Teach English in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

No teaching degree, no problem! All you need to bring with you to teach in Phnom Penh is a TEFL certificate, and a visa obtained upon arrival. Easy peasy. Oh, and don’t forget the paper and penhs.

Popular ESL jobs in Phnom Penh. Public schools, private language schools, corporate training, tutoring—there are a plethora of TEFL options and English teaching jobs in Phnom Penh, but the most popular placement is within public schools teaching children. The biggest difference between these jobs? Pay. Public school teachers make a living wage by Cambodian standards, and while a teaching degree is not required to teach English in the country, it will most likely be necessary to land the higher-paying jobs in private schools and corporate settings. Don’t worry, though! With the high demand for English skills in Phnom Penh, it will be easy to find extra tutoring gigs on the side if needed.

Short-term vs. long-term teaching jobs, and other tidbits on job structure. Tend to fly by the seat of your pants? Good news! Teachers are able to arrive year-round in Phnom Penh and find work easily. The work week for most teachers is short, as usually only part-time hours are offered; so whether you decide to go short or long-term, you’ll have plenty of free time to explore.

Most programs lean towards the short-term (think two months or less). However, if you’ve fallen hard for teaching in Phnom Penh and just aren’t ready to leave yet (likely), talk to your program about extending your stay.

Teaching English vs. teaching other subjects. English teaching jobs in Phnom Penh are by far the most popular and most accessible; however, if you’ve perhaps taught English before, or just want to do something out of the norm, there is a need for teachers in areas like healthcare and business communications. Keep in mind that you may need a degree to teach subjects like this, and that your pupils will most likely be adults rather than children.

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Latest Program Reviews

Three weeks volunteering in Siem Reap

August 11, 2025by: Olivia Aurora Lamassa - SwitzerlandProgram: Worlds #1 Volunteer Programs. 40+ Countries from $20/day!

9

I spent three weeks volunteering at Salariin Kampuchea Learning Center in Siem Reap, where I helped teach English to younger students and supported the development of their social media presence. It was one of the most enriching experiences I’ve ever had. Some days were more challenging than others—adapting to a new environment and finding ways to communicate across cultures. But what I’ll carry with me, more than anything, is the deep sense of connection I felt with the people. I can confidently say I’ve grown and learned so much, and that’s something I’ll always be grateful for. Living and working within the local community gave me a complete perspective shift. I was struck by their warmth and generosity, and the quiet strength with which they face life. From the very beginning, I felt welcomed. The children, the staff, and my host family made me feel included from the start, making it easy to feel at home throughout my time there

The most wholesome experience

March 26, 2025by: Ayshe Z Mercan - United KingdomProgram: Worlds #1 Volunteer Programs. 40+ Countries from $20/day!

10

The programme insured that whilst getting my teaching experience, I learnt loads about the history of the children in this area. It has been the most eye opening experience and I am so grateful to have been part of it, I will be back!! The team were super supportive and ensured we were safe at all times. This was my first time solo travelling and I felt confident to flourish and be adventurous in the beautiful South Africa!

Three weeks volunteering in Siem Reap

August 11, 2025by: Olivia Aurora Lamassa - SwitzerlandProgram: Worlds #1 Volunteer Programs. 40+ Countries from $20/day!

9

I spent three weeks volunteering at Salariin Kampuchea Learning Center in Siem Reap, where I helped teach English to younger students and supported the development of their social media presence. It was one of the most enriching experiences I’ve ever had. Some days were more challenging than others—adapting to a new environment and finding ways to communicate across cultures. But what I’ll carry with me, more than anything, is the deep sense of connection I felt with the people. I can confidently say I’ve grown and learned so much, and that’s something I’ll always be grateful for. Living and working within the local community gave me a complete perspective shift. I was struck by their warmth and generosity, and the quiet strength with which they face life. From the very beginning, I felt welcomed. The children, the staff, and my host family made me feel included from the start, making it easy to feel at home throughout my time there

The most wholesome experience

March 26, 2025by: Ayshe Z Mercan - United KingdomProgram: Worlds #1 Volunteer Programs. 40+ Countries from $20/day!

10

The programme insured that whilst getting my teaching experience, I learnt loads about the history of the children in this area. It has been the most eye opening experience and I am so grateful to have been part of it, I will be back!! The team were super supportive and ensured we were safe at all times. This was my first time solo travelling and I felt confident to flourish and be adventurous in the beautiful South Africa!