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Teaching in Thailand - A Primer

© aimee joy cabriles

Thailand, the Land of Smiles, has captured the hearts of people all over the world. Its exquisite culture, scenic views, exotic food, and friendly populace has enticed many; thus, earning its' place as the 3rd most visited tourist destination. Many come to see the splendor of Thailand, but some come to hit two birds at one time --- to live in paradise and earn a living as well. After the 1998 recession, many jobs have become exclusive to Thai nationals. One job that remains the domain of foreigners though is teaching English as a second language.

Like any non-English speaking country, the need for native speakers of English never runs out in Thailand. One can come anytime and find teaching vacancies. Many walk-ins get hired immediately especially in language schools which are often in need of teachers to fill the growing number of customers. April to May is however the best time to apply for a job. At this time, all schools are preparing and recruiting for the following school year, which starts in June for most schools and in August for International schools. This implies that you will have more choices and you can conveniently look for a school that best fits your expectations in terms of compensation, proximity to your residence, and believe me, managers you have to deal with.

The Thai government's basic requirement for a teaching position is a bachelor's degree. Due to the dire need of English speaking teachers, however, some schools are forced to hire even those who do not have a degree, provided you are a "farang" (white person), dresses smartly (long-sleeved shirt and tie) and clean shaven. Other requirements include a TEFL/TESOL certificate and experience. With these qualifications you'd most likely get the highest level in the salary rate, and have higher chances of getting hired immediately.

Salary is usually commensurate to one's qualifications. The entry-level rate for most schools is from $550 to $850 a month or $5 to $8 per hour. I know of some though who are receiving as low as $370 or as high as $1400. Besides the salary, full time teachers are often given fringe benefits such as a work permit, health insurance, vacation leave, bonus, and for a tiny minority, round trip airfare.

If you have a salary of $850 in Thailand, this means you can afford the pleasures of life. As much as everything depends on how you spend your money, $850 means you can afford to take a taxi everyday, rent a studio apartment, eat at fancy restaurants every now and then, and go night clubbing every weekend. As it is, the cost of living in Thailand is very low, considering that the basic salary of many people is about $210 to $265 a month. Dinner could cost you only $.65 to $1.30, an Indian food feast at $13.00, an aircon bus at $.50, the skytrain at $1.2 the most, and a studio apartment between $65 to $210.