Program Reviews

Working with KET was definitely an experience. I got to live in a small town that became my home away from home. I got to work in a public school with local Thai students and teachers who became like family. This opportunity helped me grow as an individual and educator. Not only is there an expat group where you can make connections with others like you, but the town is so welcoming the locals are so excited to see you. If you’re considering a year abroad in Thailand, take this a sign to look no further and chat with the KET team!

I worked with this company from 2021 to 2022. Unlike many others, I didn’t apply directly. I had already completed my teaching certificate, secured my Non-B visa, and received a placement through other agencies before being transferred to them. So my experience may differ from those who started the process from scratch.

When I arrived to sign my contract from another city, I traveled with a group of teachers. We arranged and split the cost of a van, but there was confusion over payment upon arrival, and communication between the driver, staff, and teachers was difficult and chaotic. This was my first indication that the staff’s English was quite limited and they lacked professionalism.

The accommodation provided near the head office was disappointing. It was outdated, had an unpleasant smell, and hadn’t been properly cleaned. Other teachers I met months later told me they stayed in much nicer housing, so I may have just been unlucky. On the positive side, the contract terms were explained clearly, and the staff answered my questions well. I left feeling confident about my new job.

During my stay near the head office, the staff were welcoming. They took us to a local festival and drove me to my assigned city. They also assisted me in communicating with landlords about rental options I had found on my own after arriving. Once again, this communication wasn’t the best and I think Google Translate was used a few times.

Anyways, I ultimately had to stay long-term in a hotel because I was unable to secure housing, which became quite expensive. I wish I had received more structured support with finding accommodation, as the high cost of living ultimately influenced my decision to leave.

After settling into my new job and city, communication with the company became minimal. When I needed to obtain documents for my work permit, these arrangements were handled by a local teacher rather than the company’s staff.

This leads to my biggest concern: salary transparency. I later discovered that the school was paying the company significantly more than what I was receiving. Considering that I managed large classes, graded on weekends, planned lessons during breaks, and even purchased my own teaching materials, this was discouraging. It was difficult to justify the 15,000–20,000 baht monthly difference between what the school paid and what I received, especially given the limited support provided during my recruitment and employment.

One staff member mentioned that when teachers are transferred from another agency, the receiving company must pay a fee to acquire them. I’m not aware of the exact amount, but I think it may take several months for them to recover those costs in some cases. While I understand that there may be business expenses involved in this system, those internal arrangements did not feel like the teacher’s responsibility. From my perspective, the pay gap felt unfair.

I understand that this agency model is common in Thailand, and some teachers were satisfied with their pay depending on their lifestyles or supplemental income. However, for someone looking to grow professionally and be fairly compensated, it was challenging. There were also contract clauses preventing teachers from working directly with their schools.

Toward the end of my contract, communication about renewal was last-minute, which left little time to plan. Visa coordination between this company and my new employer was poorly handled, resulting in me having to leave the country for a visa run. That experience ultimately led me to relocate.

Overall, I’m grateful for the wonderful students and schools I was placed in — those memories will stay with me forever. This company can be a good option for first-time teachers or those seeking a short-term experience in Thailand. However, I recommend being independent, doing thorough research, and clearly understanding the financial realities before committing. Teaching in Thailand gave me a valuable experience and helped me understand my professional worth, but it wasn’t a long-term fit for my goals.

I went from working a dead end job to teaching English at a high school in Thailand in the blink of an eye, all arranged and supported by the Kids English Thailand team. All I had to do was book a flight, provide some documents, and smile and nod. Orientation week was great, it's nice to be part of a group of people who are all going through the same experience. Unfortunately things didn't work out for me due purely to personal issues that were effecting my health. A nightmare scenario, being all the way in Thailand, as you can probably imagine. However, Matthew and the team at KET were more than understanding and supportive throughout the whole ordeal of me deciding it was best for me to leave. And that's all you can ask for. Sometimes things work out and sometimes they don't, for a variety of reasons. But having a team of professionals supporting your every move as a stranger in a foreign land sure makes things a lot easier, no matter what the outcome of your journey is. To summarise, as someone who didn't have the 'dream' experience of teaching English in Thailand, I am very grateful to have had the KET team supporting me every move from start to finish.

Every step of the way, both before flying out to Thailand and arriving in Thailand to teach, the KET team have gone beyond my expectations with the support they have provided. They literally help you with everything and the team are so welcoming, accomodating and supportive, which has helped me able to settle in Thailand so swiftly. I would highly suggest going through KET because of the support they provide, as I am talking travel support from Bangok, accomodation support, help with your visa (which is complicated alone), teacher training, breakfast for training week, they have thought of it all!

I had a super great experience teaching with KET! I was with ket for 6 months teaching at a private school in Phitsanulok Thailand. Ket was super helpful with all my visa paper work, the visa run process, work permit, and any other work I needed to do with my school. I’d highly suggest teaching at a school through ket!

Teaching in Thailand in general is such an incredible and life changing experience. I learned so much about myself and the Thai culture. I think no matter if you keep teaching or not it’ll be an awesome experience!

Teaching English in Thailand—Bang Mun Nak-—for the past eight months has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I've not only witnessed my students' language skills improve but also learned so much from their culture and perspectives. The warmth and hospitality of the Thai people have made this journey unforgettable. I'm grateful for the opportunity to have contributed to their education and personal growth while also expanding my own horizons. It's been a period of mutual exchange, and I leave with cherished memories and a deep appreciation for Thailand. Of course, thanks to KET for this opportunity.

I have been teaching and living in Thailand since October of 2023. My relationship with the KET team has been a supportive and positive one from the time I arrived in Thailand up to my most current placement at Bangmunnak School. I have learned so much along the way. If you're from the "West", like I am, be ready for changes and challenges. Embrace the fun times, but also be prepared to face the realities of day-to-day life as a teacher in a school system that challenges your expectations of what schools should be and how students should behave. There is ALWAYS a gap in realities between being a tourist and living in country on a longer-term basis.

When I first started my orientation with KET, we were advised on the cultural behaviors and expectations of Thai people, how to handle culture shock, culture clashes, and navigating life in a society that seems similar on the surface, but that is so much different from our own.

So what have I learned? I have learned to cultivate patience, smooth out my temper when things don't go well, to take moments literally one minute at a time, and to remember to appreciate my fellow Thai teachers for the support they give, even if I think it is "imperfect". It is easy to be simultaneously frustrated with your students and care deeply about them. My experiences became better when I put myself in their shoes, learned to see things from their perspectives, laughed at their crazy jokes and appreciated their sense of humor.

I have enjoyed the dinners, the school festivals, the storytelling, dance and singing competitions, the drama and spectacle of Sports Day, the shared office jokes. And in the difficult moments, at every step of the way, I knew I could reach out to KET's staff for advice and support. I always got helpful assistance with the critical matters, like immigration forms, acquiring non-B and tourist visas, navigating and resolving disagreements with Thai staff, and learning how to balance work life with personal life.

I encourage anyone who is thinking about teaching overseas to take the plunge and embrace the challenges of navigating work and life in a foreign land. Kids' English - Thailand will help you every step of the way.

My Thai teaching adventure was transformative. I sought adventure and a cultural escape, but found so much more. Adjusting to a new city and diverse students was challenging, but the rewards were immense. My students' enthusiasm was infectious, and their progress incredibly rewarding. Beyond the classroom, I explored ancient temples and bustling markets, forging lifelong friendships. Teaching abroad wasn't just about imparting knowledge; it was about personal growth, boosting my confidence and broadening my perspectives. If you're considering teaching abroad, I highly recommend it – it's an investment in yourself.

I spent a year teaching at a primary school in Lampang, Thailand (near Chiang Mai) and had an amazing experience. The KET staff gave great cultural training, teaching advice, and set up a visit to a local school so the new teachers could do a practice lesson before entering our year-long assignments. The staff at my school set me up for success and welcomed me to Thailand both at school and during their free time. Outside of school time, I was able to travel locally and beyond with other teachers in my city. My boyfriend and I went to Thailand together and KET was able to place us in the same city and help us find accommodation ten minutes from both of our schools. I made great friends, ate great food, and would go back to Thailand in a heartbeat!

Matthew has been incredibly supportive in the build up to coming to Thailand. He gives very detailed information and his response time is incredibly fast (especially considering time differences). The group orientation we had in Sukothai was very informative, useful and fun. The KET Thai Team are also happy, friendly and helpful. The orientation also included cultural activities like a Thai language class, Thai cooking class, Songkran festival in Sukothai, and a welcome dinner! It was a great way of adjusting to Thai lifestyle and meeting other teachers in the same position as you.