If you’re looking to teach English abroad, you have some excellent choices, but Thailand should be close to the top of your list. Its beautiful weather, breathtaking landscape, welcoming people, and captivating culture are only a few reasons to work in this renowned, traveling hotspot. This post looks at 5 of the best reasons that make travel and teach English in Thailand a great idea.
Exploring some of Thailand’s highlights
Bangkok
One of the liveliest cities in the world, Bangkok is an assault on the senses – in the best way possible. Whether it’s shopping in malls and street markets, sightseeing – on foot or by boat – or reveling in the awesome nightlife, Bangkok is an experience you won’t soon forget.
Northern Thailand
If you’re looking to enjoy the cultural side of Thailand, as well as lush, green landscapes, then head North. There, you can enjoy Chiang Mai, with its trekking, and temples; Pai, with its breathtaking scenery and laid-back, welcoming vibe; as well as Chiang Rai, Chiang Saen, and Sukhothai.
The Thai Islands
One of the first things that come to mind when thinking of travel in Thailand is the idyllic islands in the south of the country – and that’s because they have them in abundance. Best of all, each one offers something different: you could hit up a full moon party on Koh Phangan, snorkel in the crystal waters of Koh Phi Phi, or scuba dive off the coast of Koh Lanta, Koh Samui, or Koh Tao.
Oh, and let’s not forget, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Indonesia are all just a cheap flight away!
Enjoying an affordable and nice living standard
You’ll enjoy a comfortable standard of living, as your salary, typically between 35,000 to 40,000 baht for your first job, gives you a lot of purchasing power. For a start, your accommodation, which will typically cost 5,000 to 10,000 baht, represents a pretty small proportion of your paycheque, leaving you with more than enough disposable income.
Plus, your bills (water and electricity) won’t cost much, transport is very reasonable, and food, covered in more detail below, is abundant and cheap. Naturally, there’s plenty more to spend your money on, especially if you make a lot of friends or plan lots of weekend trips away. That being said, plan wisely and you’ll still have money at the end of the month – instead of too much month at the end of the money!
Now, though you can get a job anywhere in the country, including the islands, you’ll find the bulk of the work in Bangkok, and surrounding areas like Nonthaburi and Kanchanaburi, as well as Chiang Mai. As a result, both cities have thriving ex-pat communities, so there are plenty of events and opportunities to meet new people.
Wherever you picture yourself working, your chances of landing a great teaching job increase significantly when you have the right TESOL qualification. To set yourself up for success from the start, study for your TESOL with a reputable company, such as The TEFL Org, the most accredited course provider.
Feasting on Thai food
There’s a reason Thai food is always high on the list of many travelers’ favorite cuisine – because it’s sublime. It’s so good, in fact, that it deserves its own entry as a reason for working and traveling in Thailand. One of the reasons it’s rated so highly is its diversity: Pad Thai, khao soi, the variety of rich curries, som tam and other fresh salads, tom yum, and other flavorsome soups, sticky rice, and mango – there’s just so much to choose from.
Best of all, it’s so cheap! Especially when you consider the generous portion sizes, with them being all the more affordable and filling outside touristy areas.
And, you can start enjoying Thailand’s delicious dishes from home right now.
Tasting the country’s famous nightlife
Thailand is famed for its buzzing nightlife, mainly because it offers something for everyone: if you’re looking to have a big night, you can hit up one of the many, lively bars and clubs, or party all night at a beach party. If you’re looking for a slightly slower pace, there are tons of classier establishments where you can indulge in a glass of wine or a cocktail, or perhaps you’re just looking to enjoy a delicious meal with friends, in which case, you can hit up a Thai BBQ (mookata), or a luxurious seafood feast.
Gaining valuable working experience
Working in another country – even if for a short while, will change you forever. If I were to list all the ways in which you’ll become more confident, capable, self-reliant, patient, and resourceful, this article would be 5x as long. And that’s before I get into the friends you’ll make, from all over the world. You’ll become immersed in a culture, different than your own, that will give you insights you could never gain as a tourist. Best of all, you’ll feel more connected with people and be able to empathize with them more – as you realize that we’re all not so different after all.
So if you’re looking to become an ESL teacher, Thailand is a fantastic choice, and I hope this post gave you some insight into what makes it so special. It offers the chance to do stimulating, fulfilling work, surrounded by great people, while giving you a rich, varied, gorgeous country to explore.
