Received

TEFL Training and certification (100-hour), Classroom teaching experience, Curriculum development and lesson planning, Resource making, Report writing and public speaking experience, First Aid & CPR training (certification optional), Basic Thai Language, Thai culture and community including cooking, religion, etc, Environmental education and community development, Interpersonal skills

See Requirements And Training page for more information

Location

The Krabi province is located on the Andaman Sea, and is blessed with an abundance of natural resources, numerous national parks and stunning scenery with a wide range of attractions. Most famous is Phang Nga Bay, a geological wonder filled with islets, sunken caverns and startling rock formations rising sheer out of the sea. The 120 small islands are world-famous for their beautiful, unspoilt beaches and spectacular scenery which is renowned for attracting divers from around the world. Being close to town, the expedition base gives expedition members the opportunity to be completely immersed in the local culture, and enjoy the beaches and cultural destinations at weekends.

See Life on the expedition page for more information

Field Conditions

The expedition base is located in the Krabi Province, close to a number of natural attractions including mountains, waterfalls, caves, mangroves and white-sand beaches. The base has running water, electricity, a basic kitchen, a communal area, a small library and dorm-room accommodations with bunk beds. Cooking and cleaning of the base is shared on a rotational basis by expedition members. The TEFL training will take place on base, and the English Language lessons and other presentations will principally be conducted at the local community center.

See Life on the expedition page for more information

Internships

A ten-week internship is available for qualifying expedition members.

See Internships page for more information