For teaching English on holiday in paradise, look no further than Thailand

Thursday, 20 October 2011 9:27 AM

One of the most rewarding travel experiences you can have is to volunteer your time towards helping the people in the locations you visit - and one of the places where this will be most appreciated is Thailand.

Long popular as a gap year destination and a destination for people to go backpacking, Thailand consists of the mainland and lots of small islands - many of which are the perfect spot to base yourself if you are keen to get as much sun, sea and sand as possible.

If this sounds perfect, but you are also keen to volunteer in Thailand to get a more complete sense of local island life, then you will be able to do just that by visiting Koh Tao.

Located in the Gulf of Thailand, this sunny island boasts so much to see and experience. However, there is also plenty you can do to help enrich the lives of the people who live here, which could be a great way to give something back to the community that has welcomed you.

During your stay, you can work as a teaching volunteer helping children to learn English.

The project runs at government schools where it is not within the budget to employ an English speaker, but learning this language could help open doors to these students later in life. That is why the assistance you give them will be so greatly appreciated.

Staying near the sea but returning to the mainland, Chumphon in southern Thailand is another place where you can lend a hand.

Here, you can also volunteer at the local primary schools, where you will assist the kids as they get to grips with the English language. However, you will also be able to show off your other skills, as any help you can provide with extra-curricular activities such as sports and arts and crafts will be appreciated.

Rayong on the east coast of the country - situated some 180 km from Bangkok - is another place where you can volunteer as you travel around the country. This city and the province it lies in is a true paradise thanks to the lush green forests and fruit orchards that have sprung to life in these parts.

By volunteering at one of the coastal state schools, you will be making a real difference to the local kids' lives. The class sizes here are large, so the chance to enjoy some time with an English-speaking national who will be able to help them improve their own language skills is bound to be welcomed.

During your time off, you can relax on the beaches and top up your tan, or sample some of the amazing seafood to come from these parts.

However, if you really want to get off the beaten track, why not work at one of the schools in northern Thailand?

A project running in Mae Sai allows you to do just that and here you will spend your time with some of the local hill tribe children. Conversational English is what you will be helping to teach here, while you may also be called upon to get involved with preparing meals or caring for infants.

Your reward is the chance to trek through the amazing surrounding landscape. Alternatively, you can stay within the city limits and sample some of the sumptuous fare on offer at its markets.

As you can see, when it comes to Thailand no one destination is ever the same as the next, but your volunteering efforts will be equally appreciated in all of them.

Best family attractions in and around Phuket, Thailand

Thailand is not just a destination for the backpacker or those going on a gap-year anymore, and it actually makes for a great family vacation and a perfect place to introduce your kids to Asia. Although Phuket city itself may have a reputation for being crowded, chaotic and a little seedy, the surrounding areas are home to beautiful white sand beaches, clear turquoise waters, world class hotels, and great attractions for the whole family. Here are our pick of the best.