Teaching assistants in Thailand

In 1963, the Presbyterian Church (USA) began a mission volunteer program in partnership with the Church of Christ in Thailand and sent volunteers to Thailand. Today, the program partners with many denominational entities and para-church organizations to provide qualified volunteers to teach in the 26 schools of the Church of Christ in Thailand. Partner agencies include the Presbyterian Church (USA),Interserve International, the Global Mission Agency of the Christian Church and the United Church of Christ, the Baptist Church, the Uniting Church in Australia and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

The role of the teaching assistant

The primary role of the volunteer is to work in the English department of their assigned school. However, as all of the schools were established as a ministry of the Church of Christ in Thailand, it is understood that there is another mission: that of sharing the good news of the gospel with the students of the school, many of whom are not Christian.

The volunteer is expected to work as a regular teacher in the school, but in a specialized role with specific objectives. Most volunteers will have 18-22 class hours, but will work as a team with a Thai teacher of English.

Team teaching is encouraged for several reasons:

To help the volunteer bridge the language barrier in maintaining class discipline, reporting grades, having conferences with parents, etc.
To help those with no teaching experience to learn from their more experienced Thai partners
To help Thai teachers of English improve their English language abilities (especially speaking)

The Education Ministry sees the development of the Thai teacher’s ability to use English as critical to the success of the program and the future of the school. Such teacher development, whether through team teaching or seminars, will continue to benefit the school long after the volunteer has gone. The volunteer is expected to live a modest life that is in keeping with his/her role as a faculty person in a private Christian school. Other duties of volunteers may include such things as assisting with English Camp, Christian Education and other tasks.

Qualifications

Volunteers should demonstrate a mature and active Christian faith and an exemplary moral lifestyle. They should be in good health, emotionally mature, and open to learning about and living in other countries. Those who wish to serve as English teachers should have a Bachelor’s Degree in any field.

Those who will be teaching specific subject matter need to have the commensurate degree (math for math teachers, elementary education for those teaching elementary students). Valid teaching certificates and TOEFL certificates are plus.

No teaching experience is required, but volunteers should have English as their first language and speak without a strong accent. They should be familiar with the rules of English grammar and be able to express themselves clearly in English.

A two-year commitment is desired.

Support provided to volunteers

The program will ensure that legal documents required for living in and working in Thailand, to include a work permit, a renewable one-year visa, and other documents as needed, are provided to the volunteer. The program will also provide an orientation to Thai life and culture, including an introduction to Thai language and policies of the Education ministry of the Church of Christ in Thailand and church's schools.

Volunteers will receive some support locally that may include the following:

A monthly living allowance
A food allowance to include meals eaten at the school during school days
Housing on campus (or housing with an allowance for transportation, if housing is further than 1 km from campus
Laundry service or an allowance for laundry