Teach Your Way Around the World

The best thing about TEFL is the chance to work in lots of different places around the world. It’s one realistic way to live in Thailand, which of course is the sort of place where you come backpacking and decide you want to stay. More than two dozen countries have large ESL sectors, for example here is a list of all the countries where the TEFL International Organization has operations:

Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Egypt, United Kingdom, France, Greece, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Nepal, Philippines, Spain, Thailand, United States and Vietnam.

After finishing the GoTEFL TAP Program, you are entitled as alumni to rely on any of the TEFL International centers to help find you a local job at any time in the future. Long after people have left Thailand and MediaKids Academy, we continue to get postcards from China, Greece, Mexico, Bali… the list goes on. You may find yourself in Thailand for a year, in Japan the next, and then switching gears and heading off to Spain – the possibilities are endless! Some TEFL teachers even become very settled in Thailand however, and continue their TEFL careers here. Japan and Thailand are two of the most popular countries among our alumni.

About four times a year there is usually a new frenzy of hiring as others move on or change schools. In Asia the school term begins in May, in Europe and North America it’s September, and in the Southern Hemisphere it’s January. That’s why the TAP Program begins either in April or September here in Thailand.

About four times a year there is usually a new frenzy of hiring as others move on or change schools. In Asia the school term begins in May, in Europe and North America it’s September, and in the Southern Hemisphere it’s January. That’s why the TAP Program begins either in April or September here in Thailan

What are the salaries around the world?

So what’s the pay like? Well, here in Thailand a rookie teacher will start on 25,000-30,000 baht (About $1,000), some even go lower to accept plum jobs in popular areas (afterall we all want to teach at the beach right?) Most of these jobs are in Bangkok which is an expensive place to live in, so you don’t save much for your travels. The ceiling is 45,000 ($1,500), in private schools if you’re super experienced. But a salary of around 30,000 Baht really goes a long way in Thailand.
By contrast you can take a one-year contract in Saudi Arabia and save most of your $4,500 salary, but the lifestyle is way less relaxed and very different what you will experience in Thailand. Good salaries are also had in Korea, but teaching there is no picnic. ESL teachers in Korea experience a large workload and intense schedule. Japan is where many of the experienced teachers end up. Generally, the more relaxed and undeveloped a country, the lower the wages, but the experience is far more fun, peaceful and enjoyable.

Thailand is definitely a good choice to make your debut into teaching. The country is relaxed and unpressed when it comes to the classroom, and it’s very well set up for foreigners to fit in. The GoTEFL TAP program was specifically developed to attract first-time teachers to a comfortable gig. You will be able to save enough money and spare an ample amount of time to travel Thailand, South East Asia, and the world. It’s no wonder people come to teach in Thailand and never want to leave!