Teach Buddhist Novice Monks English
Coordinator | Bella
Coordinator | Bella
Book with Flex Option!
Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Highlights
Teach Buddhist novice monks and other students in Luang Prabang.
Learn about Theravada Buddhist practices.
Immerse yourself in the many diverse cultures of Laos.
Visit the Pak Ou caves, a sacred Buddhist site.
Swim in the crystal clear cascading pools of the Kuang Si Waterfalls.
Enhance the education of Buddhist novice monks as well as other members of the local community while immersing yourself in Lao culture.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Travel to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang, the ancient capital of Laos. Here you will teach Buddhist novice monks and other Lao students. During your time off explore the lush surroundings of the region by going on a river cruise or trekking through the mountains.
Many young men from rural villages in Laos are encouraged to become novice monks at the Buddhist monasteries in Luang Prabang, which gives them access to education as well as room and board. Volunteers on this program will contribute to education initiatives from Monday to Friday by teaching English to these Buddhist novice monks, as well as other young students in Laos. Student ages vary as well as their level of comfort expressing themselves in English. Volunteers will also assist with building local capacity for education by supporting local teachers by preparing lessons and resources.
Many young men from rural villages in Laos are encouraged to become novice monks at the Buddhist monasteries in Luang Prabang, which gives them access to education as well as room and board. Volunteers on this program will contribute to education initiatives from Monday to Friday by teaching English to these Buddhist novice monks, as well as other young students in Laos. Student ages vary as well as their level of comfort expressing themselves in English. Volunteers will also assist with building local capacity for education by supporting local teachers by preparing lessons and resources.
The aim of this project is for volunteers to contribute to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal, UN SDG, #4, Quality Education, which also helps to increase future academic and employment opportunities for students, furthering UN SDG, #8 Decent Work and Economic Growth.
On the weekend, volunteers can relax with other participants at the accommodation in Luang Prabang, or head out to explore the local area. Engage in chanting and meditation sessions at local temples, visit sacred caves, book a river cruise, or go hiking in the nearby hills.
On the weekend, volunteers can relax with other participants at the accommodation in Luang Prabang, or head out to explore the local area. Engage in chanting and meditation sessions at local temples, visit sacred caves, book a river cruise, or go hiking in the nearby hills.
Health & Hygiene:
The work we contribute to across the globe remains important and new measures allow our participants to continue to join our programs and continue impacting positively on their world and the communities we work with. Changes to our existing protocols have been made by our health and hygiene team to strengthen our health and hygiene protocols and ensure that international standard safeguards are in place to protect our participants, staff and host communities. Please inquire for more information on the protocols.
Typical day
Your days will be jam-packed as you can look forward to a full day of teaching, and planning for lessons and workshops. You will also be attending one-on-one training sessions in the first few weeks, as well as spending time working on your internship project and media related tasks.
- Resource room orientation and Lesson Planning Training Session.
- Volunteers generally teach anywhere between 2-4 hours per day in addition to lesson planning time.
- Usually there is a morning class from 8am-11am followed by a break and then possibly an afternoon class, and usually evening classes until 8:00 or 8:30pm. In between, you will have time to work on your research project as well as create media content for us and our partners.
- Interns participate in several hours of lesson planning daily.
- Your work week runs from Monday to Friday with weekends free to explore the region or participate in temple tours, Lao language classes, cultural activities, village visits, cooking classes
- The work schedule is flexible and can change at short notice.
Free-time activities
Live with other participants from around the world in the ancient city of Luang Prabang, among Buddhist temples, rolling hills, and the mighty Mekong river. In your free time learn more about the many cultures of Laos, by taking additional language lessons, exploring nearby temples, or visiting a rice farm. Bond with new friends while visiting the beautiful Si Kuang falls or taking a river cruise down to the historic Pak Ou Caves, filled with thousands of images of the Buddha.
You will be based a short walk from the centre of the ancient city of Luang Prabang. Travelling around the local area is easy and is best done by foot or bike. Bicycles are available locally for rent or sale but are up to you to arrange. There is much to see and do in the area, so why not visit the local landmarks during your free time? Nong Khiaw’s dramatic viewpoint, Vang Vien’s limestone caves or the Kuang Si waterfall - the possibilities are endless!
Sightseeing
Climbing
Hiking
Museum/
Opera
Opera
Sports
Requirements
In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.
You need to speak English (intermediate level)
required
at High School level
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
What's Included
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 24-hour emergency phone
- 24-hour in-country support
- A shared room in guesthouse accommodation in the ancient city Luang Prabang
- Access to Alumni Services and Discounts
- Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
- All necessary project equipment and materials
- All necessary project training by experienced staff provided online 8 weeks prior to arrival:
- PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION (1 hour)
- PROGRAM SPECIFIC TRAINING (1 - 5 hours)
- OPTIONAL: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COURSE (10 - 15 hours)
- Location orientation
- Long term experienced staff
- Meals while on project
- Orientation on teaching methods and techniques, language, culture and religion
- Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
- The rare opportunity to work closely with novice monks in a temple school
- Welcome meeting
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Additional drinks and gratuities
- Extra local excursions
- Flights
- International and domestic airport taxes
- Medical and travel insurance
- Personal items and toiletries
- Police or background check
- Visa costs (where necessary)
We will ensure, whenever possible, that one of our dedicated staff will be available to meet you at the airport. We will arrange with you prior to your departure that, should you arrive in the agreed upon pick up window, a member of our staff will be there to welcome you, easily identifiable in a staff t-shirt, holding a sign and wearing a friendly smile! This means there will be someone there to greet you as you land, and from there you will be transported to your base to start your adventure and meet the rest of your team.
Participants live in guesthouse with an outdoor space where you can relax and take in the tranquil atmosphere of the capital of Laos. Participants typically share a room with one other volunteer. Bathrooms are also shared and feature hot water showers and Western-style toilets. Rooms are cleaned once per week and there is a laundry service available at an extra cost. Each room has a television and a fan as well as free Wi-Fi. The rooms also have air conditioning that can be used at an extra cost of 30,000 Lao Kip per day paid directly to the guesthouse. It's only a 5-minute walk to the project site and a 30-minute walk into town. Upgraded accommodation is available at an additional cost.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served at one of two local restaurants on base. Cuisine includes both traditional Laos dishes and Western meals. Eggs, pancakes, toast with butter and jam, and a range of southeast Asian fruits are common for breakfast, and or lunch and dinner, participants can choose from a range of dishes.
Good access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
The nearest airport is Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ) in Luang Prabang. We assist you to find cheap flights to Laos.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Laos provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in Laos you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Laos.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
Due to the current situation you have the flexibility of changing the destination and start dates for this program at no extra cost.
2021
- 09 Jan 2021
- 23 Jan 2021
- 06 Feb 2021
- 20 Feb 2021
- 06 Mar 2021
- 20 Mar 2021
- 03 Apr 2021
- 17 Apr 2021
- 01 May 2021
- 15 May 2021
- 29 May 2021
- 12 Jun 2021
- 26 Jun 2021
- 10 Jul 2021
- 24 Jul 2021
- 07 Aug 2021
- 21 Aug 2021
- 04 Sep 2021
- 18 Sep 2021
- 02 Oct 2021
- 16 Oct 2021
- 30 Oct 2021
- 13 Nov 2021
- 27 Nov 2021
- 11 Dec 2021
- 25 Dec 2021
This program is paused due to COVID-19 and reopens June 2021. Apply Now!
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2 - 12 weeks
Program fees
2 weeks
(min. stay)
$2,451
3 weeks
$2,766
4 weeks
$3,081
5 weeks
$3,396
6 weeks
$3,711
7 weeks
$3,963
8 weeks
$4,278
9 weeks
$4,656
10 weeks
$4,971
11 weeks
$5,286
12 weeks
(max. stay)
$5,601
Average fees
$846
/week
The organization charges its fees in EUR. The price table in USD is subject to currency fluctuation.
GVI
will let you know about the final price during your application process.
The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.
Your final payment will be agreed with GVI during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
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Change your reservation at no extra costs
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Teach Buddhist Novice Monks English
Enhance the education of Buddhist novice monks as well as other members of the local community while immersing yourself in Lao culture.
$671/week
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