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English Teaching Jobs in
Thailand

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English Teaching Jobs in Thailand

With so many great locations in Thailand where you can teach English, the problem might be narrowing down your list. So, how do you find great teaching jobs in the Land of Smiles?

Thailand is a fun, vibrant destination in southeast Asia with fantastic weather and unbeatable local cuisine, making it a top choice for teaching abroad. While some teachers head to Thailand just to get their careers rolling after gaining a TEFL qualification, others settle into the way of life and never want to leave. With beautiful cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Pattaya, gorgeous beaches on seemingly endless coastlines, and almost too much architectural splendour for one person to fathom, Thailand has so much to offer.

Thailand is an extremely popular destination for English teachers. The demand for English, especially in the cities and tourist hotspots, is vast, meaning that TEFL jobs are readily available. The country has some excellent schools, including language schools, public schools, and international schools, where qualified teachers can find rewarding teaching opportunities.

Tourism plays a big part in the demand for English. The Land of Smiles welcomes millions of visitors annually and has a thriving community of teachers who have set up new lives in Thailand. The friendly welcome, the party atmosphere in the cities, and the slower pace of life by the coasts have rendered Thailand a fantastic getaway location for many, and it's also meant a raft of new opportunities for English teachers.

So, how do you find teaching jobs in Thailand? What qualifications do you need to land a job in The Land of Smiles? What are salaries like, and what’s the cost of living in a city like Bangkok? It’s time to learn how to teach English in Thailand.

English teaching jobs in Thailand: an overview

If you’re eager to teach English in Thailand and have TEFL certification, you shouldn’t have any issues finding work. TEFL jobs are consistently available throughout the country and at all times of the year. However, for public schools, the peak recruitment periods occur in the months leading up to the start of the school terms, as is commonplace for teaching English abroad. 

Tourism plays a large part in the demand for, and proficiency in, English in Thailand. Thailand is the 8th most popular tourist destination in the world, and with so many visitors coming from English-speaking countries, the need for proficiency in the English language is evident. Whether it's cities like Bangkok or stunning beach destinations, Thailand's pull is powerful, and people come from all over to visit and, in many cases, stay permanently. At least 3.6 million foreign people lived in Thailand as of 2023, and that number steadily grows year-on-year.

That means that Thailand is tough to beat in terms of the number of TEFL teaching jobs. So, when do people go? Many teachers find jobs in April to begin at the start of a new term in May. Most teaching positions in Thailand involve working with children in government schools or bilingual and international institutions.

Private language schools typically offer more lucrative salaries than government schools, and teachers can supplement their earnings through tutoring. While online job advertisements and job boards have become more popular, many teachers still discover that securing work once they are in the country is relatively easy, especially for university positions and private colleges that prefer to hire locally.

While some teaching jobs may prioritise female teachers, it’s worth noting that most foreign English teachers in Thailand are male. Additionally, certain teaching positions may require applicants to apply for a full teaching license instead of a provisional teaching permit.

Download our teaching English in Asia guide

Types of English teaching jobs in Thailand

Public schools

The most common route to becoming an English teacher in Thailand is through state education. When you teach at public schools, you can expect class sizes of around 20-50 pupils, with 15-20 hours of teaching time per week. You'll usually need TEFL certification, and a bachelor's degree is beneficial for landing state school teaching jobs in Thailand. You don't have to be a native English speaker, generally speaking, though sometimes they are preferred.

Regarding benefits, teaching in a Thai state school will usually come with ample time off so that you can travel around Thailand (we’d recommend taking in northern Thailand!). What’s more, these schools tend to offer a decent starter salary. English teachers in public schools work regular hours, Monday to Friday, and have weekends mostly free, except for specific school events. Students are notably keen and respectful in Thailand's state schools, so the teaching experience is excellent for TEFL teachers.

Requirements for teaching English in Thailand

What do you need to start teaching in Thailand? You’ll need to meet a range of essential criteria to get a work permit. Crucially, you’ll need:

  • A bachelor’s degree in any subject. A degree is legally required in Thailand if you apply for a Non-Immigrant B Visa. This is the visa Thailand offers for teachers - it's the one you need to get a teaching licence and stay in Thailand for the long term.
  • ESL teachers also need a TEFL certification with at least 120 hours of study, the industry standard for teaching positions abroad.
  • You’ll need to either be a native English speaker or a non-native English speaker with a TOEIC score of 600 or an IELTS score of 5+. A university degree from an English-speaking institution is another way to prove English fluency.
  • A completed, clean background check.
  • A completed health check.

Every employer will have their requirements for TEFL positions. Elite institutions like international schools and some private schools will require master’s degrees or even doctorates for specific teaching jobs. Experience helps teachers land higher-salaried positions in Thailand, but it must be said that Thailand is a popular, low-cost option for new TEFL teachers who want to start living and teaching abroad for the first time.

Salary 

So, what kind of teaching salary can you earn in Thailand? The average salary for a full-time TEFL teacher in Thailand is around 42,667 - 44,800 THB (£914 - £956/$1,177 - $1,236). 

Teachers in the Land of Smiles often speak of the benefits of English teaching jobs in Thailand. These can include support with housing, airfare, medical insurance, contributions to your pension, and paid leave.

Country Avg. monthly salary Degree required Start of term Teaching experience Housing & flights included Suitable for non-native English speakers Age restrictions
Teach in Thailand
44,800 THB
£914 GBP
$1,177 USD 		May Sometimes None

How to find English teaching jobs in Thailand

Thailand is one of the most prevalent TEFL destinations worldwide, packed with people teaching abroad. Networking is essential and a great way to find job opportunities. Events like the annual Thailand TESOL International Conference are ideal for meeting other intrepid ESL teachers who might have connections and job tips that prove extremely useful.

Jobs boards 

Check out The TEFL Org Jobs Centre to find opportunities to start teaching in Thailand, whether it's Bangkok, Phuket or anywhere in the Land of Smiles!

American University Alumni Language Center applicants need a 120-hour TEFL certificate and a degree. They offer a one-year contract and at least 4-6 teaching hours daily.

Ajarn lists TEFL jobs in Thailand and has other resources to support teachers working in Thailand, including regional guides and details about work permits.

Bright Future International Training & Services hires over 100 teachers with a degree and TEFL certificate.

ECC is Thailand's largest private language school, hiring around 500 native speakers with new recruits every month. You need a degree and a TEFL certificate.

The International Schools Association of Thailand is a good place to find information about international schools and any hiring opportunities.

Teaching programmes in Thailand

The TEFL Org’s Thailand Teaching Programme is a brilliant gateway to teaching in Thailand - find out if you’re eligible to start teaching in Thailand!

Volunteer HQ has opportunities to teach English in Thailand, specifically in areas like Hua Hin and Chiang Rai. You can teach for at least 3-5 hours daily, and fees vary. Karen Hill Tribes Trust is a voluntary organisation that teaches English across Thailand. You don’t need a TEFL certificate, degree, or experience.

Read our Thailand Country Guide for info about salaries, living costs & requirements

Guide to Teaching English in Thailand

Challenges and tips for success

If you decide to teach English in Thailand, you’ll likely receive a warm, fulsome welcome. The locals are famously polite and warm, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be vulnerable to culture shock. Thailand is incredibly ethnically diverse, with various customs and traditions from region to region. There are countless linguistic variations, too, meaning that even if you prepare yourself with lessons in standard Thai, you won’t necessarily understand every conversation. It can take adjustment, and time is the only remedy.

Teaching in Thailand also comes with some institutional challenges. Education standards in big cities like Pattaya and Bangkok may be excellent, but that is not the case everywhere. Thailand is a big country, and there are many more remote regions where teaching English is more challenging. This is due to a lack of widespread exposure to the language among students or a paucity of facilities.

If you’re intent on long-term success teaching English in Thailand, it’s essential to network. Don’t stop making friends in the education system after you get a job! Attending conferences, meeting other English teachers offline and online, and using social media to your advantage are all excellent strategies for building supportive relationships and finding opportunities in Thailand’s TEFL industry.

More on English teaching jobs in Thailand

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Voluntary

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Teach English in Rural Thai orphanage

Posted: 20 days ago

Established in 1979, they are Thailand's first alternative education school/orphanage and teacher training center. Help change lives by bringing English to life for underprivileged children!

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q. How much do TEFL teachers get paid in Thailand?

    If you teach English in Thailand, you'll likely earn a salary of around 42,667 - 44,800 THB (£914 - £956/$1,177 - $1,236). Salaries in fee-paying institutions like international and private schools and top university positions can pay much more.

  • Q. Do I need a degree to teach English in Thailand?

    Yes, a degree is necessary for living and teaching English in Thailand.

  • Q. Can I teach in Thailand without prior teaching experience?

    You can teach English in Thailand without experience teaching in a classroom. Many TEFL teachers opt to move to Thailand for some of their first teaching experiences, with its low cost of living, enormous demand for English, and vibrant cities like Bangkok and Phuket.

  • Q. Do I need to speak Thai to teach English?

    No, you typically don't need to speak Thai to teach English in Thailand. However, living in Thailand, you'll notice that language varies from region to region. The Thai spoken in Bangkok can be different from the language in Pattaya, for instance. That said, proficiency in the local language - wherever you're living - will enhance your experience of teaching English abroad. This means better communication and a deeper understanding of the local culture.