Important Things To Remember About Teaching English In Thailand

Tourism in Thailand calls for more and more English-speaking jobs. Thus, seeking an ESL teaching job in Thailand is going to be much easier. Teaching and living in the gorgeous, jade-blue beaches and islands, lush green mountains filled with thick forests, and delicious, spicy Thai cuisines, such as Pad Thai or Tom Yum can be awesome. When you work abroad teaching English in Thailand, it’ll all feel like a long break.

Here are a few important things about teaching English in Thailand:

Requirements for teaching English in Thailand

It would be best if you met the following criteria for jobs as an English teacher in Thailand

You should be a native English-speaking country passport holder.
You should have a degree from a college or university
You should have a TEFL/TESOL certificate.
You don’t need to have previous teaching experience.
Persons requiring teaching jobs at the university level should have a Master’s degree.

This does not mean that non-native English speakers would not have a chance of being picked. It could be more daunting for them, and the pay may be lower. So, bringing in the correct certification and mindset will allow you to secure an excellent job as an ESL teacher in Thailand.

ESL teaching jobs in Thailand

Young handsome African businessman in suit checking the time in the city

The majority of teaching positions in Thailand fall into one of these three large categories:

International and private schools; Classes are smaller, more costly, and teaching qualifications are higher. Since these schools have lengthy waiting lists and the competition is hefty for jobs in these schools, you are strongly advised to apply early. To enroll in that program, you would have to go through the application process, which may require a set of academic record exams and placement assessments.

The government or public schools: Class sizes are greater, incomes are smaller, but competition is less stringent. You are required to work from Monday to Friday mostly during day time.

Higher education: In Thailand, colleges and universities’ recruiting process would be detailed and exhaustive because these are valued highly.

A professional agency can help you with the recruiting process and identify a viable opportunity, based on your skills and requirements,

If you’re looking for employment as an English teacher in Thailand, we will assist you.

Where in Thailand to live and teach

Handsome bearded man standing roadside street while traveling at night in bangkok city thailand.

Most ESL teachers will teach in one of these popular destinations in Thailand:

Bangkok is a vast, attractive capital city that houses millions of residents and varied neighborhoods, and numerous things to do and enjoy.

Chiang Mai is a smaller city in the north with a mild climate, rugged scenery, and historical sites.

Phuket is a beautiful place to work, mainly because of the perfect mix of city and island life! Krabi and Surat Thani have fewer English teaching jobs in terms of employment opportunities, but they have access to Thailand’s stunning coastline.

The cost of living and salary of an ESL teacher in Thailand

Concept of planning of the budget, business, finance planning

An ESL teacher’s average salary is approximately 30,000 Thai Baht per month (approximately $1,000), or roughly twice the salary that most locals receive and adequate for a decent standard of living in Thailand.

Although the salary is smaller than in South Korea or China, you can still save up a fair amount of money in Thailand thanks to the lower cost of living. To live comfortably in Thailand, you will only need about $600 a month.

Also, if the credentials are outstanding, many private institutions can pay up to 100,000 Baht a month. This makes it a widely sought-after destination for many English teachers who want to live abroad and travel.

Before moving to Thailand, be aware of some taboos;

A crowd of people looks at the red sign NO

If you’re in Thailand as an English tutor, avoid doing these things:

Generally, it is deemed extremely inappropriate to touch someone’s head.

Here, defamation against the Thai Royal Family or the Buddha/Buddhist monks will lead to prison time.

Maintain an open body language. Avoid pointing the soles of your foot at someone while you are communicating. This gesture can be seen as very offensive in Thailand.

You’ll soon pick more of these cultural differences when you move to a new house in Thailand. Given that the locals know you didn’t do something wrong on purpose, they would most likely be compassionate towards you.

Do you want to teach English abroad in Thailand? Look us up on Facebook Teach English Abroad Facebook group for regular job listings.