Lucky you! You’ve gone and got yourself a shiny new TEFL qualification and you’re getting ready to board that plane to paradise. To give you a helping hand, we’ve put together a checklist of all the necessities that you’ll need to remember to pack for teaching English in Thailand– we’re nice like that.
1. Travel adapters
The one thing that everybody forgets! How many of us have got a drawer with 12 of them in from all the trips we’ve taken? You’ll only need 1 or 2 for your phone / laptop / hairdryer and you’ll be so glad that you remembered them at the back end of a 100 hour flight, trust us.
2. Slip-on shoes
We’re not talking about flip-flops here (although they are another necessity), these are for teaching in. It’s commonplace in Thai schools to take your shoes on and off as you’re coming in and out of the classroom. So, remember, no laces / buckles / complicated fastenings because you don’t want to spend all day painstakingly getting them on and off whilst simultaneously getting more and more frustrated.
3. Anti-mosquito-bite stuff
Thailand is a haven for mosquitoes. It’s got everything they like: sweaty travellers, a humid climate and people who forgot their anti-bite cream. So get used to putting it on every day, just like sunscreen. There’s nothing worse than having sore, bitten legs in that heat.
4. Stickers
Yep, you heard us right. Kids love stickers and Thai kids are no different. If you arrive with strips of sparkly / 3D / Disney stickers to grade their work with or give out as prizes, you’ll be popular from day 1, FACT.
5. A sense of adventure!
Ok, that’s a cliche, we know, but it’s important to remember that there is going to be some culture shock when you move abroad. Thailand is an amazing place, the people are friendly, the food is delicious and the beaches are to die for. But living anywhere away from home is going to come with it’s challenges. Our top tips are: to make as many friends as possible, keep in touch with your family and friends over Skype dates and enjoy it while it lasts!
If you fancy teaching English in Thailand but you’re not quite sure where to start, check out our Thailand Supported TEFL Job. You’ll get full in-country support, a decent salary and preparation before you go – simple!
