Meet Abida – An Experienced English Teacher Working in Thailand

In this article, we’ve had a chat with Abida, who is an experienced English teacher currently working in Thailand. She’s shared with us her best tips on how you can build a successful career as an English teacher in Thailand.

Pursuing an English teaching career abroad provides you with the opportunity to travel the world, experience different cultures and languages, and make memories that last a lifetime. It’s a great opportunity for teachers that wish to expand their horizons and embark on a new adventure.

If you are considering launching a teaching career abroad, you may be wondering if it’s really possible. We’re here to tell you that it’s definitely possible! With the right training and determination, there are many paths you can take and several destinations to explore.

Thailand has long been considered a top teaching destination due to having plenty of job opportunities, good salaries, low cost of living, and a vibrant local culture. It’s a fantastic choice for teachers that wish to find a good work/life balance.

Let’s hear what tips Abida has for us on how you too can launch an English teaching career in Thailand.

Abida’s interview:

💬 How long have you been teaching English, and how did you start?

“I started my teaching career back in 2015. Before that, I was working as a ‘’Quality Assurance Executive’’ in a food company, as I am a Food Engineer. In 2015 I was asked to supervise the new internees of the organization. It was at this point that I realized that I love teaching and to guide young students instead of working as an engineer. So that’s how I decided to be an educator.”

💬 What made you decide to pursue an English teaching career?

“I decided to persue a teaching career because it is a blooming worldwide industry. Being able to teach English is great because it can offer language teachers many new opportunities. With a TESOL/TEFL qualification, teachers can travel far and wide while sharing their knowledge and exploring new corners of the globe. Places like the UAE – Dubai and China are especially exciting as salaries are high and the local culture is interesting.

💬 Where do you currently teach, and how did you find your current teaching job?

“I’m currently teaching in Thailand. It’s a convent School in the Lopburi Province. One of my friends (who is also working in Thailand) suggested that I apply for the position. So I applied and got selected.”

💬 What is the job like?

“I have to prepare weekly lesson plans, syllabus and course description. The teaching hours are not more than 20 hours/week. I’m really enjoying my time teaching here because it’s my first experience with a convent school.”

💬 What made you choose Thailand as your teaching destination?

“Before COVID-19 I was working in China. I went back to my home country for vacation but due to pandemic it was very difficult to enter China again. So, I chose Thailand because it was comparatively easy to enter. Their COVID policies were not as strict, so I applied and got selected quite easily as I have previous experience of teaching in a Thai school.”

💬 What’s the best thing about living and working as a teacher in Thailand?

“Thailand is every TEFL teacher’s dream destination. It has oodles of jobs, good salaries, a low cost of living, and beautiful towns and cities where you can teach. Basically, you won’t have difficulties finding a well-paid job that will allow you to live a life of luxury in one of the most beautiful places on earth.”

💬 What kind of teaching qualifications do you possess?

“I have a TEFL/TESOL certificate from Pakistan (2017), a 120-hour TEFL/TESOL certificate from World TESOL Academy (2022), and a Teachers Development Training (80 Credit Hours) ASL Thailand (2022)”

💬 What is something from your teacher training course that you’ve found really useful when working as a teacher abroad?

“My TEFL/TESOL training was important for my professional development as a teacher. It gave me a better understanding how the English language works and it helps you develop empathy for students that are learning a new language. It also taught me to identify learner levels which allowed me create effective, efficient and supportive learning strategies for my students.“

💬 How do you maintain your personal development when living and working abroad as a teacher?

“While teaching abroad, I gain professional experience with different kinds of students, colleagues, and school communities. Teaching abroad allows me to learn about new educational systems and how to adapt to the way things are done at the school and in that country.“

💬 Would you recommend others pursue English teaching certifications like TESOL/TEFL?

“Yes, definitely. Most countries require you to have TEFL/TESOL certification if you wish to teach English. In short it allows you to teach English abroad. So, if you want to move abroad and pursue a teaching career, I definitely recommend you to have your 120-hour TEFL/TESOL certificate.“

💬 Could you tell us a little about your first week when arriving in Thailand?

“My first week (2nd week of July) consisted of orientation, classroom setup, course description and teachers training. So, it was a nice time to exchange thoughts about teaching methodologies and skills with my colleagues from different backgrounds and cultures.

I was really enjoying the weather too, because I was in the nothern-most area of Thailand which was quite cold compared to the other parts. My 1st teaching week was crazy because the students had not been in school since March, so there was a lot of excitement from them, and of course I was excited too.“

💬 Do you have any fun memories from back then?

“While teaching Thai students I realize that they love to watch a foreigner speak the Thai language. So, I asked my students to teach me some Thai. They became very happy and excited. They were trying to teach me Thai but actually they were learning English because that was the only language they could use to teach me 😊.  Later on they were very happy with the results. “

💬 Did you encounter any struggles that you wish you would have prepared better for?

“Thai people are very kind and supportive. So, I didn’t encounter any struggles or cultural clashes. I love to learn about new cultures, so I was enjoying every bit of my time exploring, making friends and trying new things. The only issue is the language barrier. It will take couple of months to learn the Thai language sufficiently enough so that you are able to survive in a local place or market, because most of the Thai people can’t understand or speak English.“

💬 Could you give us a glimpse of what a typical week would look like for you?

“In Thai schools, the working environment for foreigner teachers is great. You have to teach 20-24 hours/week. Your teaching hour are usually from 8 a.m-4 p.m. One of my favorite points is that Thai calendar has a lot of public holidays. Most of the time you can enjoy a long weekend which allows you to plan and enjoy vacations where you can explore different parts of this beautiful country. Thailand has a lot of beautiful places to visit and explore. The living cost and travel expenses in Thailand are very low.“

💬 Do you have any tips for teachers that wish to do the same thing as you and start teaching in Thailand?

“The first and the most important step that you should focus on is to secure a teaching position in Thailand. You can use websites like www.ajaran.com to find different teaching positions in Thailand. So, work on your professional development, CV and TEFL/TESOL certification.

Some of the schools also require a teaching demonstration (online/on-site) before making a final decision. After selection, the school/company will help you find accommodation, visa process, setting up bank account etc.“

💬 What is something that you wish you knew about teaching in Thailand before going there?

“Thailand has 3 main types of school systems. 1. Government Schools, 2. Private Schools, 3. International Schools. Government schools only have MEP (Mini English Programs), while private schools have both MEP and IEP (Intensive English Program) with better working environment, facilities and salaries.

Before applying for a position, you should check the details thoroughly so that you are able to make a better choice for yourself. I didn’t know this before arriving.“

💬 What’s next in store for you?

“I was previously teaching in China, but due to COVID-19 I had to change my plans and direction. Now my main plan is to enter China again with a teaching position in hand. I want to spend some time there to explore and learn more about the culture. I’m also planning to pursue some kind of educational leadership and management degree in Thailand or China in order to grow and improve my professional career.“

Conclusion

No matter your background, previous work experience, or your career goals, there are many paths you can pursue as an aspiring English teacher.

Some teachers, like Abida, decide to take the leap to upskill and launch an English teaching career abroad, while others may decide on a more flexible approach where they teach English online (some even travel the world while doing it).

Regardless of which direction you choose, think about the skills you’ve mastered so far, your work experience, personality traits, and passions. Combine these with thorough and professional teacher training and you’ll have a great foundation to build a successful teaching career.

Many aspiring teachers may actually discover that they have already developed transferable skills that can be used in the classroom, even before starting their teaching careers.

If you too are interested in pursuing a career as an English teacher, then now is the perfect time to take the first step and start your teacher training.