Our Philosophy and Mission

Teach Thailand Corps (TTC), established by the American-Thai Foundation in collaboration with Yonok Foundation, focuses on strengthening the primary and secondary school education systems in Thailand, particularly in high-need areas. TTC places American graduates in underserved Thai schools as English language teachers. We believe that language skills are an essential foundation for a better life and a better world. Thai students equipped with English proficiency are positioned to succeed in school, work, and life, and to make an impact in their communities. Teach Thailand Corps has learned from and adapted elements of the Peace Corps philosophy of service and learning.

The Need

The Thai government and the Thai public have acknowledged the importance of Thai students’ study of the English language in primary and secondary schools. However, there is a significant and broad discrepancy in the quality of language education among Thai schools. Schools in certain rural areas often lack the resources and skilled teachers to provide effective English language education. Such is the shortage of qualified native English-speaking teachers that in the province of Lampang, for example, among the 40 high schools and their 40,000 students, there are fewer than 20 native English-speaking teachers. This situation is also true of other provinces and is the critical gap that Teach Thailand Corps wishes to fill.

Our Background and Vision

Teach Thailand Corps is the result of a longstanding vision of Dr. Nirund Jivasantikarn. As a young student in the early 1960’s, Dr. Nirund’s life was transformed through the mentorship and guidance of an American teacher in Lampang. Through this experience, Dr. Nirund improved his English skills, gained confidence, and subsequently traveled to the United States to further his education. There, he completed three degrees, engaged in his communities and learned about America, and made lasting friendships. While in the U.S., Dr. Nirund had a vision of founding Lampang’s first four-year university. Through collaboration with and support from friends and colleagues, he established Yonok University in 1988 as the first four-year liberal arts university in Lampang, where Dr. Nirund served as president for sixteen years.

Alongside the university, Dr. Nirund established The American-Thai Foundation and Yonok Foundation, which have continued to improve Thailand’s education beyond the scope of the Yonok University. The American-Thai Foundation and Yonok Foundation support scholarships, educational exchanges, advocacy, and literacy campaigns.

Now, Dr. Nirund has turned his attention to empowering Thai students through English by placing American teachers in underserved schools throughout Thailand. Dr. Nirund’s mission is to provide Thai students with the level of language skills that decades ago opened the doors to the pursuit of his dreams. Motivated by their own dreams and endowed with English skills, these students will have the potential to create strong relations between Thailand and foreign countries, and to become leaders to make positive changes in their home communities.

Teacher Recruitment

With more than three decades of good working relations between Yonok Foundation and the American-Thai Foundation, we have developed a strong network of educators and universities across the United States. These networks are valuable toward the recruitment of qualified and dedicated recent American college graduates who wish to spend a year teaching, learning, and living in Thailand. We select candidates carefully in a process of close communication with the universities—acquainting the universities with our mission, our needs, and the opportunity we present to graduating seniors who wish to make a difference abroad. We select graduates who have performed well academically and have exhibited and maintained a tradition of service and leadership throughout their college years. The American graduates who serve in the program make a difference through volunteer work, while also gaining the knowledge and experience of living abroad, including learning the language and culture of Thailand.

Our teachers, once selected, are provided with training for their roles, housing, a monthly allowance, and language and culture training. Additionally, TTC teachers are provided with ongoing supervision, consultation, and close support to ensure a successful living, teaching, and learning experience.