What Will I Do as a Teacher in Thailand?

You’ll be in a supportive environment – Thai schools are fantastic, warm, and friendly places to be. From the moment you greet the smiling security guards on your way in, to to the moment you say goodbye at the end of the day, you’ll be surrounded by people who will make you smile. Your fellow foreign teachers are there for you to natter away with, and your Thai colleagues will be by your side with a joke or some valuable advise and tips to help improve your teaching.

You’ll lead classes – but fear not, you will be supported by your Thai co-teacher. In full transparency, some are more useful than others. But if you have an open conversation with them and outline what you need from each other, all is usually well and they can be a real asset to you.

You won’t struggle with classroom management – there may be a some challenging students in a few classes, but as you develop your teaching skills and create connections with the students, problems tend to fade away. On the whole, Thai students are very well behaved and work hard. It’s not truthful to say they are all like this, but the ones that are less interested in learning can be the most memorable and fun. Simply making the slightest bit of progress and having them enjoy your classes, walking out with a smile, is a great reward.

You’ll start in April or October – due to a vastly different climate and seasons than in cooler countries like the UK, China, and the USA, Thailand follows different term dates. Make sure to get your application in a few months before April or October to ensure you can start at the beginning of your preferred term.

You’ll enjoy Thai holidays – there’s so much to explore in Thailand and Southeast Asia. And luckily for you, there are plenty of holidays to fill with adventures. Whether it’s a trip up to the mountains or Bangkok during a long weekend, or a journey through Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos during the long break, you can with the ample time off school.

You’ll plan lessons, give feedback, and test students – although you’ll have plenty of time to let your hair down during the holidays, you must stay professional and work hard during term time. This includes planning lessons, which are sometimes but not always checked by your co-teachers. Testing students and giving feedback are also essential parts of your role, but don’t worry, you’ll be given plenty of instructions and support in how to do so.

You’ll create great connections with your students – the amazing trips, delicious food, and stunning weather are all parts of what makes Thailand so appealing. But it’s the strong relationships you’ll create with your funny, cheeky, and just fantastic students that will last longer than any other memory. You’ll make a real impact on their lives, and they will on yours. This is the best thing about being a teacher in Thailand.

Requirements

There aren’t many downsides to choosing Thailand as the place where you start your teaching adventure, and we want to make it happen for you. But there are a few requirements that are important to consider first. We are bound by what the Thai government needs to make sure everything is done correctly and legally, this is a priority for us. We always strive to be transparent and honest, because after all of our years helping people become teachers across the world, this has lead only to success and satisfaction.

But before the requirements, it’s important to also consider what type of traits a teacher in Thailand needs. We’re sure you already have them if you’re reading this, but let us tell you anyway. It’s key that you are professional, hard working, and respectful. There’s plenty of time to let your hair down during the weekends and during school holidays, but it’s important to put in 110% when you’re working. Being positive and resilient is also very useful, although the majority of your time will be magical, things can occasionally get tough. And of course, Thailand is the Land of Smiles, so smiling is usually a good idea.

Requirements:

• Hold a passport from the UK, US, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, or an EU country
• Have a university degree (any subject is ok – and final year students can apply)
• Hold a clean background check
• Have completed a TEFL before arriving in China (we can help you get one)

You don’t need any teaching experience or knowledge of the Thai language.

Cost of Living and Lifestyle

Take our word when we say this, Thailand is cheap, at least compared to the UK and other western countries. But it’s important to remember that we are in a very fortunate position, because although the salary of a foreign teacher in Thailand may seem low to you, it’s significantly more than most locals make. So we think it’s only right to remain respectful and grateful. But let us tell you how much you can expect to be spending and how it will affect your salary.

Below are some examples of how much different things cost, using the help of our teachers in the country:

• Half the monthly cost of a 3/4 bedroom house with garden – £75-150
• Half the monthly bills for your accommodation – £20
• A bowl of delicious noodles – £1.50
• Dinner for two at an expensive restaurant – £18
• One big bottle of local beer – £1.50
• Unlimited monthly public transport – £15

On the upper end of the cost for accomodation, you can expect to live somewhere fit for a king or queen. Do not be deterred by the seemingly lower salary in Thailand compared to the other countries we offer, because it truly is a magical place and you can not only save money for travelling, but also a bit extra too.