Updated for 2025
Learn first-hand the spiritual beliefs, traditions, and practices of Buddhism when you volunteer to teach English to young children and monks in Asia.
Travel to beautiful Laos through IVHQ’s volunteer abroad program and learn about Buddhist practices while engaging in important cultural exchange – or visit mystical Nepal with GoEco and join other adventurous pilgrims at ancient temples with breathtaking views of the Himalayas, including majestic Mount Everest. Choose Chiang Mai, Thailand’s (Volunteering Solution) “Rose of the North” a land that’s rich in cultural diversity, tranquil villages, and other natural wonders. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang, an ancient and charming city in Laos: it’s the best example of traditional architecture in the country, with 34 preserved Buddhist temples set against a backdrop of lush green mountains.
When you sign up for an English teaching program in Asia, you’ll do more than sightsee in spectacular countries. You’ll learn about Buddhist philosophy, which monks and novices adhere to in their daily lives.
You’ll also learn that there are many reasons for young boys to be ordained, but the primary one is to acquire an education. Poorer families cannot afford to send their children to school, so they become temporary Buddhist novice monks at temples where their material needs are met. Young boys join a temple as a rite of passage or to alleviate financial stress at home. While they’re at the temples, it’s critical that they receive an education that includes learning to speak and read English.
Buddhism and Its Spiritual Leader, the Dalai Lama
Buddhism originated between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE in India and then spread through much of Asia. It’s the fourth-largest religion with more than 530 million followers worldwide.
There are two major branches of Buddhism. Theravada has the goal of eliminating “kleshas” (destructive attitudes such as ignorance, attachment, and aversion) and attaining Nirvana, which ends the cycle of suffering and rebirth. Theravada is practiced mainly in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia.
Mahayana is found primarily in East Asia, and instead of Nirvana, its followers aspire to Buddhahood via the bodhisattva path, remaining in the cycle of rebirth to help other beings reach awakening. Vajrayana, which the Dalai Lama and his Tibetan followers practice, is a part of Mahayana, and they also aspire to Buddhahood.
By teaching English in Tibet, Nepal, or other monastery locations, you’re helping to fulfill the Dalai Lama’s vision. As the spiritual leader of Tibet, encourages all people – and in particular Buddhist monks – to continue their education and to learn English. His wish is that ancient Buddhist texts and scripture be translated into English for all to read and appreciate.
“One of the main ways of being diligent is to pay particular attention to the pursuit of knowledge. The world is undergoing an enormous transformation today. In order to achieve both internal and external progress appropriate for modern times, having modern education is extremely important, “ he said during a speech in Dharamsala.
The Dalai Lama, who referred to himself as “a simple monk from Tibet” in 1989 when he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on global human rights, was born in Tenzin Gyatso in 1935. Since the age of 2, he has been considered the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, and he lives in Dharamsala, India. He, as well as many other Tibetans, have lived in exile after the 1950 invasion by China.
Buddhism is flourishing, with an estimated 1.5 million followers in the United States. According to the Dalai Lama, this is because of the U.S. education system, one he would like to see replicated for all Buddhists. “I feel that Americans are interested because they are open-minded. They have an education system that teaches them to find out for themselves why things are the way they are. Open-minded people tend to be interested in Buddhism because Buddha urged people to investigate things — he didn’t just command them to believe.”
If you’re interested in learning about Buddhism from its practitioners, and in return teaching them about your culture and language, consider a volunteer opportunity that places you in a class, sharing your knowledge with eager, respectful students. Keep reading to explore the opportunities waiting for you to teach English in Tibet, Nepal, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Laos.
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Join IVHQ in Sri Lanka and make a meaningful impact by teaching English, including to monks in local monasteries. This unique opportunity allows volunteers to immerse themselves in Buddhist culture while helping young monks develop their language skills.
With no prior teaching experience required, you’ll be guided by local staff and follow an informal curriculum, allowing room for creativity in lesson planning. Monks are eager learners, and your presence helps bridge the language gap, opening doors to future opportunities.
When you volunteer to teach English at a monastery near Luang Prabang in Laos, you’ll work with monks of all ages, and who have different levels of English language fluency. Have a positive influence on your students’ futures, and learn more about their culture and religion.
While you do not need the experience to sign up, IVHQ offers an online TEFL course that provides internationally recognized credentials at a discounted fee. Prepare for your travels with this course, plan lessons, and lead with confidence! Read more and apply here.
Since 2006, GoEco has offered affordable volunteer abroad programs and internships in over 40 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Australasia, Central America, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and South America. With more than 150 different wildlife, marine, medical, and teaching programs, GoEco is a great organization to check out if you’re looking for a variety of impactful trips to choose from, from wildlife conservation to teaching English overseas.
GoEco was recently recognized as the Top Volunteer Abroad Organization by GoAbroad, and Top Eco-Enthusiast by Greenmatch, and has been recommended by Buzzfeed, Huffington Post, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, and more. As a volunteer, you will have 24-hour support from the GoEco team, from start to finish.
Have you ever been curious about what it’s like to live in a Buddhist monastery? This program allows volunteers to get a glimpse of life inside a monastery while teaching English and other subjects to monk students aged 8 and above. This is also a great opportunity for those interested in Buddhist culture and religion, as you will get to experience an immersive cultural exchange.
The projects take place in various monasteries located 1 to 3 hours from Kathmandu. You will help teach different subjects such as math and science, with a focus on the English language, to monk students of all ages. The monks are eager to learn about the international world and culture through you, as they spend most of their lives secluded in the monastery. On average, volunteers will spend about 4 hours teaching per day, Monday to Friday. The remaining time can be spent participating in other activities such as gardening, cooking, or exploring the local area through many adventures available. This project requires a minimum of 4 weeks to make the experience more significant.
The cost of the volunteer project includes accommodation and food. You will stay in a shared room inside the monastery, with the option to upgrade to a private room. You will experience local Nepalese food three times a week. On weekends, you are free to explore the stunning scenery of Nepal through sightseeing or trekking. For more information and cost, click here!
Projects Abroad offers a world of unforgettable adventure and impact. With over 30 years of expertise and 130,000+ volunteers, each program is meticulously designed to ensure safety, support, and meaningful change for communities worldwide.
Through these fully supported experiences, participants build global connections, develop valuable skills, and proudly embrace cultural diversity. Projects Abroad transforms lives while making a real difference, inspiring a spirit of responsible travel and lifelong learning.
Immerse yourself in the peaceful rhythms of monastic life while teaching English to young monks in Sri Lanka. This unique opportunity lets you work in a traditional Pirivena (teaching temple), where monks aged 10 to 14 are eager to improve their conversational English.
No prior experience is required — just a passion for education and cultural exchange. Your guidance helps monks build confidence in speaking English, a vital skill for future opportunities. Live with a local host family, explore Sri Lanka’s rich heritage, and make a lasting impact. Learn more and sign up today!
Since 1989, Involvement Volunteers International (IVI) has empowered over 25,000 volunteers to make a meaningful impact worldwide. As a non-profit organization, IVI offers affordable, immersive programs across 20+ countries. Volunteers can choose from diverse projects designed to promote sustainable change.
With a commitment to safety and cultural immersion, IVI ensures volunteers gain enriching experiences while contributing to global communities. Embark on a life-changing journey with IVI and make a lasting difference today!
Teaching English at Buddhist monasteries in Nepal is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in monastic life while making a meaningful impact. Volunteers help monks of all ages develop their English skills, a valuable tool for communication and learning. You’ll engage in one-on-one conversations, lead creative lessons, and exchange cultural insights.
Accommodations range from staying in the monastery itself to nearby guesthouses, offering an authentic experience. With placements in Kathmandu, Pharping, Namobuddha, and Serlo in the Everest region, this program combines cultural immersion with breathtaking surroundings. Ideal for those seeking a deeper understanding of Buddhism while contributing to education.
About the Program: Volunteering Solutions, or VolSol, as it has been nicknamed by its 17,000 volunteers and volunteer alums, has been in the business of connecting passionate volunteers with great international projects since 2006. VolSol was founded by volunteers who wanted to help international volunteers connect to highly specialized, community-based local projects.
VolSol has a full staff of experienced coordinators who assist volunteers before, during, and after placement, providing resources such as international insurance, a connection to a network of passionate global citizens over 10,000 strong, and resources on how to volunteer ethically and mindfully.
If you have two weeks to volunteer, why not check out Volunteering Solutions’ amazing opportunity to teach English to novice Buddhist monks in Chiang Mai? As a volunteer, you’ll work at one of five different monastery schools to teach English to students aged 12 to 18.
A few activities you can take on include working alongside local teachers to conduct lessons, teaching conversational English to students, helping out with other subjects such as computer literacy, and sharing new ideas and views with your students through conversation and activities. You’re also encouraged to take weekend trips throughout Chiang Mai and visit ancient temples, heritage sites, marketplaces, and much more.
Founded in 1997 by Richard Walton, Global Vision International (GVI) is an award-winning organization that provides volunteer and internship opportunities in Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, Latin America, and North America.
GVI has sent more than 25,000 volunteers overseas on programs ranging from construction to animal care, to education, and beyond with 95% of past volunteers stating they would want to travel with them again.
GVI is unique from other volunteer programs in three ways: they operate their own volunteer projects to ensure real, sustainable impact on the ground; they provide 360-degree support before, during, and after your placement; and lastly, their alumni network provides increased access to higher education and career development opportunities. GVI’s differentiators and their emphasis on volunteer safety make the program very appealing to first-time international volunteers and under-18 volunteers. Their projects start from one week and can last up to one year. Projects mix community service with global and cultural awareness to inspire and encourage volunteers to continue learning and serving even after they’ve returned from their trip.
Combine a vacation with volunteering in the cultural city of Siem Reap, Cambodia to make your trip more meaningful and memorable! This program aims to bring education to Buddhist monks and children living in Siem Reap. You will be teaching conversational English to Buddhist monks one hour a day, and then introductory English to children in the community for the rest of the time.
The minimum time requirement for this project is 2 weeks, and this allows you to have more time to immerse in the local culture and community rather than just being a tourist. In your free time, spend time exploring the rich culture of the city, and of course, visit the ancient temples of Angkor Wat. Click here to get started!
A New School of Thought: The Good Heart
It’s an amazing experience to volunteer in Tibet, Nepal, or Thailand and to interact with young novice Buddhist monks, and to realize you’re able to have a positive impact on their education and their lives.
Regardless of where you go, you’ll be enchanted by the people who practice Buddhism and their commitment to a spiritual way of life that encourages everyone to “develop and strengthen the good heart.”
Robin Van Auken ยท Writer
Robin is a researcher, writer, and a registered professional archaeologist, a skillset she uses every day as a cultural communication specialist with Hands-on Heritage. Her projects connect communities with an emphasis on interpretation and education and conserve cultural and environmental legacies.