What we do · English schools

Free English classes, from the north to the south of Laos

Since 2019, NK Seeds has been opening free English schools run by Lao teachers. Four schools now welcome children and young people after class.

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4

Free English schools

2019

The first school opens

200+

Students every year

€0

Paid by students

Our story

It all started with Sabou

In Nong Khiaw, Sabou, a teacher from the village, was giving free English classes to disadvantaged children. With Mélissa, he created free evening classes in 2019: that was the birth of the first NK Seeds school. In 2022, Lia Thor, a former teacher at the school, went back to his village of Muang Xon to open My Dream English School there with his wife Xisidapeth. Then, at the request of state schools, two more opened in the south: Phou Jo, on the island of Don Khong, in September 2024, and Double Horizon, on the island of Don Daeng, in 2025. All the programs are approved by the Ministry of Education.

Four schools

Our schools

Ma Led Phan Library — Nong Khiaw

An educational, cultural and welcoming space opened in Nong Khiaw, about four hours north of Luang Prabang, for the children and young people of the village. Monday to Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.: English classes matched to ages and levels, conversation with international volunteers, reading clubs, educational games, debates and creative activities. A place to read, learn, talk and gain confidence.

Opened

2019

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My Dream English School — Muang Xon

A free English school in Muang Xon (Houaphan province), opened in October 2022 and announced publicly on January 28, 2024 with Enfants du Mékong. Four classes from Monday to Friday, 4 to 6 p.m.: pre-beginners aged 7 to 10, beginners aged 9 to 12, beginners aged 11 to 14, and intermediates aged 13 to 17. Run locally by Lia Tor and Xisidapeth Ly.

Opened

2022

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Phou Jo English School — Muang Khong

A free English school on the island of Khong (Si Phan Don, Champassak province), hosted in the buildings of the Muang Saen secondary school. It opened on September 17, 2024 in partnership with Josef and Vanthika, a retired French-Lao couple. Two classes, five afternoons a week from 3:45 to 5:30 p.m., taught by the Lao teacher Davanh assisted by international volunteers. Lessons are prepared in the morning at the Mekong House, with a daily meeting with the teacher at 12:30 p.m. An hour of English is also offered to the hotel staff in the evening. The school closes in June, July and August.

Opened

2024

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Double Horizon English School — Don Daeng

A free English school on the island of Don Daeng (Champassak province), opened on October 14, 2025 with the association Double Horizon. Two classes, five afternoons a week from 3:45 to 5:30 p.m., taught by two Lao teachers assisted by international volunteers. Preparation time is shared with the teachers at 10 a.m.; Friday afternoon is given over to games rather than classes.

Opened

2025

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On the map

From north to south

Two schools in the north, two in the south: hundreds of kilometers apart, brought together by the same project.

Approximate locations.

Why English schools

Why English?

In Laos, poverty, the remoteness of some villages and the lack of teaching resources make schooling harder. The children of the poorest families also have fewer chances to take extra language classes. Our schools offer free English classes after school, run by Lao teachers with the help of volunteers. They let children and young people learn, practice and gain confidence, at no cost to their families. English can then open doors in study and work, particularly in tourism. Lay, a former NK Seeds student, became an English-speaking tour guide in Muang Ngoy.

Teach with us

A native or fluent English speaker? Join our Lao teachers for a few weeks in one of our schools.

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