Teaching English on Phuket:
Job and Training Options

Teaching English is the career for those of us who wish to travel and see the world - yet don't have that Harvard MBA, a Ph.D. in physics - or any other education that will win us instant employment wherever we wish to go.

Many people who seek to live in this part of the world, and wish an income to support themselves, or for a little pocket money, or to lengthen a long holiday; turn to teaching English as the solution. 

Some of us, like myself, have found it to be a very satisfying career.  Personally, since 1992, teaching EFL has allowed me to live in four different countries, travel a good portion of the world, build a reasonable investment base for retirement - and just have a damn good time.  You too, may wish to consider it.

Go to the EFL on Phuket page to learn more about the teaching situation on Phuket as well as about the schools, colleges, and universities where one might look for teaching work on Phuket.

If you decide to teach EFL - do what honorable people do - get yourself trained in how to do it properly.  People in this part of the world pay, what for them, is a significant amount of money for their ongoing education in English.  Please do them the service of educating yourself in how to do it well.  Getting yourself trained will also greatly increase your job satisfaction - when you KNOW you are doing a good job, and you can see your students progress.

Phuket is home to at least four, maybe more, TEFL schools - and the actual number changes regularly.  However, there are only a couple that have a long history - with quality reputations - that I can comfortably recommend that you check out.  

Look for a school that offers you the "internationally accepted standard" of at least 100 hours of classroom instruction - and at least eight hours of observed teaching practice.  That level of training will assure you of the basic skills you need in the classroom - and of a certificate that will be accepted internationally.  Study at home and distance courses will not generally be accepted as meeting that standard.

I have saved some comments I've written on different forums (some under different personas) and via e-mail  that people interested in Teaching English Overseas might be interested in.  It is by no means exhaustive or complete - but it might give those considering this career option some food for thought.  Ted's EFL FAQ

If you are unsure how to pick a TEFL school and of all the things that should be considered, check out this guide:
How to Pick a TEFL School

Would you like my opinion on which TEFL Certification Course offers you the greatest benefit?
Ted's Recommendation