volunteer

[yabass]

Hi everybody!

ok, i'm new to this forum. I will be coming to thailand a few weeks from now and would like to teach english as a volunteer (orphanage..) so as to get an idea if teaching is for me, get some practice, and give some of my time and energy to less furtunate kids (until i run out of money..)

I've looked around on this site and did some internet research, and it seems that a lot of volunteer work/programs actually demand a fee for volunteering.. let's say that i have more time than money to spear right now.
Do u guys have any recomandations as to where
i could volunteer (for free!), besides the goodwill foudation in bkk (for which i read mixed reviews)
Thanks a lot

[kenkannif]

Not the Goodwill Foundation (liars that they are!).

Have a look here: http://www.bangkokpost.com/outlookwecare/index.html

Good luck and good on you!

Added after 32 seconds:

Oh and hello and welcome etc.

[yabass]

Yes, great link. Thanks : )

[kenkannif]

Happy to help mate!

[Reg Young]

The people who charge a fee for volunteers are really running a sort of tourist package for people who want to feel that they're "seeing real Thai" as opposed to the plastic ones we stand up in the hotels and resorts. If you're comfortable coming on your own, most of what they have to offer is irrelevant to you.

If you show up at an orphanage or wat school, they're unlikely to turn you away. You might want to consider what you really have to offer them, though. If you can't speak Thai and haven't learnt how to teach across a language barrier, you might have trouble feeling as though you're accomplishing anything.
- Reg

[yabass]

Yes, very true indeed.

I have spendt about 6 months in thailand overall on various trips throughout asia, but my knowledge of thai is very limited. I do intend on learning thai as much as i can. I do realise that the best way to help (and to feel confortable and somewhat integrated in a country) is to be able to communicate in the other's person language to start with.

As for methods for teaching english, i will really try to gather as much information through books, websites, and fellow teachers in thailland beforehand. Going through a TEFL course sounds like a good (and perhaps necessary option) option at some point, once/if i decide teaching is for me. Maybe some of you have books that u would recomend on teaching methods etc..

Thanks : )