TEACH ENGLISH IN THAILAND

About Teaching English in Thailand

To teach English in Thailand, most teachers will need a TEFL certificate and a bachelor's degree. Native English proficiency is also expected when finding a TEFL job in Thailand. The average salary range for an English teacher in Thailand is between about $850 - $1,500 USD per month.

ITA's Thailand Insights

 

• English is a compulsory subject beginning in elementary school.
• Nearly 30% of the country is under the age 30.
• According to the British Council, over 6 million Thais speak English at a conversational level - roughly 10% of the population.
• Despite recent emphasis on English education, Thailand still ranks low in English proficiency.

Known as the "Land of Smiles," Thailand represents one of the fastest-growing job markets for teaching English in Asia. With a TEFL certification and a four-year degree, native English speakers and qualified non-native speakers find jobs to start teaching English primarily in May & November. Most jobs in Thailand will be found in public or private formal schools teaching children or young adults. In larger cities such as Bangkok, it is possible to teach in private language institutes/schools to children, young adults, or adults/business professionals.

 

While most job interviews for teaching English in Thailand are conducted in person, some are completed in advance over the phone or via Zoom. English instructors in Thailand are typically responsible for airfare and housing expenses. Housing is typically very affordable, and many English teachers in Thailand share accommodations with other English teachers. Contracts typically last 5 to 12 months with jobs available to teach business professionals as well as children. English teachers typically teach on a Non-B Immigrant Visa.

Most English teaching jobs in Thailand are found in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket, and Nakhon Si Thammarat, although teaching jobs are plentiful in smaller cities too.

For those looking to get certified onsite in Thailand, International TEFL Academy offers courses in Chiang Mai and Hua Hin. 

How to Teach English in Thailand: Requirements

TEFL Certification Thailand

A TEFL certification is required to teach English in Thailand. You do not need professional teaching experience but earning your TEFL certification will provide you with the training and qualification you do need to get hired.

Because a majority of job interviews are conducted on the ground, in-person, most Americans and Canadians take one of our TEFL course options listed below, including our TEFL course in Thailand, in the city of Chiang Mai.

Read more: What are the basic requirements to teach English in Thailand?

Native English-Speaking Proficiency

Although not required, native-English speakers from the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa are highly preferred, however, qualified non-native English speakers will also be considered for ESL teaching jobs in Thailand.

Degree Requirements for TEFL Teaching in Thailand

English teachers need a bachelor's degree to teach English in Thailand. Please note, your bachelor's degree does not need to be in education, it can be in any field.

TEFL Thailand Background Check

You will need a clean background check to teach English in Thailand. This can be a federal background check or a local police check from your state of residency. You may obtain a police check from a police station in Thailand if you plan on processing your visa after your arrival in Thailand. 

TEFL Jobs in Thailand

English Teaching Jobs in Thailand

Most TEFL jobs in Thailand will be found in public or private formal schools teaching children or young adults. In larger cities such as Bangkok, it is possible to teach in private language institutes/schools teaching children, young adults, or adults/business professionals, and there are some positions also available in smaller Thai towns around the country.

Many English teachers in Thailand make extra money by teaching English online, or tutoring private students, which is also a great way to meet people in the local community.

Would you rather skip the hassle of looking for jobs in Thailand? ITA offers a Guaranteed Job Placement program in Thailand for prospective ESL teachers. 

Finding Thailand TEFL Jobs: Hiring & Visa

ESL teachers in Thailand can expect to find jobs in February through April and again in August through October (formal schools). Language institutes typically hire year-round.

Most schools in Thailand conduct face-to-face interviews, meaning you must be present in Thailand to interview for jobs. Although rare, some schools will interview in advance over Zoom or phone.

To teach English in Thailand, you will need a Non-B Immigrant Visa. There are two scenarios that can play out here:

• If you secure employment in advance, you will apply for the visa prior to leaving and then process your work permit in Thailand.
• Most people enter Thailand on a tourist visa and find a job on the ground. In this case, you will convert your tourist visa to a Non-Immigrant B Visa either at the local immigration office in Thailand or by visiting a neighboring country.

Your visa and work permit are typically valid for the length of your teaching contract.

ITA highly recommends you check your home country's state department or foreign ministry website before traveling abroad to learn about current travel requirements, necessary documentation, and travel warnings. Once abroad, you should register with your embassy in case of an emergency abroad to receive updated travel alerts. Check the US Department of State's Travel page here and check out the State Department's Thailand page here.

Teaching in Thailand: Hours

English language schools in Thailand offer approximately 20 to 25 hours of work per week, allowing for plenty of time to travel and explore.

Teaching Thai Students

It is most common that your students will be school-aged children but depending on your job, you may find yourself teaching business professionals.

TEFL Thailand Salary & Cost of Living

Start-up Costs

Start-up costs will range from $1,000 - $1,500 USD (31,350 - 47,000 THB). These are expenses you will incur from your arrival in Thailand until you receive your first paycheck and may include things like accommodation until you find a place to rent, transport, groceries, getting your new local cell phone number set up, etc. 

What is the Average Salary for Teaching English in Thailand?

A generous monthly salary of $850 - $1,500 USD affords those teaching English in Thailand the opportunity to live a comfortable lifestyle. Some teachers may also choose to teach English online to bring in additional income.

Some schools will provide you with housing or an added rent stipend, but don't expect to see this everywhere. Flight reimbursements occur in very rare cases, so you should not count on this being one of your benefits. It is best to discuss with your school about what benefits they offer and be sure to have these included in your contract.

How Much Does It Cost to Teach English in Thailand?

The cost of living typically ranges between $500 -  $800 USD (15,700 – 25,100  THB) - this provides an opportunity to save between $450 - $700 USD per month after expenses.