Teaching English In Thailand

1. Teaching English in Thailand Choosing a country for teaching English abroad is not an easy task. However, if you decide to travel to a distant land and teach, it will not only look good in your resume but will also help you earn a higher salary. In order to teach abroad, you need to weigh out your options. Thailand stands as a very lucrative location for English teachers for various reasons. Standard Honorarium If you choose to teach English abroad in a country like Thailand you can enjoy plenty of benefits. Firstly, the monthly salary you will be offered will allow you to manage a decent enough living. No Language Barrier Secondly, in order to teach English in Thailand you actually do not need to speak Thai. That is a great advantage when compared to other countries like Japan or Korea. That will not only save your time but also will save much of your cost involved in learning a foreign language. Hospitable Environment Whilst teaching English in Thailand you can get a feel of the rich Buddhist culture that Thailand has to offer. Immerse yourself in the society which will expose you to warm and hospitable people along with the delicious Thai cuisine. Thailand will provide you the chance to be a part of a vibrant community and meet new people. Unlike many African and other Asian countries, the society is not hostile but instead is liberal in many aspects. Multiple Options to Choose From As a professional going to Thailand, you can either be employed in a government school or in a specific English language school. In case of the former, the salary might be on the lower side, but at the same time the time off is more. All the public schools in Thailand are closed on weekends and there are no night shifts. On the other hand, the language schools are higher paying alternatives but the work-shifts alter a lot.

2. Enjoy Short Term Contracts Though it is true that the love and warmth of the country will eventually overwhelm your senses, but you can actually go there for as short-term contract, for three to five months and come back. This is one of the many positives of teaching English abroad in a country like Thailand. The short term contracts will allow you to unburden yourself from making long term commitments of staying in a foreign land. So, if you have already set your mind on travelling to a distant land to teach English there, Thailand perhaps is the best suitable alternative. With great people and scrumptious food you get a chance to earn a decent living and dodge the trouble of learning a native tongue. 5 Things I Didn’t Know Before Going to Teach in Thailand When I boarded the plane for Asia, to go and teach in Thailand, the only thing I knew about the place was the glamour of Bangkok. I did not know back then that this experience would change my life forever. Teaching English in Thailand is one of the best decisions I have made in my entire life. My decision to teach there was not only based on the money I was offered (because in Japan I was offered more), but mostly due to the fact that I didn’t have to learn the native tongue to get selected and I would have flexible working hours. But there are also other factors that made me feel Thailand was the place I belonged, and I decided it was where I should pursue my English teaching career. You Become a Part of a Student’s Family The students often view teachers as their third parent and will respect you accordingly. Unlike many cultures around the globe, Thailand is a place where teachers are highly valued and respected.

3. The Thai students still wait (a gesture of greeting) me when they see me in school or even in public. The Parents will Welcome You Home The parents of your students won’t snub you during their national holidays and festive times. In fact, I hardly get any time alone on their holidays. They invite me to share in the festivities for my students’ birthdays and during various festivals. They Welcome Westerners Thai people, in general, are not hostile towards Westerners. I can freely roam around in public, shop on my own and even go on tours with my colleagues during the school breaks. You Never Feel Left Out Thai people have a great sense of community. They will welcome and invite you on every occasion. As a teacher, I am always at the center of their attention. My landlord neighbours and even their relatives all treat me with scrumptious food. The Food is Awesome Talking about invitations, the homemade Thai food is just fabulous. By now I know the different curries and different kinds of prawn and salmon dishes, and I have my favourite food stands with owners who remember what I like. I particularly don’t like spicy food and so I make a special effort to say maiphet (no spice) when ordering food and they understand that this is a common difference in Westerners!