The following article is full of useful information to help you know what to wear for teaching jobs in Thailand.
Please note that some employers may consider some of these items as too casual. E.g. Polo shirts may/may not be allowed and some schools may insist you tuck your shirt in.
Starting a New Teaching Job
When you start a new job, wear smart clothes for the first week. You can then ask about the dress code, or observe what other teachers wear.
Some schools require different clothes on different days of the week. E.g. Monday Uniform, formal wear Tuesday, Scout/ Guide uniform Thursday and Sportswear Friday – All quite common in Government Schools.
Suit and Tie are required by some schools, and although it’s your choice during an interview, we recommend you wear it. Most high-end Private Schools and International Schools will insist that male teachers must wear a tie. Bring a tie and get used to wearing one it can be the difference in impressing your employer and or gaining new students!
Suit jackets are not essential, even the Thais appreciate how hot it is. However, if you can bear the heat and you feel comfortable in a suit jacket it will be looked upon favourably.
Clothing Tips
Casual attire first week of training – NB Thailand is HOT! Make sure you are comfortable. Flip flops are fine to wear during the first week.
Smart clothing for second week of training practices (as well as interviews & actual teaching).
Sports clothes if you have them, including trainers/sneakers, for the schools’ sports activity afternoon.
Other useful information for women: Please be advised, full piece swimming costumes & comfortable sport bra’s are difficult to find and generally quite expensive in Thailand. The only place you will be able to find them are in proper sport shops. It is best to buy from your home country and pack them in your suitcase.
Other useful information for Men & Women – it can be difficult to find comfortable shoes if you have big feet! The Thai’s are generally a lot smaller than the average westerner. You can find big shoes, but the selection is not great!
Interviews
What to wear to an interview/ teaching:
Upon completion of a TEFL Course, you will need to approach schools in person and complete interviews to secure a job.
An interview in Thailand is the same as a formal interview anywhere else in the world. You need to be suited and booted – collared shirts, properly fitted trousers, looking well presented and smelling nice!
Vest tops, flip flops, see-through blouses and board shorts are not acceptable in the Western World, and they certainly aren’t appreciated in Thailand!
A formal interview is a formal interview, and should be taken seriously as it would anywhere else in the world!
What You Should and Should Not Wear
Please see examples below of what you should and should NOT wear to an interview or classroom!
Men
Closed Toe Shoes, Smart Fitted Trousers (NO SHORTS!), Tie, Collared Fitted Shirt. It is hot, so a suit jacket is not essential. Make sure your socks are not showing and your shirt is not too tight/ too loose! Clothing needs to be well fitted, look well groomed and presentable. Make sure shoes are cleaned/ polished.
Do’s
Trousers:
Smart Trousers
khaki/chino type trousers.
*North Americans, please note that ‘pants’ are a form of underwear in British English!
Shirts:
long or short sleeved collared shirts.
Polo Shirts – Plain with a small logo (No logo if possible)
*Short sleeve shirts don’t have to be tucked in. Collared shirts are always useful to have and preferred for interview purposes.
*Polo shirts are best to use once already teaching & finding out if it’s acceptable by your employer / school.
Shoes:
Smart suit shoes – black/ brown (or any other neutral color)
Closed-toe.
Clean/ Polished
Dont’s
Definite No NO!! Multi-coloured shirt, baggy trousers and funky shoes. Belongs more in the jungle!!
Trousers:
Cargo trousers, with big pockets – these are considered casual wear.
Jeans
Shorts
Coarse linen trousers
Fisherman’s trousers (Thai casual wear)
Shirts:
Highly patterned shirts
T shirts
Vest tops/ “wife-beaters”
Patterned or stripy polo shirts are considered casual wear.
Shoes:
Sandals
Flip-flops
Trainers
Sports Activities:
Shorts – mid-thigh length or below.
Trousers – Just be aware that it will be hot!
T shirts – or Polo shirts
Trainers – or Sports sandals
Men and Women
On days where you have sports activities in the afternoon, please dress formally in the morning and change into sportswear at lunch time. High-cut runner’s shorts and vests / singlets are recommended.
Women
Closed-toe shoes, knee-length skirts, some schools will accept smart trousers (No Shorts or three-quarter length pants!), well-fitted blouse (not too tight/ loose) and not see-through! Keep make-up simple and make sure you are well presented. Hair should be well groomed and clothing should be conservative. Short skirts and cleavage are a no-no in schools!!! It is also Thai tradition/ custom to NOT show/ expose shoulders in a working environment.
Do’s
Skirts
Knee length or below – just above the knee is fine
Neutral Color – black, blue, navy, white, cream etc (keep it simple)
Formal dresses
knee length or below, just above the knee is fine.
No revealing neck line (No Cleavage!!! – students don’t need distractions)
Cover sholders
Well fitted – not too tight or too loose.
Full length trousers
Well fitted – not too short / too long / too baggy or loose
Keep neutral colours – no floral/ funky patterns.
No hippie tousers – trousers should be suit made/ smart!!!
*North Americans, please note that ‘pants’ are a form of underwear in British English!
Blouses
Short / Long sleeved – sleeves must cover at least half of your upper arm (No revealing sholders)
Well fitted – not too loose/ too tight.
Neutral colour
Polo shirts – Plain with a small logo only.
Shoes
Closed-toe shoes and smart sandals
Pumps/ low heeled shoes
*Shoes should be comfortable and practical – Need to be able to stand for long periods of time, & move around quickly and easily.
Keep it Professional, Comfortable & Practical
Please be advised – Teachers in Thailand are conservative! No short skirts or cleavage! It will not go unnoticed and will not be appreciated. Some schools prefer female teachers to wear skirts rather than trousers.
Dont’s
Skirts
Mini/ very short skirts
Transparent Skirts
Very long/ trailing skirts either you or students could trip on
Very tight skirts you stuggle to move around in
Formal Dresses
Summer dresses made from very fine or see through fabric.
Anything with a low-cut neck-line.
Full Length Trousers
Trousers cut above the ankle – these are considered casual wear
Jeans
Shorts
Coarse linen trousers
Fisherman’s trousers (Thai casual wear)
Blouses
Highly patterned blouses
Blouses made from very fine or see through fabric.
Anything with a low-cut neck-line.
Vest tops
Patterned or stripy polo shirts are considered casual wear.
Shoes
Sports sandals
Flip-flops
Trainers
Stilettos
Hair & Makeup
Hair can be worn up or down, but be aware that it can be quite hot so you may want to put it up. Some employers may ask you to always wear your hair up!
Keep make-up simple. Don’t cake it on! Bear in mind its very hot and you do not want to sweat it all off onto your work shirt!
Mascara:
simple/ light eye shadow
light base/ foundation
Hair tied up / loose
lipstick / lipgloss
Do not wear/use:
Heavy makeup & foundation
Makeup from previous night out!
Hair not brushed / messy
Tattoos & Piercings
Please cover any tattoos that you may have during an interview and teaching practices. Remove any visible facial piercings i.e. nose, eye-brow & tongue, for interviews. Your employer may not allow you to use these during teaching hours Larger ‘ethnic’ style piercings aren’t considered suitable for teachers. They should be temporarily removed.
Other Objects, Material, Resources & Documents You May Need
Here is a simple list of things we recommend you bring for teaching in Thailand:
• A laptop if you have one (not essential) for your lesson planning and research. Also good for connecting online to speak to relatives/ friends back home.
• Flashcards and teaching materials are a bonus if you have spare room in your bag. (Online information is as good as a grammar book so don’t carry heavy items)
• A copy of your CV/ Resume and online course work on USB / email.
• Degree certificate and transcripts, as well as any relevant educational certificates, if you have them.
• Documents – any medical/ travel insurance papers, vaccination records book, drivers licence, passport and any other documents you may need or use during your travels/ long term stay in Thailand.
Working in Thailand is an amazing experience and really is something you should do if you like the idea of teaching abroad.