Home / Thailand / Hua Hin

Thailand is known as the Land of Smiles. The culture is warm, friendly and genuine. There is a big expat community out there, so you’re in a new and exciting culture but also engaging with many different cultures through the expat network as well. The travel opportunities are wonderful, either around Thailand itself or to neighboring countries. AND the food is delicious and fresh!

Hua Hin is a beautiful city on the beach in central Thailand, approximately two and a half hours away from Bangkok. The area has some amazing beaches, mountains, viewpoints, temples, night markets, water parks, and dining experiences for you to choose from and enjoy at any time of the year.

Hua Hin itself features a beautiful, powdery sand beach, plenty of waterside seafood restaurants, a lively night market and plenty of beach activities. Accommodation along the Beach and on the streets leading away from the sea ranges from simple guesthouses to luxury resorts. Hua Hin is accessible via train, bus, or car and the seaside community of 60,000 residents is famed for its warm and welcoming Thai hospitality.

The TEFL course intakes in Thailand happen regularly, giving participants a range of choices to suit their schedules. There will be many fellow participants on the course; usually around 20 participants from around the world during term courses.  In the late September and late April intakes, there are 70-100 participants. This allows participants the opportunity for multilateral cultural exchange. 

The School

Hua Hin TEFL course participants arrive in Bangkok and then spend one to two nights in a hotel in Bangkok. They arrive up to two days prior to the listed start date. The group then leaves together on the Monday morning of the listed start date via group transport.

For the course and observed teaching practice in Hua Hin, we use a prominent educational institution known for its commitment to academic excellence and community development. With a rich history dating back several decades, the school has become an integral part of the local educational landscape. It offers a diverse range of programs and resources, catering to the educational needs of students from preschool to high school levels. The school emphasizes values such as cultural appreciation, civic responsibility, and environmental awareness, making it a nurturing and holistic learning environment for students in the picturesque setting of Hua Hin.

We offer a full 120-hour in-class TESOL course starting on select start dates for a whole month in Hua Hin (about two and a half hours outside of Bangkok). Applicants arrive up to 2 days prior to the start date and are expected to arrive by the latest on the morning of the day before the intake start date. It is broken down into 4 weeks. 

The first week is a cultural orientation week designed to immerse you in the culture through important and fun activities such as:

• Around eight hours of basic Thai language lessons 
• A traditional cooking class
• Muay Thai lessons (Thai traditional martial arts)
• Temple excursion and afternoon class with a Buddhist monk who will explain the origins and philosophies of the Buddhist faith and how it comes into play in Thailand overall and in the classroom specifically
• A beach dinner
• Learn cultural etiquette classes, history, religion and politics classes from experts 

The second and third weeks are dedicated to classes around the content and methodologies of teaching English as a second language. They will include lesson planning for both the receptive and productive skills of students such as speaking, reading, writing, and listening, as well as classroom management techniques and the principles of EFL. This will be held in a classroom with an experienced TESOL instructor, with classes from 8 am to 4 pm with a lunch break in between.

The final week of the in-class course is practical training in a Thai classroom. You are paired with another TESOL participant to plan a number of lessons for different types of lessons, age levels, and proficiency levels of students. You plan and deliver the lesson, and then get feedback from your instructor who is in the classroom with you.

You then write your final TESOL exam and graduate on the final Saturday at the graduation ceremony with the 120-hour in-class TESOL. It never expires and can be used around the world.

The accredited course in Hua Hin is operated by an independent organisation that issues its own certificate on completion of the course.

Accommodation

The Bangkok hotel cost is 700 Thai Baht per person per night (based on a shared room). If you request to stay in a room alone, the cost will be 1,200 THB per night. Note that there is a 500 THB key deposit that will be returned to you upon checkout. Check-in at the Hotel is 2pm. If you wish to check in early (8am to 1pm) there is an additional charge of 500 THB. Checking in prior to 8am will be considered an additional night’s stay. If you plan to arrive in Bangkok a day or two early, you should budget for the cost of transportation, attractions and food. 

Baan Sam Pluem (BSP) serves as the ideal accommodation for our students in Hua Hin, offering a unique blend of convenience and coastal charm. Situated just across the street from the beautiful beach, this location provides our students with easy access to the stunning shoreline and refreshing sea breezes. This option is within walking distance to the vibrant center of town, allowing students to explore local attractions and immerse themselves in the culture of Hua Hin. It is also located within walking distance to the TEFL training center.

In instances when we have larger classes or seek additional amenities, we utilize Glory Place, a nearby facility closer to town, equipped with a spacious pool to accommodate our students comfortably. This flexibility ensures that our students enjoy a well-rounded experience, combining the serene seaside ambiance of Baan Sam Pluem School with the convenience and extra facilities of Glory Place when needed.

Course dates

Course fees

The total price is divided into: deposit and balance.

The deposit may be paid via a) credit card b) Paypal c) wire transfer d) Western Union.

The balance of the course fee must be paid by cash, PayPal or bank transfer directly to the training center on the first day of the course.

Accomodation Fees

The accommodation fees are not part of the course price and you are free to choose whichever accommodation option you prefer.

If you choose to use our accommodation, it should be paid for either by cash, PayPal or bank transfer directly to the school at the start of the course.

per person per night (shared room)

shared accommodation for four weeks

single accommodation for four weeks

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are my payment options?

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  The initial deposit is due as a lump sum in order to secure your spot in the program. The final program fee is due 12 weeks prior to your selected departure date. You can speak to our team about breaking this down into smaller payment amounts leading up to the 12 week prior deadline.

• What are my accommodation options?

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  Shared/ single accommodation is pre-booked so that all participants stay together for the duration of the course. If you prefer to look at independent accommodation options, you can speak to our team about that. We do advise staying in the pre-booked accommodation as it allows you to interact with other participants and is situated conveniently in proximity to the classroom and activities.

• Do I need a degree to teach in Thailand?

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  Yes. In order to get a legal working permit, a Bachelor’s degree is required.

  
  

• Is there a dress code?

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  During the theory and orientation of the TESOL course itself, there is no particular dress code. However, during the practical teaching element in the classroom, teachers will need to adhere to the cultural and professional requirements of the Thai classroom. Packing lists and examples of classroom attire will be provided in an information pack prior to departure, so that you can pack accordingly. There will also be specific requirements in terms of dress code for some of the cultural orientation activities, such as the Temple visit, which will require participants to follow the dress code for temples (shoulders and knees covered etc).

  
  

• What is the course schedule?

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  The course runs over 4 weeks. Week 1 is the cultural orientation, which includes activities such as language lessons, a cooking class, meditation with a Buddhist monk and a temple visit, a hike to a waterfall, a welcome beach BBQ and cultural etiquette, history and politics lectures. The itinerary will be provided in advance. Week 2 and 3 are classroom based lectures on the theoretical information. Classes start at 8AM and run to 4PM in the afternoon, with a lunch break in between. The fourth and final week is your teaching practical week, which will include practical classroom experience where you’ll teach alongside another TESOL participant. The classes you’ll be teaching and more information about the preparation of those classes will be provided in advance. In the final week, you also write the TESOL examination. Graduation happens on the final Friday of the course.

  
  

• What do I need for the course?

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  Participants will need a laptop/tablet for the course. Notebooks, pens and some classroom supplies are also advisable (but can be purchased in country).

  
  

• When can I arrive in Thailand?

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  The TESOL course start dates always fall on a Monday. We would like all participants to have arrived at the latest by the Sunday morning prior. At the earliest (for the inclusion of airport pick-up and pre-booked accommodation), participants can arrive on the Saturday prior. Participants can arrive earlier than the Saturday, but they will then have to make their own arrangements for airport pick up and accommodation prior to the Saturday early check in.

  
  

• When is the best time to go to Thailand?

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  The best times to go to Thailand would be the late March course or the late September course. The students in Thailand have two major vacation periods in the year: the month of May and the month of October. If you join one of the courses that runs throughout the month of the vacation periods, you’ll be part of a very big group of teachers, which makes it more fun. It will also mean that if you choose to do the placement program thereafter, you’ll start at the beginning of the new semester, which has advantages for preferences.

  
  

• What travel documents will I need before I travel to Thailand?

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  You’ll need your valid passport (with more than 6 blank visa pages, and an expiration date exceeding 6 months from your arrival date), travel insurance for the duration of your time in Thailand, proof of an onward journey within your visa allowance and proof of financial means.

  
  

• How many people are generally on the course?

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  For the March and September courses, we have around 50-80 people. For courses that fall in between the semester, we usually have around 15-25 people.

  
  

• What are my options if I’d like to stay in Thailand and teach after the course?

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  You can speak to your Support Coordinator about applying for the Guaranteed Placement option. If your application is approved, the additional amount is payable. You’ll then complete the course and go directly to your paid teaching position thereafter. You’ll need additional documents if you’re planning on teaching in Thailand, so you’ll need to prepare those prior to departure with the help of our support team.

  
  

• What documents will I need if I choose to do the guaranteed placement after the course?

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  A notarized, authenticated and legalized Bachelor’s degree copy, your original Bachelor’s degree, your university transcript and a clean and clear criminal background check from your home country.

  
  

• How does teaching practical work?

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  In the fourth and final week of the course, yourself and another TESOL participant will be grouped together to plan, prepare and execute lessons in real life classroom situations in a Thai school. You’ll be assigned a number of classes to prepare for and your instructor will be in the classroom with you when you give the lesson. The aim of the observed practical is to ensure that you are exposed to a number of different age groups, proficiency levels and types of lessons. For example, on the Monday of the final week, you may have Grade 11’s that are intermediate and you’ll be doing a speaking lesson. On Wednesday, you may have Grade 1’s that are beginner level and you’ll be doing a listening lesson.

  
  

• Can I use the certificate for teaching outside of Thailand?

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  Yes. The certification is internationally accredited and does not expire. It can be used around the world.