Volunteering at the Burmese Learning Center
Teaching English
Do you remember as a child how proud you were when you learned a new skill? Whether it is being able to write your name for the first time or learning how to count, education is essential in one’s development, confidence and ability to be a member of the community.
Teaching English in a Burmese Learning Center in Thailand is a valuable way to make positive impacts in both the students’ and teachers’ lives. Knowing English is a vital asset for venturing out into the working world, as English is the lingua franca.
While improving the lives and possibilities for Burmese youth living in Thailand, you will enrich yourself by having the opportunity to immerse in both Thai and Burmese cultures.
Introduction
On the first day, our dedicated staff will take you through an introduction workshop to give an overview of your time with us. This first day will provide an introduction to teaching and the selection of resources that are available for you to use in the classroom. We understand it is a lot to take in when you first arrive, so don’t expect to remember everything! You’ll have the opportunity to ask any questions on your mind. We will ensure you quickly begin to feel like a member of the team. Also, we’ll go through the main cultural do’s and don’ts, so that you don’t unintentionally offend anyone during your time in Thailand (simple things like taking your shoes off when entering a home). We will go with you to the Burmese Learning Center and help plan lessons, while offering feedback from previous volunteers and worksheets that have been used to help them plan their lessons. We make sure that you have a good introduction to the teachers at the center, and they will be looking out for you during your time here.
You’ll facilitate classes going forward. As a teacher, you’ll assist with the students’ conversational and pronunciation skills, as many of the students have not had the opportunity to speak with a native English speaker. Your presence in the classroom will help the teachers and students improve their confidence to interact with English-speaking foreigners, as many are too shy to speak English when they meet a visitor. The duration for each class is about an hour. You’ll lead classes each week and watch as your students’ language skills grow. You are encouraged to incorporate English into any activity like sports, art, music, computer skills… if you have a special skill you can bring it to the center!
Project Life at the Burmese Learning Center
The children of Burmese migrants in Thailand are faced with unique challenges that differ from other children in Thailand. They do not have legal citizenship in Thailand, nor are they recognized as citizens of Burma. Most Burmese migrant children are unable to access the Thai education system and their parents often have also received little or no education. The support from volunteer teachers, like you, is crucial to break the cycle of poverty through sharing the gift of education.
A volunteer teacher at the Burmese Learning Center can make a profound difference. Many of the Burmese children are expected to earn a living as child laborers in rubber plantations or fisheries if they are unable to attend school. If they excel in school, the children will often have better opportunities that exceed those of earlier generations in their family. The school is off the beaten path, allowing a teacher to gain valuable insight into the Burmese culture.
Projects at the school can include helping the students make recycled paper, manage the recycling bank and hydroponic gardens.
Qualifications and Requirements
Everyone has a valuable contribution to make, whether you have teaching experience or not. Skilled volunteers can apply their teaching experience to help the students to improve their English language skills. Inexperienced volunteers can use our teaching materials and worksheets to teach.
An ideal volunteer will be able to commit to a period of at least two weeks, up to three months. Volunteers should be interested and willing to commit their time and attention to the project, while staying in a small rural Thai town in the evenings.
It is important that volunteers be proactive and able to work independently. It is possible that you will be the only volunteer teacher at the school. However, our team is close by and is available to assist you if questions or concerns arise.
We ask that all volunteers be:
- Open-minded, proactive and patient;
- Willing to accept new ideas and be respectful of different cultures;
- Be independent, mature and flexible; and
- Be willing to learn some basic Thai
A Typical School Day – Mondays to Fridays
| 09:00 – 11:40 | In-class teaching or lesson preparation |
| 11:40 – 12:30 | Lunch |
| 12:30 – 15:30 | In-class teaching or lesson preparation |
*Additional time required to plan lessons
**There may be opportunities to tutor and teach an additional class for teachers after school
Summary
- Teaching hours: 25 to 30 hours a week Monday to Friday
- Ages: 6-13 years old
- Class size: Up to 25
- School size: 50-60 students
- School day: 09:00 – 15:30
- Objective: Basic conversation and pronunciation, and to increase confidence communicating with foreign English speakers
- Subjects: English, geography, basic arithmetic and music (depends on the skills of the volunteer)
- Transport: Pick up organized by school
