Follow our step-by-step guide to finding work in Thailand and you will be offered teaching work within two months of finishing training. Most SEE graduates find work within two weeks. Please note that this guarantee applies to native speakers with bachelor’s degrees (any major/subject). Non-native speakers with bachelor’s degrees are also likely to find work quickly but there are some schools which only employ native speakers. Native speakers without Bachelor’s degrees can find work but they need to be flexible about location and the type of school. A Bachelor’s degree is normally needed to obtain a non-immigrant B (Business) visa and work permit. Non-native speakers without Bachelor’s degrees are unlikely to find work.

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Types of TEFL teaching jobs in Thailand

There are four types of paid TEFL teaching work:

  • Teaching full-time at a formal government, or private Thai school, college or university. Teaching hours are normally 7:30am – 4:00pm Monday to Friday. This work is salaried and includes paid holiday and sick leave. Employment contracts normally run for 12 months or until the end of the academic semester or year. Employment contracts are normally extendable for 1-year periods.
  • Teaching part-time at a language school. Teaching hours are normally weekday afternoons and evenings, and weekends. This work is hourly paid. This type of work allows shorter commitments and more flexible working schedules.
  • Freelance teaching. Teaching hours are arranged between the teacher and student.
  • Online teaching.

Appearance and Behavior in the Hiring Process

Thais place great value in appearance and behavior. Teachers are expected to dress smartly and be well-groomed. Visible tattoos should be covered as much as possible. Teachers should also understand and respect the hierarchy within their school. Thais expect teachers to be polite and respectful to their seniors, all religions and the monarchy. SEE’s cultural awareness training addresses these points in far more detail.

Finding TEFL teaching jobs in Thailand

Step 1:

Pre-arrival

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Pack light-weight formal interview and teaching clothes. Alternatively, it is cheap and easy to buy these clothes from one of the large international supermarkets and department stores that are located in every major town and city in Thailand. Larger sizes are sometimes harder to find, such as over size 11 US / 9 UK / 42 Eur in mens’ shoes.

Bring originals of all relevant qualifications (degrees, certificates). A notarized copy of the Bachelor degree diploma and transcripts is normally required to obtain a non-immigrant B visa within Thailand at an Immigration office but isn’t normally a requirement if obtaining this visa at a Thai embassy or consulate outside of Thailand in SE Asia. Chiang Mai teachers usually apply at the Thai embassy in Laos for this visa where notarized copies are not required. It’s also advisable to bring a police check/clearance from your home country. We can advise on which one is most appropriate for you. If you don’t bring one with you, don’t worry as it’s possible to obtain one from the Thai police forensic units in Chiang Mai or Bangkok.

Also, if considering staying abroad for a year or more, extend your current (state/province/country) driver’s license as long as possible, as this can be used to get a Thai driver’s license without having to take a driver’s test. Whatever class of license you have in your home country qualifies you for the same class (without a test) in Thailand (e.g., car, motorcycle). Taking a motorcycle safety course in your home country is a great idea, as these types of classes are rare in Thailand. Also, consider applying for an International Driving Permit (IDP), which will be honored in most countries for up to a year.

There is a range of transport options around cities and towns including bicycles, motorbikes, shared taxis (songtaews) and taxi Apps such as Grab. Being flexible on school location (and the small commute it might entail) can make a big difference. Alternatively, some EFL teachers move close to their school/work location after finding employment.

Step 2:

Prepare a resume/CV

  • Include all relevant personal information including your current visa status.
  • Include a small passport-sized color photo at the top of the resume/CV. This helps potential employers remember applicants more easily. Dress formally for the photo but look relaxed and friendly.
  • The schools we visit for observed teaching practices can be added to resumes/CVs as relevant experience. This is very important as it shows real Thailand EFL teaching experience.
  • How to write a CV/Resume for the EFL teaching world is covered during training.

Step 3:

Purchase a Mobile Phone and/or local SIM card

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It is essential to leave a contact phone number when contacting potential employers. Mobile phones are cheap to purchase and easy to use. SIM cards can be bought from mobile phone shops. Credits (top-up cards) can be bought from any branch of a 7-11 store. The three primary cell phone providers are AIS, DTAC, and TRUE. All have 4G/5G coverage throughout most of the country; there are very rural/mountainous areas with limited/no coverage. Foreigners are required to provide their passport in order to purchase a SIM. Note that most Thais do not have, or use, voicemail. It is important to answer calls when they are made, and call back later when your phone calls go unanswered.

Step 4:

View job listings on relevant websites each day

Many schools do not advertise their teaching positions as they rely on local connections and walk-ins. However, if the school’s hiring process involves an experienced foreign teacher, they will list their openings on certain websites. At the end of training, we’ll provide you with links to these platforms.

Step 5:

Post your resume/CV on relevant websites

Some platforms allow teachers to post their CV/Resume on their websites for free. School recruiters regularly scan these listings and will contact you directly. At the end of training, we’ll provide you with links to these platforms.

Step 6:

Forward your resume/CV to chains of language schools

These schools employ teachers at their language schools but many also act as recruiters for formal schools. At the end of training, we’ll provide you with links to these platforms.

Step 7:

Forward your resume/CV to teacher employment agencies

At the end of training, we’ll provide you with links to these platforms.

Step 8:

Teach Online from your home

If interested in teaching online (over the Internet with a laptop/desktop or even a smartphone, either full- or part-time), consider online teaching organizations. At the end of training, we’ll provide you with links to these platforms.

Step 9:

Personally visit schools in Chiang Mai

On the last day of SEE TEFL training, lists of contact information for Chiang Mai schools will be distributed to trainees and discussed. The lists include 24 private schools, 25 government schools, 5 universities, 6 vocational colleges, 7 international schools and 24 language schools. Those seeking work in Chiang Mai will want to personally visit these schools.

Step 10:

Hand a copy of your resume/CV to SEE TEFL staff

Our sister school, EFL Learning Centre, manages around 70 foreign (native and non-native) teaching jobs in full-time and part-time positions in schools, kindergartens and colleges in Chiang Mai and across Thailand. SEE graduates are always first choice. The standard starting salary for these jobs is 32,000 – 42,000 THB per month.

Employment in other Asian countries

There are many job opportunities especially in Vietnam, Korea, China and Japan (large populations with a focus on education). There is also work to be found in neighboring Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. At the end of training, we’ll provide you with links to platforms advertising these positions.

Note: there is a private Facebook group called SEE TEFL Grads that all graduates are invited to join upon graduation. Teaching jobs are regularly posted there by SEE staff and SEE’s graduates.