Teaching English in Thailand in 2019. A Short Guide.

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Thailand is a wonderful country with warm, friendly people and an inviting culture.  By teaching here you will have time to soak up the culture and see the beautiful landscapes the country has to offer. To travel within the country is very easy and also very cheap.

The cost of living is very affordable and there are many options available to fit any lifestyle.

However, Thailand is not the number one country for English teaching in Asia because the salaries are not that high. Countries like Korea and China have much higher salaries and lures the bulk of English teachers.

If your intention is to save up some money then it is still possible to do it in Thailand but it will just take a lot longer.

English teaching jobs are very much high in demand and every year there is room for more.

With regard to visas, there have been several changes in the last couple of years.
Before you make any decision to live or teach here, first go on to the website of the Thai Embassy in your country and find out what the correct visa requirements is.

Below is a Short and Sweet Guide with the relevant information for those wanting to teach in Thailand.



Requirements
In order to teach English in Thailand, teachers are required to be from Native English speaking countries and must have a Bachelors degree.
Countries that are considered Native English speaking countries are - USA, Great Britain, New Zealand, Australia and Canada.
However, you can still find a job as a Non-Native Speaker it will just take a little longer.
Having a CELTA, TESOL, TEFL  certificate can count in your favour to find a job but is not essential.

How to find a job.
The number One website for  English teaching Jobs is Ajarn and it caters solely to Thailand.
You can also look at Dave's Esl Cafe and Craigslist Thailand for Job Postings.
Best times to apply for jobs are around March and October every year. But any other time is also fine, as there are always vacancies throughout the year.

Visas and Work Permit
In order to work here as a teacher, you will have to get a Non-Immigrant B visa. It is a complicated process which involves a lot of documents. Most schools are very helpful and will provide you with assistance in this regard.
You can get all the information about what documents are needed on the Thai Embassy Website.
Once you have your Non-immigrant B Visa you can apply for a Work Permit which will enable you to work legally in the Country.

TOEIC Test
A TOEIC test will be required from Non- Native Speakers. It is a language proficiency test that can be taken in Bangkok.

Salaries 
Depending on which school is hiring you. The big international schools pay the highest salaries but entry requirements to get a job in those schools are quite high.
At private schools, you can expect to earn between 30000 bath on the lower end up to 45000 bath or a little more on the higher end, depending on your qualifications and experience. 
Some schools provide accommodation or housing allowance but not in all cases.
Outside of Bangkok, the salaries are not so high but you can still live comfortably on a lower salary in the smaller towns.

Accommodation and cost of living.
 How much you pay for rent depends on what kind of lifestyle you want to have.
If you want comfort and convenience near the train or bus station you can find a Condo or Apartment from 5000 up to 15000.  Having a nice place to live with good amenities can be expensive but it is nice to return to a cosy apartment after a hard day of teaching.
On the other hand, if you want to save a lot of money there are many cheaper options available that can help you save.
You can save a lot of money by taking the bus, buying groceries at Tesco and buying beer at 7-eleven etc. All the little things add up and at the end of the day, it will be a lot.


 Culture and Etiquette
Working as a teacher means you will be accepted as an important and respected part of the community. It is the cultural experience of a lifetime. You will definitely learn to have a new found respect for a slower pace of life.  Most Thais are Buddist and have a naturally generous and caring attitude to make you feel at home.

Travel
There are long school holidays and many public holidays in a year which is a great time for travelling and getting to know the country. Cheap transport options are conveniently available and even cheap flights with AirAsia.

Final Words of Advice.
My best advice is to be always very polite to everyone and if you don't understand something don't lose your cool.  If you practice a little patience and ask in a polite manner you will get the right information.




Greetings from Bangkok
M







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