Teach English in Thailand

Details

Summary

Demand for teachers is very high, but a recent change of rules means that you need a university degree to teach here, so competition for places is lower than in the past.

Main TEFL regions

Bangkok, Chiang Mai and to a lesser extent Hat Yai, Songkhla and other provinces.

Types of teaching

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

Accommodation

Little help is given by employers, but it isn’t really necessary as there’s an abundance of apartments. In Bangkok, expect to pay no more than US$250 a month for decent, air-conditioned accommodation. Rents are much lower outside of Bangkok.

Flight reimbursement

Most employers will pay for your flights or pay you a bonus at the end of a long contract, although this practice can vary

Salary

20,000 - 55,000 baht (about US$600-1,600) per month Pay is commensurate with a teacher's qualifications and experience.

Taxes

20,000 - 55,000 baht (about US$600-1,600) per month Pay is commensurate with a teacher's qualifications and experience.

Cost of living

Thailand is a very inexpensive place to live, with cheap food, drink and travel. Expect to pay out US$300-450 per month including accommodation, depending on your lifestyle.

Potential to save money

Although wages are relatively low, so is the cost of living. If you earn a good salary, eat the delicious street food and don’t constantly sample the exciting nightlife, you could save more than half your wages

How much TEFL training is recommended?

The minimum expectation now is a university degree, but having a TEFL certificate and good experience will boost your earning potential.

Common teaching conditions

The norm is to work between 25 and 40 hours a week and you may have to work some weekends. A positive attitude is a must, as Thais value a ’jai yen’ (cool heart) and respond better to a teacher with a sense of fun.

Be aware…

Be careful to never touch one of your students on the head - a sacred part of the body to Thai people. Bangkok is can be noisy and polluted, so prepare yourself for a sensory overload before you arrive.