15 reasons to teach English in Thailand

15 reasons to teach English in Thailand

From gaining work experience to opportunities to travel


People all over the world travel to new countries to teach English. And while each country has lots to offer, one of the best places to teach English abroad is definitely Thailand.

This small but beautiful country deserves consideration if you are wondering whether or not to teach English, and where exactly you should go. Here are just some of the reasons that Thailand might be the ideal place for you.

1. Work Experience

Teaching abroad in any new country is great work experience. It looks wonderful on a resume, and can improve your chances of getting work in related fields in the future.

Teaching in Thailand, which has a unique education system, will give you the chance to try teaching in a new way, and evaluate your own approach to teaching. As such, teaching in Thailand will broaden your horizons as a teacher, and give you a feel for alternative education methods.

You'll also get to work with children of all ages, and develop a sense of what age group you most prefer to work with.

2. Beautiful weather

Much of Thailand is tropical rain forest, and the country is famed for its hot, sunny weather. If you live in a cold climate and just can't imagine living through one more winter, then maybe teaching in Thailand is a good alternative option.

The warm weather means you can leave your parka and boots and home, but don't forget that it does rain sometimes in Thailand! Mostly, though, the weather is idyllic, hot, and beautiful.

3. Culture

Thai culture is unlike any other in the world. The food is amazing and very affordable. The country boasts Buddhist temples, bustling cities, beautiful countryside, and gorgeous beaches.

Thailand is known for its culture of dance, as well as hospitality, and there are dozens of annual festivals and holidays to take part in. Thai art and architecture is also fascinating and unique, and deserves attention: get familiar with Thai sculpture, wall-painting, and amazing temple architecture.

4. Meet new people

Most institutions that hire English teachers in Thailand do so through group programs or schools, so you'll likely be working with lots of other English-speakers in Thailand.

You'll get to know these colleagues well, and spend lots of time with them. They'll become fast friends, both during your time in Thailand, and even after you return home. And you can be sure that they are just as adventurous and curious as you are - they're in Thailand too, after all!

5. Opportunity to Travel

Thailand is the central hub of Southeast Asia. This means that once in Thailand, it's a cinch to travel to other fantastic destinations, like India, Cambodia, Vietnam, and China, to name a few. So not only will you be living in an exciting new country, but you'll also be able to visit other fascinating places during your time in Thailand.

It's a perfect location for world travelers who want to really explore many different countries and their cultures. And because Thailand is so affordable, you'll be able to justify treating yourself to a few excursions outside of the country as a break from all your hard work.

6. Wonderful students

Thailand boasts some of the most hospitable, friendly people in the world, and your students will be no exception. Thai children start school at a very young age, so most students are very familiar with the routine of school and know exactly what is expected of them.

Respect for elders is a mainstay of Thai culture, so you likely won't spend much time on discipline: instead, you can get down to the fun stuff, like exciting activities, new lessons, excursions, and games.

7. Public holidays

Thailand has nearly double the number of public holidays that the UK has, so when you're feeling in need of a break, you will have plenty of opportunity to take off for a little vacation to a neighbouring country, or kick back and relax in

Thailand while you enjoy the local celebration of a festival or holiday. This way, you can work hard during the school year, knowing you'll have plenty of holiday time on your days off.

8. Island paradise

Thailand has mile after mile of gorgeous beaches, beautiful tropical rain forest, and stunning mountain vistas to enjoy. Elephant and tiger sanctuaries make for a fun trip. You can take in beautiful scenery just about anywhere: even in Bangkok, the country's bustling metropolis, the countryside is never too far away.

Thailand is also full of rivers, which offer a relaxing and lovely way to travel and see the sights: rafting or paddling down one of Thailand's many waterways is an ideal way to spend an afternoon.

9. Good job market

Teaching in Thailand gives you experience in a good job market, where there is plenty of demand for your skill set.

Being able to teach students from all different backgrounds and experiences set you up for success in future career goals, whether as a teacher or not. You can work hard and be creative in your job, knowing that you have security in a sometimes unpredictable world.

English teachers with experience teaching abroad have good chances of landing good jobs in countries outside of Thailand as well, but you'll definitely be in high demand in Thailand, as much of the country is eager to learn English.

10. Income

While most English teachers living abroad make a reasonable living, those living in Thailand are especially lucky.

Thailand is one of the most affordable countries to live in when it comes to housing, transportation, and food. On a teacher's salary in Thailand, the average person can live very comfortably, and still come home with savings in their pockets.

Working in Thailand is a great option for those looking to make a good living and have a fair bit of extra left over when all is said and done.

11. Good preparation for careers

Anyone keen to work in the fields of education, international affairs, diplomacy, or international aid would do well to spend some time teaching abroad.

Thailand is an excellent location for this preparation: upon learning about your time teaching English abroad, future employers will see that you're adventurous, hard-working, open-minded and proactive.

It will give you plenty of experience in learning to adjust to a new culture, language, and country, and that flexibility and resourcefulness can serve you very well in a wide number of career options.

12. Have a positive influence on others

Teaching in Thailand allows you to have a positive influence on your students, no matter their age. Your kindness, enthusiasm, hard work and creativity will encourage your students to do their very best. You'll set them up for success in their futures as bilingual students and employees as they enter the workforce.

Who knows where their love of learning and knowledge of English could take them? It is a significant responsibility, but it's also deeply satisfying to know that your work has a positive impact on the lives of others.

13. Learn a new language

The language spoken in Thailand is Thai, and it uses its own unique script. While this is sometimes difficult to work around, in time you'll develop good fluency in language, and be able to engage with your neighbours, your students, and new friends you meet with ease.

Any language student can tell you that learning a language in a classroom is a lot harder than being immersed in the language everyday for long periods of time, so in no time you'll be comfortable conversing in Thai, and navigating restaurant menus, bus schedules, or street signs.

14. Live outside your comfort zone

It's true that the first few weeks of living in a new place can be scary, and sometimes downright stressful. But in just a little while, you'll come to feel right at home in Thailand, thanks to the hospitable nature of the locals. Besides, it's good for us to live outside our comfort zones and push ourselves to try new things. When you look back on your time in Thailand, you'll marvel at all the things you achieved and accomplished that you never thought possible.

15. Friendly people

I've mentioned it several times already, but it's worth mentioning again: the Thai people are among the world's friendliest folks. Meeting new people is easy in Thailand: your neighbours will greet you, your fellow teachers will be welcoming, and most of the people you encounter day-to-day are equally friendly and hospitable.

In no time at all, you'll have lots of new friends and acquaintances to help you feel at home in Thailand.

So while at first it might seem like a pretty serious change (and yes, it is) and an impossible transition to move to Thailand to teach English, you may find that it's one of the best decisions you ever made. It's a big decision, and deserves careful thought and consideration, but teaching English in Thailand is definitely one option worth really thinking about to set yourself up for a great future, to learn a lot, to push yourself and boost your confidence, and have the adventure of a lifetime.

Kevin Aguirre Rodriguez




Comments

Im glad you can speak for the whole country and every English trainer. I'm glad you can summarize every persons experince in Thailand in one comment. Defenitly not pretentious!
I appreciate the comments and engagement because it leads to disscusion. Yes not everyone has had a dandy experince teaching but not everyone has had a bad one either. I wrote this article to encourage people to teach in Thailand. Of course you don't make a fourtune teaching. You teach for the adventure and to make a difference eveni f its a small one in one students life. By learning English a student opens doors to a better future and you help that happen. That what matters in the end (my opinion) Its about perception. If you have a family I dont recommend it. But if your young and fresh out of school you will be ok teaching in Thailand. Its a stepping stone for anyone and for some of us its the start of a love affair of teaching. If you do your job right and you learn to market yourself properly the money will come later. I can tell what kind of teacher you are....I left to keep traveling. I eventually settled down with my wife in Germany. Greetings from wonderful Germany and I hope you read my next article on my negative experinces teaching :)

By Kevin Rodriguez , Germany (14th November 2015)

1. Work Experience
Looks good on your resume? Think again. A young man spending a year in Bangkok is going to raise eyebrows.
Japan, OK. Even China... but Thailand? Come on, what are you thinking?

2. Beautiful weather
Beautiful? This must have been thrown in as a joke. It's either too hot or it's pissing down with rain.

3. Culture
Rabid dogs, disgusting unhygienic food, dog shit on the cracked and dangerous sidewalks, and abdication of any kind of responsibility to get all this cleaned up. Marvelous!

4. Meet new people
Well, you can meet new people in prison.

5. Opportunity to Travel
Agree with this one.

6. Wonderful students
Agree with this one. Yes, the kids are fun to teach... well, they are fun to be in the same room as!

7. Public holidays
Agree with this one. Loads of time off for teachers.

8. Island paradise
Agree with this one. There are endless great places to visit in Thailand, not just pretty islands, though.

9. Good job market
Agree with this one. From every pay scale to every type of work environment, Thailand has a place for you whoever you are.

10. Income
Kevin, you wrote this for a joke, right?
"On a teacher's salary in Thailand, the average person can live very comfortably..."
Your definition of 'comfort' is not the same as mine!

11. Good preparation for careers
Absolute rubbish. A teaching job in Thailand will not prepare you for anything other than another teaching job in Thailand.

12. Have a positive influence on others
Kevin has a massive delusion about his role in the grand scheme of things.
"You'll set them up for success in their futures as bilingual students and employees as they enter the workforce."
Yeah, that English is gonna come in handy when they are driving a tuk tuk around outside Big C!

13. Learn a new language
So what? You can order rice and chicken in a restaurant? Big deal.

14. Live outside your comfort zone
Who wants to do this? More pretentious and preachy rubbish.
I've been here 15 years and have yet to find anything 'uncomfortable' about it... well, apart from side-stepping the dog turds on the cracked sidewalks!

15. Friendly people
Can't argue with that.

Kevin... I counted 25 uses of the word 'I' in your short 'About Me' page on your blog.
I already know more about you than you can possibly imagine including what kind of teacher you are.
I'm happy that you found Thailand to be the paradise that you write about... why did you ever leave?

By Mark Newman, Thailand (14th November 2015)

It's hard to believe that this person has actually lived and worked here. Is he selling something? A seasoned teacher of English in Thailand would probably take issue with just about every point that he makes.

By Jeremy, udon (10th November 2015)

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