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Teaching in Koh Samui

From the classroom to tropical beaches: teach Thai students and explore the island in your free time. A unique blend of teaching and adventure.

Where

Where

Koh Samui, Thailand

When

When

Weekly departures, year-round (except closure periods)

Duration

Duration

Minimum 1 week

Accommodation

Accommodation

Shared or private rooms in a volunteer house with meals included

Language

Language

English (beginner level recommended)

Ideal for

Ideal for

For those looking for an intercultural experience that combines school, community, and the discovery of Thailand.

Travel destination

Project details

About section

Island schools open their doors to anyone who wants to teach and share their experiences.

 

In Koh Samui, many young students study English but have few real opportunities to practise it. Lessons tend to be very theoretical and teachers have little time to run more interactive activities.

With this project, you step into the classroom to bring fresh ideas and energy: you teach English or other subjects, design small creative activities, and engage daily with students who are eager to learn.

It's an experience that blends teaching and discovery: you'll get to know the authentic side of Thailand, experience school life from the inside, and at the same time develop your own ability to communicate and grow in a new environment.

Why participate

Bring fresh energy to the classroom

You work alongside local teachers and give students new opportunities to learn through practical, engaging activities.

Bring fresh energy to the classroom

Discover local island life

Discover local island life

The Weekly Program

Weekdays

Monday to Friday, mornings are dedicated to activities at the school — games, songs and hands-on moments alongside the children and local teachers.

Afternoons are set aside for activity preparation, meetings with coordinators, and free time to explore the island or spend time with the other participants.

07:30Breakfast at the centre and sharing time with other participants
09:00Classroom lessons: English, mathematics or science with interactive activities
11:30Support with daily routines: meals, hygiene and socialisation moments
13:00Lunch at the centre and relaxation time
14:30Free time: explore the island, relax on the beach or take part in cultural activities
19:00Shared dinner and free evening or organised group activities

Weekend

Weekends are free from scheduled activities. You can explore the area, join small day trips or relax with the other volunteers.

Relax at Chaweng Beach

Relax at Chaweng Beach

Spend a day on white sand with turquoise water at Koh Samui's most famous beach — perfect for relaxing and swimming.

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Cost calculator

Weeks:
2
Daily cost:
£0
Total cost:
£0
🍽️Accommodation, meals and daily essentials included
🚫No group kitty, no add-ons, no hidden fees
🫶Your fee directly supports our local partner

What's included

What's not included

FAQs

🏝️ Accommodation in Koh Samui

You'll stay in facilities dedicated to participants, in a quiet and well-connected area of the island. Simple but functional spaces, with common areas where you can meet other travellers, unwind after the school day, and feel part of a small community.

Rooms are shared, simply furnished and equipped with a fan. Each room has a lockable door and bed linen is provided on arrival. Shared bathrooms with running water; outdoor areas for socialising and relaxing. No luxury, but everything you need to be comfortable.

🍽️ Meals

Meals included: 3 per day on weekdays and 2 on weekends. Home-style cooking featuring Thai dishes (rice, noodles, vegetables, seasonal fruit) and vegetarian options. Drinking water, tea and coffee always available. And if you want to explore, local markets and restaurants are just a short walk away!

🛏️ Included services

• Simple and functional shared rooms
3 meals per day (weekdays), 2 on weekends
• Free drinks (water, tea, coffee)
Lockers and lockable rooms
• Common areas for socialising
🛡️ Safety and support

The safety of our participants is always our top priority 🌞 In Koh Samui we work with reliable local schools and facilities, located in quiet areas and constantly supported by our on-the-ground team — so you can enjoy the experience with complete peace of mind.

🔹 Participant screening and safe environments
To ensure a safe and welcoming environment, every volunteer must submit a criminal record check (police clearance) before departure. We'll walk you through exactly how to obtain it step by step: it's a simple but essential requirement to protect both the local community and participants.

🔹 High safety standards
• Lockable rooms and personal lockers
• Daily presence of local staff and constant support
• Facility in a quiet, easily accessible area
• Clinics and hospitals reachable within minutes
• Koh Samui is a safe, welcoming destination visited by travellers from all over the world


🔹 24-hour support
From the moment you arrive until the end of your trip, you'll always have someone to rely on. The local team is available 24/7 for any need, and our staff in is also reachable via WhatsApp for assistance, updates or practical advice 📲

🔹 Training and orientation
On your first day you'll attend an introductory orientation covering both cultural and practical aspects: house rules, safety tips and advice for experiencing island life simply and authentically.

🔹 Best practices for a worry-free stay
✔ Use reliable taxis or transport services recommended by the local team.
✔ Carry only the money you need for the day.
✔ Follow staff advice when getting around and exploring the island safely.


💡 Our goal
To create a safe, welcoming and well-organised environment for you — so you can focus on what truly matters: bringing smiles to the children at the school, meeting new people and living an unforgettable experience in Koh Samui 🐚
🧭 Orientation day

Your journey in Koh Samui starts gently and with curiosity: the first Monday is entirely dedicated to getting your bearings, discovering the local culture, and preparing as best you can for your experience at the school.

Together with the local team, you'll learn the basic rules, find out the most useful spots, and pick up all those little things that will make you say "now I really feel at home!":

• Welcome meeting and programme presentation (with house rules and plenty of laughs guaranteed)
• Practical tips on health, safety and daily life on the island
• Introduction to Thai culture, with fun facts, traditions and a few words in the Thai language
• Mini lesson on customs and etiquette: how to move respectfully around temples and local communities
• Tour of the surrounding area, with useful stops such as supermarkets, medical centres and public transport
• Help to buy a local SIM card, or the option to arrive already set up with an active eSIM via Airalo – so you're connected from day one!


It will also be the perfect moment to meet the other volunteers, exchange stories and expectations, and maybe even start planning your first outings together 🌴

📌 From Tuesday, the real adventure begins

After the orientation, you'll start working alongside local teachers and taking part in daily activities with the school's children.
✈️ Arrival in Koh Samui

To start your experience on the right foot, we recommend booking a flight arriving on a Sunday at Koh Samui Airport (USM), ideally between 08:00 and 17:00. Within this time window, our welcome and transfer service to the accommodation is included.

If you arrive on Saturday, you will need to book an extra night at the accommodation (at a surcharge).

If you arrive outside the indicated time window, you can reach us with an extra paid pick-up or by making your own way independently.

If you are travelling by land or ferry, the meeting point is at Nathon Pier on Sunday at 14:00, where our staff will be there to welcome you.

Remember to share your flight or arrival details with us as soon as you book them, so we can arrange everything smoothly.

📍 Meeting Point

USM Airport: at the exit of the arrivals hall, look for a sign with your name or the name of the organisation. It can be busy: stay there until our staff finds you.

If you arrive by boat (Nathon Pier): Sunday at 14:00, arrivals hall of the port.

👉 If you don't see our staff straight away, don't move. Stay at the meeting point: we will come to you.

📱 Internet Connection

To stay connected from arrival, we recommend purchasing an eSIM through Airalo. Alternatively, you can buy a local SIM card at the airport or in shops near the port.

🚐 Transfer to the centre

From USM Airport: approximately 1 hour's journey.

From Nathon Pier: approximately 20 minutes. You may share the transfer with other participants arriving on the same day.

🧳 Luggage

We recommend packing light and practical. There are no official limits, but avoid oversized suitcases: getting around and settling in is much easier with a backpack or a medium-sized trolley.

🚖 Departure and return flight

Check-out from the accommodation is by 12:00 on Saturday. The return transfer to the airport or other destinations is not included in the programme, as each participant has different departure times. Staff will however be happy to help you arrange a taxi or shared transfer.

We recommend booking your return flight for Saturday evening or Sunday, so you can leave the accommodation at a relaxed pace and reach the airport without rushing.

💡 After confirmation

Once your registration is confirmed, you will receive a detailed document by email with all the contact details of our local staff in Koh Samui, to be used in case of emergencies or delays.
Still have questions?

Book your spot

Booking
1

Send your application (free!)

Choose the project that inspires you most and indicate the period you would like to travel. No commitment: the application is free and non-binding.

2

Meet your coordinator

After your application, we will put you in touch with your dedicated coordinator. They will explain everything in detail and answer all your questions.

3

Confirm your spot

When you're ready, pay the deposit to lock in your spot. You'll get everything you need: local contacts, a visa guide and your pre-trip pack.

4

Set off on your adventure!

Pack your bags and go! On arrival you will find other volunteers like you, a welcoming local team and an experience you will hardly forget.

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