Question 1

What are the requirements to teach English in Thailand?

Accepted Answer

To teach English in Thailand, most schools ask for: a bachelor’s degree in any subject, a 120-hour TEFL certificate, native or fluent English, and a clean criminal background check. The degree is needed for the Non-Immigrant B visa and work permit, which your school helps arrange once you’ve signed a contract. Age limits vary by school. The good news: you don’t need a teaching degree, a teaching licence or any previous teaching experience.

Question 2

How much do English teachers earn in Thailand?

Accepted Answer

Most English teachers in Thailand earn around THB 30,000–45,000 a month (approx. $850–$1,300). That goes a long way against Thailand’s low cost of living, so many teachers enjoy a comfortable lifestyle and still manage to save each month. Pay depends on the type of school, location and your experience. International schools pay considerably more for licensed, experienced teachers, and private tutoring can add extra income.

Question 3

When do schools in Thailand hire English teachers?

Accepted Answer

Schools in Thailand hire all year round, but the busiest hiring periods are in the months before the two main terms, which start in May and October. Language centres often recruit at any time of year. To give yourself the best chance, start your TEFL course a few months before you plan to travel, so you’re certified and ready to apply when schools are looking. Your work visa is arranged once you accept a job offer.

Question 4

Where in Thailand can I teach English?

Accepted Answer

English teachers are needed all over Thailand, from big cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai to beach destinations like Phuket and Pattaya, and smaller towns across the country. You can teach in government schools, private language centres, bilingual programmes and universities. Big cities offer more jobs, transport and nightlife, while smaller towns offer a lower cost of living and a more authentic, local Thai experience.

Question 5

Is a 120-hour TEFL course enough to get a job in Thailand?

Accepted Answer

Yes. 120 hours is the standard TEFL qualification that schools and recruiters in Thailand ask for. The TEFL Institute's 120 Hour TEFL Course covers everything you need to start teaching: lesson planning, classroom management, and teaching grammar, vocabulary, speaking, listening, reading, and writing to young learners and adults. You’ll finish with a TEFL certificate you can show employers in Thailand and many other countries worldwide.

Question 6

Can I do the TEFL course online before I go to Thailand?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our 120 Hour TEFL Course is 100% online and self-paced, so you can study from home, fit it around work or college, and be fully certified before you fly. You’ll have tutor support throughout the course. Arriving in Thailand already qualified means you can start applying for teaching jobs straight away. This Black Friday, you can get TEFL certified from just $129 and save up to 82% on TEFL courses. Don’t miss it!

Question 7

Will you help me find a teaching job in Thailand?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Once you’re TEFL certified, our recruitment advisor can talk you through the Thai job market, from the types of schools hiring to what to expect from your first contract. With your permission, they can also pass your details to our preferred recruitment partners in Thailand, who help match teachers with schools. Please note that partners may charge their own fees when you apply for jobs through their websites.

Question 8

Do I need to speak Thai to teach in Thailand?

Accepted Answer

No. Lessons are taught in English, and schools don’t expect foreign teachers to speak Thai. In fact, an English-only classroom gives students more chance to practise. Learning a few basic Thai phrases will make daily life much easier, from ordering street food to catching a tuk-tuk, and your students and colleagues will love it. Many teachers pick up the language naturally once they’re living and working in Thailand.

Question 9

Do I need teaching experience to teach English abroad?

Accepted Answer

No, you don’t. Most schools in Thailand happily hire first-time teachers, as long as you have a bachelor’s degree and a TEFL certificate. Our 120 Hour TEFL Course gives you the practical skills to step into the classroom with confidence, from planning lessons to managing a class and keeping students engaged. It’s designed for complete beginners, so you’ll learn everything you need to teach your very first lesson in Thailand.

Question 10

What is TEFL?

Accepted Answer

TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. A TEFL certificate shows schools you have been trained to teach English to students whose first language isn’t English. It is the key qualification language centres, government schools and recruiters ask for in Thailand and across Asia. A 120-hour TEFL course is the standard most employers expect, and it can open doors to teaching jobs in many other countries around the world too.

Teach English in Thailand: Get TEFL Certified from $129

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