If you are new to Teaching English as a Foreign Language, a TEFL internship in Thailand is a great way to experience life in an exotic yet easy going country. Several companies offer the opportunity to get TEFL certified and quickly placed in a job with a Thai school, while providing the support that can be the difference between deciding to go or backing out and staying at home.

Internships in this sense are essentially combination packages of TEFL training with a guaranteed job placement, plus additional extras such as orientation, visa assistance, and airport pick up. Applicants pay for this support and training but can earn enough to make it fiscally worthwhile, recouping the costs and financing time in a new country.

Below we compare the internships of six organisations before proving a handy comparison by category to help decide whether earning the most money is more important, if non native speakers are accepted or if you can apply without a degree.

As some of the organisations listed below advertise with us in our Overseas Job Centre and Jobs Abroad Bulletin sites, or are affiliate links, we have kept our personal opinions to a minimum, preferring the facts and figures to speak for themselves based on the criteria most important to you. Please note that if you do pick one of our affiliates and apply through the link given there is no additional cost to you.

TEFL INTERNSHIPS COMPARED BY ORGANISATION

We are comparing the internships offered by six organisations in Thailand: SEE TEFL, ESLstarter, Premier TEFL, TEFL Heaven, i to i and LoveTEFL, and The TEFL Academy.

For each organisation we are going to assess where placements are located, the duration of each internship, the TEFL training offered, qualifications required to apply, including if non native English speakers are accepted, wages provided and if this includes accommodation, Lastly, how much is the placement fee?

For qualifications we should, in addition to each organisation’s individual requirements, assume a need to be adaptable to new and unpredictable situations, be of good character and possess a friendly, patient and flexible personality.

SEE TEFL

Located out of Chiang Mai, in a new purpose built school facility with modern classrooms, SEE TEFL is the only internship provider that we compare here that is both based in Thailand and devotes their full attention to the country.

A working week normally involves 18 to 22 teaching periods of between 50 and 60 minutes, with placements offered twice a year at the beginning of the Thai school semester in kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools and colleges.

Location? Central and Northern Thailand. Over the past four years SeeTEFL have placed interns in the Northern Thai towns of Khampaeng Phet, Utthai Thani, Phayao, Phitsanulok, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, and Nan.
Internship length? Four to five months.
TEFL training? Prior to placement two weeks of TEFL training is provided in Chiang Mai with accommodation included. At the end of the placement period participants receive TEFL certification.
Qualifications? Applicants should be English native speakers holding a passport from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, South Africa or the United States. You must also be aged 21 to 50, hold a recognised bachelor’s degree, and be familiar with Microsoft Word or OpenOffice Writer.
Non native speakers accepted? Yes, with evidence of a language proficiency equivalent to at least IELTS Band 7.
Wages? 28,500thb per month.
Accommodation? Interns are responsible for the cost of their own accommodation. Placement schools will introduce their Interns to a range of accommodation options after arrival.
Placement fee? US$1,295.

More information or to apply: Visit http://seetefl.com/tefl-internship/?ap_id=payaway

ESLstarter

Since they began nearly a decade ago ESLstarter have placed thousands of teachers into teaching programs in Thailand. Both of the founders of ESLstarter have extensive knowledge of the Thailand school system having themselves taught English in Thailand previously.

Placements are made in January, May, July or November and once your placement is over ESLstarter provide additional job assistance should you decide to stay in Thailand.

Location? Throughout Thailand. Applicants are encouraged to remain flexible in terms of placement location.
Internship length? Ten weeks.
TEFL training? 120 hour TEFL certificate either online TEFL or through an intensive three week TESOL course in Bangkok, with accommodation included.
Qualifications? No specific qualifications are required. Non degree holders and gap year students are welcome to apply.
Non native speakers accepted? Yes, all fluent English speakers are welcome to apply.
Wages? 15,000thb per month.
Accommodation? Yes.
Placement fee? Either £980 for placement with TEFL training in Bangkok, or £499 with online training. ESLstarter assist interns through the visa process but the visa fee is the responsibility of the applicant.

More information or to apply: Visit https://www.eslstarter.com/affiliates/thailand-teach-learn/?ref=71

Premier TEFL

Premier TEFL offer the highest paying internship in Thailand. After completion of extensive online training interns typically teach a maximum of 24 hours of face-to-face teaching on a Monday to Friday teaching schedule in primary and secondary schools in Thailand.

Location? Across the country.
Internship length? Four months.
TEFL training? 240 hours of online TEFL training.
Qualifications? Applicants should be native English speakers from the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, South Africa, Australia or New Zealand, aged between 21 and 45, with a bachelor’s degree.
Non native speakers accepted? No.
Wages? 30,000 – 34,000thb per month.
Accommodation? Accommodation worth 3,000thb per month is provided.
Placement fee? $1259, but look out for special offers. At the time of writing this placement cost $879. Visa cost is reimbursed in your first month’s allowance.

More information or to apply: Visit https://premiertefl.com/internships/thailand/?ptaff=79

TEFL Heaven

TEFL Heaven centre their marketing around TEFL training in a paradise location. Once placed, teachers can expect 24 hours a week in the classroom of a government of privately owned kindergarten, primary or secondary school. Start dates are twice a year, just before the start of term in April and October.

Location? Placements are made according to individual preferences around Thailand with the majority in central and southern Thailand.
Internship length? Four to five months with the option to stay longer.
TEFL training? Three weeks TEFL training leading to a 120 hour certificate is provided with accommodation, usually in a beach location such as Koh Chang, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, or Phuket.
Qualifications? Be native English speaking, or from a native English speaking country, and hold a bachelor’s degree. Non degree holders can also apply but are not guaranteed job placement.
Non native speakers accepted? Yes, but not with guaranteed job placement.
Wages? Minimum 30,000thb per month.
Accommodation? No, but assistance is given in finding accommodation, normally from the school.
Placement fee? US$1545.

More information or to apply: Visit https://www.teflheaven.com/teach-english-in-thailand/

i to i and LoveTEFL

Initially run out of a bedsit in Leeds before being sold to First Choice for £20 million, i to i was a pioneer in offering short TEFL taster courses and online TEFL courses. Their Thailand internship has minimal entry requirements but is unpaid.

Location? Placements are in secluded small towns and villages in Kanchanaburi.
Internship length? Seven weeks.
TEFL training? 120 hour online TEFL qualification
Qualifications? Fluent English speaker.
Non native speakers accepted? Yes.
Wages? Unpaid.
Accommodation? Accommodation and some meals are included.
Placement fee? $1,199 (plus cost of visa) but often discounted. At the time of writing this placement cost $849.

More information or to apply: Visit https://www.i-to-i.com/teaching-internships/thailand-tefl.html

The TEFL Academy

There’s no training component to The TEFL Academy’s Paid TEFL Internship in Thailand so if you already have the minimum of a 120 hour TEFL certificate this could be the Thailand internship for you. Start dates for are ongoing but arrive midway through each semester (beginning May, July and November) and you’ll have less time in the country.

Location? Orientation is in Chiang Mai or Hua Hin but placements are with government schools and universities around the country.
Internship length? One semester (three months or less if you arrive midway through a semester).
TEFL training? No.
Qualifications? Applicants should be native English speakers, aged 18 to 55, from the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, South Africa, Australia or New Zealand. A degree isn’t required.
Non native speakers accepted? No.
Wages? 15,000thb per month.
Accommodation? Yes.
Placement fee? £799.

More information or to apply: Visit https://www.theteflacademy.com/internships/thailand

TEFL INTERNSHIPS COMPARED BY CATEGORY

What is most important to you? Location, internship length, qualifications, fees to pay or the amount of wages earned? There’s no need to keep scrolling up and down the page, each organisation is compared by category below:

Location?

SEE TEFL: Central and Northern Thailand. Over the past four years SeeTEFL have placed interns in the Northern Thai towns of Khampaeng Phet, Utthai Thani, Phayao, Phitsanulok, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, and Nan.
ESLstarter: Throughout Thailand. Applicants are encouraged to remain flexible in terms of placement location.
Premier TEFL: Across the country.
TEFL Heaven: Placements are made according to individual preferences around Thailand with the majority in central and southern Thailand.
i to i and LoveTEFL: Placements are in secluded small towns and villages in Kanchanaburi.
The TEFL Academy: Orientation is in Chiang Mai or Hua Hin but placements are with government schools and universities around the country.

Internship length?

SEE TEFL: Four to five months.
ESLstarter: Ten weeks.
Premier TEFL: Four months.
TEFL Heaven: Four to five months with the option to stay longer.
i to i and LoveTEFL: Seven weeks.
The TEFL Academy: One semester (thee months or less if you arrive midway through a semester).

TEFL training?

SEE TEFL: Prior to placement two weeks of TEFL training is provided in Chiang Mai with accommodation included. At the end of the placement period participants receive TEFL certification.
ESLstarter: 120 hour TEFL certificate either online TEFL or through an intensive three week TESOL course in Bangkok, with accommodation included.
Premier TEFL: 240 hours of TEFL training.
TEFL Heaven: Three weeks TEFL training leading to a 120 hour certificate is provided with accommodation, usually in a beach location such as Koh Chang, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, or Phuket.
i to i and LoveTEFL: 120 hour online TEFL qualification.
The TEFL Academy: No.

Qualifications?

SEE TEFL: Applicants should be English native speakers holding a passport from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, South Africa or the United States. You must also be aged 21 to 50, hold a recognised bachelor’s degree, and be familiar with Microsoft Word or OpenOffice Writer.
ESLstarter: No specific qualifications are required. Non degree holders and gap year students are welcome to apply.
Premier TEFL: Applicants should be native English speakers from the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, South Africa, Australia or New Zealand, aged between 21 and 45, with a bachelor’s degree.
TEFL Heaven: Be native English speaking, or from a native English speaking country, and hold a bachelor’s degree. Non degree holders can also apply but are not guaranteed job placement.
i to i and LoveTEFL: Fluent English speaker.
The TEFL Academy: Applicants should be native English speakers, aged 18 to 55, from the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, South Africa, Australia or New Zealand. A degree isn’t required.

Non native speakers accepted?

SEE TEFL: Yes, with evidence of a language proficiency equivalent to at least IELTS Band 7.
ESLstarter: Yes, all fluent English speakers are welcome to apply.
Premier TEFL: No.
TEFL Heaven: Yes, but not with guaranteed job placement.
i to i and LoveTEFL: Yes.
The TEFL Academy: No.

Wages?

SEE TEFL: 28,500thb per month.
ESLstarter: 15,000thb per month.
Premier TEFL: 30,000 – 34,000thb per month.
TEFL Heaven: Minimum 30,000thb per month.
i to i and LoveTEFL: Unpaid.
The TEFL Academy: 15,000thb per month.

Accommodation?

SEE TEFL: Interns are responsible for the cost of their own accommodation. Placement schools will introduce their Interns to a range of accommodation options after arrival.
ESLstarter: Yes.
Premier TEFL: Accommodation worth 3,000thb per month is provided.
TEFL Heaven: No, but assistance is given in finding accommodation, normally from the school.
i to i and LoveTEFL: Accommodation and some meals are included.
The TEFL Academy: Yes.

Placement fee?

Exchange rates fluctuate so rather than convert the currencies each internship provider gives for their fees we have kept them as displayed on their own websites. A currency convertor can be found here.

SEE TEFL: US$1,295
ESLstarter: Either £980 for placement with TEFL training in Bangkok, or £499 with online training. ESLstarter assist interns through the visa process but the visa fee is the responsibility of the applicant.
Premier TEFL: $1259, but look out for special offers. At the time of writing this placement cost $879.
TEFL Heaven: US$1545.
i to i and LoveTEFL: $1,199 (plus cost of visa) but often discounted. At the time of writing this placement cost $849.
The TEFL Academy: £799.

Find out more:

SEE TEFL: http://seetefl.com/tefl-internship/?ap_id=payaway
ESLstarter: https://www.eslstarter.com/affiliates/thailand-teach-learn/?ref=71
Premier TEFL: https://premiertefl.com/internships/thailand/?ptaff=79
TEFL Heaven: https://www.teflheaven.com/teach-english-in-thailand/
i to i and LoveTEFL: https://www.i-to-i.com/teaching-internships/thailand-tefl.html
The TEFL Academy: https://www.theteflacademy.com/internships/thailand