Teaching English in Thailand

Most of the positions for foreign teachers are for less permanent amounts of time. If the prospective teacher is willing to stay for an agreeable amount of time contracts are made more attractive and this is due to high turnover. The Thai people are quite enthusiastic and fun loving, therefore, lessons which involve games are popular. The Thais have different customs which should be observed, for example, dress conservatively, and hand gestures are to be kept to a minimum as large boisterous ones are considered rude. The best time to search for a job is from mid-March to mid-May; which is when regular schools have vacation. October is a good time to find a job but January and February are quiet months. There are plenty of private schools in both Bangkok and Chang Mai but there are alternatively less well known cities where the competition for positions is not so stiff. Nakhon Sawan, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani and Ubon Ratchathani are worth at least checking out. Conclusively foreigners will not struggle to find work however the wages offered can be very low. Teachers can earn approximately $5 USD per hour to $16 USD depending on the type of company. Teaching positions in Universities are abundant but degrees and certificates are required; the days are past when the native English speaking person without preparation can find work. Work visas may require an official offer from the employer, official photos and a visit to the embassy. Cost of living in general is low in Thailand.

Travelling in Thailand

The top-class teacher training center is located just two minutes walking distance from Thailand's famous Patong beach in Chiang Mai, the Pearl of the Andaman. Chiang Mai is often called Thailand's ultimate tourist destination. Beautiful white sand beaches line the west coast. Rain or shine, there's always something to do -- an advantage that no other island can claim. The range of activities and places to see is extraordinary for an island of this size. You can:

• Zip line through the trees at Cable Jungle Adventure


• Rejuvenate your body with a Thai massage


• Learn to cook authentic Thai dishes at one of the many Thai cooking schools


• Take a yoga class and find your inner peace


• Go kayaking through the limestone caves in Phang-Nga and see James Bond Island


• There's no tee time required at Dino Park Mini Golf in Karon


• Test your courage and hurl yourself through the air at the bungee jump


• Scuba dive at one of the world-class dive sites minutes from chiang-mai


• 9 holes of night golf in Chiang Mai Town


• Work off those extra abdominal "muscles" at a Muay Thai gym


• Grab a cold beer and practice your Connect Four skills in one of the Bangla Sois


• Drift your go cart through the s-turn on the go cart track


• Water-ski in Kathu


• Spend the afternoon at Splash Jungle Waterpark


• See the monkey show at the Chiang Mai Zoo


• Dance all night to world-class DJs in one of the many Bangla Discos


• Take a surfing or bodyboarding lesson at Kata Beach


• Shop 'til you drop at Jungceylon or Central Festival


• Perfect your strike at your local bowling alley


• Enjoy international cuisine at one of chiang-mai's top-rated restaurants


• Experience Las Vegas-style entertainment at Chiang Mai FantaSea

ATMs and money exchange booths are literally everywhere and the tourist police are always on duty should you need them. The Thai food on Chiang Mai is excellent, and there are numerous local dishes to sample on the island. Should you decide to eat something other than Thai food, don't worry. Chiang Mai has many restaurants which cater to Westerners as well. Italian pizza, sushi, rib eye steak, New York bagels, Vietnamese Pho...anything and everything can be found here.