Your Guide to Teaching English in Thailand

Find out how to become an English teacher here in Thailand, the requirements, and everything about getting started in this post. 

What to Expect as a TEFL Teacher in Thailand?

Thailand is a popular tourist destination, but it is also one of the best destinations for people who want to work here. With a massive demand for English teachers, the opportunity to find a good-paying English teaching job is high. In addition, you can opt to teach in different educational institutes, including schools and colleges. Plus, the people here are more than friendly. 

Your Teaching Experience 

Someone with a gold proficiency in English is the most suitable to become an English language teacher. In Thailand, you will find prestigious English programs and international schools, as well as rural government schools. All the international schools generally follow the same school calendar of the country they represent; rural schools have a different school calendar. They work from May to October and again from November to March. 

And like any other country, you will find students eager to learn and can pick things up faster than those who will find the language difficult, but any non-native English-speaking country will relate to this. So, it will be up to you as their teacher to keep them engaged, encourage them to learn, and help them become better in written and spoken English. 

In most schools, the teacher will be expected to develop tests since there are no standardized tests. In the case of a foreign national English teacher, a co-teacher will work with you and help you teach the language. The co-teacher will be of Thai national, who will help you in multiple ways. The primary role of the co-teacher is to ensure that everyone is on the same page and students can understand you. 

Salary of a TEFL Teacher in Thailand

The salary for an English teacher in Thailand will vary depending on the school, location, and experience. For example, if you are a new English teacher, you can expect to earn 30,000 Baht. However, as you start gaining experience, you can expect to earn more. 

Your salary will depend on many factors. The type of school will also be a deciding factor for the salary. For example, if you are a TEFL English teacher, you can expect to earn the following:

International Schools: 40,000-70,000 Baht/month 

Government Schools: 25,000-40,000 Baht/month 

Private Tuition: 300 to 600 Baht per hour. 

The salary of international schools is by far the highest. Also, the more experienced you are, the better your salary will be. Some colleges and international schools may even pay you between 70,000-120,000 Bhat/per month.

Benefits of English teaching in Thailand 

• People who work as English teachers in Thailand typically receive health insurance. The health insurance is provided by the school. The primary coverage will be provided, and the amount for that will be usually deducted from your salary. 
• Housing allowance may also be offered to the English teacher. It is primarily the international schools, where you may be provided with a housing allowance, and in some cases, you may also get free accommodation. But it will depend on the school that you are applying to as a teacher. Government schools don’t usually provide a house allowance. 
• You can expect a free meal; however, some schools may not provide you with that. But you don’t need to worry about it; you can grab a delicious meal at an affordable price. 
• The law has made it mandatory for every employer to grant sick leaves to their employees. Now, how many sick leaves one will receive will depend on the employer you join as an English teacher, but on average, many schools give ten days of sick leave. 
• Women employees will receive a mandatory paid 45 days maternity leave; however, the total leave days a woman can apply for is 90 days. 
• The school may also give you a bonus for your good performance. Some schools may also give you a bonus when you agree to continue your service. 

Requirements for Teaching English in Thailand

If you have good proficiency in the English language, you will be preferred for the teaching role in Thailand. 

Degree 

Having a bachelor’s degree is recommended because most international schools ask for it these days. Also, a bachelor’s degree showcases that you are eligible to do a job. However, some teaching jobs may not ask for that. But the recommendation is to have a bachelor’s degree at least. Your bachelor’s subject is irrelevant as long as you are proficient in English. 

TEFL Certificate

TEFL is not a legal requirement but is mandatory for many employers. Even if you know English and are proficient in it, the employer doesn’t know how well you can teach English to students. This is the reason why they ask for TEFL certification.

Visa 

Those who have a teaching job lined up in the country will have to apply for a non-immigrant B visa by visiting the Thai embassy in their respective country. Typically, your employer should provide you with the required letter needed to get the visa; if not, speak to your potential employer. 

Some people may get a tourist visa and visit Thailand first, then apply for TEFL here in the country. But the proper way of applying for TEFL after reaching Thailand is to get a Non-Immigrant Education visa. 

If you already have the TEFL certification and are looking for an English teaching job in Thailand, you will first have to get a work permit. But if you find a job and you have TEFL, you can apply for a non-immigrant B visa. 

If you have a job lined up, typically, the employer applies for the job permit on your behalf. But you need to make these things clear with your employer. 

Please note that a non-immigrant B visa will be valid for 90 days from the date of your entry into the country. This visa is mandatory because, based on that, your employer will apply for the permit. 

Teacher License

Apart from TEFL, some schools or the place where you will teach English may also ask for a teaching license. This license is called a TCT. Whether the employer will ask for it depends on their requirements and the duration of your teaching period. 

Different types of Teaching Jobs in Thailand

There are different kinds of teaching jobs available for TEFL teachers. Take a look at the following:

International Schools 

If you want to get paid well, international schools will be the right place for you. However, since these schools pay you well, they have stricter rules as well. The regulations and requirements for teachers will be different than others, and the requirements are often rigid. The standard requirements in most international schools are a degree, relevant job experience, and TEFL. 

Government Schools 

Government schools in Thailand often looking for English teachers. They will ask for a TEFL certificate and a degree. Typically,  you teach from Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4 pm. 

Private Tutoring 

The private tutoring option is suitable for those who want to earn additional income. As an English foreign teacher, private tutoring will allow you to earn more, and typically, you could be making anywhere between 300-600 Baht per hour. However, if you are in a rural area, your income will be lower than teaching in big cities, such as Chiang Mai and Bangkok. 

Best Places to Teach English in Thailand 

It’s no doubt that Thailand is an attractive tourist destination. But teaching English in a country and travelling leisurely are two completely different things. Here are our highest-rated locations to teach in Thailand where you can apply for an English teaching job. 

Bangkok

Bangkok is an excellent city for those who want to teach and enjoy the city life of Thailand. There is a host of things that you can do here. It is a bustling city with a galore of cafes and restaurants. Plus, the nightlife is excellent. So, if you like city life, you can pick Bangkok as your destination for an English teaching career. The pay in big cities in Thailand is better. 

Chiang Mai 

Another famous city in Thailand where English teachers often go to is Chiang Mai. It is smaller than Bangkok but popular. Life in Chiang Mai is good because this city offers plenty of forestry and trekking destinations. For people who want to have a healthier lifestyle, Chiang Mai will be a good option. And yes, this city has English-speaking jobs available. 

Phuket 

Phuket is a popular tourist destination, especially for newlyweds. Nightlife is terrific in Phuket, and the white beaches are the perfect place to relax and rest after completing your English classes. Phuket will provide you with both island and city life. Schools in Phuket are constantly on the lookout for English teachers – there is definitely no shortage of English teaching jobs here! 

Rural Areas

Apart from all the glittering cities, you will also find good English teaching jobs in the rural areas. Rural areas will be completely different from urban cities, but they will give you peace of mind. Since these are rural areas, the demand for English teachers is always high. You can go to the Northeast part of the country, Isaan, where job opportunities are higher. 

Best TEFL Courses to Teach in Thailand 

There are different TEFL courses available to qualify you to teach in Thailand. We recommend you read through the options below and decide which one suits you best: 

#1: 120 Hours Advanced TEFL Course International Standard

The first course that you can opt for is the 120 hours of Advanced TEFL Course International Standard. This is a fast-track course that will help you learn everything about TEFL. You can complete the course in 4-6 weeks by simply opting for this online course. This course is designed based on the international standard required by employers from all across the world. 

The course includes 10 modules and covers the primary areas of teaching English as a foreign language. The 120 hours of Advanced TEFL Course is suitable for both near-native and native English speakers, someone who wants to work in another country, is interested in teaching English as a foreign language, and if the candidate is 17 years or over. 

Key features

• 120 hours accredited online training. 
• Ten comprehensive modules covering a wide range of topics. 
• 24×7 access to the student platform. 
• Lifetime certification to find TEFL jobs. 
• The coursebook is available for download. 
• Letter of reference from TEFL. 
• Internationally recognized certificate. 

#2: 180 Hour Government Regulated Level 5 TEFL Course

The next TEFL course one can opt for is 180 hours Government Regulated Level 5 TEFL course. This is a Level 5 TEFL course and will help you get better paying job positions not just in Thailand but globally. This certification covers you to teach online and is suitable for all types of learners.  

This course is recognized worldwide and highly regarded by employers. The best part about this 180 hours Government Regulated Level 5 TEFL course is that it is rated the same level as a CELTA qualification. With this certification, you can expect to earn a competitive salary. Once you attain the certification, you can train students online or offline. The learning module and course material are extensive. 

Key Features 

• Get a lifetime TEFL certification. 
• Coursebook can be downloaded. 
• Letter of reference from TEFL. 
• Internationally recognized certificate. 
• Regulated by Ofqual.
• Employer certificate verification. 

#3: Thailand Training Program and Job Placement

The Thailand Training Program with job placement assurance is a comprehensive course. The course duration is 12 months, and the location is in Thailand. The course opens the door to teaching the English language as a foreign language in Thailand. 

The candidate must have a passport of the USA, Canada, Ireland, Australia, South Africa, or New Zealand. Must be fluent in English and has scored 7.5+ in IELTS or 900+ in TOEIC. The candidate should also have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline and should be willing to sign a 12-month contract. The candidate’s age should be 22-60 years. 

Key Features

• 3-4 days of orientation program upon arriving in Thailand. 
• 1-year contract in a Thai school. 
• The expected salary is 33,000 to 35,000 Thai baht per month. 
• 24×7 support from English-speaking partners. 
• Basic accident assurance. 
• The partners will handle work permit and visa extension paperwork. 

Sum Up 

We hope this guide will help you start your career as an English language teacher. We encourage getting a TEFL certification and applying for a post in Thailand. Thailand can be described as a paradise with well-balanced city life and greenery. 

We wish you luck!