Thailand · Vietnam · Cambodia

Teach English in Southeast Asia — without the rookie mistakes.

The no-fluff starter kit for landing a real teaching job in Thailand, Vietnam or Cambodia. Visas, salaries, contracts, interviews and your first weeks in class — from a teacher with 10+ years in all three countries.

Get the Starter Kit — $19 See what's inside
Instant PDF download 3 countries compared Checklists & templates included
Teacher in front of a class of students raising their hands
10+ yearsteaching in SE Asia
Step by stepvisas & work permits
THVNKH
Why this kit exists

Most new teachers lose months — and money — to the same four mistakes.

None of them are about teaching. All of them are avoidable if someone tells you first.

01

The wrong visa route

Arriving on the wrong visa can mean border runs, fines and a job offer that falls through.

02

Agencies taking a cut

Some placement agencies quietly take a slice of your salary every month for the whole contract.

03

Contracts with traps

Unpaid holidays, "office hours" on top of teaching, deductions and penalties for leaving early.

04

Bad timing

Land in the wrong month and the good jobs are already filled. Each country has its own hiring rhythm.

Compare at a glance

Three countries. Very different deals.

The kit goes deep on each one. Here's the quick version.

Wat Arun temple in BangkokMost jobs

Thailand

Typical monthly pay
฿30k–40k government · ฿40k–60k+ private & bilingual
Visa route
Non-Immigrant B visa + work permit, sponsored by your school
Degree
Needed for the work permit
Hiring peaks
Before terms start in May and November
Street in Hoi An, VietnamHighest pay

Vietnam

Typical monthly pay
$1,100–2,000 language centres & public school programmes
Visa route
Work permit + temporary residence card
Documents
Degree, 120-hour TEFL, background check, health check — legalised
Hiring peaks
Year-round; busiest before the August–September school year
Aerial view of Angkor Wat, CambodiaEasiest entry

Cambodia

Typical monthly pay
$800–1,200 language centres · $1,500–2,500+ international
Visa route
E-class visa, extended yearly + work permit
Degree
Not legally required — but better schools ask for one
Hiring peaks
Rolling, year-round at language centres

Typical ranges reported for 2025–2026. Pay varies by city, school type and your qualifications; rules change, so the kit shows you how to confirm them before you go.

The Starter Kit

Teach SEA Ready

Land a real teaching job in Thailand, Vietnam or Cambodia — and thrive in your first term.

By Teacher Francois2026 Edition
PDF guidePrintable checklistsInstant download
What's inside

Everything I wish someone had handed me.

01

Pick your country

Pay, cost of living, lifestyle and red tape compared side by side.

02

Documents checklist

Degree, TEFL, background check, legalisation — what to sort out before you fly.

03

Visas & work permits

The legal route in each country, step by step, and who should pay for what.

04

Finding real jobs

Where good schools actually advertise, and how to spot fake or bad listings.

05

Contract red flags

The clauses to question before you sign, with a ready-made checklist.

06

Interview & demo lesson

A 10-minute demo lesson plan that works with any age group.

07

Your first 30 days

Starter budget, housing, SIM, banking and the setup order that saves headaches.

08

Classroom survival

Big classes, mixed levels and local school culture — what actually works.

09

15 no-prep games

Warmers and fillers you can run with just a whiteboard.

10

Templates

Lesson plan template, contract checklist and a pre-departure checklist.

Thai students in school uniform jumping for joy
Written by a teacher, not a recruiter

Hi, I'm Teacher Francois.

I've spent more than ten years teaching across Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand — in public schools, international schools, private language centres and online. Most recently I taught primary Science and English at a bilingual school in Thailand.

I've signed good contracts and bad ones, sat on both sides of the interview table, and watched new teachers make the same expensive mistakes year after year. This kit is the guide I give friends who ask me how to start.

10+years teaching in SE Asia
3countries taught in
TEFLwith Distinction
Products

Start with the kit. More tools coming soon.

Instant download after checkout. Prices in USD.

Free guides

Start reading — no email needed.

Plain-English guides to salaries, visas and requirements in each country.

Wat Arun temple in Bangkok, ThailandThailand guideHow to teach English in Thailand in 2026Read the free guide →Street in Hoi An, VietnamVietnam guideHow to teach English in Vietnam in 2026Read the free guide →Aerial view of Angkor Wat, CambodiaCambodia guideHow to teach English in Cambodia in 2026Read the free guide →Colourful silk lanterns in Hoi AnComparisonThailand vs Vietnam vs Cambodia: where should you teach English?Read the free guide →Young students in a classroomNo degree?Can you teach English in Southeast Asia without a degree?Read the free guide →
FAQ

Questions, answered.

Do I need a degree?

For Thailand and Vietnam, a bachelor's degree is needed for a legal work permit. In Cambodia it isn't legally required, though better-paying schools often ask for one. The kit covers your options either way.

Do I need a TEFL certificate?

Most reputable schools expect a 120-hour TEFL, and Vietnam effectively requires one for the work permit. The kit explains what to look for so you don't overpay for a course.

Can non-native English speakers use this?

Yes. Many schools hire non-native speakers with strong English, especially in Cambodia and private schools. Some programmes and permits favour certain passports — the kit shows where you have the best chance.

What format is it?

A 17-page PDF guide with printable checklists and templates. You can download it straight after checkout and read it on any phone, tablet or computer.

I'm already teaching here. Is it for me?

If you're thinking about moving schools or countries, the contract, visa and country chapters will still save you time and money.

Is the salary and visa info up to date?

It's the 2026 edition, based on current published information and first-hand experience. Rules can change, so every chapter shows you how to double-check before you commit.

Your classroom in Southeast Asia starts here.

Skip the guesswork. Get the kit, follow the steps, and land the right job the first time.

Get the Starter Kit — $19