Entrust has been physically in Thailand training and placing teachers since 2003, so we know a little about Thai labor law, maybe a bit more than your average blog troll or pop-up TEFL website.
First, the visa is just a vehicle to obtain your work permit. If you are a degree holder you may obtain a Non-Immigrant "B" as a degree is a required document, which seems to be the main focus on the internet. However, if you do not have a degree, you obtain a Non-Immigrant "O" as a degree is not a required document. Either the "B" or the "O" will lead you to a work permit, which is the legal document you require to work legally in Thailand.
Thus it does not matter if you are a degree holder or a non-degree holder, you can still obtain a work permit to work legally in Thailand.
TEFL (Teaching English as A Foreign Language) is a comprehensive teacher training certification primarily used in foreign countries where English is not the first language or primary language and the EFL student will not have access to English within their daily lives or outside the classroom. If you plan to teach English in a foreign country where you will be your students only access to English, then a TEFL certification is the way to go.
TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is a less comprehensive or simplified teacher training certification as it is primarily used for teaching English to students currently residing in native English-speaking countries where they will have access to English within their daily lives and outside the classroom. If you plan to teach English in a native English-Speaking country to immigrants or refugees, then a TESOL certification is the way to go, however additional certifications and educational thresholds may be required to do so.
CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) The CELTA is a specific standardized teacher training course focused on adult learners exclusively by Cambridge. This course is incredibly intensive as it requires strict memorization of word-by-word definitions and absolute mechanics of written teaching steps. As none of the students’ work can be graded on-site, but rather sent on to Cambridge for assessment is the reasoning behind definitions and other course work required to be the perfect word for word. Cambridge will ensure you can recite the definition of a part of speech for example but offers very little instruction on how to physically teach it to learners of ESL. If you are gifted at memorization, willing to pay a bit more for the Cambridge name, and looking to exclusively teach adults then a CELTA certification is the way to go.
Entrust TEFL is an award-winning teacher training company licensed by the Thai Ministry of Education with over 18 years of experience and has trained over 6,700 graduates now working worldwide as teachers.
We’re also proud of our TEFL certification course offering which gives you unrivaled value for money. In addition to the TEFL certification program, you get resort accommodation, sightseeing tours, trekking, airport pick-up, transportation, volunteer teaching opportunities – and much more – for one economical fee. We aren’t shy to say that you get all of this for about the same price that other companies are asking for only a seat in the classroom!
At Entrust TEFL we understand what schools are looking for in a teacher. Because our 120-hour accredited course and our three-day classroom experience are designed with your employees in mind, you can be confident that you’ll be equipped to teach English in Thailand – or anywhere else for that matter.
But regardless of which TEFL package you choose, you can have peace of mind with Entrust TEFL. Our professional associations and accreditations are noteworthy, and we’re there to support you through each step of the process – even after you’ve graduated.
There is no age limit for the course, however, schools prefer candidates aged between 22 – 45 years of age. You must be over 20 years old to obtain a work permit in Thailand to work legally.
You do not need to be a native speaker to attend the course or even be placed in a teaching job upon graduation. In fact, we have placed over 6,800 degree, non-degree holders, native English, and non-native English speakers in paying jobs across Thailand.
No, you only need to speak English while teaching in the classroom.
Immediately. Typically you would graduate on a Friday evening and start working at your school that Monday morning, however, If you would like to take a short holiday before you start working, just let our placement department know so they can organize your job with the school when you are ready. During the training course our placement department will line up different potential employers for you so that you can make an informed decision about the school, where you’d like to teach so by the time you graduate, you already know exactly where you will be going, how you are getting there, who is fetching you, what your schedule looks like, what you’re salary will be as well as lots of other important facts regarding your placement.
We have a 100% placement rate!!
No, you do not need to have previous teaching experience, but a definite interest in this field goes without saying. Through our TEFL program, you’ll receive hands-on training through our 140-hour course, be immersed in the Thai culture while being supported by our staff, learn basic Thai conversational skills, and see your confidence grow through teaching observation and practice at real schools.
If you do have teaching experience or certification; a degree in Education, English, Math or Science; and other transferable skills – then we encourage you to apply as well. These are sought after by Thai schools.
We have to smile when we get asked this question because we know from experience that once you get here, you won’t be able to imagine not taking a TEFL course in Thailand!
Thailand is a gateway to Asia – the perfect mixture of modern, western comforts and authentic, cultural experiences. Importantly, Thailand is full of opportunities for English teachers. Jobs abound and the cost of living is low, giving you the opportunity to travel and explore or use your savings as you see fit. And, Thailand offers you unimaginable diversity, divine cuisine, and friendly locals.
The final hiring decision is made by your prospective employer and their individual needs and requirements, not Entrust TEFL. You’ll be able to decide whether to accept a job position or not, based on the openings available balanced with your preferred teaching location. TEFL graduates will tell you that flexibility is key to having an enjoyable experience.
That said, early applications have a better chance of getting their preferred location, but keep in mind that we can’t guarantee that we’ll be able to honor your request. Of course, if you are the adventurous sort, you are more than welcome to use your TEFL qualification to find your own employment in the city of your choice.
Most schools or recruiting agencies will, on average, ask you to sign a four-month contract. Most TEFL course graduates work as teachers for at least a year. Many stay in Thailand for much longer, some choosing only to work on a short-term basis at a school or language school during peak periods.
An Entrust TEFL certificate allows you to teach English as a foreign language practically anywhere in the world! If you want to teach English in Thailand, you’ll be happy to know that we are internationally accredited, recognized by the Ministry of Labor, and have over 6,500 graduates currently working worldwide as teachers.
While all countries have their own set of rules, regulations, and requirements concerning the employment of foreign labor, however with our international accreditation, and Thai Ministry of foreign affairs approved training you will be on top of any recruiters' hire list. Entrust TEFL is an institutional member of IATEFL (International Association of Teaching English as a Foreign Language), and we are validated externally by leading experts in the field of ESL. This external validation keeps our TEFL course material and requirements on par with international standards.
That said, we do recommend that if you know where you’d ultimately like to teach, that you do your homework about that country’s employment requirements. Some countries may require an additional or higher qualification (like a degree), along with your Entrust TEFL Certificate. They may also have age and ethnicity requirements in order to legally employ you.
We currently have Entrust TEFL course graduates working in Thailand, Dubai, Hungry, Spain, Saudi Arabia, China, South Korea, Ukraine, and new countries every day.
The first few months in Thailand are an adventure in everything new – a new culture, new customs, new traditions, new surroundings, new people. Because of this, it’s always helpful to have a few familiar things handy to ground you. So pack that family photo, or bring that special trinket. In general, though, we recommend packing lights, because almost everything can be purchased quite inexpensively in Thailand. Here is our list of recommended items:
- Smart attire to wear for interviews, your practical teaching hours during our TEFL course, and for teaching.
- A phrasebook so that you can begin to get familiar with simple local phrases.
- A phrasebook so that you can begin to get familiar with simple local phrases.
- 50,000 – 60,000 Thai baht for you to use until you finish the TEFL course and start earning a salary. You can place it in your Thai bank account or simply wire funds to your Thai account once you get here.
- Any original diploma or degree certificates, if you have them. The original documents are required in order to get a work permit.
- A clean police clearance certificate is required by Thai labor regulations in order to obtain a work permit in Thailand. This clearance can easily be obtained from your local police department; it’s most convenient if brought with you. It can also be obtained once you’re in Thailand, but this takes at least three weeks and is not free.
- A camera – trust us, you’ll want to take pictures of all the wonderful places and things you’ll experience during the Entrust TEFL course and the rest of your time in Thailand.
- A good pair of hiking shoes will come in handy for our explorations through the Thai mountains.
- Moisture-wicking clothes or clothes made from natural fibers – Thailand is very hot and humid.
If you sign up for the Premium Program we will provide you a non-immigrate visa for up to 6 months free as part of the course. This will give you lots of time to have your employer sort out your work permit and if you ever have any problems you can always come back to Entrust for assistance.
If on the Basic course you can simply arrive on a tourist visa and we can sort everything else out when you arrive at one of our training centers.
If you have a degree
If you are a holder of a degree in any field you will have no problem obtaining a work permit and a non-Immigrant one-year visa. The process is relatively straightforward; it takes up to three months to obtain your work permit and visa. The process has three steps:
1) The school will want the originals of your degree and any other educational documents in order to prepare your visa sponsorship documentation. Once the sponsorship package is completed, the school will ask you to do a visa run to obtain your 90-day Non-Immigrate B visa. You can do the visa trip by yourself or elect to hire a company to do it for you. Jack Total Golf (yes!) and Thai Visa Service are two such companies, but there are many to choose from in your local area.
2) Next, you’ll cross the border into a neighboring country to drop off your documents at the Thai Embassy. The Thai Embassy will collect the documents in the morning before lunch; you may return the next day after lunch to retrieve them. Keep in mind that the officer will write the name of your school on your visa.
3) Once your return to your school, you’ll need to give your passport to the school so they can start the work permit process. (They’ll take just a copy). Once the work permit is completed you’ll need to go to the local Ministry of Labor and Immigration to have your passport and work permit stamped for one year. After that, you can continue to stay in Thailand simply by extending your visa every year in the country.
If you don’t have a degree
If you do not hold a degree in any field, the process is a little more costly and time-consuming. There are various options, depending on the school and the local circumstances:
1) Some schools are able to provide you with a visa and work permit, stating “special circumstances” to the Ministry of Labor. This is usually only approved for rural areas where it is hard to obtain a Native English Teacher.
2) In most cases you will be working full-time hours and getting paid as a full-time employee, but be classified as part-time because you don’t have a degree. By being a part-time employee, the school is not compelled to file your paperwork with the Ministry of Labor. This in turn means that you won’t get a visa or work permit through the school. The advantage of this is that you have no tax obligations, but the downside is that you’ll need to leave the country every 90 days to obtain another entry visa.
To qualify to teach abroad, we recommend: English language fluency TEFL certification (most often required to teach English overseas) If you want a leg up against the competition, a bit of teaching experience too Do you really need a TEFL certification to teach abroad? The short answer is no… The long answer is more complicated.
Teaching abroad is an exceptionally fun and fulfilling way to travel, while also gaining skills and connections to build a career with.
You can get certified online or in-person, in as little as 140 hours or as much as 3 weeks!
If you're excited at the possibility of doing meaningful work in an exciting new destination, all the while making incredible new friends and immersing in new cultures (and maybe even earning a handsome paycheck), then it's time for you to start searching for teaching jobs abroad!
In Thailand, most people need at least a high school diploma or equivalent. You can obtain a non-immigrant and work permit, but the process is more difficult than a degree holder. Holding a degree in any field of study will allow you to easily obtain a visa and work permit to legally teach in Thailand.
Schools understand that TEFL-certified teaching candidates are equipped with the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed to build lesson plans and lead a classroom effectively. Entrust TEFL won the TEFL award from the Thai Ministry of Education as our teachers entered the classrooms ready to go with no need for further training.
Teaching abroad is the perfect way to immerse yourself in new cities and villages, contribute to the local community, and get paid while doing it.
Take your qualifications and TEFL certification with you around the globe to teach -- there are opportunities everywhere!
While being a great way to finance your travels, teaching English is also a valuable job that has a significant impact on students and local communities.
Whether you choose to help professionals excel in their field with business English classes, teach K-12 in public or private schools, or become an after-school English tutor, the options are plentiful.
140-hour TEFL certification course will prepare you to be a successful teacher of English as a Foreign Language and will make you an attractive candidate to employers worldwide.
Thailand is a Buddhist country which makes it an extremely safe country with little crime.
If your favorite way to unwind after work is going for a run in the fresh air, then maybe living in a rural setting rather than a super crowded high-rise city would be better for you!
While other destinations may pay less, one of the benefits of teaching English abroad through a program over going freelance is that you are guaranteed to make the same amount every month, making it easier to work out a budget and make sure you don't miss out on any once in a lifetime opportunities.
Don't forget a lot of your time abroad is going to be spent teaching English! However, during the class you will be learning at our training facility, teaching at real schools, going on awesome trips, and getting certified to teach anywhere.
This can be a complicated process, and every country has its own guidelines for issuing visas, so pay close attention every step of the way. https://entrusttefl.com/visa-and-work-permit/
Through high-quality TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) certification programs – which you can complete in-country, online, or even through a hybrid program where you'll start your learning online and then travel to Thailand to complete your certification – you'll be able to teach English abroad to learners of all ages and skill levels even if you don't have any prior experience as a teacher.
After completing your TEFL certification through Entrust TEFL, you'll have lifetime job placement assistance to help you find paid teaching placements worldwide.
Being able to communicate in English is extremely valuable for those in developing countries who are striving to build a sustainable future for themselves and their families.
Teach in Thailand and enjoy a tropical climate and world-renowned tourism industry. A hot, tropical climate (which some people love...), friendly people, and a high but affordable quality of life have all added to the attractiveness of teaching English in Thailand.
The friendly and welcoming Thai culture, delicious cuisine, and ample outdoor activities make Thailand an attractive location for both beginner and experienced teachers to land a great teaching position.
Since these schools have tuition, these institutions have the capacity to pay the teachers more (and even provide benefits like housing or airfare stipends).
Most teachers will end up teaching at either a private language school or a public school.
Average salary: $800 - $1,800 USD per month Schedule: Monday - Friday; 40 hours per week Requirements: A high school diploma to a bachelor's degree and fluency in English.
While students might normally be stressed over tests, there is a No-Fail Policy in Thailand. This prevents teachers from failing their students.
While language academies were the primary employer of English teachers in the past, the most common employer is now public schools.
For those who are interested in teaching English in Thailand, Entrust TEFL offers a variety of teaching jobs ranging from ESL instructors in private language institutes to English teachers at private international schools.
Thailand is known for its delicious food, friendly locals, and beautiful temples View jobs
Thai children (and adults) are known for being generous, funny, kind, and loud.
Teachers in Thailand are highly respected by students and their parents, and most students are well-disciplined, which makes your life easier!
20,000 – 60,000 Baht/month This varies by lifestyle and city that you choose to live in.
A native English speaker is a person who learned to speak English at an early age. Asian employers recognize five passport holders as Native English Speakers: Americans, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and the United Kingdom. Others not in the official list above include the Irish and South Africans.
Most Asian countries, such as Thailand, accept teachers who are not native English speakers to teach in their schools.
Yes, non-English native speakers are eligible to apply and teach in Thailand.
For TOEIC, scoring at least 600 points proves that you are good in English, and you can take up a teaching job if you are a non-native passport holder.
