To teach English in Thailand might be the ultimate in teaching abroad #goals.
Plenty of people daydream about living a life where you can jump straight from work to the beach, spend your weekends’ temple hopping, hunting down the best local food, and exploring tropical islands. But how do you turn the dream of teaching English in Thailand into a reality?
The good news is, it’s easier than you think! There’s a large demand for English teachers in Thailand and opportunities for experienced teachers as well as those just starting out.
Picturing yourself there, tucking into a delicious Pad Thai and ice-cold Chang yet?! You’ll find everything you need to know in our article about teach English in Thailand at The TEFL Org.
Here’s the Complete Guide below.
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Why Teach English in Thailand?
Let’s start with the most basic question: why would you want to teach English in Thailand?
Aside from living in a tropical paradise, teaching English in Thailand has a huge number of benefits. There’s the cheap cost of living and decent wages, which makes things like saving or travelling incredibly easy. Then there are the infamously friendly locals, who will go out of their way to help you feel welcome in your new home. You’ll have the chance to learn a new language, delve into Thai culture and taste delicious Thai cuisine…as well as help your student to become confident English learners.
If all of that’s not enough, working abroad and gaining experience in an international setting is a fantastic way to impress your future employers. You’ll gain invaluable skills like adaptability, resourcefulness, and flexibility, as well as showing you can handle being out of your comfort zone.
What Do I Need to Teach English in Thailand?
Ready to apply? Great! Let’s get started with the requirements:
Do I Need A Degree?
To legally get a job as an English teacher in Thailand, the government states you’ll need a certified four-year degree and a non-immigrant business visa (also known as a non-b visa). Some schools will bend the rules and hire those without degrees on a tourist visa, but it’s worth remembering that you run the risk of paying penalties and ultimately deportation if you get caught!
If you don’t have a degree, don’t give up your Thai dream just yet! It may be possible for you to join a volunteer program in Thailand. Some of these you have to pay for but they generally provide accommodation and other benefits, as well as giving you the fantastic experience and memories that come with teaching abroad.
Do I Need A TEFL Certificate?
While it’s not a legal requirement, most schools in Thailand also ask for a TEFL certification, especially for those who don’t have a background in education. Generally, employers look for a 120-TEFL as a minimum but consider an advanced TEFL course if you really want your CV to stand out from the crowd. Look for an accredited TEFL provider, such as The TEFL, whose courses are recognised by top international schools and employers all over the world.
What If I’m A Non-Native Speaker?
Non-native speaker? Don’t worry, you can still teach English in Thailand! You may need a TOEIC score of 600+ or an IELTS score of 5+ as well as a degree but there are lots of schools that hire non-native speakers. Some experience in education and a TEFL can also really help non-native English speakers to find work in Thailand.
Where Can I Teach English in Thailand?
Now that you have an idea of what you need to teach English in Thailand, you might be wondering where you can teach. This can be divided into two different aspects – what type of learning institution you want to work at and where in the country you would like to be based:
You cannot just teach English in Thailand but also you can enjoy exploring their beautiful country and there are 5 tours you can visit.
Types of English Learning Schools in Thailand
Most teachers in Thailand will end up working in one of the country’s many public or private schools, teaching English to young learners. It is also possible to get a job teaching at a university or at a language school, where you can teach business English to adults.
The Best Places to Teach English in Thailand
While your mind might instantly go to beach paradises like Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui, it’s worth considering the pros and cons of all of Thailand’s teaching destinations!
Tourist hotspots like the islands and coasts are incredibly popular, meaning competition for jobs is higher and wages tend to be lower (as teachers are willing to forgo high salaries for a by-the-beach lifestyle). But if spending your time off island-hopping all day and partying all night is your dream, then this is where you’ll want to be!
Thailand’s hectic capital Bangkok is where the majority of English teaching jobs can be found. The biggest international schools are based in the city, and this is also where the top-paying jobs are located. For some, Bangkok is the ultimate Thai experience – with 24-hour partying, incredible street food and the country’s most popular tourist sights. For those who find the capital a bit too fast-paced, the laidback northern city of Chiang Mai could be the perfect teaching destination.
How Much Can I Make Teaching English in Thailand?
We’ve covered the why, how and where…but what about the how much?! Teaching English in Thailand might not be as lucrative as in some other countries like China, South Korea and Japan, but there’s still great money to be made!
As a rough average, English teachers in Thailand can expect to make between $800-$1500 USD (approx. £580-£1900 GBP) a month, with those working in Bangkok earning more (as the price of living is also higher). If you want to increase your chances of earning a higher salary, a teaching qualification from your home country and a TEFL certification will give you more negotiating power.
Teach English in Thailand: What’s Next?
Excited to start your Teaching English in Thailand adventure?
Once you’ve checked you have all the necessary requirements and you have an idea of where you’d like to work and how much money you want to make, you’re ready to start researching schools and applying for jobs.
So, what are you waiting for?! Kick-off your journey towards living and working in the “Land of Smiles” today!
Photo Credit: Go Overseas
References
- Go Overseas – https://www.gooverseas.com/teach-abroad/thailand
- Nomadic Matt – https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/teaching-english-in-thailand/
- Go Abroad – https://www.goabroad.com/articles/teach-abroad/how-to-teach-english-in-thailand
- TeachAway – https://www.teachaway.com/teach-thailand
- Lonely Planet – https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thailand
- Ajarn – https://www.ajarn.com/ajarn-street/articles/15-reasons-to-teach-english-in-thailand
- TELF Equity Advocates – https://teflequityadvocates.com/2020/02/19/can-a-non-native-speaker-teach-english-in-thailand/
