Few countries are as popular as Thailand these days for international teachers. The Land of Smiles has just about something for everybody to enjoy. With wonderful beaches in the South to cultural Hubs in the north, it’s a very diverse country and a amazing place to live as a TEFL teacher.
Best Teach Abroad Programs in Thailand
Teach English in Hua Hin
1-12 months from £1,895
Reasons to Teach in Thailand
If you are interested in the idea of teaching in Asia, here are some of the benefits of applying in Thailand:
The satisfaction of helping others
An opportunity to broaden your perspective and worldview
An economical way to live and travel abroad
An opportunity to participate in and learn local cultural activities (e.g.: language, music, cooking)
Memorable travel experiences with the chance to see exotic sites you have always dreamed about
The ability to make lifelong friends from around the globe
A valuable work experience that strengthens your resume
A great way to develop and support your self-confidence and interpersonal skills
How to Teach in Thailand
Thailand’s education system recognizes the need to improve its English language skills, thus hiring foreign teachers. Although local salaries do not seem like much when converted to Western currency, teaching positions are some of the most profitable ways to live and travel in this beautiful area. Classroom experience and foreign language knowledge are helpful, but not required.
Teachers are highly respected in the Thai culture, so your working and living conditions are quite comfortable. Expect to teach an average of 20-25 hours a week, with extra time needed to create lesson plans, attend faculty meeting, and extra-curricular activities. Students’ age range from elementary to professionals, with varied levels of English skills.
Popular Places to Teach
Teach in Bangkok
Bangkok is a steamy, gritty and charming capital city with plenty to offer. The Grand Palace near the infamous Khao San Road is a must see attraction. Taking a water taxi around Bangkok is another highly recommended activity. Night life is plentiful as this is a true 24 hours city.
Teach in Chiang Mai
Heading to the north to visit Chiang Mai is a must. As the cultural HUB of Thailand, it offers a more relaxing pace of life than Bangkok and has more to offer culturally. Chiang Mai is a popular base for digital nomads and is also very attractive for English teachers.
Teach in Islands
Heading to the south is a must for beach bums. Phuket is the most popular area, although it is very touristy. Many go to Ko Phi Phi as a day trip.
Teaching Jobs in Thailand
The demand for teachers in Thailand is very high. While Bangkok absorbs an enormous number of English teachers, both trained and untrained, there is also demand in the other cities such as Hat Yai and Songkhla in the south, and Chiang Mai in the north, where there is less competition for work.
With the exception of the IB International schools, not much teacher recruitment takes place outside Thailand. Even Thai universities and teachers’ colleges, as well as private business colleges, all of which have EFL departments, depend on finding native-speaking teachers locally.
The main types of teaching are:
• Private & Public Universities: General English, EAP, ESP, TOEIC, TOEFL, IELTS, GMAT
• State Primary & Secondary Schools: General English, English for Younger Learners
• Teachers’ Colleges: General English, EAP, ESP, IELTS, TOEFL
• International Private Secondary Schools: General English, English for Younger Learners
• Summer Camps: General English, English for Younger Learners
• Private Language Institutes: General English, Business English, IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, English for Younger Learners
The market is busy year round, but slows after New Year and during the hottest part of the year. For those working at government schools, loss of work during school holidays can be offset by picking up summer and winter camps and jobs at language schools.
The busiest season for private language schools is mid-March to mid-May during the school holidays, when many secondary school and university students take extra tuition in English. This coincides with the hot season. The next best time to look for work in private schools is October. The worst time is January and February.
Salaries range from 20,000 – 40,000 baht per month. A new teacher on a full-time contract with a language school or government school can expect to earn around 30,000 Baht in Bangkok. Country positions generally pay less. Local International schools, which have only Thai students, pay more 45,000 – 75,000, but usually considerable experience, and a proper teaching qualification are required.
Tax is deducted at 3-10%, depending on the amount earned and whether the teacher has a work permit or not. Contracts range from 6 to 12 months.
Many TEFL teachers in Thailand teach on a casual basis, without formal contracts. The basic hourly rate in Bangkok is about 250-300 baht (around US$6), with a few schools paying less and some promising considerably more, especially if travel to outside locations is required. Rates outside Bangkok are lower.
To qualify for a work permit, teachers are required to be native English speakers with a TEFL qualification, a university degree and an offer of employment.
The vast majority of EFL teachers in Thailand do not have a work visa, and this seems to cause no serious problems. At present, foreigners mostly teach on a tourist visa or (preferably) a non-immigrant visa. So far a crackdown, threatened by the authorities, has not happened.
Universities and established language schools may be willing to apply for a work permit on behalf of teachers who have proved themselves successful in the classroom and who are willing to sign a 1-year contract. However, most teachers simply cross the border into Malaysia every three months where a new visa can quickly and easily be obtained from the Thai consulate.
First impressions are important throughout Asia. Dress smartly for interviews. A professional-looking resume and references help. University graduates (ajarn) are highly respected in Thailand and are expected to look respectable.
At your interview, be prepared to undergo a grammar test. As usual, it may be necessary to start with part-time and occasional work with several employers, aiming to build up 20-30 hours in the same area to minimize traveling in the appalling traffic conditions of Bangkok (smog masks are cheap and a wise investment).
Working as a self-employed private tutor pays better than working for a commercial school, but tutoring jobs are hard to set up until you have been settled in one place for a while and found out how to tap into the local elite community. Placing an ad for private pupils in English language papers often works. Possible venues for would-be teachers include hotels where a native speaker is needed to organize conversation classes for staff.
In short, anyone who is determined to teach in Thailand and prepared to go there to look for work is virtually guaranteed to find opportunities. Finding language schools to approach is not a problem.
FAQ
Monthly Salary
Varies depending on the position/employer, but generally: 18,000 to 40,000 THB = 630 to 1,300 USD ($1 = 32 THB). There is also the opportunity to tutor privately or earn overtime – typically at a rate of 300 to 700 Baht per hour. The ability to save in Thailand is not as good as in countries such as Korea or Japan but relative to locals you will be earning a generous salary.
Working Conditions
Working conditions in Thailand vary widely. A typical teaching contract usually includes health insurance. Teaching hours range from part-time to full-time but typically are between 18-24 hours per week. Most teaching contracts are for one year but shorter contracts are available. Paid holidays are generally included in all contracts. Airfare is rarely included. Accommodation is also rarely included but renting your own place isn’t expensive outside of Bangkok.
Best Time to Get Hired
The hiring season is at its peak during May and October.
Visa and Educational Requirements
The absolute minimum requirements to teach in Thailand are a two year college diploma in tandem with a TESOL/TESL/TEFL certificate. The employer is responsible for your working Visa. Although some schools will accept a two year college diploma, one can find better employment with a Bachelors Degree.
Do You Need a Degree to Teach in Thailand?
Degree or no degree that is the question. There’s a LOT of confusion around this issue! Officially, you need a BA or BSc Degree to obtain a teaching permit in order to teach legally in Thailand. However, there are a few exceptions to this requirement. Here are the 3 main exceptions:
1. If you do not have a BA Degree, your employer can apply for a provisional teaching permit, which lasts for two years. The rules for this permit are confusing and we got different answers from a number of officials we contacted. This is actually very common in Thailand!
2. Your school or employer has a good relationship with the Department of Labour and the Ministry of Education. If they can demonstrate that you are a suitable candidate for the position and they desperately need an English teacher, then a teachers license and work permit will be issued.
3. There are countless private and corporate opportunities to teach English where a BA degree is NOT a legal requirement. In this case you may be employed as a ‘consultant’ and not as a ‘teacher.
Virtually all TEFL graduates are being issued with a teachers license & work permit whether they have a Bachelor’s degree or not! This is Thailand after all and there are contradictions and exceptions to every rule! Remember, if you visit schools in person, present yourself properly, and can demonstrate enthusiasm for teaching, you WILL be offered teaching work, with or without a BA degree, especially in late April and October, when the new school terms begin.
Thailand TEFL Testimonials
‘I’m teaching at Oonrak as the Kindergarten 2 teacher. I love my job and obviously the location as I am on Koh Samui.’ – Alison
‘I am currently teaching at Anuban Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya School. I enjoy it, I am teaching English to both English program and Thai Program students. I follow a student book and teachers guide for the English program students (I don’t really have a choice until I finish the book) as for the Thai program I can do what I want with them’. – Alexander
‘I started a job as a nursery teacher yesterday for students 3-4 years old in Koh Phangan. It’s a great little nursery, small classes, 1 teacher per 4 students. Really enjoying it, first couple days have been so much better than I expected to be honest, and I have realised that I have more of a passion for it than I thought, so happy!’ – Serafina
“Teaching in Thailand is like living the dream. The sun shines every day, your job is to teach wonderful children your language and you have a fantastic country to explore. The children have given me some amazing memories and I feel very lucky to have travelled to beautiful places around Thailand” – Reena
