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Is a 40-hour TEFL enough for Thailand?

MINIMUM VIABLE, RISKY
2026 update

the short answer

A 40-hour TEFL can be enough for some smaller or budget Thai schools, but it's increasingly the minimum end of what's accepted, and a growing number of language centres and better-paying schools prefer 120+ hours. The action: if you can, get a 120-hour+ accredited TEFL for a wider range of jobs and better pay potential, and check the specific school's current stated requirement rather than assuming 40 hours is universally fine.

Key facts

Accepted?Sometimes, but 120+ hours widens your options
TEFL hours40 hours minimum; 120 hours safer
DegreeOften required for a work permit, separate from TEFL
VisaNon-immigrant B visa + work permit typical
Typical payAround $900-$1,500/month, typical first-year language-school pay
Hardest partWork permit paperwork, not the TEFL hour count
Who this suitsBudget-conscious teachers targeting smaller Thai schools

step one, always

Get the certificate before you apply

Get the accredited TEFL course

We may earn a commission if you buy through this link. You still choose the course.

typical, not guaranteed

Your timeline

  1. 1

    Decide between 40-hour and 120-hour TEFL

    Weigh cost/speed against how many schools will accept it.

    1 week
  2. 2

    Complete the course

    Confirm real graded assessment either way.

    1-4 weeks
  3. 3

    Prepare degree and background documents

    Needed for the work permit regardless of TEFL length.

    3-6 weeks
  4. 4

    Apply to schools

    Some smaller schools hire faster than language-centre chains.

    2-6 weeks
  5. 5

    Work permit and start

    Employer typically files the permit before you begin teaching.

    3-6 weeks
Start the 120-hour / Level 5 course

Where a 40-hour TEFL still works in Thailand

Thailand's teaching market has historically been more flexible than Korea's or the UAE's, and some smaller private schools, tutoring centres and rural placements have accepted a 40-hour TEFL, particularly for native English speakers with a degree. This flexibility is real but shrinking as the market becomes more competitive.

It's worth being honest that a 40-hour certificate sits at the thinnest end of what's generally considered credible — it covers the basics but far less classroom-management and lesson-planning depth than a 120-hour course.

Where 120 hours makes a real difference

Larger language-centre chains, better-paying bilingual programmes, and increasingly even some public-school placement agencies in Thailand now state a preference or requirement for 100-120+ hours. If you only complete 40 hours, you may find your options narrowed to lower-paying or less-established schools by default, not because you failed to find work, but because whole categories of employer filter out short certificates.

There's also a knock-on effect on pay — schools that require 120+ hours tend to be the ones offering better first-year language-school pay, so the extra hours can pay for themselves through wider access, not just acceptance.

The honest trade-off to make

A 40-hour accredited course is cheaper and faster, and it can get you into the Thai market, but it's a narrower door. A 120-hour accredited course costs more and takes longer but keeps far more employers — including some in other countries later — open to you. Typical accredited online courses are often a few hundred pounds/dollars on promotion regardless of whether you pick 40 or 120 hours, so the price difference is often smaller than people expect.

If you're only planning to teach in Thailand short-term and budget is tight, 40 hours plus a genuine degree can work. If you might want to move countries later, or want access to the better-paying end of the Thai market, 120 hours is the safer investment — check current listings in your target region either way.

what people actually ask

FAQs

Will Thai schools reject a 40-hour TEFL outright?

Not universally, but a growing number of language centres and better-paying schools now prefer or require 100-120+ hours. Some smaller or rural schools remain flexible, so check the specific school's current stated requirement rather than assuming either way.

Is it worth upgrading from 40 to 120 hours before applying?

It can widen your options meaningfully, since many established language-centre chains filter for 100-120+ hours. If you're not in a rush, the extra weeks of study often pay off in access to better-paying schools.

Do I need a degree to teach in Thailand?

Most legitimate work-permit routes require a bachelor's degree, separate from your TEFL hours. Some schools have hired non-degree holders informally in the past, but this carries visa and legal risk and isn't a stable long-term route.

What's typical pay for a first Thailand teaching job?

Typical first-year language-school pay in Thailand is often in the region of $900-$1,500 a month, varying by city, school type and your qualifications. This is not international-school pay, which is usually considerably higher and requires a teaching licence.

Can I teach in Thailand while only having a TEFL, no CELTA?

Yes, a TEFL is the standard qualification for most Thai language-school and school-assistant roles; CELTA is not required for these. CELTA becomes more relevant for competitive, higher-paying, or training-focused positions.

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Read next

Browse accredited TEFL courses →CELTA vs Level 5 TEFL, compared →Teaching English in Thailand →
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