What are the requirements for an American native English speaker to teach in Thailand long-term?

Based solely on your FB profile picture (which I totally get the humor of), you might be a bit too nonconformist for Thailand, honestly. Or you might find Thai society a bit too conformist, would be another way of saying it. Are you ready to live in a place where quirky personality and severe originality aren't really appreciated? I came here (to live) with long hair and realized very quickly that between the climate and the fact that instead of identifying myself as an artist, musician, and free-thinker (which was my intent with it, because I am those)—a signal that gets read correctly in North America—to Thai people I just looked strange and unkempt. I cut it all off. When in Rome...

Problem as I see it, as a Brit, is too many people are speaking and writing AMERICAN English which is horrible

Coming for a 19 year old on social media is WEIRD and shit energy! Instead of criticizing him, guide him. Damn I swear people who claim to be adults can be so shitty.

I wish you well in your endeavors sweetheart. Don't let the unkind deter you. Keep researching and find your path. 🌞🌞🌞

Best thing for you to do without a degree is get your TEFL and look to teach online. Then get a DTV.

go and dig the land, it's better!

Search, foreigners jumping off roofs because they run out of money

as someone from the west i would never go down the low paid teacher route in a developing country unless you are a humanitarian or have other beliefs 🤣🙈 very low salary, no social security, no pension. how many of those (especialy non-degree) teachers have to return home, completely broke, in their s.. or work until they die, even they still find employment at that age…

Why do u need 0 baht? That’s for a retirement visa for 50+.

They have an English teacher position in Korat Thailand at a school google it if you could speak a little Thai all the better

Dtv is a joke

Hahaha if this is a legitimate post heres the best advice. 1... get an education first it's clearly needed. 2... get life experience since again it's clearly needed. 3.... do minimal research before stating anything. Nobody likes helping a lazy arse who doesn't help themselves. That's it

No savings, no income, no job, no business, no assets, no experience, no wife and I presume you don't speak Thai either. Come back when you're ready. Focus on building a passive income first.

First of all, change your name and profile pic bro…lol

You need a degree and tefl/tesl. I read recently that they were cracking down on schools hiring teachers with no university degree. Don't come to Thailand without setting everything up first you will be screwed. Good luck!

I am TEFL certified as well but tough finding online jobs. I moved here in January. Also heard agents can post the 800k฿ for you, message me and I’ll put you in touch with my agent who can give you details!

Do not need 800 k. That's for retirees. Good Luck in your endeavors. You do need a Bachelors degree. My son is finishing up his so he can join his mother and me. Our neighbor is a teacher of English from Finland. He said being American is Golden but Bachelors Degree is a must. My son was hired at a school 2 years ago until they found out he only had an Associates Degree. So he has a few more classes left. Hopefully he finishes up by fall.

I want to get my retirement visa so I can live with my wife. My monthly government pension is almost 12,000 US. That should meet the monthly income issue. How do I get a bank account with just an visa exemption. Can my wife be a co owner on the account. Can that money be used for household expenses? I thought could get account without a non o visa. We own a house and have Children

What a mess

Apply as a teacher. There are a lot of groups. Look for group job foreigner Thailand. You will find soon a open job and as native speaker they pay your visa and work permit. I have a friend he did the same. You don't need money to show up. Your visa stays hand in hand with the work permit. When you lose the job your visa is cut as well

Do some proper homework and try again 😴

U don't have a bachelor's degree lol at 19 so you can't

Americans and assuming everyone else wants them despite their ineptitude. Never beaten

You have thought of an idea people have thought of you before yet the conditions are way worse now and you also are far less qualified. Talking English isn't a qualification. Can you talk Thai?

I thought he needs to have a BA degree and a TEFL. Maybe even a few year's of teaching experience. Not to be rude, but a 2nd look at your FB Profile, I wouldn't hire you with your screen name and Profile pics. Not trying to be a ball buster, but you want to work in Thailand, and you're only 18.

0 bath in the bank are needed only for 50 years old people, with pension or not.

You are too much young.

Dude. Good luck

u f your life up, leave flat broke. stay home

And wheres your degree?

There's a visa for teaching English... you don't need 800k in savings for that visa

You are 19 years old and already an teacher?

Stay where you are, until you grow up 😉 thailand is not for pipe dreaming teenagers. i mean that in a nice way.

You're 19. Everything you should be doing for the next 5-10 years should be about getting your degree and advancing your education. Dont bother with English teaching untill you get a piece of paper. It opens many doors. I make much much more money freelancing on a DTV with client base in china, Korea, middle east then I can make teaching in a brick and mortar school in Thailand.

To be a recognised language teacher you will need a university degree. That way to can obtain a work permit and a B visa to be legal.

Officially you need a degree to teach in Thailand but if you are willing to work outside of metropolitan areas they will still employ you. The are teaching in Thailand groups on FB so join one and get better advice

If you're trying to stay long term, why don't you enroll 1st year in Thai language then maybe English for another 1 year on an education visa even though you're native English speaker it'll help you stay legally in Thailand to get a local feel for everything and see if my country is a good fit for you. Like other people said, everything comes with experience, education & references whether you are a Native speaker with TEFL certification you will still need a degree to put yourself at a higher advantage. Also recommended to have passive income "remote" type work/income. Average teaching income varies as well.

@Greg ********

what's up with your comment...Explain what you mean by "Tarzan" English... this comes off as low key racist...

@Patrick *******

mmmm typical American. Sounds like you have a grudge against "Americans" care to explain. Everyone starts from somewhere and OP question isn't a bad question, he's just misinformed so maybe quit that attitude of yours and be informative rather then toxic/negative it would really help other people instead of being a keyboard Karen.

At your age you can't possibly have a degree so won't get a visa and work permit for teaching in Thailand so that is out. You could possibly look at a dtv but you can only teach remotely students outside Thailand, you can't do any type of work inside Thailand. I can't think of any other options for you

The first thing you need to do is find an employer here in Thailand who will hire you and arrange a visa and then a work permit for you.

Yep you’re every bit of 19 alright, there’s so many of us with lived experience which is why the group exists- to help sort and navigate and disseminate information- but you will say with your whole chest we are wrong. 😞 do you babes. What you learn will be very valuable to someone coming behind you.

Hopes, dreams and goals are of supreme importance, but being armed with information and the experience of those who have trod the path before you is invaluable.

Many of the people in this group have been in Thailand and Southeast Asia for many years, dating back to when you could just walk in and be western and make big bucks. That is not the case today, especially with some shifts that the Thai government is making currently. (Since Covid all SEA has buttoned up and is extremely exploitive of ‘teachers’. Your idea is sound but you’re at least eight years behind the curve of reality. I miss it too, but denial ain’t it.

Wish you all the best.

There are many many, ways to survive in the world, but you won’t get rich. I left dirt poor 10 years ago and have not had to return. You can do the same, but you will need to open your mind a bit and listen . It’s not as simple or direct as it may seem to you in this moment. The group exists to help people avoid tough lessons. There’s nothing like setting up house somewhere and having to leave. It sucks. We are just trying to help somebody else not go through that.

Also, please be mindful of your internal and external attitudes?

If you think you can just walk in and be a teacher that is sort of disrespecting people that have put in the work to become teachers. I’m not being mean, I am just suggesting that you pause and consider that point.

Okay sorry but it is a mess of a post.

800k retirement not applicable to you.

500k for DTV Which you cannot work in Thailand with.

Maybe you find an online job first?

Nonb Visa supported by a school, but most schools requires a university degree.

You may get a job in a school in Isaan or something remote but would pay little. But at your age and experience level may be tough to find. You'd most likely end up with an agency for any chance.

So in summary, unless you have deep pockets and just want to travel and enjoy, it's probably not going to happen.

You won’t be making much that’s for sure. Maybe look into Vietnam or Cambodia where it’s easier to stay and get a job.

Sounds legit.

@Lisa *******************

not necessarily if you are a native English speaker and done a TEFL course many offer a position but starting on just 30,000 per month

Just because you speak English, doesn't mean you're trained to teach kids who can only speak Thai. How will you even begin to communicate with them? I dont think you've quite understood all the angles.

The easiest way is to have your employer help you obtain a work permit and visa. Most international schools that pay well are actually looking for teachers who have a degree in education. Wishing you the best of luck!

Are you in the USA now? Come out and teach kindergarten for a year, you’ll learn the Gaff in that time, and they’ll get u a work permit. Fly in 0n Visa Exempt, and start looking.

To be a recognised language teacher you will need a university degree. That way to can obtain a work permit and an ED visa to be legal.

What a messed up post.......... You will need to keep the 800,000 for when you hit 50 and apply for a retirement Visa. Lol, you need a degree, a tefl course and theoretically to use experience in order to be able to get a Visa through your future employer.....

You need a work permit arranged by your employer. To become an actual teacher and have a decent salary you need a degree

Not sure what the 800k has to do with anything.