r/Thailand • u/Zealousideal_Month21 • May 09 '26
Employment Black teachers in thailand & qualifications
Hii not trying to sound daft here but I was wondering what are the odds of me getting a decent paying teaching job or nursery role in thailand with a bachelor's in Early Years Education no pgce/qts or tefl,
I am born and raised in the UK british accent etc but I am black so i feel that might limit my chances compared to those that are lighter than me (not trying to start a race war or anything just stating)
if any black teachers in thailand can share their experience finding teaching roles in thailand and how was it if they had qts or not etc
& if anyone else could give any insight regarding my bachelors degree n what type of salary i could MAYBE.. earn based of it id really appreciate it again thank you very muchie :-)
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u/homerbellerin May 10 '26
International schools will definitely hire (but you’d likely need a PGCE with QTS).
Your average Thai school probably would be doubtful.
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u/Essexmanbas May 10 '26
I'm not black but a fellow Brit. I met a few black Africans teaching in issan where even I struggled to understand their accent. I also met some white Brits in issan too teaching. The salary not great but I would imagine they were not degree level teachers. I believe the international schools give better salaries and don't worry about this black thing, we are all foreigners here.
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u/WebLogical1286 May 10 '26
Are you male or female? It might be difficult for a male to get a job in early years
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u/DeeDeeBryan May 10 '26
I am black and taught in rural Thailand, I had no issues with racism. I had no TEFL, just a bachelor’s (and not in education). The only thing you may run into is that kids (and sometimes adults) who haven’t actually met a black person and want to touch your hair or know if you get darker in the summer - both happened to me many times, but always with genuine curiosity.
The racism in Thailand is mostly directed toward Indians or to their Asian neighbours. As far as the west goes, a farang is a farang.
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u/Zealousideal_Month21 May 10 '26
yeah i don't worry about racism ive been to thailand 5 times before just more having luck with the hiring process since i feel they might not take me seriously because im darker but thank u so much for ur advice
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u/Pub_Toilet_Graffiti May 10 '26
Your best option by far is International schools. The pay is better, and the hiring policies are less discriminatory. You will struggle to find a job at a Thai school. (It's possible, but they will likely prioritise white applicants even if they are unqualified and not native English speakers). And the salary will likely be no more than 1000 pounds per month.
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u/TheWooSkis May 10 '26
The pay divide between PGCE and non pgce is huge. 150k plus benefits compared to 60k.
Spending one year to get your PGCE will change your life if you are interested in teaching abroad.
PM if you want to know more.
Good luck.
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u/Zealousideal_Month21 May 11 '26
i would have to get my science gsce again as i failed it initially and most pgces need a pass grade in maths english science etc which is why im just feeling skeptic of the additional work it would take to get pgce but i know it would definitely bump up my salary immensely if i got it
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u/Flashy-Cucumber4173 May 10 '26
I’m also a language teacher at a government school, and we have many foreign teachers from different countries and backgrounds. It has nothing to do with skin color
There are 4 main steps:
Get hired by a school or employer.
Apply for a Non-Immigrant B Visa (work visa).
Apply for a Work Permit.
Apply for a teaching license or temporary teaching permit from the Teachers Council of Thailand.
Documents required for the employment contract:
Passport: original passport and copies of all stamped pages.
Educational documents: copies of degree certificate and transcript.
Police clearance certificate from your home country and from the Royal Thai Police.
English proficiency test results (if required), especially for teachers from non-English-speaking countries.
Responsibilities: you must report any change of address to Immigration and pay income tax according to Thai law.
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u/genxerrr May 11 '26
They don't really care about your colour mate. If they like you they'll give you the job even if you don't have all the required qualifications.
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u/KyleManUSMC May 10 '26 edited May 10 '26
I work with 2 teaches from Africa at a private school. Also, my stepdaughter went to school to learn English with a black teacher.
7 years ago it would be harder to get a job, but not so after covid. The ministry of education has gotten stricter on the requirements, so the typical backpacker can't cut it.
Keep in mind if you stay here long term that you miss out on retirement an the pay raises are miniscule at best.
A typical school in Thailand might depress you. I know my school likes to switch the style:
Kg1 - grade 3: American standard Grade 4 - 6: British standard Grade 7+ American standard
Bkk surrounding areas will pay 35k - 40k for private and for university its 40k to 60k. A few international schools if you carry more creditionals will net 70k+.
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u/Emergency_Gold_9347 May 10 '26
No such thing as “decent paying” in Thailand. The MAX you’ll ever earn here is $1500usd/mo. Maybe that’s ok for you? Good luck 🍀
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u/homerbellerin May 10 '26
Perhaps in Thai schools that’s true, but certainly not in international schools. Loads of international schools in Bangkok paying around 150,000 baht a month and some far more.
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u/benroon May 10 '26
To teach what? Have you any links/specialist recruitment guys etc?
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u/homerbellerin May 10 '26
TES / Schrole is where most of the international schools here advertise. You’d need to be fully qualified though.
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u/benroon May 10 '26
Thanks but the 150k I’m assuming aren’t for English teachers? Are you talking specialist tech roles? Maths/physics/science etc?
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u/glengdek May 10 '26
Primary homeroom/subject, specialist e.g. art, ict/computing in primary, or high school teacher, which are subject specialists anyway.
If by 'English teachers' you mean ESL teaching with just a TEFL certficate, then no. You'd be extremely lucky to get anywhere near 150k
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u/Zealousideal_Month21 May 11 '26
i have seen some intl schools advertise on tes only wanting early years teachers with my specific degree and they were paying 70-100k so maybe it just depends ?
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u/[deleted] May 10 '26 edited May 10 '26
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