An independent guide to teaching in Thailand
Teach in Thailand.
Check your options, then choose your next step.
Understand your options, find teaching work, compare suitable training and plan the cost of moving.
Your decisions, in order
Move forward one question at a time.
You do not need to decide everything today. Start with the practical question in front of you, then follow the next step when you are ready.
Check whether you can teach
Review degree, experience and work-eligibility considerations before spending on training or travel.
Check your options →See where jobs are found
Compare job sources and learn how to evaluate employers and application routes.
Explore job-search routes →Prepare your application
Gather the documents schools commonly request and make your application easy to review.
Build your application pack →Compare TEFL training
Consider course content, supervised practice and employer fit before choosing a course.
Use the course guide →Review pay and contract terms
Put salary examples in context with paid months, duties, benefits and local costs.
Review an offer carefully →Plan your move budget
Estimate your arrival costs and cash runway before your first salary.
Plan your Thailand budget →Prepare for classroom practice
Get practical guidance for your first week and managing large English classes.
Prepare for the classroom →A useful starting point
“A course fee tells you what tuition costs. Your runway tells you whether the move is workable.”
Understand the full Bangkok budget →Before you pay a deposit
- Ask which qualification the exact price and intake includes.
- Confirm placement eligibility for your nationality and degree.
- Get housing, visa and refund terms in writing.
- Plan for the weeks before your first salary arrives.
- Check current dates and fees directly with the provider.
Explore the teaching journey
Practical guides for each next step.
Compare by format and location
Online, Bangkok or Chiang Mai?
Start with the setting that works for you, then check current details and terms in the individual review.
World TESOL Academy
Self-paced course options and separate online practicum opportunities.
Review online training →Essential TEFL
Four-week in-person Standard 120-hour and TQUK Level 5 routes.
Review Bangkok training →SEE TEFL
Four-week in-person course and a separate paid internship offer.
Review Chiang Mai training →SiamTEFL has approved affiliate relationships with SEE TEFL and World TESOL Academy. This page and the comparison hub contain no referral links for either provider.
Ready to compare eligible course options?
Review the in-person Standard 120-hour and TQUK Level 5 options offered by Essential TEFL. This separate referral relationship covers only the eligible Essential TEFL courses explained in our review.