Teaching English in Thailand
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Thailand fact file
Finding Work
The majority of teaching work is with children. This can be in government schools or bilingual and international private schools. Some of these schools require you to have a degree; some take you on if you’re just a good English speaker. It can really vary. However, it is worth having some teaching experience on your CV or a TEFL certificate.
The Teaching
Bilingual and international schools can be very picky. You will need a year or two of experience, a university degree and usually a TEFL certificate too. If you have all these however, all the better. You will earn between 50,000 to 100,000 baht ($1465-$2940 or €1010-€2020 or £890-£1780) as oppose to around 25,000 baht ($735 or €505 or £445) in government schools. Working in these private schools will give you offer you a lifestyle far superior to the average lifestyle in the West.
If you don’t get lucky with private schools and are inexperienced, try the government schools, although quite chaotic, you are much more likely to gain employment. The salary is definitely enough to keep you going and if you are looking to earn more, it would be worth looking for work within language schools to help supplement your income.
Language schools are all over the place. You don’t need any experience, qualifications or degree to work there. This also leads to some of the worst Westerners teaching in these schools! However, if you are in need of extra cash, the schools will pay between 400-700 baht an hour ($11.80-$20.60 or €8.10-€14.20 or £7.15 - £12.50).
Living
Thai people are very relaxed. Nothing ever gets done in a hurry. Often this will create a bit of chaos as getting things done will certainly take a while. This will be a change from anyone coming from the Western world. You will just have to put up with it!
Thailand lives on paperwork. Always remember to keep some form of identification on you at all times. The Thai law states that everyone needs to carry documentation. Keep your visa up to date. However, the most you will be charged if you overstay is 20,000 baht. This can actually be cheaper than crossing the border every 1-3 months!
Renting an apartment costs from 3,000-10,000 baht per month. The cheaper apartments are simple with a single room, air-conditioning and a fridge. Expensive apartments may have 2 rooms and even a shared swimming pool.
Food- apartments tend not to have cooking facilities. If you are in a city however, there will be plenty of restaurants and food stalls in the area. The cost of a meal in a food stall should be about 20-40 baht per portion. Food stalls are mostly safe and have good food. Go to places with lots of customers just to be sure.
Transport- around the city, transport is cheap. Buses cost 3.5 baht to anywhere in the city. Taxis are common and the fares are reasonable for short distances. You can also get motorbike taxis. They cost about the same as taxis but are quite dangerous – only for adventurous types!
Transport around the country - you catch a plane fairly cheaply. For example a return to Phuket is around 5000 baht. Buses are much cheaper and will cost from 90 baht – 500 baht for a weekend break away, depending on where you go. Trains are slightly pricier than a bus, but you get the option of a bunk bed for overnight journeys.
If you are a first time traveller, Thailand is an excellent place to head to. Due to such a busy tourist industry it is a great starting place for a journey into South East Asia. The people are lovely, the weather is great, lots of employment opportunities, fascinating culture. What are you waiting for?
Cost guide
Renting apartment - 3,000-10,000 BAHT per month
City bus - 3.5 BAHT
Taxi – 35 BAHT average
Meal in restaurant – 60-100 BAHT
Meal from food stall – 20-40 BAHT
Drink in restaurant – 25 BAHT
Beer from supermarket – 30-60 BAHT
Shampoo – 20 BAHT
Cigarettes – 30-50 BAHT
