ELT in the Jungle: Teaching English, Transforming Lives with WEAVE

02 December 2024 • Thailand

Picture this: a scorching day in Thailand, jolting along in a pickup truck, past paramilitary checkpoints, to Ban Mai Nai Soi—a sprawling refugee camp nestled deep within the jungle.

Here, in the heart of Mae Hong Son Province, northwest of Chiang Mai, lies a hidden world where English Language Teaching (ELT) plays a transformative role in the lives of refugees.

As an intern with WEAVE (Women’s Education for Advancement and Empowerment), I got to see firsthand how English education offers hope and empowerment to Karenni refugees displaced by the brutal conflict in Burma.

My role focused on ELT syllabus alignment, but the experience was about so much more than just lesson plans; it was about resilience, hope, and the power of language to change lives.

Why Volunteer with WEAVE?

For TEFL UK students, volunteering with WEAVE offers a unique opportunity to make a real difference while honing your teaching skills in a challenging and rewarding environment.

WEAVE collaborates with local organisations, such as the Karenni National Women’s Organisation (KNWO), to deliver a Women’s Studies Program (WSP) to displaced girls.

This program integrates English teaching with lessons on women’s rights, community organisation, and peace education and as a volunteer, you’ll work with spirited young women and girls who are not just learning a language but gaining tools to rebuild their lives and communities.

Many of these students dream of becoming medics, teachers, and leaders—roles that require strong English skills to connect with global networks and resources.

ELT on the Thailand-Burma Border: The Bigger Picture

The backdrop to WEAVE’s work is the ongoing crisis in Burma, where a military coup in 2021 plunged the country into civil war.

Karenni refugees, fleeing violence in their home state, cross the Salween River into Thailand, seeking safety in camps like Ban Mai Nai Soi; however, life in these camps is far from easy.

Refugees live in bamboo huts with limited resources, and access to education is tightly controlled by Thailand’s Ministry of Interior via paramilitary troops under Commandant Sitthiphon Manchai.

This is where organisations like WEAVE step in. Despite bureaucratic hurdles and political challenges, they provide vital educational support services, with English at the forefront.

You see, English isn’t just a language: it’s a lifeline, connecting refugees with the outside world, educational opportunities, and the possibility of rebuilding a free Burma someday.

How You Can Make a Difference as a TEFL Volunteer

Volunteering with WEAVE isn’t your typical TEFL experience: it’s an adventure that takes you deep into the heart of a refugee crisis and shows you how teaching English can empower individuals and communities.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Collaborate with passionate local teachers: Work alongside KNWO educators who are deeply committed to their students’ success. You’ll help develop curricula, run workshops, and bring fresh perspectives to the classroom.
• Teach more than just language skills: The WSP integrates English with lessons on democratic values, women’s rights, and community building, equipping students with the tools to advocate for change.
• Challenge your adaptability: Teaching in a refugee camp comes with unique obstacles; limited resources, interruptions due to camp regulations, and cultural differences. These challenges will push you to grow as a teacher and a global citizen.
• Be part of a bigger mission: Your work will contribute to WEAVE’s broader goal of empowering women and advocating for democracy and human rights along the Thailand-Burma border.

Why TEFL Volunteers Are Crucial

English is more than a language for Karenni refugees—it’s a gateway to the world, empowering them to connect globally, share their stories, and drive change in Burma.

Many of WEAVE’s students aim to lead their communities or advance Burma’s pro-democracy movement, using their ELT skills to help drive progress and hope.

Learning English is transformative for refugees, and as a TEFL UK graduate, you, too, can empower them through conversation classes, exam preparation, or even just general-ELT.

How to Get Involved

Ready to make a difference? Learn more about WEAVE and how you can volunteer by visiting their website or reaching out to past volunteers for insights. Your TEFL journey could take you to the jungle, where your teaching skills will create a real and lasting impact.

For more details, contact Mitos Urgel, WEAVE’s director, at [email protected]. Pack your bags, embrace the adventure, and start your journey with WEAVE!

William Grice, the writer, is a postgraduate with an MEd in TESOL who enjoys teaching refugees in his spare time.