Aerial view of Doi Suthep temple on a forested mountain above Chiang Mai — Photo: Mike Holp / Unsplash

TEFL courses

Get certified where you'll actually teach

An on-site TEFL course in Thailand gives you real classroom practice, local contacts and a head start on the job hunt.

What is TEFL?

TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. A TEFL certificate shows schools that you've been trained to plan lessons, manage a classroom and teach English to non-native speakers. Most reputable schools in Thailand look for at least 120 hours of training, ideally including observed teaching practice with real students.

Teacher asking a question while a student raises his hand — Photo: Vitaly Gariev / Unsplash

Why train on-site in Thailand?

Real teaching practice
Teach real Thai students, from kindergarten to adults, with feedback from experienced trainers.
Learn the local culture
Understand Thai classroom culture, school etiquette and basic Thai before your first day.
Meet employers face to face
Interview in person while you're already in the country, often with schools that work directly with your centre.
Land with support
Airport pickup, accommodation help, visa advice and a ready-made group of friends from day one.

Featured centre

SEE TEFL, Chiang Mai

SEE TEFL has trained thousands of teachers from more than 40 countries since 2006. The course is held in Chiang Mai, a relaxed, affordable city surrounded by mountains and one of the most popular places in Thailand for new teachers.

Accreditation and recognition

Licensed by the Thai Ministry of Education to provide TEFL training
Training Qualifications UK (TQUK) approved centre, regulated by Ofqual
ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management
Certificates can be notarised for work in Thailand, China, Vietnam and beyond

Visit SEE TEFL

Golden chedi at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai — Photo: Marloes van der Veer / Unsplash

High-school classroom in Bangkok with a map on the wall — Photo: Seen / Unsplash

Courses available

Photo: Quilia / Unsplash

120 hours · 4 weeks

4-Week TEFL Certification Course

An intensive, full-time, face-to-face course in Chiang Mai covering teaching methodology, grammar, lesson planning and classroom management.

120 hours of on-site training, Monday to Friday
6 observed teaching practices at local schools
Thai culture training and Thai language lessons
Visa guidance, airport pickup and SIM card help
Lifetime job support and a job guarantee for eligible graduates
Small groups of up to 20 trainees

Upcoming start dates

Nov 23, 2026
Jan 4, 2027
Feb 1, 2027
Mar 1, 2027
Apr 19, 2027
May 17, 2027

From

$1,395

Programme fee including materials and certification. Optional 30-night hotel package available.

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Thai schoolchildren at their desks in a northern Thailand classroom — Photo: Mario Heller / Unsplash

฿35,000+ / month

Paid TEFL Internship

Complete the 4-week TEFL course, then go straight into a paid, semester-long teaching placement at a Thai school.

4-week, 120-hour TEFL course in Chiang Mai
4–5 month paid placement at a Thai school
Guaranteed minimum salary of ฿35,000 per month
30 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast during training
Placements in Chiang Mai, northern provinces and beyond
Requires a bachelor's degree and native-level English

Upcoming start dates

Sep 20, 2027

From

$2,450

Fee depends on placement location (from US$2,450 outside Chiang Mai).

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Who can join?

Native English speakers, or non-native speakers with strong English (around IELTS 6.5)
Open to all nationalities, with no maximum age limit for the course
A bachelor's degree is not needed for the course, but is usually required for a Thai work permit
Friendly, patient and adaptable, with a love of working with people

Course details, fees and dates are provided by the training centre and may change. Please confirm directly with the centre before booking. · Last reviewed: Nov 5, 2026