Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. There are always job opportunities to teach English in Thailand. However, in order to legally work in Thailand you must have a bachelor’s degree, a valid passport, a visa to enter the country and a police clearage from your country of origin (depends on your home country whether this is required or not). In most cases you will need to have an interview and be prepared to give a demonstration lesson before being employed. Essential TEFL will assist you in drafting your CV, preparing for interviews and making your job search as easy as possible. In fact, we are a part of Essential Education Staffing and you can interview for positions that are available. Check out the job placement page for more information (LINK).

You will be able to find jobs in public, private, bilingual and international schools. You may also find work at a language school, teach online or find a job teaching corporate English. With a TEFL certification, you will be able to find a job in Thailand easily but will also be able to use your certification to teach anywhere in the world where qualified English teachers are needed.

Thailand is a great place to live and work, as long as you are open to new experiences. Bangkok, and Thailand in general, provides a lot of opportunity to enjoy oneself and grow personally and professionally. People from across the world call Thailand home, and it is easy to make friends or connect with people who share your interests. In addition, there is so much to see and do in Thailand, and Bangkok can be a great jumping off point to visit other countries in the region. Check out the living in Bangkok page for more information

We suggest participants bring enough money to live on for several months. A suggested amount is between 100,000-150,000THB. This amount will allow you to find accommodation (deposit for an apartment is usually two months’ rent) and cover day-to-day living expenses until you finish the program and secure a job. While Thailand is not an expensive place to live, forward planning is essential. In addition, most schools pay salaries at the end of the month, so you could be working for several weeks before you get paid. It is also a good idea to have some “emergency” money set aside for unexpected occurrences.

This really depends on the job and school. However, because of the demand for qualified English teachers throughout the country, English teacher salaries allow for a comfortable lifestyle.

Apartments, condos and rooms can be found for as low as 5,000THB (150USD) per month, though most condos and apartments are between 10,000-20,000THB per month. Where you choose to live depends solely on the price and comfort level you desire. However, most apartments and condos will require a two month deposit and a minimum stay of six months. This is an option, but after finishing the course, participants may find employment far from their accommodation. So, it is recommended that participants find short term accommodation or accept the potential for a longer commute. The best advice may be to find accommodation near the BTS or MRT lines to make traveling around the city easy during or after the program. Essential TEFL has partnered with an AirBNB located in a popular tourist are to provide temporary accommodation. Check out the accommodation page for more information (LINK).

Of course. Thai people have a basic level of English, especially in Bangkok. Having more detailed conversations can be a challenge though but that is half the fun of living in a new country. Thai people are extremely accommodating and helpful, so you should not worry about any language barrier being too much of a problem. As part of the course, we will teach you some key Thai words and phrases to assist you with your day-to-day activities.

Yes, Bangkok has attracted people from across the world and it is easy to make friends and find people with similar interests. Part of the Essential TEFL program is connecting participants with current teachers and others who live and work in Bangkok so that you will begin making connections the moment you arrive.

Yes, Essential TEFL has wireless internet access at our office for you to access. In addition, most schools will provide internet access. Some accommodation options provide internet access, but most will not, so it will be your responsibility.

No, our fee only covers the course content, certification and outings.

Like anywhere, this depends on your budget and preferences. A night out with friends including a western meal and four to five drinks will cost between 1,000THB to 1,500THB (30-45USD).

It’s very easy; in fact, Bangkok is a regional hub of transportation and a good jumping off point for cities throughout Thailand and Southeast Asia. For a weekend, you can easily take a bus to a nearby beach town or island for less than 200THB (6USD). Or, if you choose to fly south or north, a flight will cost you less than 2,000THB (60USD). A room in a hostel can cost as little as 300 baht (10 USD) and a decent hotel is around 1,000THB (30USD). However, as with any tourist destination, there are options for those who are willing to spend more. The staff of Essential TEFL have lived and worked in Thailand for decades and will happily give you advice on traveling in Thailand and the region.

It is becoming easier to traverse Bangkok with the continued extension of the BTS (skytrain) and MRT (subway) system. In addition, buses crisscross the city. So, yes, it is easy to get around Bangkok without a car or motorbike but it does take some time getting used to the chaos of Bangkok streets. Check out the living in Bangkok page for more information (LINK).

A meal at an average Thai restaurant will be between 40-60THB (1-2USD). There is a mall food court near the Essential TEFL office which offers a variety of meals for less than 100THB (3USD) each. Additionally, Bangkok is a cosmopolitan city with people from all corners of globe so you should easily be able to find anything you desire, though the price might be considerably more than a plate of street food.