If you are coming to Thailand and want to work, one of the easiest options you have is to teach the English language. If you don’t have a degree, you are probably worried about whether you will be allowed to teach English in Thailand or not. So, let’s address the issue related to teaching English in the Land of Smiles without a degree.
You will have trouble in process of visa in Thailand if you don’t have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university in or outside the country. Nevertheless, in reality, this is not entirely true as you can get English teaching jobs in Thailand without a university degree. In fact, there are lots of English teachers in this Southeast Asian country that don’t have any degree.
However, you should note that getting a job in Thailand as an English teacher without a degree means that you need to explore some loopholes. Also, it may take a long search before getting the job. Below, we will explain these loopholes and how to be employed as an English teacher in Thailand.
Various forms of English teaching jobs in Thailand
When it comes to getting a job as an English teacher in Thailand, there are different types of jobs to consider. These job types include:
- Public schools
As an English teacher, the most common type of teaching job involves public schools. Here, the Ministry of Education in Thailand will educate you about the way to conduct yourself and relate with your students. You can hardly get teaching jobs in public schools if you don’t have a degree.
- Private language schools
Private language schools are entirely dedicated to teaching people languages in Thailand. Since lots of Thais want to learn English, the majority of language schools in Thailand have different English teachers. These schools are flexible, friendly, and have comfortable working hours.
Although many private language schools only employ people with degrees, you can easily get a job as an English teacher in these schools without a degree.
- Private tutoring
One of your best options for teaching English without a degree is private tutoring. By doing private tutoring, you can determine the time you want to work. As long as you can showcase your knowledge of the English language, most students will not be bothered about whether you have a degree or not.
- Online teaching
Lastly, you can teach English in Thailand through online teaching platforms. Online teaching may require you to teach your students individually or in a group. Also, you can do it as a part-time or full-time job. While some platforms may require you to have a degree, others don’t care as long as you have a good understanding of the English language.
Why it is possible to teach English in Thailand without a degree
As noted above, you need a degree to teach English in Thailand. But according to The Thailand Life, people usually explore some loopholes to teach English in Thailand without a degree. These loopholes include:
- A teacher can be regarded as a classroom assistant
Instead of employing someone as an English teacher, the person is considered as a classroom assistant. Technically, the concept is right. In many cases, English teachers are hired to participate in an English program designed for helping students to master the English language. Such students will have a permanent English teacher, but a foreigner will be employed to offer some assistance.
Therefore, the foreigner is technically a classroom assistant to the local English teacher.
- There is a lack of English teachers in Thailand
In Thailand, there is a high demand for foreign English teachers. Lots of parents believe that foreign English teachers are better at teaching English than local teachers. Therefore, they are always to take their kids to schools with foreign English teachers. As a result of this, most high-quality schools go the extra mile to employ foreign English teachers. This is especially common in Bangkok, Phuket, Chang Mai, and other popular cities in Thailand.
Unluckily, foreign English teachers are not many in Thailand. Hence, the demand for these teachers is more than their supply. Therefore, most schools in Thailand are ready to employ any foreign English teachers with or without a degree.
- Agencies help teachers without a degree to get jobs
Thailand has several employment agencies that help foreigners to get English teaching jobs. In the country, the law forbids formal schools to sponsor teachers without a degree to get a work permit. Fortunately, agencies are not formal schools; hence, they can send job offer letters to foreigners. The letter will be used to get a non-immigrant B visa as well as a work permit. Afterward, the agencies will help foreign English teachers to get a job in formal schools.
Factors that can help you to get an English teaching job without a degree
- Being a native English speaker or having a good understanding of English
TEFL Hero notes that you can easily get a job as an English teacher if you are a native English speaker. To be considered a native English speaker, your nationality should be the UK, the USA, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, or South Africa.
However, if you are a native speaker, your fluency in English can improve your chance of getting an English teaching job. If you have a high score in the IELTS, TOEIC, or CEF, most schools or agencies will not hesitate to employ you to teach English.
- Obtaining TEFL certification
You can also take the TEFL certification to show that you have a great knowledge of the English language. Make sure this certification is obtained from an accredited institution.
- Getting a teaching license
Ideally, you need a degree to get a teaching license in Thailand. But if you have some documents, the government can offer you a temporary teaching license. These documents include passport photos, Marriage O visa or non-immigrant B visa, Thai work permit, criminal background check, and academic transcripts (not necessarily a degree).
In conclusion, the law doesn’t allow you to teach English in a formal school if you don’t have a degree. However, you can teach English in several non-formal schools. Furthermore, some loopholes can be explored to teach English in both formal and non-formal schools.
