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At a Glance
From gorgeous beaches to stunning temples, and all the pad thai and curry in between – read more about why you want to make this country your summer destination!
Program Details:
- Paid SUMMER ONLY English teaching positions throughout Thailand.
- All inclusive program with add-ons packaged in: airport pickup, extensive emergency medical insurance, accommodation for your training period in Hua Hin, all orientation excursions, and more.
- 1 week orientation in Hua Hin
- Program Fee: $1,800
- See what’s included here!
- Short contract (7 weeks including orientation) for those who only have the summer off.
- Comprehensive medical travel insurance included for your entire program length: covering prescriptions with a $0 copay, $200,000 medical maximum, hospitalizations, ER visits, repatriation, medical evacuation, and more.
- Couples and friends can be placed together!
- Placements in kindergartens, elementary, middle, & high schools.
Let Greenheart Travel staff members give you all the deets on what you need to know before going to Thailand!
Costs and Inclusions
$1,800 USD
Packaged into the Price:
- Paid short-term English teaching positions in schools throughout Thailand
- Salary of around THB 35,000-40,000 for the duration of your teaching contract (six weeks)
- One week orientation is included in Hua Hin and includes the same activities as outlined here.
- Teacher workshop during orientation specifically for summer participants on teaching Thai students
- Hard copy of our TESOL coursebook for reference and lesson plan guidance
- Arranged accommodation prior to your arrival at your placement
- 7 Weeks of Medical Insurance
- Accommodation during orientation week
- Airport pickup and transfer to hotel
- Transportation from Bangkok to Hua Hin
- Group Dinner during orientation
- Access to Greenheart Travel Facebook groups to connect with alumni and others on your start date ahead of your program.
- Greenheart Atlas Program
- Greenheart Travel T-shirt & Greenheart Stickers
- Thailand Culture Smart! Guide Book
Our Support and Services:
- Visa Assistance in applying for the Non-Immigrant B (legal working) visa ahead of arrival, including visa paperwork and extensive directions and support.
- Extensive pre-departure advice and support from Ana and Ian, your program managers! They will be able to answer all your questions and tell you what teaching and living in Thailand is really like! They will be with you from your first inquiry, all the way through preparing to leave and your arrival in Thailand.
- Online webinar logistical orientation before you leave
- Highly experienced team of 20+ in-country support staff members
- 24 hour in-country and emergency support for the duration of the program, including 24-hour emergency phone numbers to reach a program manager at any time.
- Lifetime job placement assistance in Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, China, or Myanmar upon successful completion of first contract.
- Opportunity to apply for a Greenheart Grant to give back to your community at home or abroad
Additional Expenses You’ll Need to Cover (Estimates):
- Airfare to Bangkok ($800)
- Visa fee or any costs associated with obtaining documents required for the visa ($100)
- Background check ($30-$50)
- Degree legalization ($50-$150)
- Meals and daily transportation in Thailand ($5-$7/day)
- Rent during your 6-week teaching contract (+/-$150)
- A deposit for your orientation or course accommodations for water and air conditioning ($70). Just don’t use your air conditioning like crazy and you should get most of this back 🙂
- A laptop: Teachers are responsible for bringing a laptop computer to Thailand with them for lesson planning
- Startup cash to hold you over until your first paycheck ($1500-$2000)
Payment Details:
- $300 Application Deposit due to move onto interview
- Refunded if you are not accepted
- $300 Commitment Deposit due after acceptance
- Confirms your spot on a start date
- Remaining Balance Due 6 Weeks Prior to Start Date: $1,200
Eligibility
- Fluent English Speaker*
- At a minimum, a degree equivalent to a U.S. 4 year Bachelor’s degree (if you are not American, you will have to have completed a degree that is equivalent to a Bachelor’s in your home country)
- A TEFL/TESOL certification is required unless you hold a teaching license or have majored in Education
- If you are not certified yet, an online TEFL course can be completed before your program.
- Ages 20-60
- Citizen of the US, Canada, UK, Aus, or NZ
- Be in great mental and physical health
- No criminal record (with the exception of traffic or other minor violations)
- An adventurous attitude and strong flexibility are a must
- All teachers need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before arriving to their destination country
There are no exceptions to the eligibility requirements. (Don’t have a Bachelor’s Degree? Check out our Teach in Myanmar program).
Start Dates
2024 Program Dates
- June 24
- July 22
There is limited capacity for these short contracts. The deadline to apply is 2 months before the start date, but we highly recommend applying further in advance to ensure you get a spot!
Accommodation
Training Period
Greenheart Travel packages in accommodation for all participants during the orientation training period in Hua Hin, as part of your program fee. We also provide accommodation in Bangkok for one night, on arrival day, so that everyone can go down to Hua Hin together the following morning (exact itinerary will depend on quarantine requirements).
In Your Placement City
Accommodation, once you arrive to your placement, is provided, but it’s your financial responsibility to pay for it out of your paycheck. Sometimes if an apartment is not ready at the point of your arrival to your placement town, you will be housed by your school for a few days at temporary accommodation and during this time you will be able to look for your permanent accommodation. Most often, teachers live in basic, studio, furnished apartments near the school. You can reach out to our team at any time for assistance in finding accommodation.
Teachers will pay rent to their accommodation directly, from their monthly paycheck. Rent is very cheap in Thailand and is usually between $150 and $300 per month.
We don’t pay your rent as part of the program, because it’s your money! Programs that include rent, likely skim part of that off your salary (you’re not just getting it for free) and many times the amount they keep is more than what rent actually costs. Keep in mind on this program you are making at least 30,000 baht per month.
Paying rent instead of having an apartment provided “rent free” as a part of your contract or program gives you flexibility. If you want to leave that apartment and move somewhere else after a month or two, you’re free to do so. Leases are not the same as you might be used to, and many accommodations are month-to-month so some teachers make friends (new roommates!) or find an area of the city they like better after a few months and decide to move. That’s totally fine! It’s your paycheck!
Utility bills range between 1,000-2,000 baht ($30-65) per month.
Curious about what your apartment might look like? What Are Apartments and Houses Like in Thailand!?
FAQs
Why do I have to pay for a job?
Programs like this one in Thailand don’t have direct government funding, so teachers who want to teach there must cover some of their own expenses. When programs cost money, we do try to keep them as cheap as possible (we are a non-profit!) but there are some costs associated with running a program when it does not have any direct funding. The program cost covers things like support from your program manager, the support of 20+ staff in Thailand upon arrival, insurance, orientation and excursions, accommodation during orientation, airport pickup, transfers, administrative costs of placement and support, etc. Program staff will be available to answer any questions before and after arrival, and you’ll have access to 24/7 support if needed while in Thailand.
It is also free to extend your program for additional semesters or take your skills to another country! As a Thailand program alumni you are entitled to lifetime job placement in Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, or Myanmar. You are welcome to stay in Thailand for as long as you like, or come back later down the line, as long as you maintain the correct visa and immigration status through your school. You never have to pay a program fee again if you extend your contract past your first semester, it’s a one-time fee!
Am I guaranteed a job placement after orientation?
Yes, acceptance onto the program means a placement is guaranteed once you are in Thailand. We have a 100% success rate in placing our teachers, and would not accept you onto the program unless we were sure we could place you.
Will I be alone?
This completely depends on the placement, but most people have friends or other English teachers close by. We place people all over the country of Thailand, so every placement is going to vary. Some teachers are at the same school as up to 5-10 other teachers, but some teachers might be at their school as the only English teacher. In most cases, there are going to be other foreign teachers in your placement city, as there are a lot of foreign teachers in Thailand.
Is Thailand safe?
Thailand is a very safe country. In fact, most of our participants report feeling safer in Thailand than they do back in their home countries. Just like in any country, you should exercise some caution: be aware of your surroundings, keep an eye on your belongings, don’t walk alone late at night, etc.
What if I don't speak Thai?
No problem! It is not necessary to speak Thai to apply for this program. In fact, the schools prefer that you only use English in the classroom to create a complete immersion experience for the students. However, having some knowledge of the local language will of course benefit your day-to-day life, help you negotiate, understand the culture and allow you to connect with your students and people in your community. You will receive some introductory lessons to the language during orientation, and your Thai teachers would love to help you learn the language once you are at your school!
Can I talk with alumni or current participants from the program in Thailand?
Of course! Please join our Facebook community specifically for teachers in Thailand, or check out our reviews on GoOverseas.com or GoAbroad.com!
Can I apply with my friend/spouse/significant other?
Yes, we welcome friends and couples to apply and we can place you you so that you can live together! Every applicant can note in their application who they are applying with. We can guarantee placements together so that you can live together, but you may work at different schools within the same city.
Will I have insurance in Thailand?
You will be covered by comprehensive international medical and accident insurance through Greenheart Travel for the duration of your program as part of your program fee. This will cover you for most medical expenses you could incur, like prescriptions, ER visits, doctor visits, dental accidents, and hospitalizations. If you want to extend your coverage for travels before or after your program, we’ll provide the link to purchase additional coverage.
How does placement work?
During your first week in Thailand, you will meet with a member of the placement team to go over your placement preferences that you will submit ahead of arrival to Thailand. They will be your liaison with Thai schools and agents, and while we ask everyone remain open minded and flexible, we’ll try our hardest to place you somewhere where we think you’ll be happy. At the end of they day, we cannot force a school in a certain city to hire you, so we will try our best to match your preferences as best we can – but we ask that you remain flexible and open minded.
When should I apply?
We take applications as far as one year in advance and accept applicants on a rolling basis. The final deadline to apply for the summer program will be February 15, 2019 but we only have around 15 spots on each start date and these could fill before the deadline. If you want to participate, it’s recommended to apply early.
Do we have to find our own accommodation?
Your school will provide you with an apartment when you arrive at your placement location, so you don’t need to find the accommodation on your own. You will pay rent, which is on average around $150 USD per month. What Are Apartments and Houses Like in Thailand!?
How do I get a visa?
You will need a Non-Immigrant (B) visa for Thailand which is a legal working visa. This is the only type of visa that will allow your school to apply for a Thai work permit on your behalf once you arrive, allowing you to work in the country legally. Before you arrive, we will provide you with a visa invitation letter along with very detailed directions on how to apply. If you have question, your program manager is always available to help with the process.
The visa cost will be $80 USD or $100 CAD. The entire process to apply and be approved just takes 1-2 weeks and is very simple and straightforward. We will provide all the paperwork, directions, and help you through this whole process so it’s nothing to worry about!
Are there any required vaccinations for Thailand?
All teachers need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before arriving to their destination country.
While there are no other required vaccinations for Thailand, we recommend that you see a doctor or travel clinic for advice on vaccinations. We highly recommend obtaining Hepatitis A and B, as well as Typhoid before arriving.
What are my startup costs?
In addition to the program costs, you will need to buy your plane ticket to Thailand, which averages about $500-$800. We also recommend you bring living expenses for your first month (around $2,000 to get by until you get your first pay check). Teachers will also need to purchase their own visas, which cost $80 USD or $100 CAD.
All teachers will need to bring a government issued criminal record check with them to Thailand in order to obtain a formal work permit. This can range from free to around $50 USD.
I identify as LGBTQ+. How will I be supported?
It is hard to generalize Thai people as a whole, but each year Greenheart Travel sends many LGBTQ travelers on this program. As a country, Thailand is generally a very accepting and open-minded country when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights.
Our staff and in-country partners are also very welcoming and accepting of all gender identities. We can provide extra support if needed.
During the application process we are happy to provide information on the cultural norms of our destination countries and are prepared to advise you on the best programs based on your needs and interests.
Will someone be there to pick me up at the airport?
Yes, you will be picked up at the airport, unless you are traveling independently before the program begins.
Are flights included and booked for me?
No, flights are not included in the fee, and you are responsible for arranging your own flights/transportation to Thailand. We recommend booking a one-way flight, and purchasing your return flight later. The Non Immigrant B visa you arrive on will allow you to enter with a one-way ticket. You may book your flights once you’re accepted onto the program, and we will let you know when you can do so!
How will I get from orientation to my placement?
During orientation, you will be given information about your school and teaching location, along with contact details and instructions on how to get there from Hua Hin or Chiang Mai. You’ll be greeted upon arrival by your local agent or school coordinator. Usually teachers take a bus to their placement location and program staff will make sure everyone knows how to get to their cities.
Will there be a book or curriculum to follow?
This depends mostly on the school, but in most cases you will have a curriculum and a book to follow. In most cases, course books are provided, but lesson planning will still need to be done in order to properly supplement the course book.
What is the most common level of English ability for the students?
Age can often be a deceiving indicator of English ability among Thai students. For planning purposes, we recommend preparing your expectations for lower ability students (no matter the age level) ranging from elementary to advanced beginner.
Will teachers be teaching alone or will there be assistant teachers?
Some private primary schools will have Thai co-teachers, but it is best not to expect a co-teacher – you will likely be leading your class on your own.
What is the dress code for teaching?
For men: Dark colored pants and light colored shirts, closed formal shoes and a tie. For women: Dark colored skirt or dress that hits under the knee, light colored shirts and formal closed shoes.
What meals are provided throughout the program?
You will be required to pay for your own meals. Breakfast and lunch at the school should cost no more than THB 40 (USD 1.25) Some schools might offer free lunch depending on their budget and the luck of the teacher! Meals are also not included during orientation but meals in Thailand are very cheap, and usually will cost around $1-2 USD. During orientation and the course most teachers tend to eat cheap Thai meals at places like the Hua Hin Night Market, where the cost of a delicious plate of pad thai will run you around 30 baht ($1).
Can I bring my children and/or pets?
No, you cannot bring your children or pets.
Will I have access to the internet?
Internet is easily accessible throughout Thailand, and most of the schools have wi-fi internet connection. Most accommodations have internet access, but the cost will be up to you and what speed you’d like to have installed. Data plans for your cell phone are available for about 800 THB ($20 USD) per month so you will have access to data on your phone as well. We will provide you with a Thai SIM card during orientation in order to officially get data working on your phones (Google Maps is key!). During the orientation you will have access to the wifi at the accommodation for free.
Will I have access to a phone?
We’ll help you get set up with a plan during orientation and we will provide a Thai SIM card for you. You can bring your own phone to use in Thailand, as long as it is unlocked and able to use a new SIM card. If you aren’t bringing your own phone, you can purchase one in Thailand for about $20 USD. Plans are pre-paid and very inexpensive. Calls to the US costs about 30 cents per minute on the cell phone plans, but we recommend using FaceTime, Skype, or Google Hangouts with wifi (which is free!).
We recommend obtaining a Thai carrier during orientation (we will help with this) and cancelling your plan (or suspending it) that you have back home. US based plans like Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, etc. are VERY expensive to use in Thailand.
Will teachers need malaria pills?
All teachers need to consult a qualified medical practitioner or travel doctor about taking malaria medication when traveling to Thailand. However, even in the more rural locations, you will still be working in a town where malaria is less prevalent. We have not had any teachers suffer from malaria, but we cannot guarantee 100% that you will not catch it.
Can I use my credit card in Thailand?
Major credit cards are accepted by hotels and large stores, but cash is the ideal method of payment almost everywhere. Typically establishments will only accept credit cards for large purchases, so plan on paying for most things in cash. You can use your ATM card to withdraw cash from a back account back home if you need access to more cash before you start being paid. Once you start working, you will have a Thai bank account where your salary can be withdrawn from.
Will I have a bank account in Thailand?
Once you are in Thailand, program staff will take you to open a bank account. This account is where your salary is deposited.
Orientation
All participants will participate in a week long orientation upon arrival in Hua Hin. You’ll have the opportunity to meet many other new like-minded and adventurous teachers who have also just arrived! By the end, you’ll have new friends scattered around the entire country. Orientation includes important activities and classes on what to expect on your program, the Thai language, and local culture. Accommodation is included for the duration of orientation.
Orientation week is full of fun activities and excursions, which are included in the program:
- Thai Culture and History lessons
- Muay Thai lessons
- Thai cooking class
- Visit to our Stray Dog Rescue Project
- Basic Thai language classes
- Market tour with the Thai staff, to help learn basic phrases and how to buy items at a market
- Beach BBQ at Khao Takiab beach on the last night of orientation
- “Chat” with a monk to learn more about meditation, Buddhism, and Thai culture
- Visit to Buddhist temples or shrines in the area (typically Khao Tao temple)
Placements
Placements will be made all over the country of Thailand in over 100 towns and cities throughout the country. Your students’ ages, class sizes, and their English proficiency will also vary from school to school. As you can see below, over 50% of our teachers are placed in central or southern Thailand, and over 60% are placed in medium-sized to large urban areas.
Check out our list of past Thailand placements to see where our Greenheart Travel teachers have been placed!
Below, you can see our top 5 placement locations and a bit more information
Placement Process
A few weeks before you leave for Thailand, you will be able to submit a form explaining your placement preferences. We cannot guarantee your placement preferences can be met 100%, but we will try our hardest to place you somewhere where you will be happy. The more open with your preferences you can be, the easier it will be for them to be met. For example, “I’d like to be placed in a mid-sized city where I can learn about Thai culture” is an easier preference to meet than “I want to be placed in {particular city}”. The placement team is a team of both Thai and Western staff, and they are experts at matching participants with placement cities they think are a great match.
You will receive your placement information once you arrive in Thailand, during the orientation or TESOL course. During your first week in Thailand, you will have a one on one meeting with a member of the placement team to review the placement preferences you submitted. We highly recommend that you remain open and flexible about where you are placed. This program is first and foremost about the students and schools that need teachers, and we have schools all over the country that are excited to have you!
We place teachers once they arrive in Thailand for a number of reasons:
- Most Thai schools don’t know if their current teacher will be renewing their contract until a month or so beforehand, so there is little downtime between openings and placements.
- This is especially true in the bigger cities and urban areas, where demand is high and schools are able to find plenty of teachers who can start right away. Typically, a school will want you to start within 2 weeks of offering a job, which is why we place you when you arrive. Most “place ahead” programs are only able to offer jobs in places with less demand, like rural areas, due to this factor.
Why Greenheart Travel?
Greenheart Travel has been working in Thailand for many years, and there are advantages of applying for this program through us:
- 33 years of experience with cultural exchange programs
- Friendly, responsive, and professional support from your program manager, Kara, who has taught English abroad in Thailand.
- Connect with alumni and others on the program via our Greenheart Travel only Facebook forums, before you even leave!
- Greenheart Atlas Program. The Greenheart Travel Atlas is a cultural training interactive guidebook alongside five videos where you will find three main topics covered: Personal/Professional Development, Cultural Understanding, & Environmental Awareness.
- Guaranteed job placement. Take the stress out of finding a job, we 100% guarantee we’ll find one for you!
- Our alumni recommend us! GoOverseas.com Reviews // GoAbroad.com Reviews
- Hands on support and personal attention every step of the way
- 24/7 emergency phone number to reach a staff member at any time
- Pre-departure “Culture Shock and Adjustment” Webinar before you leave
- Discounts for future Greenheart Travel programs
- We are a non-profit, mission based organization
- Continued support throughout your contract
We also have some unique offerings to our Greenheart Travel teachers and alumni!
Greenheart Grants
Greenheart Grants are funds awarded to Greenheart Travel participants to use for community development projects in their host or home country. A Greenheart Grant is the opportunity to create, improve, or maintain an impactful, community-focused project abroad or at home. Grant funds could be applied to supporting women’s cooperatives, schools, community centers, or health clinics, for example. Grant winners will be featured on our website, social media, and blog. You can see our past winners on our blog here.
Greenheart Alumni Program
We created the Greenheart Travel Alumni Program to provide resources and a community to support alumni in their advancement as global leaders, and a way to celebrate and reward our participants for being ambitious, inspiring catalysts of cultural exchange!
Greenheart Global Leaders Conference
Each August Greenheart offers full ride scholarships to over 40 alumni to attend our annual conference in Washington, DC. Participants even get a chance to advocate for cultural exchange in a presentation to the US Department of State. You can see more about what GGLC is and what you could do at the conference here.
Application Process
1. Start Your Application Here: Greenheart Travel Application. This first step includes things like your name, address and chosen start date and should take around 10-15 minutes to complete. Once complete, you will receive a link to a digital Terms and Conditions form.
2. Sign the Terms & Conditions (Approximately 10 Minutes): These are our basic policies like cancellation policies, deferral policies, etc.
3. Submit your deposit (Approximately 5 minutes): A $300 deposit is required in order to apply for the program. This is subtracted from your total program fee. If we are unable to accept you following your interview (very unlikely!) we will refund your deposit in full.
4. Secondary Application Form (Approximately 30 Minutes): Provide more detailed information about yourself in Part 2 of the application. Links to this part will be emailed to you. In this section, you’ll tell us more information like your work history, motivations for joining the program, travel history, and emergency contacts.
5. Submitting Your Documents: Submit your required documents (below) at the link provided.
6. Skype Interview (Approximately 10-15 Minutes): Once you have submitted your online application and paid your application deposit, you will be asked to schedule a video interview with a Greenheart Travel representative.
7. You’re accepted! Woohoo! We are usually able to accept people within 1-2 weeks of their interviews.
8. Commitment Deposit: Once you are accepted to the program, you will need to submit a $300 commitment deposit within 14 days to confirm your spot on the program.
9. Book your flights, and get ready for your adventure to Thailand!
Required Documents To Apply
- Application (done online)
- Copy of Passport
- Resume
- Criminal Record Check
- Greenheart Travel runs this for Americans as part of the application for acceptance onto the program. After acceptance, however, Americans will have to obtain a government issued check to bring to Thailand with them to submit to their school.
- Those from the UK are required to submit an International Child Protection Certificate (ICPC) and bring a copy with them to Thailand
- Copy of your University Degree or Transcript
- If you are a current university student graduating in the future, you can upload current unofficial transcripts
Physical Documents
You will need to bring the following physical documents with you to Thailand in order for the school to process your work permit. We will provide extensive directions on how to obtain these after your acceptance to the program:
- Original Bachelors Degree Diploma
- Those from the UK are required to have their degree notarized, apostilled, and legalized by the Thai Embassy in London.
- Government Issued Background Check (local, state, or national level)
- Those from the UK are required to bring an International Child Protection Certificate (ICPC) with them to Thailand
- Transcripts from your Bachelor’s degree, sealed in the envelope
Schedule a Call
Have questions or want to talk to the program manager, Kara? Set up a time to have a phone call below.
