Best Organizations to Volunteer With To Teach English (EFL) in Thailand

If you're thinking of volunteering to teach English (EFL) in Thailand, you're making a great decision. Volunteering to teach English in Thailand will be one of the best things you ever do and, volunteering with one of these excellent organizations will ensure you have a wonderful time. There are many fabulous non-profits you can volunteer with to teach English, but some of them are not so great, so check them out carefully before you decide. The following four organizations however are some of the best non-profits you can teach with in Thailand and for very many reasons.

Dragonfly - Dragonfly is, what I consider, one of the best non-profits in Thailand for volunteering to teach English through. Unlike many other organizations, who charge their 'volunteers' hundreds or thousands of dollars, the only thing Dragonfly charges you is their actual costs for the program and at only 15,000 baht ($389) for the first week plus an incredibly cheap 1,250 baht ($37) for each additional week, it's one of the cheapest volunteer programs you'll find in Thailand. Dragonfly also has an excellent reputation and, not only has volunteers for teaching, but also for building projects, animal rescue and working with gibbons. Located in Isaan, in northern Thailand, working with Dragonfly you'll learn a lot about real Thai culture as well as make many friends. Check out their website at Dragonfly.

Volunteer Visions - With opportunities to either teach Buddhist novice monks (age 12-18 years old), teach children with HIV or work with single mothers in the Chiang Mai area of Thailand, Volunteer Visions not only has some interesting teaching volunteer opportunities, they're also inexpensive. Starting at only $695 for the first two weeks, the program can be extended for up to 22 weeks of volunteer work, with the cost increasing slightly per week (for example, one month would be $895). Their website is at Volunteer Visions.

Thai Experience - Thai Experience is a local organization in Thailand that accepts volunteers to teach local Thai children English. Their fees are inexpensive at around $1,000 for a month volunteering. Thai Experience places volunteers with organizations in north-eastern Thailand, one of the most rural, under developed and poorest areas of the country. Here though, you'll experience the real Thailand. They offer opportunities to not only teach English but also teaching computers, working in an orphanage or even helping poor villagers set up new handicraft projects to earn an income. Thai Experience can be found at their website here.

Volunteer Teacher Thailand - Another favorite program in Thailand for volunteering to teach English is Volunteer Teacher Thailand. This organization was started up after the Asian tsunami in December and is partially run by a retired British teacher, Ken. They have short and long-term teaching opportunities and, other than an initial 3,000 baht fee (around $100) it is completely free. You will just have to pay for your accommodation, meals and transportation costs. Located near Khao Lak and Bang Niang in southern Thailand, you'll also be near the beach, diving, swimming, and lots of other things to do on your time off. Look for more information on Volunteer Teaching Thailand here.

These four places are absolutely wonderful to volunteer to teach English through in Thailand. You'll meet wonderful people, have amazing experiences and leave Thailand desperately wanting to come back. Really.