Sean’s Adventure on our Voluntary Thailand Internship

Tell us something about yourself; what did you do before TEFL, and why did you choose to start teaching TEFL?

Hey everyone, I’m Sean. I am 26 years old and from Lismore in county Waterford, Ireland.  I worked in healthcare in Cork before beginning TEFL. However, I had always wanted to teach. I decided to go into teaching for a longer time in Thailand after doing volunteer work in Vietnam and Kenya. This was the ideal chance with the TEFL Institute after viewing the possibility of doing the voluntary Thailand internship. 

Why did you choose Thailand? Were there other locations you had in mind?

I have a strong interest in Thai culture. I adore the warmth of the Thai people. Furthermore, I wanted to experience why Thailand is renowned as the land of smiles. TEFL teacher in Thailand posing with students

What was the application & interview process like? Any tips for teachers looking to teach in Thailand

The TEFL Institute provided us with the visas and the Thai pass, which made the procedure go more smoothly and quickly. I suggest teachers not stress out too much because everything will work out. I found out that knowing a little bit about the Thai language in Thailand can help!

What TEFL course did you do? How did you find it? Do you feel it prepared for Teaching?

I completed the 120-hour TEFL course. A variety of topics were addressed throughout the TEFL course! While in Thailand, you can always go over your notes once more. It provides a broad overview and gets you ready for the classroom. When studying, you have to take notes on the TEFL modules!

What was something you never expected about Thailand when moving over? Did you experience culture shock?

I didn’t anticipate seeing so many stray dogs! Fortunately, I was able to get involved with Rescue Paws, a local organisation that helps stray animals. We had the opportunity to witness their efforts in action! A Rescue Paws school program was held to help teach the children about animal welfare.

TEFL teacher teaching students in Thailand

Tell us about your school; how many teaching hours did you have? What age were your students? How did you find it?

We were assigned to a public school in the Thailand internship where I volunteered, and there were roughly 1,500 pupils there. They were pretty excited because they had never had native English teachers before. The pupils started becoming enthusiastic whenever we returned to the classes, even though they didn’t anticipate us to stay for a long time (up to three months). The students in my high school class ranged in age from 13 to 17. The first lesson began at 8.30 am, and the last class was at 3 pm on a typical day. There would be three to five 50-minute lessons per day. I initially found it difficult to control the class numbers of up to 42 pupils, but it became second nature to me with practice and routine.

Did you get to see much of Thailand whilst you were there?

Yes! I had time to travel to Bangkok and Phuket because I arrived a week earlier. I visited Chiang Mai and attended the moon festival in Ko Phangan during our extended school vacation in July. There were also gorgeous beaches, national parks, and temples nearby to explore on weekends; I was fortunate because I lived in Hua Hin.

What has been your favourite part of your time in Thailand

I have a lot of favourites, so I need help picking just one. Nevertheless, my choices were talking with the locals, working with the teachers, getting to know new volunteers, and making weekend plans. Even in the city, people began to recognise us as the English teachers at the school because of how pleasant the residents are!

TEFL teacher in Thailand

Did you travel solo? Was it easy to meet other people & make friendships?

I took a week off from my friend’s trip to travel, so I stayed in hostels. They were safe and laid back. Along the way, I ran into a few people preparing for travel. When my friend joined me, we were sent to the same school in Hua Hin with other volunteers and the TESOL groups that our organisation in Thailand hosts. We made so many friendships here.

What are your plans? Would you go back to TEFL teaching?

I intend to travel to Malaysia, Vietnam, Korea, and Japan. I’ll be back in Ireland in September to start my nursing studies. Teaching is not the final thing I do. I’ll return to Thailand to teach there again!

  • Categories

    • In general, you don’t need a degree to teach English abroad or online. Our certification stands alone and you can get employment without pairing it with a degree. However, some TEFL employers do prefer their teachers to have a degree. More importantly, for some countries, it’s a visa requirement. This means you can’t obtain a work permit without a bachelor’s degree or higher. Some of these countries include China, Japan, UAE and Vietnam. 

    Our advice is if you have your sights set on a certain country, look into the visa requirements first before putting time and effort into finding a job there. This will save you time and disappointment. If it’s a school preferability, and not a visa requirement, there’s sometimes some leeway. 

    You do not need any prior teaching degrees or experience to teach abroad. Once you have your TEFL certificate, you can secure work as a TEFL teacher. A BA in Education would enhance your CV, but it’s not a necessity. Completing a TEFL course that includes teaching practice, like our Hybrid TEFL Courses, will also help your CV.

    If you want to experience different cultures and see the world, teaching English abroad is for you. Not only will you get to explore new places, you’ll also meet new people and get the chance to make a difference to the lives of language learners. A TEFL certification lasts a lifetime. So, you can dip in and out of teaching abroad whenever you feel like it. 

    It is not necessary to speak any other languages. You’ll be able to find a job and work comfortably without knowing the language spoken in your chosen country. Of course, it is always an advantage, even if it’s just the basics. We recommend learning a few phrases before you move abroad like hi, thank you, goodbye and sorry.

    You’re never too old to gain new qualifications! Some TEFL employers do have age restrictions, but there are ample opportunities for more mature teachers. There are also the options to teach English from home as a private tutor or online tutor.

    The accredited courses are the quickest way to get TEFL certified, and are accepted by schools and institutes worldwide. Choose from a 120, 180 or 240 hour accredited TEFL course depending on the level of training you require. 



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