Our Philosophy and Mission

Teach Thailand Corps (TTC), established by the American-Thai Foundation in collaboration with the Yonok Foundation, focuses on strengthening primary and secondary school education in Thailand, particularly in high-need areas. TTC recruits and places American graduates in underserved Thai schools to teach English and other subjects.  Thai students equipped with English proficiency are better positioned to succeed in school, work, and life, and to make an impact in their communities – and in particular to better access opportunities arising from the upcoming ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Economic Community integration.  TTC aims to fill the needs of underserved schools in English-language education, and offers an overall enhancement in the quality of teaching and community/school involvement.  In developing the program, we have learned from and applied elements of the Peace Corps philosophy of service and learning.

In return, for our teachers’ service, Teach Thailand Corps provides invaluable experience to support each volunteer’s goals of personal and professional development, in preparation for their future careers.  Opportunities abound for travel and internships in various fields of interest, including social work, business, medicine and public health, and international development during school breaks or following the end of the school year.  Importantly, our volunteers/teachers will have firsthand exposure to international development in the midst of the dynamic and rising ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region.  

Teacher Recruitment

With more than three decades of good working relations between Yonok Foundation and the American-Thai Foundation, we have developed a strong network of educators and universities across the United States. These networks are valuable toward the recruitment of qualified and dedicated American college graduates who wish to spend a year teaching, learning, and living in Thailand. We select candidates carefully in a process of close communication with the universities - acquainting the universities with our mission, our needs, and the opportunity we present to graduating seniors who wish to make a difference abroad.  We select graduates who have performed well academically and have exhibited and maintained a tradition of service and leadership throughout their college years.  
Our teachers, once selected, are provided with training for their roles, including TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) training, language and culture orientation, housing, monthly stipend, domestic work-related travel, work permit, and visa.  Additionally, TTC teachers are provided with ongoing supervision, consultation, and close support to ensure a successful living, teaching, and learning experience.

TTC teachers have a unique opportunity to provide excellent teaching and lay a sound foundation for the education of children and development of communities that will transform the trajectories in the lives of children and communities—and impact Thailand’s development—in profound ways.  In return, volunteers spend an enriching and life-changing time living, contributing, and learning in Thailand as they gain invaluable experience toward future career endeavors.

The Need

The Thai government and Thai public have acknowledged the importance of Thai students’ study of English in primary and secondary schools.  However, there is a significant and broad discrepancy in the quality of language education among Thai schools.  Schools in rural areas often lack the resources and skilled teachers to provide effective English training.  Such is the shortage of qualified native English-speaking teachers that in the province of Lampang, for example, among the 40 high schools and their 40,000 students, there are fewer than 20 native English-speaking teachers.  This situation is also true of other provinces and is the critical gap that Teach Thailand Corps wishes to fill.