Thailand – the fabled Land of Smiles. There are few places on the planet that inspire the wanderlust like this. In the last 20 years, the country that sits right at the heart of Southeast Asia has become nothing short of a rite of passage for backpackers of all stripes. It’s also become firmly established as one of the go-to TEFL destinations of the globe. The reason? There are many…glinting white beaches and tropical islands where you can spend your weekends, arguably the tastiest street food around, and a fantastic balance between potential earnings and cost of living. Let’s delve a little deeper in this list of five reasons to be a TEFL teacher in Thailand…
The islands
TEFL teachers often come to Thailand with the dream of scoring a job on a paradise island and spending their evenings wandering coconut-strewn sands under the palms. Many are disappointed when they discover that they’ll actually be working in one of the bigger cities – Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Trang. But there’s no need to be. The isles of Thailand aren’t just downright gorgeous. They are also super accessible. Most can be reached in a single morning from major towns, using ferries or flights or even buses. That means you should find it a cinch to escape on your weekends. Favorites of ours are Koh Phangan, a yogi and R&R isle of white-sand bays, and lovely Lanta in the Andaman, which strikes a good balance between nightlife and chillout beaches.
The food
Ask 10 TEFL grads why they want to go to Thailand and there’s sure to be at least a mention of the gastronomy. This nation boasts one of the most distinctive and flavorsome cuisines on the globe. For lovers of all things lemongrass, ginger, soy, and chili, it’s just about perfect. The street food in particular is spectacular. Just mosey on down to Khaosan Road in Bangkok and you can taste your way through pad Thai noodles, chicken satay skewers, and even deep-fried scorpions! Also don’t miss the coconut curries of southern Thailand, which are packed with potatoes and zingy kefir lime leaves.
The people
They don’t call this the Land of Smiles for nothing, you know. Like Costa Rica and Bhutan before it, Thailand is famed for its good vibes and happy people. And they really are happy. From the moment you stroll out of the big arrivals hall at BKK airport, you’ll be greeted warmly by everyone from the immigration staff to the baggage handlers. The Thais are generally very hospitable and open folks, with a great sense of humor; quick to laugh, quick to joke. They are certainly one of the main reasons that this corner of Asia remains so popular with expats and teachers.
The cities
There’s a good chance that you’ll find yourself living and working in one of the larger towns or cities in Thailand, since they’re where most of the TEFL jobs are located. Granted, that does mean forgoing a beach bungalow on the sands of an idyllic island. But there are pros to being based in the urban jungle. Get ready to experience some of the most heady, frantic, and fun towns of anywhere on the globe. You’ll hop bazaars in Chiang Mai, taste unforgettable street food in Bangkok, and clink beers in rustic reggae bars up in Chiang Rai.
The life-work/money-spend balance
Last but not least, one of the main reasons that we think Thailand has remained up there with the most alluring TEFL destinations in the world for so long is the balance that it strikes between work and play, earnings and expenditure. First off, teachers here are typically contracted to work between 15-25 hours per week. That should leave loads of time to enjoy the jungle waterfalls and the sparkling sands. Pay wise, you’re looking at raking in up to 40,000 THB/month (just over $1,200 at the time of writing). That’s PLENTY to keep you going in this relatively cheap country, where a beer still costs $1.50!
Tempted to head to Thailand to do your TEFL teaching in 2023? You’re not alone. The good news is there are plenty of positions available. We offer guaranteed jobs as part of our Thailand program. Alternatively, you can complete a 120-hour TEFL course and get applying for positions there in your own time.
Ah…Chiang Mai – we love you! A city that’s both old and new, bustling and serene, it sits up between the jungle-covered hills of northern Thailand with ancient Lanna-era temples and shrines. Travelers flock in to hop hilltop stupas and delve into buzzing night bazaars. They come to explore the UNESCO-tagged Old City and taste spicy stir fries in local eateries. Chiang Mai TEFL teachers will also get all that, not to mention a job in one of the most amazing towns in the Land of Smiles, where expats, fellow teachers and digital nomads all congregate by the thousands. Let’s take a look at seven reasons why it’s just so darn awesome…
Wonder at Wat Chedi Luang
The half-ruined rises of Wat Chedi Luang have come to be one of the symbols of the city of Chiang Mai. They mark the bustling heart of the historic core of the town, looming above narrow alleys filled with traditional Lanna cottages and coffee-scented cafés. The site actually dates to the 14th century, although the building wasn’t entirely completed for at least 100 years after that. When it was done, the result was an 82-meter stupa that was the tallest in the entire kingdom. These days, the spot is frequented by international visitors who come to discuss life, philosophy and everything in between with the resident monks.
Find peace at the Wat Chiang Man
The second temple on this list is the much-photographed Wat Chiang Man (seriously, if you’ve seen a postcard of Chiang Mai, you’ve probably seen Chiang Man!). Located on the northern edge of the Old City, it is hailed as the town’s oldest shrine. Sure enough, its story goes back all the way to 1297 AD, when Mangrai, the first king of the Lanna, commissioned the structure. Today, you’ll get to see the beautiful Elephant Chedi, with its gold-gilded top tier, and the large wihan where Buddhist monks come to chant and meditate.
Shop till it’s time for a beer in the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
The Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is a sprawling, ramshackle mishmash of just about everything you would expect from the largest market in northern Thailand. There are stalls sizzling with pad Thai noodles, rows of sellers touting elephant-print hippy pants, stacks of jewellers and novelty T-shirt hawks. All that fits into just a few blocks between the Tha Phae Gate and the Ping River, so expect it to be crammed with bodies and bursting with noise!
Cool off in the Sticky Waterfalls
Whether for a good cooling off during the Land of Smiles’s hot season or an off-road adventure through the jungles, the Sticky Waterfalls are a great getaway for any Chiang Mai TEFL teacher. You’ll find them nestled in the karst mountain ranges to the north of the town, roaring over a few muddy ledges between vine-strewn woodlands. Why the “sticky”, you ask? That’s down to the unique geology of the falls, which mean mineral protrusions make them easy to scale and climb.
Climb Doi Suthep
The soaring shrine of Doi Suthep glimmers high on the horizon above Chiang Mai. It’s a tantalizing site; one that every Chiang Mai TEFL teacher simply has to see before they leave.Tourists will often go for the easy option and get a taxi or songthaew directly the top. But locals know better. They embark on a pilgrimage known as the Monk’s Trail. It weaves out of the downtown of Chiang Mai and into the jungles and waterfalls beyond, taking between three and six hours, depending on the temperature and how fast you eat up the trek. The reward? Think spinning prayer wheels and amazing golden pagodas, along with sweeping views across the mountains of north Thailand!
Have a weekend in Pai
Some 132km and 762 bends in the road lie between Chiang Mai and Pai. But in spite of the winding way there, it’s a trip made by loads of Chiang Mai TEFL teacher staff and expats each weekend. Why? Well…let’s just say the mountain town of Pai rolls to a slower beat. It’s a land of bamboo reggae bars and riverside cocktail joints, of charming night markets and bubbling hot springs. Throw in a rather lively nightlife scene and you can see why it’s such a popular escape from the classroom!
A night out
Chiang Mai might not have the same penthouse sky bars as Bangkok, or the chilled beach bungalows of the southern islands, but don’t despair on the nightlife front. In fact, every veteran Chiang Mai TEFL teacher knows there’s a buzzing nocturnal scene in the city. The likes of Zoe in Yellow – a big and loud pop disco with smoky, neon-lit dancefloors – are where you can expect to end up. To start the night, consider hopping down to the alternative THC Rooftop bar or the more refined Writers’ Club & Wine Bar.
If you think we’ve missed anything on this list of the seven things every Chiang Mai TEFL teacher has to see and do (and we must have, because Chiang Mai is awesome!), be sure to leave your extra suggestions in the comments below. Or, if you think you’re ready to hit this enthralling city in the Land of Smiles, check out our dedicated Teach in Thailand program.
It’s no secret that Thailand is among the world’s most coveted teaching destinations. From the sugar-soft sands of Koh Lipe in the south to the karst bays of the Andaman Coast to the elephant-stalked mountains of the north, it’s an adventure from head to toe. Throw in millions of English learners and schools with ample job opportunities, and it’s easy to see why so many of our graduates look to this corner of Southeast Asia right away.
But it’s not just a case of waltzing over to Bangkok and straight into a job. Thailand has a few hoops that any budding teacher will need to jump through. From a TEFL qualification to native-level command of the language itself, there are all sorts of requirements in the mix. With that in mind, one query we get all the time is whether it’s possible to bag TEFL jobs in Thailand without a degree.
The simple answer? Yes. But there are a few caveats and nuances to get through. Read on for more information…
Do Thai schools require you to have a degree to teach English?
Nope. Thailand’s schools are currently seeing a huge swell in demand for TEFL teachers. Parents are trying really hard to get their kids into classes that will give them some experience of conversation with a native speaker, so there’s not really room for the institutions to be picky about degrees. That’s especially true if you’re looking for jobs in major cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai, where more and more positions are popping up each year. That said, loads of places will have it written into their job descriptions, and – more importantly – it’s not all about what the school itself wants…
The government and work permit requirement
The reason most people think it’s entirely impossible to get TEFL jobs in Thailand without a degree is because of the government’s current requirements on working permits. They essentially prohibit schools from sponsoring the documents of teachers who don’t have a BA or BSc from a recognized higher-education institution. Strangely, these relegations only seem to apply to the TEFL industry in Thailand, because other sectors of employment don’t have the same stringent laws.
So that’s that, right?
Not entirely. As with most things in the lovely Land of Smiles, the situation on the ground isn’t what you might expect from reading all the legal documents. There are a few exceptions to the rule that mean TEFL jobs in Thailand without a degree are still a possibility. They include:
- Jobs awarded through an agency.
- Jobs that aren’t “fully-fledged teacher roles”.
The first instance applies to applicants who go the route of getting a job through a third-party employment institution. This is basically what happens on our Thailand internship. It’s an opportunity for non-graduate TEFL teachers to get their foot in the door, all while ensuring they get the support, the experience, and the know-how needed to really make an impact in the classroom when they do finally start teaching. You can check out our Teach in Thailand page to see all the extra care that goes into making sure the professionalism and skills are there using teaching placements and hands-on training.
The second way that schools award TEFL jobs in Thailand without a degree is by creating different sorts of roles. They’re often not very different from the normal teacher positions. They still see workers planning lessons, supporting other teaching staff, and managing classrooms, only with a different job title – things like ‘teaching assistant’ or ‘educational support officer’ are common.
If you’d like more information on getting TEFL jobs in Thailand without a degree, we’d love to hear from you. Drop a comment below the line or get in touch via email. Alternatively, head over to our Teach in Thailand page to consider joining an internship program on the ground in the Land of Smiles itself.
Ah, Chiang Mai – the lovable Thai city of the north. Surrounded by jungle-covered hills where elephants tramp and gold-glimmering stupas crown the summits, the city is an ancient capital of the Lanna kingdom. That gives it stunning temple architecture and crumbly walls dating back centuries, all worked into an urban fabric with enticing spas and buzzing bazaars. There are loads of reasons why you’re bound to love teaching English in Chiang Mai, whether you’re dusting off our very own Thailand internship or coming with a pre-done 120-hour certificate.
The temples
Of all Thailand’s cities, Chiang Mai is perhaps the only one that can give the temple-covered town of Sukhothai a run for its money on the architecture front (sorry, Bangkok). That’s because this gorgeous gateway to the north manages to pack most of its stunning stupas and pagodas into an Old City, which itself was once the epicenter of the ancient Lanna kingdom. Some of the highlights include the venerable Wat Chiang Man, topped with a gold-hued chedi that’s thought to date back to the 1200s. Meanwhile, the soaring Wat Phra That Doi Suthep crowns a mountain nearby, its spinning prayer wheels and monkish chants echoing across the Chiang Mai valley each evening.
The markets
Row upon row of whirring gadgets and tripods, multicolored clothes, ‘I love Thailand’ tees, aromatic spices, second-hand books, and all sorts of other trinketry bursts from the sprawling night bazaar of Chiang Mai. It’s one of the most famous places to go shopping and haggling in the whole Land of Smiles. You can find it unfolding through the blocks a couple of streets away from the western gate of the Old City, where it erupts when the sun sets in a cacophony of calling salespeople and hawkers. All around it are clutches of lively bars and eateries, sizzling with pad Thai noodles and sloshing with ice-cold Chang beers.
The food
Chiang Mai is home to one of the most eclectic gastronomic scenes in all of Thailand. Of course, you can bag all the usual street-food treats as you wander the tight-knit lanes of the Old City and the buzzing night bazaar. That means peanut-infused noodles topped with beansprouts and chili and fresh greens, along with papaya salads and spicy Thai soups. But there are also influences from China and Burma and even India to be felt in this corner of the north. Vegan cafés touting lentil dals rub shoulders with Canton cookhouses that burst with mock-meat stir fries. There’s always something for the foodies teaching English in Chiang Mai.
The people
Everyone knows of the famed friendliness of the Thai people. That’s never in question, no matter if you’re teaching English in Chiang Mai or the shimmering islands of the south. However, because this northern city has risen to become one of the top destinations for TEFL teachers and expats and digital nomads in the last few decades, there’s a real diversity of folk living, working and playing within. It’s a place where you can be sharing a meal with a Chiang Mai local one moment, sipping a beer with a traveling German the next, and teaching in the same English school as US citizens, Canadians and Brits throughout the week.
Pai is so darn close
The vibes of the big city getting just a little too much? There’s always an escape on the menu for those teaching English in Chiang Mai. It comes in the form of the much-loved town of Pai, which sits tucked into the jungle-dressed hills that rise to the north. A 2-hour bus wiggles up towards the Burmese border to take you there. Then, it’s all about hopping the bamboo bars, joining weekend yoga classes and enjoying the laid-back vibes that abound between the slow-moving Pai River and the bubbling hot springs.
We love this part of the Land of Smiles so much that we’ve even got our own internship that promises to get you teaching English in Chiang Mai. Places on that are open right throughout the year. Of course, if you can think of any other reasons why this city is one of the best in Thailand, we’d sure love to hear about them in the comments below!
So, you’ve decided it’s the Land of Smiles for you, eh? Good choice! Aside from sizzling pad Thai noodles and perpetually smiling locals, you’re in for one whirlwind of mystical Buddhist temples, deep Khmer histories and perfect beaches. Just check out this mock-up of one day in the life of a TEFL teacher in Thailand and you’ll see exactly why this corner of the globe is quite so popular with myTEFL graduates…
6.30am – Up and about
It’s an early start for the TEFL teacher in Thailand. The sun is just beginning to poke through the clouds above the temple tops of Chiang Mai (one of the top destinations in the Land of Smiles for would-be English gurus), bicycles click through the streets of the ancient Old Town area and you’re up and about, ironing your work clothes (there’s a pretty set dress code for the classroom in these parts), arranging your face, and double checking those lesson plans are in the bag.
7am – The commute
You’ve managed to bag a cozy little timber-clad (an architecture that’s typical of northern Thailand’s biggest town) flat just around the corner from the place you teach. That means the commute is a pleasant little stroll through the tight-knit lanes of the Chiang Mai Old Town. You can hear the tapping of prayer wheels echoing out from the shimmering golden stupas of the Wat Chiang Man as you make your way towards school. The lingering scents of ginger and frying soy twist and turn in the air; leftovers of the buzzing night market from the night before.
7.30am – Late prep
You arrive at least an hour before your first class is set to begin. That’s because you’ve got a little extra planning to do on some lessons. The textbooks are out and your settle in the corner of your air-conditioned classroom. You put together a couple of great games that you know some students will simply love. Then you do a little table re-arranging, to get the class ready for those early-morning lead in exercises.
8.30am – First lessons begin
The kids start to pour into your classroom at 8.30am. It’s the start of the day proper for any TEFL teacher in Thailand. All your students are chatting away and smiling ear-to-ear (this is the fabled Land of Smiles, and it doesn’t disappoint). You get stuck into those ice breakers straight away. Before you know it, you’re chatting about things everyone did on the weekend. It’s a speaking task, but you’re secretly making notes in your head about the top places to hike through the jungles, or the interesting little getaway of Pai in the hills.
11.30pm – Lunch
Your lessons have been going for 3 hours. When that bell rings, the students are the first to bolt from the door, and, after stacking your exercise sheets and materials, you sling your backpack and make for the canteen too. It’s a quick queue jump (you’re a teacher, after all), and then a medley of steamed rice stacks and chili-packed curries. You opt for a masaman and a lemongrass-scented stir fry of local veggies. Of course, it’s uber-tasty; the perfect fuel for a couple more hours’ teaching.
12pm – Chillax
All the other teachers are gathered in the food hall. They are chatting about the weather and the night market that’s going to be one of the biggest of the year next weekend. One recommends his favorite place to devour deep-fried spring rolls. You ask another about the town of Pai and say you’re thinking about visiting soon. They tell you all about the rugged hills of Pai Canyon and the local bamboo bars where it’s best to get a cocktail. You’re now pretty excited for a three-day weekend (and you get quite a hefty amount of them) when you can take the bus there.
1pm – Afternoon lessons
Afternoon lessons start rolling at 1pm. It’s just a short session though, and one of your favorite classes to boot. You’ve got an advanced English set, which means a couple of free-flowing games and oodles of Student Talk Time to assess. You’re loving it, chatting away and remembering back to all those long days of clock watching you did in the 9-to-5, you know, before you were a TEFL teacher in Thailand.
3.30 – School’s out for Friday
The bell rings, the students flow out of the classroom like the gushing Erawan waterfalls of Central Thailand, and you’re left to quickly tidy your domain before leaving yourself. You head quickly home to shower and change, because there’s a gathering of expat teachers on the menu tonight – you didn’t think you were the only TEFL teacher in Thailand now did you?
5pm – Meeting your mates
Anyone who’s been to Chiang Mai will know that it’s packed with loads of expats and bloggers of all sorts. There’s the ubiquitous TEFL teacher in Thailand; there are web designers; backpacker writers and more. That makes for one seriously awesome international scene. Tonight, the venue is a local reggae bar, and you’re soon chilling on the rickety plastic tables out front with a fellow myTEFL grad. You’re swapping tales of today’s naughtiest children. Then you’re thinking about where’s good to eat on a Friday.
7pm – Dinner and the night
You decide on the famous Chiang Mai night market (the same one that tickled your nostrils on your daily commute to school earlier in the day). It’s a cheap (just 40 THB) pad Thai noodle dish for you – topped with crumbled peanuts and beansprouts and a healthy squirt of fresh lime juice. Then you head to a rooftop bar for endless rounds of free pool, a medley of Bob Marley and the Wailers, and chin-wagging till dawn. It’s Saturday tomorrow, after all.
If that sounds like the sort of day you’d like to enjoy as a TEFL teacher in Thailand, then be sure to check out our various internships in the Land of Smiles.