Teach

Teach in Thailand with CIEE | Job Placement Before Departure

Name: Teach in Thailand with CIEE | Job Placement Before Departure
Brand: CIEE Teach Abroad & TEFL
SKU: 29440
Rating: 4.83 (126 reviews)

Hosted by

CIEE Teach Abroad & TEFL

4.83 (126 reviews)

Good for

Solo Travelers

Adventure travelers

Building your resume

Teach in Thailand with CIEE | Job Placement Before Departure

CIEE Teach Abroad & TEFL

4.83 · 126 reviews

Community Choice Award Winner

Location

Thailand
- Bangkok
- Chiang Mai
- Khon Kaen
- Chiang Rai

Length

12 - 52 weeks

Classroom Audience

Early Childhood Elementary Middle School High School University Students

Payment plans

View Other Details

Program Details

Qualifications

Native-level English fluency
Bachelor’s degree in any field
Citizen of the United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom
Must be 50 years of age or younger

Classroom Audience

Early Childhood Elementary Middle School High School University Students

Housing

Apartment

Age Min.

Age Max

Pricing

Salary / Benefits

Participants earn at least 30,000 baht and up to 43,000 baht per month and receive free, furnished accommodation. Teaching experience required for the highest salaries.

Starting Price

2350

Price Details

Our program includes:

Job Placement - Receive full details about city, school, and housing well before arrival
Hands-on Guidance with document and visa prep
Community - Meet new friends at orientation in Thailand and online before arrival
Practical and Cultural Advice - Feel prepared with our extensive resources on topics like banking, cell phones, and Thai workplace norms
Four-Day Orientation in Bangkok - enjoy cultural activities, intro language lessons, delicious food, and hotel stay
Local Transport from orientation to your school
Experienced Advisors - Before you go, CIEE staff are available by phone, text, and email to provide clear instructions and individual attention
Schools Provide Rent-Free Housing

What's Included

Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Some Meals Travel Insurance

What's Included (Extra)

Multi-day Orientation in Bangkok

What's Not Included

Airfare Visa

Last Updated: Jan 14, 2026

Last Reviewed: Jan 27, 2026

Wish List

104 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

CIEE's Teach in Thailand program places teachers in paid positions teaching English at public and private schools in locations all across this beautiful country for 6 or 12 month contracts.

With CIEE, you will receive your teaching placement and work visa BEFORE departure. This means you don't have to stress about finding a job or applying for a visa after arriving in Thailand. You'll know exactly where you are going to be teaching before confirming your participation on the program.

You'll connect with other CIEE teachers at orientation in Bangkok so you can build a network of new friends. Orientation includes hotel accommodation, meals, cultural activities, and intro Thai language lessons to ensure you'll be set up for success while teaching in Thailand!

It looks like this program may not be available right now, but don’t worry, CIEE Teach Abroad & TEFL has plenty of other amazing programs to check out!

COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

This program offers thorough pre-departure support, a helpful orientation, and ongoing in-country assistance, fostering a strong community of teachers.

AI-generated summary from verified community reviews Read reviews →

Video and Photos

View All Photos

Program Highlights

Job placement and work visa prior to departure give you peace of mind!
Connect with other CIEE teachers and build a network of new friends
Hands-on Visa Guidance from CIEE experts
Orientation in Bangkok – including excursions, meals, and accommodation
Rent-free housing and competitive salary so you have money to travel

Program Reviews

4.83 Rating

based on 126 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Teach

5 rating 84.13%
4 rating 15.08%
3 rating 0.79%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Benefits 4.7
Support 4.85
Fun 4.45
Facilities 4.35
Safety 4.9

Good for Solo Travelers, Adventure travelers, Building your resume

Showing 1 - 8 of 126 reviews

I initially signed up for the CIEE Teach Abroad in Thailand program with very little knowledge of the education system in Thailand. I was nervous about the differences between teaching in the states versus teaching in an entirely different country (where English is not the native language). I even almost didn't continue this path, because of those nerves and fears. I urge you to NOT let those fears win!! Teaching in Thailand has been an amazing experience. I have met life long friends through this program in my fellow CIEE teachers and teachers at my school. I have also had the privilage of getting to teach very young students (4-6 year olds) - which I had never done before. But through my CIEE TEFL training and the training I received from OEG staff, and my fellow teachers, I felt better prepared. And now I love teaching this age group, they are extremely fun!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?

Honestly the language barrier and not being afraid to make mistakes when trying to speak Thai or the Thai/English mash-up I do!

Once you overcome this barrier, you will feel like the world opens up to even more while you are traveling in Thailand. A language barrier is bound to happen at some point - just embrace it!

I also tell my students mistakes are okay to make, just be sure to correct them. I even use my own moments where I messed up speaking Thai as an example of how even their teacher makes mistakes!

Pros

Getting to work with amazing students - eager to learn English!
Getting to meet so many different people from different backgrounds.
Getting to live, work, and travel throughout the beautiful country that is Thailand!!

Cons

Thailand is not a very walkable country - but there are plenty ways around that issue!
It does get VERY hot. If you are a person used to the 4 seasons (like me), be prepared for the 3 seasons here (hot, hotter, and hottest)! But it isn't too bad, you get used to it and most places have AC.
Sometimes cultural differences in the work environment can makes things somewhat challenging when it comes to communication. But you really get used to it, you begin to slow down and take things as they come while working here (which is honestly a pro)!

Coming to Thailand has been amazing, and I have grown so thankful. CIEE made the whole application process very accessible and easy to follow. I was nervous about VISA applications and the unknown of traveling to a new country. Everything worked out so well. I was placed in a wonderful place. CIEE's Thai partner program also helped a lot in explaining cultural differences and expectations. I really would recommend this program! I suggest one thing: come with a positive experience and an open heart, it is the only way you will truly enjoy this experience.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?

I saw a woman on the back of a motorbike, carrying a queen-sized bed in one hand!! This is still the funniest random thing I have seen in Thailand.

Pros

I got so lucky with a beautiful stay.
The food is worldly delicious and people are great.
I always feel very safe and accompanied here.

Cons

If you have never taught before, lesson planning can get very overwhelming.
I have to paid half of my rent for an upgraded option.
The challenges you will face seem bigger because you experience them in a different country.

At Lalitta Cafe in Chiang Rai (my home city)

From the moment I was admitted to the CIEE Teach in Thailand Program, I felt welcomed and prepared to embark on this new and daunting journey. When I arrived in Thailand, I was pleasantly surprised at how organized the orientation was, and how it made me feel ready to take on the rest of my time here. By the time I got to my placement school, I was already learning so much about Thai culture. My school makes sure that I feel cared for and supported, and the Thai teachers are my friends. They even came to celebrate my birthday with me at a local restaurant. I am so happy for this overall experience and especially for choosing CIEE.

I am a 22-year-old art major, and I can honestly say I have been enjoying this experience so much more than I expected. Teaching abroad has been such a fun, exciting, and eye-opening opportunity. I have loved being able to experience a new culture while also bringing my creativity into the classroom and connecting with students in ways I never imagined. The program has been really supportive throughout the whole process, which made moving abroad and adjusting feel way less overwhelming. I’ve gained so much confidence, independence, and real world experience from this program, both personally and professionally. Every day feels like a learning experience, and I genuinely look forward to what’s next. I’m so grateful for this opportunity and would definitely recommend it to other young people who want to travel, grow, and do something meaningful while figuring out their next steps.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?

The most surprising part of this experience was how quickly this place started to feel like home. I didn’t expect to feel so comfortable so fast or to build such meaningful connections in such a short amount of time.

Pros

Super supportive and organized program
Gaining confidence, independence, and real teaching experience
Immersing yourself in a new culture while doing something meaningful

Cons

The first few weeks take some getting used to
Missing family and friends back home
Being far from home can be hard sometimes

I lived in Kalasin, a small town near Khon Kaen in Thailand's Northeastern region, Esan. My one-bedroom apartment was just a 7-minute walk from school, or a quick 2-minute motorbike ride for me! Before I rented a motorbike, my teachers would give me rides—here's a little secret: very few people in Thailand actually enjoy walking! A day in my life wasn't complete without my routine walks through Dinosaur Park or my regular visits to Shabu with the other teachers from school. If I wasn't spending my weekend in Kalasin, I'd ride up to Khon Kaen to explore the city or catch a flight for the weekend, meeting up with fellow CIEE teachers!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

The general advice for moving abroad is to learn flexibility for a reason and sure, things happen. While unexpected challenges—like finding yourself stranded in an unfamiliar city—can be frustrating in the moment, these experiences often turn into some of the best memories when you look back. It's just a reminder to not take things too seriously.

Pros

The connections I made during orientation and with my fellow teachers have endured for years, and I still stay in touch with some of them every day.
Weekend trips are more affordable in Thailand than anywhere else I've been! Whether I was heading up to Chiang Mai or catching a quick flight to Koh Samui, I was able to do it all on a budget.
A few other teachers and I got together in April at the end of the year and got scuba certified in Koh Tao!

Cons

I love love love Thai food but if you are a picky eater, some dishes in Thailand are going to be eye opening for you.

Weekend in Koh Samui with other CIEE Teachers!

Getting Scuba certified with my fellow teachers

As someone who has never traveled abroad alone, this program gave me all the support and knowledge needed to make it as stress free as possible. The program helped me pick an area that was best for me and allowed me to rank my preferences in order to be placed in a school I would love. The orientation gave me knowledge to help me prepare for my time here and give me accurate expectations. I was placed in a school that set me up in comfortable and convenient housing as well as helped me apple for work documents and banking. Overall, I am very glad I applied for this program.

What was your funniest moment?

Orientation: making memories with all these teachers and laughing as if we’ve been friends forever

Pros

Support
Kind
Knowledgeable

Cons

American-based
Expensive

I'm currently in my gap year after University and couldn't have asked for a better way to spend my time. Every day, I am discovering something new about Thai culture and becoming a better version of myself. No, it is not always easy, but that's part of the experience. Everyone on this program will have a different story- there are so many differences between schools, provinces, and student populations that I couldn't even begin to try and explain to you what to expect. You just have to go into this program with an open mind and heart. The orientation from CIEE was extremely helpful from an informational standpoint, but also for the social aspect. Meeting people before starting work was a great way to transition and I would recommend it to anyone!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Be confident and be yourself, but remember to be respectful of the local culture and don't worry if things don't go as you expect. Mai pen rai!

Pros

Great communication
Helpful Orientation
Once in a lifetime experience

Cons

Takes a certain type of person to embrace this experience, its not for everyone and that is okay!
Hard for vegans / food allergies
Not many vacation days from school- remember you are here to teach!!

CIEE and the program OEG are super supportive, with just the right amount of guidance. The orientation was fun, and the set up with a place to live, a school, and contacts before departure, was great. The visa support was crucial, and they continue to support you to help you with visa renewal three months into your program. They also make it easy to extend your teaching contract, and set you up with very nice schools. Roi Et is a charming if small city, with a great school. Highly recommend for someone interested in teaching abroad, especially in Thailand. This is not my first time using CIEE, I also studied abroad with them in college, when I went to Hyderabad, India, and loved my experience.

What would you improve about this program?

Maybe another day of sightseeing at orientation! Would love to see more of Bangkok.

Questions & Answers

Would you recommend the Teach in Thailand Plus program, or is the visa process simple enough to do on your own?

We currently provide the same level of visa support to all Teach in Thailand participants and only offer one program.

By CIEE Teach Abroad and CIEE TEFL on May 12, 2020

See all 2 answers

It says that housing is included in the program. Can you describe what type of housing is provided?

It varies depending on where your school placement is. Many teachers are in studio apartments in the same apartment complex as other foreign teachers. I've also heard of shared houses or apartments, always with your own room though!

By Madeline Rogers on March 3, 2020

See all 4 answers

Can I apply while in the last semester of earning my bachelors degree?

Answer this question

Can I stay there for two weeks ?

Unfortunately due to the nature of this particular program you must sign up for either 6 months or a year. But there are plenty of other volunteer organizations that would be happy to have you come volunteer for two weeks!

By Gabriela Perez-Dietz on November 9, 2017

View All Questions

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I chose this program based on several recommendations from close friends who also applied through the CIEE Teach in Thailand program. I did a lot of research on my own and determined that this program would give me the opportunity to travel, experience new culture, meet new people, try new food, as well as the unique opportunity to connect with and inspire a wide range of Thai students. I hope that they have learned as much from me as I have learned from each of them.

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

CIEE did an outstanding job assisting me throughout the entire process leading up to my departure. Their interactive and user friendly website made the application process as simple and easy as possible. Once I was accepted into the program, I was in constant contact with my coordinator (Kerry Plath) via email and by phone conversations through the processes of completing important tasks such as filing for Travel Visa, finding a school/region that met my requests, living accommodations, and preparing for teaching abroad through CIEE's online pre-departure course. I truly felt like she was my personal liaison as any questions or concerns I had would be addressed in a timely and effective manner.

View Entire Interview

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

One piece of advice I would give to someone going on this program would be to allow themselves to be comfortable being uncomfortable. Not every little thing will work out in the exact way you thought it might, but that's okay. If you are a person who can go with the flow and adapt to a new setting and environment, this program will give you the opportunity to experience a beautiful and unique part of the world as well as a brand new culture that can only positively impact your life.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

An average school day for me starts at 7 AM when I take a 10-minute motorbike ride to my school. I teach multiple classes throughout the day to multiple matthayom's (grade levels) with about two periods off for class planning/preparation and lunch. The school day winds down at 4:30 PM. After school is let out, I head back to my apartment and meet up with friends and fellow teachers for dinner and to hang out.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear was not being able to speak Thai. How would I be able to communicate with my students? How would I be able to communicate with the school administrators and faculty? I quickly understood that although not everyone around the school (or community) speaks fluent English, communication is formed by much more than just words. By using a combination of body language, hand gestures, and some of my newly learned Thai from orientation, I have had very little issue with communication.

What has been the most difficult adjustment teaching in a Thai school system?

Overall, there have been two glaring differences between teaching in a US school system vs teaching in a Thai school system. The first is "Thai time". Thai time is a cultural difference from the States that does not place any emphasis on punctuality. The first few weeks I was teaching, I would be shocked to arrive at my class that starts at 8 AM only to have students start to trickle in around 8:05 AM through as late as 8:25 AM. It is very easy to take this the wrong way and assume students are purposely arriving to your class late, or are being disrespectful, but they aren't. This is simply the result of long walks from one class to another across campus as well as "Thai time".

The second glaring difference is in the way that class curriculum and planning is handled from an administrative standpoint. The week before I started teaching classes, I was handed a binder with each class’ curriculum attached with subjects simply reading "Agriculture" or "Business", and that’s it for the most part. It is essentially 90% up to the teachers to determine what materials they think are most important and what materials they feel strongly enough about to teach their students. As far as lesson planning, homework assignments, quizzes, and tests are concerned, it is 100% on the teacher.

Oliver Clark

Amber Adams-Kuebler

2018 Alum

Caroline Forsey

2016 Alum

Gabriela Perez-Dietz

2016 Alum

Amy Sininger

2016 Alum

Alyssa Bolt

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Ashley Lozon

Program

Teach in Thailand with CIEE | Job Placement Before Departure

Job Title

Senior Coordinator

Ashley grew up in Northern California with an itch to travel her entire life. She is passionate about international education and helping others gain life-skills through travel. As soon as she graduated college, she participated in CIEE's Teach in Thailand program where she lived and taught in Bangkok for 6 months. Thailand now holds a forever place in her heart and she hopes to go back soon!

Interview

What is your favorite travel memory?

My favorite travel memory would have to be the trip I took down to Southern Thailand during my week long break for Christmas and New Years while I was teaching abroad. My friends and I took a seven hour long train ride from Central Thailand down to the South, another 2 hour bus ride, and then hopped on a ferry that took us to the nearby island Koh Phangan. During our travels, we met incredibly friendly Thai people who helped us along the way, and offered us their seats on the train. I ended up sitting with a Thai family who I formed a deep connection with on this train ride. They even asked me to hold their sleeping one year old baby for almost the whole ride! After this long journey, we arrived at the island and I had never seen something more beautiful! We spent New Years day, which was January 1st, 2020, floating in the warm ocean talking about our hopes and desires for the new year. (Little did we know COVID-19 was on the horizon). This trip was such a highlight for me because we got the chance to swim to another island from the one we were on. The ocean water was so shallow that we could almost touch the floor on our way there. It was the perfect start to a year that ended up turning our world's upside down. I am so thankful to have this memory before the whirlwind of COVID-19 appeared before us!

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Since starting my job as a Senior Coordinator for CIEE, I have grown so much! I have only been apart of this team for 5 months and I have already gained so many useful skills. I have been given the wonderful opportunity to connect with like-minded people who want to experience a cultural exchange like I did, which really fills my cup everyday. Not only have I grown personally, but I have also grown professionally in the past 5 months. I have had the opportunity to interview candidates for our Volunteer in Spain program, grasp new management skills as I manage our teach in Thailand program, communicate effectively with our partners in Thailand, and learn from my knowledgeable colleagues that I look up too!

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

I know of a past participant who went on one of our Teach abroad programs who met the love of her life! They met at orientation, taught English abroad together, then traveled across the world, and moved in together once they came back to the states. They are now getting married and planning on having children. Teaching abroad can really alter your life in so many wonderful ways!

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

If I could go on any program that our company offers, I would choose our teach in Thailand program all over again! My experience teaching abroad in Thailand was something I will never forget. This program offers free rent, 24/7 support from our partners in Thailand called OEG, and the opportunity to make worldly connections that will last you a lifetime. I was welcomed with open arms into my community and school. On your free time, it is extremely cheap and accessible to travel around Thailand as the cost of living is so low! Expect to spend your weekends on a nearby island, up in the mountains in the North, or in a tiny village in the East. You will never be bored living and working in Thailand!

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

CIEE is unique in so many ways. Our company really puts in the effort to connect with each and every employee! I never feel like I am alone or on my own with any difficult task. I feel comfortable going to any of my colleagues for help or even just to chat about our day. A few months ago, a colleague and I virtually presented on a panel for a university here in the states where we spoke to upcoming graduates about international education and opportunities to work abroad. I had only been working for CIEE for a month or 2 and was a little nervous! But, it ended up being such a great experience and I felt very supported by my colleague the entire way. I am really proud to be apart of this teach abroad team. We are a small team which makes it easy to connect with each and every person. I am so lucky to be working on the teach in Thailand program that I actually participated in!

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

I believe the biggest factors in being a successful company is putting in the effort to communicate effectively to your team and emphasizing the importance of inclusion and diversity. Creating an atmosphere where everyone feels valued and comfortable will aid to a company's success. I think it is important to also have an overall mission that everyone feels that they can relate too. Our teach abroad motto is "Travel with purpose. Inspire and be inspired." I know that myself and my team can all connect with this and love to intertwine this mission into our calls with applicants who are applying to teach abroad with us.

Stephen Bush

Teach Abroad Director

About CIEE Teach Abroad & TEFL

CIEE Teach Abroad & TEFL will support you through every step of your English teaching adventure, empowering you to explore new cultures, meet amazing people, and make a lasting impact on the lives of your students! CIEE TEFL's online courses will teach you everything you need to know to be a successful English teacher, from how to plan and deliver...

Teach in Thailand with CIEE | Job Placement Before Departure

Teach in Thailand with CIEE | Job Placement Before Departure

CIEE Teach Abroad & TEFL

Program Details

Pricing

Program Highlights

Alumni Interviews

Ryan Bunyon

Why did you choose this program?

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

What has been the most difficult adjustment teaching in a Thai school system?

Staff Interviews

Ashley Lozon

Interview

What is your favorite travel memory?

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?