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The Definitive Guide to TEFL Teaching: Benefits, Considerations, Best Courses & Everything In-Between

TEFL Company Recommendations

Course Location(s)

Courses available in London, Birmingham, Sydney, the United Kingdom, Ireland, North America and Australia.

Certification from many different cities, including the U.S., Europe, Central and South America, and Asia.

Located in Chiang Mai, Thailand, location is a huge program highlight. If you’re looking for a culturally-immersive learning experience with a guaranteed job at the end of the course, this is it!

On-site at various paradise locations around Thailand, including Samui and Phuket.

All courses are online and completed by working remotely from anywhere in the world.

All courses offered online. Therefore you can complete your study from anywhere in the world.

Course Types Offered

Online and classroom learning TEFL opportunities and certifications available.

Both international TEFL certification classes and an online class are offered.

SEE offers a 4-week TEFL course as well as a paid internship. Internship is identical to the 4-week course but is only 2-weeks long and tailors to those teachers who don’t want to commit to staying in Thailand longer than 5 months.

Paid internship, or 3 week TEFL course

ICAL offers both a 120-hour TEFL online course as well as an 150-hour TEFL online course.

4 courses offered: preliminary course, certificate course, diploma course and the advanced diploma of education studies in TESOL. Courses differ based on whether you want an introductory or professional course.

Qualifications Required

You don’t need any qualifications, though that non-native speakers must have a good understanding of English with a Cambridge CAE qualification or equivalent.

A degree is not required to take a course, however, ITA reminds students that age limits to teach English abroad vary by country and school. That said, to teach in Thailand, a TEFL is all that's required

The 4-week TEFL course requires English language ability of IELTS 6.5 equivalency. However,you must be a native English speaker to attend the internship placement.

Bachelors degree, any subject, native English speaker. Non-native English speakers accepted subject to application approval.

You do not need to be a native English speaker. There are no requirements or qualifications needed, but you will need to have highly competent level of English to complete the course

You don't need to be a native English speaker but you must have a good standard of English, such as reading and writing at a high level.

Online Certfications

Two online TEFL certificates available: Professional 120-hour certificate and the 60-hour foundation TEFL certificate.

Online, 11-week long, 170-hour TEFL and TESOL certifications are available.

There are no online certifications available. Study is limited to the Chiang Mai location.

No online courses are offered.

Both courses are online only.

All courses offered are online only.

Job Prospects

Job prospects depend on both the course you decide to take as well as where you take the course.

Graduates are offered lifetime job assistance, including learning how to contact schools directly and network effectively.

Graduates are guaranteed a job after completing the 4-week course.

*Guaranteed job after successful completion of the course.

Job search support is provided upon graduation.There are graduates of UCAL TEFL in all five continents.

There are many jobs available for TTC graduates around the world, from Spain to Turkey to South Korea.

Course Pricing

120-hour TEFL costs $199 and the 60-hour foundation TEFL certificate is $279. Onsite pricing varies greatly and will depend on program choice.

Course costs range from $1,595 to $2,495 for an onsite TEFL certification course. The course offered in Pattaya, Thailand costs $1,525 ( accommodation not included). An online certification costs $1,395.

Course costs $1,495. Those who know anywhere from 3-6 weeks in advance that they want to attend the course can save up to $200 by signing up early.

Paid internship: £1,095 ($1,365) TEFL: £1,140 ($1,435).

The 120-hour course costs $265. The 150-hour course costs $395.

Prices range from $159-$249, depending on the course you choose.


Happy mediums are hard to come by. I can never seem to find that perfect balance between what I want to do and what I should be doing.

This is especially difficult when we are talking about both working and playing hard. That being said, I can finally say I have found my balance working as a teacher abroad in Thailand.

On my breaks, I am able to fly down south to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world or explore mountainous terrain in the north of Thailand.

tefl teaching thailand

While the pay might seem insufficient at first, the cost of living in Thailand is so low that I have been able to live more comfortably here than I have in my entire life. The benefits are reaped by more than just the potential teachers too, however.

International studies measuring English proficiency show that Thailand falls at 62 out of 70 countries ranked. The EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) also showed that other Asian countries are doing well in comparison to Thailand, ranking it the third worst Asian country in English proficiency.

Tourism is also one of the biggest job industries in Thailand, with an estimated 8,140,000 jobs in 2025 in tourism according to the Authority on World Travel & Tourism.

So now that you know you are needed, let’s talk about how it is we get there.

What is the Difference Between TEFL & TESOL?

TEFL stands for teaching English as a Foreign Language, and TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. They are, essentially, one of the same, as both certifications are interchangeable when trying to find a job overseas.

Both certifications give you the qualification required to teach abroad in a classroom where you may be the only person able to speak proper English for miles. Regardless of your degree (or lack thereof, as many schools don’t actually require one) getting your certification will help you take on a classroom abroad with confidence.

7 Key Benefits to Having a TEFL/TESOL

1) Travel while you work

Never has it been so easy to travel for work than it is with having a TEFL or TESOL certification.

While you may have completed your certification in Thailand, that doesn’t mean you are confined to this country’s borders. Oftentimes, those who teach in Thailand will jet off to other Asian countries after they feel as though their work here is done.

2) A job always in demand

Schools are always in need of native English speakers.

Back home, you may face a job market that has left you to the confines of your parents’ basement, flipping burgers or bussing tables until you can really utilize your degree. Having a TEFL certification opens up so many opportunities for work, from having your own classroom to private tutoring. A job is never hard to come by, especially in Thailand, for those who have a TEFL certification.

3) Meet awesome friends

If you get your TEFL certification onsite, you will meet many new people who are like-minded in that they all want to teach abroad.

I have made some of my best friends through my course, and these people will most likely become your support group as you tackle working and living abroad.

4) International work experience

What better way to make your resume stand out other than by having some international work experience?

Some may raise their eyebrows at you when you decide to teach abroad with a degree that doesn't’ necessarily correlate with education, but working abroad is one bullet point on your resume that will make you stand out.

5) Get to work to your strengths

If you have a degree in biology, you can teach science in Thailand. Have a passion for math (although this seems highly unlikely to be true of anyone)? You can teach algebra!

While you may have initially traveled to Thailand with the intentions of teaching English only, many schools are in need of different subjects taught in English. Again, this will look great on a resume, and you find yourself learning more about a specific subject when you need to create lesson plans about it.

6) Work with amazing kids that will change your life

I’ll be the first to say that I was never a fan of children.

I didn't know, however, how much I would fall in love with my students while teaching abroad. At the end of my first term, I had an overwhelming amount of students crying and taking one too many selfies with me on the last day of school. It doesn’t get more rewarding than that.

7) Awesome food, wonderful landscapes & some of the nicest people you'll ever meet

While teaching abroad, you will slowly learn the language of the country you find yourself residing in as well as learning so much about different cultures and communities.

So, now you know what the potential a TEFL holds, you'll need to choose a course. There's a ton of them out there, which can be overwhelming. But don't worry, I'll guide you through the process.

best tefl course thailand

Let's start with some key considerations when choosing your course.

7 Things You Should Consider Before Choosing a TEFL/TESOL Course

1) Does the course offer onsite support even after you graduate?

As someone who has gone through blood poisoning, a stolen passport and many other unfortunate events, I can not stress how important it is to have some support after you arrive in Thailand. The language barrier is hard enough without having to explain to the police that your passport is gone.

2) Where is the course located?

I highly recommend picking a course that is located in Thailand already. It gives you the chance to slowly immerse yourself into the culture before being thrown into a classroom of your own. You can also narrow down your search to where it is in Thailand you would prefer to go.

3) Do they help you find a job?

3. Finding a job in Thailand is simple, if you know how to do it. Having to reach out to schools independently can be difficult, because of the language barrier and for the simple fact that you probably don’t know what you’re doing yet. Courses that offer job support when you first start out as well as throughout your time in Thailand come in handy, especially if you decide to change schools at some point.

4) Can the certification be used outside of the country it was intended for?

While I think most people who come to Thailand fall in love with the country, many find themselves traveling to Japan, Myanmar and other neighboring countries after deciding it wasn’t for them. Don’t find out when it’s already too late that your certification can be used in only one country.

5) How much does it cost?

Many companies will act as the middleman, getting you set up to take the TESOL course abroad with yet another company. During my time getting my certification, some of my fellow soon-to-be teachers had paid over double of what I had for the same exact program. Do your research to find the best priced company without lowering your standards on quality.

6) What age group do you want to teach?

While many TEFL courses give you a general certification and you find a school teaching the grade of your choice, many certifications are tailored specifically for a certain age-group. Do your research so you don’t enter Thailand thinking you’ll be teaching Kindergarten only to be in a classroom full of high schoolers.

7) Look at the course’s reviews.

A company’s website might blow you away, with it’s distracting colors and promises of riding elephants into the sunset while getting your certification. The quality of the program, however, could be seriously lacking, despite it’s flashy website.

Right, now we know what we are looking for in a course, let's find you the perfect one. Oh, but first, in true Thai style, let's take a selfie!

tefl teaching course

My 6 Top TEFL/TESOL Course Company Picks

Picking a company to get your TEFL certification with is one of the biggest decisions you will have to make when deciding to teach abroad.

You shouldn’t worry about finding a certification, however, with so many out there to choose from, you need to make sure you find a reputable company that's a good fit with your requirements.

This company can and most likely will be the catalyst of your experience abroad, especially in the first couple of months. Picking the wrong company can complete affect your entire experience teaching abroad.

If you choose a program provider whose instructors are incompetent, you will find yourself struggling more with your students than they do with your disorganized lesson plans.

In order to avoid anymore stress than you have already taken on at this point, I’m here to help navigate the landscape by picking out the most highly rated 8 courses and comparing them based on a number of different factors that should make your search both narrower and easier.

1. SEE TEFL

tefl-course-thailand

– Location:

If you want to study in Thailand, SEE TEFL (SEE) is number 1, and for good reason. Located in Chiang Mai, Thailand, hopeful teachers can check off location as being one of the highlights this program has to offer. If you're looking for a culturally-immersive learning experience in Thailand, with a guaranteed job at the end of the course, this is it!

– Types of Courses Offered:

SEE offers a 4-week TEFL course as well as a paid internship. The internship is essentially identical to the 4-week long TEFL course, however, it is only two weeks long and tailors to those teachers who don’t want to commit to staying in Thailand for longer than 5 months.

– Qualifications:

The 4-week TEFL program accepts any nationality, so long as you are competent with the English language: the recommended level is an IELTS 6.5 equivalency. In order to be eligible for the internship you to be a native English speaker and be comfortable using Microsoft Word or OpenOffice. 

They also list that participants must be adaptable to unpredictable situations and be friendly and flexible.

Aside from these requirements, I can’t emphasize enough how being ready for anything and being patient when things go wrong is one of the most important requirements for anyone looking to teach abroad. Regardless of the program you choose, things are oftentimes bound to not go as planned at some point.

– Online Certifications:

There are no online certifications available. The course is run solely from the Chiang Mai location.

– Job Prospects:

Graduates are guaranteed to get a job shortly after completing their 4-week course, which is great because course participates will already have been a month without working and could know doubt do with the money.

– Pricing:

The TEFL course costs $1,595. However, if you sign up between three and six weeks in advance you can get up to $200 off the standard price. The paid internship costs $1,295.

> Click here to visit the SEE TEFL website

2. TEFL Heaven

tefl-heaven

– Location:

TEFL Heaven presents a great alternative to SEE TEFL if you'd rather study on an island than up in Chiang Mai.

TEFL training takes place over three weeks in a tropical Thai location (Koh Chang, Krabi, Koh Samui, Phuket, or Koh Phangan), after which TEFL Heaven will place participants in schools around Thailand based on individual preferences.

– Types of Courses Offered:

The Paid Internships Thailand program is 3 weeks TEFL training on a paradise island and then a paid teaching job which would be anywhere in Thailand for 5 months or more.

There is also a TEFL certification option for those without a degree, but the job guarantee is not given; though assistance is provided.

– Qualifications:

Only native English speakers with a degree can apply for the Paid Internship program.

– Job Prospects:

Native English speakers with a Bachelor’s degree are guaranteed a paid job in Thailand after the TEFL certification.

– Pricing:

The Paid Internships Thailand fees are 1,095 GBP (1,365 USD). You'll receive a 120 hr TEFL certificate, a guaranteed teaching job, full time assistance, visa help and accommodation for the 3 week TEFL certification period.

The TEFL Certification course is priced at 1,140 GBP (1,435 USD). You'll receive 4 weeks of TEFL training, guaranteed job placement, preparation assistance and visa help.

>> Click here to visit the TEFL Heaven website

3. i-to-i TEFL

lovetefl review

– Location:

i-to-i, who have recently merged with LoveTEFL, offer courses  in London, Birmingham, Sydney, the United Kingdom, Ireland, North America and Australia, as well as online courses and paid internships in Thailand, Vietnam and China. i-i are popular because of the flexibility to study either in class or online, and because they have established a respected reputation among teflers and education institutions worldwide.

– Types of Courses Offered:

There are both online and classroom learning TEFL opportunities and certifications available, both domestically and abroad.

– Qualifications:

You don’t need any previous qualifications to take an i-to-i TEFL course, though they do ask that non-native speakers have a good understanding of the English language with a Cambridge CAE qualification or equivalent.

– Online Certifications:

There are two online TEFL certificates available: A professional 120-hour certificate, and a 60-hour foundation TEFL certificate. There's also a big discount on at the moment!

– Job Prospects:

Job prospects depend on both the course you decide to take as well as where you take the course, but you won't be without work having taken one of the i-to-i courses. They have hundreds of employers across 23 countries providing the top salaries, perks and progression opportunities. You can search for jobs by region on their website.

– Pricing:

The 140-hour TEFL certificate is currently £249 and the 120-hour TEFL certificate is £149. Prices for paid internships start at £895.

>> Click here to visit the i-to-i TEFL website

4. International TEFL Academy

best tefl course

– Location:

The TEFL Academy is on a par with i-i and offer similar opportunities. You can get your certification from many different places, including the U.S., Europe, Central and South America, and Asia. They also offer a great on-site training opportunity for those wanting to teach in Thailand. You will first jet off to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where you'll spend three weeks before going to Pattaya, Thailand, for the last week of your training and the presentation of your certification at this seaside location.

– Types of Courses Offered:

Both international TEFL certification classes and an online class are offered.

– Qualifications:

You don't need a degree or any other qualification to do the course, but the company does advise you that age limits to teach English abroad vary by country and school, as does whether or not you need hold a degree. For the most part, however, neither will stop you from getting a job in Thailand.

– Online Certifications:

An online, 11-week long, 170-hour TEFL and TESOL certification are available.

– Job Prospects:

Students and graduates are offered lifetime job assistance, including showing participants how to contact schools directly, network properly and utilize things like job boards.

– Pricing:

Tuition ranges from $1,595 to $2,495 for an onsite TEFL certification course. The course offered in Pattaya, Thailand costs $1,525 (accommodation not included). An online certification costs $1,395.

>> Click here to visit the International TEFL Academy website

5. Go-TEFL: (TEFL Training College)

tefl-training

– Location:

All of the courses are offered online only, therefore you can complete your TESOL from anywhere in the world.

– Types of Courses Offered:

TEFL Training College offers four courses, including the preliminary course, the certificate course, the diploma course and the advanced diploma of education studies in TESOL. Each course differs depending on whether you would like an introductory course or something more professional.

– Qualifications:

You do not need to be a native English speaker, however, the website does state that you must have a good standard of English, such as reading and writing at a higher level.

– Online Certifications:

All of the courses offered are online only.

– Job Prospects:

There are many jobs available for TEFL Training College around the world, from Spain to Turkey and even South Korea.

– Pricing:

Prices range from $159-$249, depending on the course you choose.

6. iCAL TEFL

tefl certificate course

– Location:

Hopeful teachers can work remotely, as both TEFL certifications are online courses.

– Types of Courses Offered:

iCAL TEFL offers both a 120-hour TEFL online course and a 150-hour TEFL online course.

– Qualifications:

You do not need to be a native English speaker, and there are no strict requirements or qualifications needed. However, you will need to have a high level of English to complete the course.

– Online Certifications:

Both courses are online only.

– Job Prospects:

Full job search support is provided upon graduation. Also note that there are graduates of UCAL TEFL in all five continents, which bodes well for your chances of securing a job.

– Pricing:

The 120-hour course costs $265, and the 150-hour course costs $395.

—————-

That's it! Pick your course, get your certificate and the world's your oyster. And don't forget, when you've finished your course, you can find lots of teaching jobs in Thailand right here on the TTL Job Board.

By Kelly Iverson – Seasoned TEFL teacher & travel buff.

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  1. Hi! I’m really excited about the idea of taking one of this courses and I really appreciate this post cause it really has helped me a lot. However I have a doubt and I was wondering if you guys could help me once again. I was in Thailand and I fell in love with Chiang Mai. Some of the courses kind of guarantee you a job after taking the course. Would it be anywhere in Thailand or would I be able to chose the location? More specifically I would love to stay and live in Chiang Mai. Do you think its possible?

    Reply

    • Hi Juliana, if you do the course with SEE TEFL they will help place you in a job in Chiang Mai. There are plenty of positions up there and SEE has a good relationship with local schools. Of course, it’s up to you if you want to go elsewhere in Thailand and get a job.

      Reply

  2. Hello,

    I just wanted to say thanks a million for the information. It has been really helpful. I’m very excited now to get the ball rolling! Can I just ask whether having a degree can guarantee you a better paid English teaching job or is it all the same just once you have the TEFL/TESOl accreditation?

    Looking forward to hearing from you!
    Karen

    Reply

    • At a state-school teaching level the salary would be the same. It would probably make a difference at international schools where they want teachers with specific qualifications to teach certain subjects like Geography or Maths. But take this job for example. The qualification requirements are degree or TEFL/TESOL plus some experience teaching in a Thai school, which the on-site TEFL certification courses in my list give you.

      Reply

  3. I’m surprised to see online programs on this ‘definitive list.” An online TEFL program will have very limited recognition. Schools want to see a “practicum” — observed teaching practices – typically a minimum of 6 hours of classroom time. The practicum is the heart & soul of any reputable TEFL program.

    Learning the theory online does not prepare you for a successfully teaching English in a classroom. Every trainee we’ve taught got demonstrably better after their classroom teaching practices. There is no substitute for this. It’s a key reason why most schools downgrade online-only programs.

    Yes, online programs are convenient, flexible and allow you to continue working, but there’s a significant trade-off.

    The only online program to consider is some kind of Combined TEFL where you do the book online, but still do your practicum in front of real non-English speaking students.

    Reply

    • I absolutely agree that the classroom training is hugely beneficial, and I do state this in the post and recommend it as a preferred option. But I don’t agree that an online TEFL program will have limited recognition; certainly not in Thailand anyway. I have met plenty of teachers over the years who took a reputable online course and had no problem getting a job. Those with the potential to be a good teacher go on to do just that.

      Moreover, there are numerous companies who advertise on my job board that accept teachers with online and offline TEFL training, equally.

      Four of the six in my table are on-site courses, and as you can see I put those who offer internships and TEFL + classroom training on-site as my primary recommendations, for exactly the reasons you state. Like you, I’d always recommend practical training; I am also an advocate of cultural immersion prior to taking a teaching position. However, it’s important to offer my readers a balance of the options available, so that they can choose the option that best suits their current circumstances.

      Reply

      • I too would agree that one can get “a job” with an on-line only TEFL program. I would even stretch this to getting “a job” without any TEFL training whatsoever. The demand for English teachers is that great as I’ve written about here:

        But the operative words are “a job.” As in “any teaching job.”

        Those same candidates might land much better jobs if their qualifications included a full TELF that includes a practicum. Thailand’s most prestigious schools have a basic qualifications bar that they use to short list the hundreds of applicants they can get for a single position.

        And isn’t it more than just Thailand? Some teacher candidates might want to take a longer view and pursue a qualification that would also be recognized by top schools in South Korea or Japan–and lot of other places around the world

        Some of the students we’ve trained already had a an online TEFL–with teaching experience–but as they were moving out of Thailand, needed to upgrade their qualificatons for more demanding institutions.

        I get the diversity angle you’re trying to get by your six picks. But I think that “balance of options” could be stressed. The way it’s now worded with a headline that reads “My 6 Top TEFL/TESOL Course Company Picks”, readers may see it as the “Top Six. ” Again, there are programs that certainly would not be a lot of expert lists of ‘definitive lists.”

        Reply

  4. Hi Peter, I have done some research on behalf of my wife, she has completed the TEFL course here in England, but it seems most companies want you to sign up for their course and then they will find you a job, but she has already completed the course. Are there any companies/agencies that will place you without taking the course again?

    Reply

    • You only need to be a native speaker for the internship. For the The 4-week TEFL course you need English language ability of IELTS 6.5 equivalency. Judging by your comment, I’d say you are well above this level. You can drop John (the owner) any question you have via their website. He is a friendly guy. Let him know thethailandlife.com sent you over 🙂

      Reply

    • In Thailand there are foreign teachers working in schools up until the ages 55-65 depending on the school.

      Generally speaking, there are no age limits to teach English abroad, but every country or school has different requirements and restrictions.

      There are many factors that contribute to age limitations. Sometimes it is a visa issue, and some countries are not permitted to give visas to teachers above the age of 60 or 65 due to legal retirement ages.

      Reply

  7. Hello – Great article really helpful. I’m looking to do a TEFL course that will allow me to work anywhere and by the looks of it SEETefl looks like a great option as i plan to start out in Thailand, would you agree or would you recommend i-to-i as i would look to teach in other countries also? Are you aware if this company helps you with the basics like setting up a bank account and getting a Thia sim ect??

    Reply

    • If you are looking to start in Thailand then SEE TEFL is a great choice. Chiang Mai is a good location too: friendly people, great food, decent town centre, plenty of nice scenery, good expat community of all ages, young and old. They will help you getting set up with things like accommodation, bank account, Sim car etc. Don’t forget that help with all that stuff can be found right here on TTL too.

      Reply

  8. Love the information you have given on the website. However looking at the teachers jobs on the site and others seems to all indicate that a degree is required. I don’t have a degree however can’t afford to take a chance an get a TEFL qualification if not having a degree will make it pointless anyway. Advice? Also what are the age requirements as I’m 31 and a female friend of mine whom hasn’t got a degree who is interested as well is 37.

    Reply

  10. Hi,

    I am seriously planning on going over to Koh samui to do the TEFL course and hopefully pass. This will be my first time moving so far away from London. Should i be scared moving to Thailand on my own? also worried i will fail the course! I have been to Bangkok and Koh Samui 3 years ago and absolutely loved it! Of course i went with my boyfriend back then so i wasn’t as scared. I know i shouldn’t let fear stop me from doing what i love which is travelling and meeting new people. I have been in retail for 13 years and want to try something new like teaching.

    Please can you advise me on my dilemma

    Thank you

    Kim

    Reply

    • Hi Kim, I don’t think you should be scared, but be aware of the dangers for a woman traveling alone and be cautious in certain situations and don’t do anything that you wouldn’t do back home. Most crimes and related bad things usually happen when people put themselves in vulnerable positions, not just in Thailand but in any major city or tourist destination in the world, see my recent post on avoiding being a victim of crime here: Just follow the basic rules of not walking home alone late at night, not leaving your baggage unattended when traveling, etc. Also bear in mind that while Thailand seems kinda perfect when on holiday, it is like any other country once you live here in that you will have down days and miss home, but also fantastic experiences you will never forget, and meet people from all over the world. There are lots of expats, young and old, men and women, all living a good life in Samui and other parts of Thailand; many of whom will be happy to help you along. There’s always lots going on and plenty of people to meet. When I first came to Thailand it was to Koh Samui; I then came back to live there for around 9 months or more. It was the best thing I ever did. In fact, the first Thai friend I made there remains a close friend today.

      Reply

      • Thank you so much for the reply back, i guess i will need to take the risk and go for it! There will always be fear in me where i would ask myself am i doing the right thing? But it really helps with the advice you give back same with Ken, without advice like this many people out there will have a big culture shock when they get there and wouldn’t know what to expect!

        I will not let this distract me from my life goals. But i will be very mindful and alert about my surroundings.

        Yes i agree the thai people are extremely friendly and helpful as i went to visit Thailand for the very first time back in 2013 before the curfew by the government kicked in 2014.

        Living in Thailand how is that new law treating you?

        Thank you for taking the time to reply back to me! =)

        Reply

    • Kim – You did not really mention what your major fears are in particular. For example, are you mostly afraid that as a single female traveler some physical harm might befall you? Or are you more afraid that you will not be able to find a job and in turn will run out of money and end up homeless in a foreign country?

      The latter was actually my greatest fear the first time I moved to Japan at just 24-years old. And I had good reason to be afraid with only $400 and a round trip plane ticket in my pocket. After all, if I had failed to find a job in time I would have been left with the choice of either being homeless in Japan or being homeless back in California. You see, I had nobody back home to take me in or help me out in any way should things fall apart, so I had nothing to come back to. Now, that’s what I call scary! But I did it anyway because, quite frankly, I would rather try and fail than just sit around wondering “what if” for the rest of my life.

      By the way, at that time I actually did get to the point where I only had enough money to stay in my room for two more days and I was facing the prospect of either cashing in the other half of my ticket for a little more money, or using it to go back home to nothing. But luckily that very same day everything just fell into place for me. First I just happened to meet this Korean guy on the street and later that day I met a Canadian guy at my rooming house and after talking that evening we decided to all become roommates. The next day one of the guys found a 3-bedroom house to rent and they let me slide on the rent until I got a job. Then the day after that I found a job through the American landlord of the house we were renting. I ended up staying for a year and then a few years later I went back for another 4 years.

      Anyway, if your major fear is being the victim of a violent crime – or even being killed – I personally would not worry too much about such things. As I said in an earlier post, the odds of such a thing happening to you is not really a whole lot greater than it is back in your home country. In fact, you are probably just as (or even more) likely to be raped on your own college campus back home than your are to be raped in Thailand. Also, excluding diseases and suicides, the most likely thing to kill a westerner in Thailand is a traffic accident.

      Of course I realize that most peoples fears are irrational and are not based at all on the odds. For example, some people are terrified of flying even though they are actually tens of thousands of times more likely to be killed in a car. So, nothing I can say will help with that. Ultimately you will either be able to confront your fears or you will not.

      As for any worries you might have about not being able to cut it over there, again, these are fears that you will ultimately just have to face, or not face. And as for passing a TEFL course and getting your certificate you can always just take care of that in your own country if you are worried about not passing. It’s not exactly rocket science though so I can’t imagine why you would fail the course. Still, if it worries you so much, you might want to contact the people who run these various programs and ask them what percentage of people typically wash out, if any.

      Of course, if you have fears about not passing the course then you likely also have fears that you might not be any good at teaching to begin with. All I can say to that is, I would not worry about it. In my experience most people who teach English as a second language abroad are mediocre teachers at best. And many are downright useless. So you would have to be a pretty piss poor teacher indeed to loose your job once you actually find one.

      Anyway, I hope this helps in some way.

      Reply

      • Hi Ken,

        Thank you for the reply back! Yes you are very right and have a good point. I am not usually a risk taker at all and moving to another country terrifies me but excites me at the same time. But wow thank you for your story, you must of gone through so much and yet you came out stronger and hopefully happier! Good on you! My friend went to Thailand to do the same course and she told me they placed her in the worse conditioned garage ever separated by all the other people that was in her group because she was Muslim they separated them to the white people. She was taken to the north and all the other people was taken to the beach in the south. She was alone and scared and pretty scarred for life now! She told me it was a big culture shock for her that they can be so racist and was disgusted how the sister company in Thailand treated her and another girl. She was messed about so much and was livid!! I was very lucky she told me her story as i was going to throw myself in it before even thinking first which would be pretty stupid of me! I am lucky i have friends and family here. There are many dangers in this world you are correct and being a girl in my own it is only natural i feel this way. But i thank you for giving me advice and telling me your life story! This has really helped me in deciding whether this is right for me or not. I wouldn’t say i am stupid but maybe a slower learner then others? Haha..i cant learn by reading pages of notes..i would have to experience it to learn quicker.

        Just by reading my reply back, how would you rate my English? Will i survive out there? Thank you again for taking time to reply to me! Also i love Japan!! Awesome place to visit and enjoyed it very much!! =)

        Reply

        • Kim,

          I’m sorry to hear that your friend had such an unpleasant experience in Thailand. This is exactly why I never accept teaching jobs or even enroll as a student in a school from outside of the country. Obviously there is a sense of security in having a job lined up before you relocate but I just don’t trust that things will be as described in the brochure once I get there. And let’s face it, there are shysters out there in every country who might try to take advantage of you. So, for these reasons I always need to see a place in person before signing on.

          As to why your friend was treated the way she was over there, there is really no way for anyone to know for sure unless she was specifically told the reason. From what you said however it does seem likely that either race or nationality had something to do with it. I don’t really see how her religion could have anything to do with it though (although TTL knows more about these things than I do). I do know that when I was teaching in Japan White teachers were by far the most in demand. And this is only natural since the White race is most often associated with the English Language in the minds of most people. It’s kind of like the way I prefer a Japanese Sushi Chef to a White one. The White guy might actually be a great Sushi Chef but my brain just tells me that I don’t want to chance it. And it’s often the same with foreign students wanting to learn English. This kind of subconscious bias does not really constitute racism though.

          Still, even if your friend would have to end up teaching in a different location than the others due to her background I can’t see any reason why she would be separated from the others during the course or would be treated badly. That just seems stupid and I would personally never do business with any organization that would do something like that.

          As for how the majority of Thais feel about Muslims or certain races in general I can’t really say. I do know that the older sister of a Thai girl I used to date was in a long-term relationship with a Muslim man at the time so obviously she had no problem with them. I suppose if you are non-White yourself by chance then you will likely find out for yourself should you go to Thailand.

          And as for your English abilities I’m sure they are more than adequate for teaching English in Thailand. But being a good teacher is not just about what you know. For example, the greatest dancer or martial artists in the world might not necessarily be very good at teaching what he (or she) knows to others. Some people are just natural born teachers and some are not. Of course, whether or not you make it in a foreign country has a lot more to do with your drive, determination, and attitude than your abilities as a teacher.

          Reply

          • I have decided to go ahead with getting my TEFL certification!! Not going to let one incident get in the way of my dream..i am nervous and excited at the same time! My boyfriend has been nothing but supportive of me chasing this dream. I really do hope i will pass and get to travel around the world.

            Reply

            • That’s great! Although I’m still not quite clear on why you would not just acquire your teaching certificate in your own country prior to planning your trip. Also, if you had mentioned before that you were still with your boyfriend I would have told you that your biggest concern should be whether or not your relationship can actually survive a year long separation and not those other problems that you have been concerning yourself with. After all, teaching contracts are typically for a minimum of one year and if you are going all the way to Thailand to get you TEFL certificate (as you originally stated) then I assume you would also want to actually land a teaching job while there.

              Reply

                • Thank you for the advice! Really do appreciate it. Yes i will get my certificate in London before leaving to go over to Asia. Will be challenging working full time and studying. But i will balance it out so i will make time to study. My only worry is that i have no classroom experience so even if i pass and get my TEFL i will not have an real experience.

                  Reply

                  • Very few people who teach English as a second language go into it with any kind of prior classroom teaching experience so I wouldn’t worry too much about that. Speaking of which, I have actually been working on a write-up which details the ups and down of being an English teacher abroad and I will eventually post it somewhere (assuming I ever finish it). I’m hoping that sharing some of my own teaching experiences will give prospective teachers some idea of just what they are getting themselves into. When I first started teaching I was just thrown into the deep end and I had to quickly either sink or swim. Unfortunately, there was no Internet back then so I did not have access to the wealth of information and personal experiences that we have access to today.

                    Reply

  11. Hi,I am in my mid 40 and from India.I am finance professional willing to take up a job in Thailand,How is Job opportunities in Thai.Is it OK to shift to teaching profession by taking TEFL.
    Is is advisable to shift the profession giving my age and job offer there.

    regards
    Janardhan

    Reply

  12. Hi,
    I’m moving to Thailand from Australia in two months and planning to live there and work for a year. I don’t have any teaching qualifications yet but what I have is a bachelors degree in business and an advanced diploma in marketing. Would either of these be of any use to me in finding a teaching job in Thailand. And would you happen to know what other jobs I could find with those qualifications?

    Regards

    Reply

  15. Hello, I am a Thai citizen but I was raised in the United States since I was 3 years old. The English language is the only language that I have spoken for 45 years. I graduated from high school and was a member of the United States Air Force. I am now living in Thailand and acquired my Thai ID. Is there any way possible that you can get me an English teaching job? Please contact me anytime. Thank you

    Reply

    • Unfortunately if Thailand is anything like Japan used to be it might be much harder for you to find a good English teaching job there than it would be for a White person. This is because the schools know that the students want a Western looking teacher. In fact, the first time I went to Japan in the 80’s there were actually quite a few English teachers from countries where English is a second language, like Germany for example. And although these teacher had thick accents and there English was far from perfect they could get easily get teaching jobs simply because of the way they looked. But it was almost impossible for an Asian person to get a job at an English conversation school no matter how good they were. The private schools just want as many paying students as possible and they know that most people have these subconscious prejudices. For example if some guy here owns an expensive Porsche or BMW he would probably much rather his mechanic be some German guy named Gunter than a Mexican guy named Jose. It’s not rational but that’s just how people are.

      Anyway I hope this is not the case in Thailand but its something to think about. And of course if you are looking for work at a regular public school and not an English conversation school then it probably will not matter as much. And just because you might have to try harder than others is no reason to give up.

      Reply

  17. Do you think it’s impossible for a 23 year old Dutch Caucasian without a degree to eventually find a job after completing his TEFL course?
    I’ve applied for the course in Koh Samui and ofcourse they say that it’ll be no problem at all. ( as long as I enroll $$$ )
    I would like to hear your opinion. 🙂

    Reply

    • Hi Rico, yes, you will be able to find a job. The TEFL is proof that you are a competent English teacher to a certain standard. Some countries do require that English be your mother language, but Thailand doesn’t.

      Reply

  18. Hi! This post was great! thanks so much for the info! I’m a 24 year old film student from chile and have traveled to Thailand a couple times already and really want to go live there next year. Since now I do more of free lance work in film, I was really interested in teaching. This post really helped me out! Your whole page in general is great!! Thanks again 🙂

    Reply

    • Hey Charlotte, I think SEE is a great option if you plan on teaching in Thailand afterwards, as they have a guaranteed job placement program. I had a friend who took this course and he said the cultural insight of studying in Thailand before teaching was valuable; not just the teaching side but actually living and going out in Chiang Mai. It made him decide if he wanted to stay there once completing the qualification, which he did and ended up staying for 2 years.

      Reply

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