FAQ's

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of school can I expect to work in?

We have English language teaching positions available in all types of educational establishments including private colleges, government schools, international schools, universities and specialist English language learning institutions.
Although most available positions are in a secondary school environments (grades 7 to 12), we have available roles to teach students of all ages including openings at kindergartens and primary schools.

Positions are available in both private and government schools in areas all around the country. Many of these are in the central provinces near to Bangkok as the largest city, but there are also placements in the northern, southern and eastern regions of Thailand. Availability will depend upon the needs of schools at the time you apply.

Who will I be employed by?

The schools are the actual employers, and they will make the decision regarding interest in your profile to teach at their institution. Unlike the numerous teaching agencies in Thailand, we will not ask for a percentage of your monthly salary and, as such, you get to earn and keep more of the salary offered by your employer with our service.
To stand the best chance of securing the position and school you like, try to include as much information as you can regarding your prior teaching experience and relevant qualifications (e.g. TEFL/TESOL), as this will have a bearing upon the schools interest in your profile and whether they are keen to interview you about available teaching positions.

What kind of teaching experience do I need to have?

A definite interest in teaching is necessary. Also a TEFL qualification and a recognized university degree will be required by most learning institutions in Thailand.
Some schools and colleges will not require a TEFL or university degree although without these qualifications your choice of school will be more limited. We would advise obtaining these qualifications prior to applying for teaching positions positions in Thailand to give yourself the widest choice of teaching roles available although some schools and colleges offer TEFL courses you are able to complete whilst you teach at their school.
TEFL and related courses are available to study on arrival in Thailand. Please take a look at the “Requirements” section of this website for further details.
Those applicants with prior teaching experience/certifications in subjects including Education, English, Math or Science are highly desirable by Thai schools. Participants who teach a non-ESL subject such as Science or Math as part of their program will generally earn more than those just purely teaching English as a second language (ESL).

What will I be doing at the school?

Depending upon the institution, English language teachers will usually be required to be in the classroom for approximately 18-22 hours per week from Monday to Friday. This does not include time spent on class planning, presentations, faculty meetings, extracurricular activities, school events, test writing or grading/marking student work. You should expect to commit a minimum of 40 hours per week to teaching and related administration duties at school. Some schools expect teachers to be on hand during the day for additional duties or to be involved in school activities after hours and/or over the weekend. Overtime is virtually non-existent in Thailand and these additional duties are usually part of the contracted hours. You may be offered extra pay for additional teaching hours or you might also have the opportunity to teach students privately for extra income.

What age/level of students will I be teaching?

This will depend upon the school or learning institution that you apply for;

Kindergarten – 3-6 years old
Primary School/Junior School – 6-12 years old
Secondary School/Junior High – 13-15 years old
Senior High School/College – 15-18 years old
University – 18+ years old

You will find that English language skill levels will vary dramatically by age group and geographic location, and you may be surprised to see younger students at one school further along with their English than older students at another. For example, primary age students at private schools learning under a bilingual curriculum may have a more developed English knowledge than secondary-aged students at a government school with fewer resources. Similarly, a well run government school may have confident English-speaking students while a newly developed private school which has recently introduced a bilingual curriculum may have older students speaking very little English. Flexibility and patience are essential among international teachers. If you find yourself having to review the alphabet or basic phonetics with secondary students, don’t get frustrated, but instead understand that there is an extreme learning curve in Thailand.

What kind of support is available to me at the school?

Most schools will have a Thai support teacher who will sit in the classroom to offer language and classroom support if needed. Generally, English teachers once hired are expected to function independently, they will usually have access to English-speaking advisors on-site for further assistance and advice.
Newly arrived teachers are also encouraged to register with their country’s embassy to Thailand upon arrival.

What is the accommodation like?

Depending upon the type of position you secure you might have accommodation provided by the school or learning institution that you work for. Ask about this when you apply for the particular role you are interested in.
If not, your ease at finding suitable accommodation will depend upon where and when you apply for a teaching role in Thailand. As you might imagine, finding accommodation in a large urban area such as Bangkok or Chiang Mai should be relatively straightforward where you would normally expect a large and diverse choice of accommodation to suit your needs.
Most schools, colleges and universities will also offer their teachers some support in finding suitable living quarters nearby their work.
In more rural areas, accommodation might be at a premium and be harder to find. You should invest some time in finding the right accommodation for your needs to make sure you are content with your living arrangements. Expect to pay between 5,000 – 15,000 baht per month depending upon location and size of accommodation.

What will the food be like?

In the major cities, everything and anything food related can be found. From delicious street food cooked right in front of you to western fine cuisine, food for everyones palate can be accessed easily. Remember that many local Thai dishes can be quite spicy to those used to a western diet so if 'hot and spicy' is not for you, make sure that you ask for your food to be prepared 'mai pet' or not spicy or you might be in for a shock.
Staple Thai dishes include such delights as green and red curry, phad Thai (stir fried noodles), chicken & rice and noodle soup amongst many others. Best to try as many dishes as you feel adventurous to do and see what you like.
Western food may be harder to find in the provinces outside of the major conurbations although Thai cooking is so diverse that you will likely find something to your own taste given a little bit of exploration.

How much money will I earn as a teacher in Thailand?

Foreign teachers in Thailand will typically earn between 30,000 to 60,000 Thai baht per month, depending upon experience.
Salary level may not be what you are used to if you come from a western country such as Australia, US, Canada or the UK but will generally be about double the salary of a local Thai teacher.
Also remember that cost of living expenses will usually be much lower than in your home country.
Salaries will vary from school to school and are generally based upon prior experience and your educational background and will also be influenced by whether the school is public or private and if you are teaching in a larger city or more rural area.

Should I obtain a TEFL certification before I come to Thailand?

This is often not required, although recommended to find the best teaching posts and there are many online and face-to-face courses that might help for you to start preparing and thinking more deeply about your teaching experience in Thailand.
Check out the ''Requirements'' section of this website for further details on obtaining a TEFL qualification.

Is it safe in Thailand?

Thailand is generally no more dangerous than your own country. However, you should always be cautious when traveling anywhere overseas and take appropriate precautions to protect your possessions and money. As a non-native, you may stand out from the crowd and therefore be more likely than locals to attract the attention of thieves or scam artists.

Which vaccinations should I obtain before traveling?

There are no compulsory vaccinations or inoculations required to enter Thailand. However, medical authorities recommend that you at least ensure you have basic immunization against tetanus, polio and diphtheria. They also suggest that you are immunized against typhoid, cholera, rabies, hepatitis and malaria, although these are not mandatory. For more information about health and vaccinations contact your local travel clinic or doctor.

Should I learn Thai before coming to Thailand to teach English?

This is not necessary for the majority of teaching roles available on our website although we would recommend that you at least learn the basics such as Hello, Please and Thank you to be polite.
If you wish to develop your Thai language skills further, this is entirely your choice.

What kind of visa will I need?

You will need a single entry, Non-Immigrant (Type B) visa for Thailand, which can only be obtained outside of the country. This type of visa is the only kind that will allow your school to apply for a Thai work permit on your behalf once you arrive, allowing you to work in the country legally. Speak with the school offering you a position before you leave to garner their advice on visa requirements.