United Kingdom
UK
Anastasiia Kadykova
Teach Enrich Empower
From Traveller to Teacher: My TEFL Adventure in Thailand
When I started travelling through Southeast Asia, I didn’t expect to stay longer than six months. Vietnam, with its vibrant culture and delicious food, was my temporary base, but I felt a pull to immerse myself even deeper.
The idea of teaching abroad felt like the perfect blend of purpose and adventure. As a trained teacher, I knew I had the skills, but I needed a TEFL certificate to make this dream a reality.
While juggling spotty Wi-Fi and unpredictable schedules during my travels, I discovered The TEFL Academy.
I was cautious at first—there were so many courses promising quick certification—but TTA’s reputation and comprehensive curriculum stood out. The course wasn’t exactly a breeze, but I learned so much, from practical lesson planning to understanding language barriers.
Once certified, I started exploring teaching opportunities and quickly realized finding the right position was tricky. Scams and mismatched roles were all too common. Thankfully, the TTA Jobs Board introduced me to an opening in Thailand.
Fast-forward a few weeks, and I found myself in Chaiyaphum, a bustling town in northeast Thailand surrounded by rolling hills and tranquil temples. My school, a large government primary school, welcomed me warmly.
Teaching here has been both humbling and exhilarating. With 16 hours of teaching per week, I work with 16 groups of students aged 10 to 12. That’s roughly 720 kids! Initially, the class sizes—45 students per group—felt overwhelming. I wondered how I could possibly connect with so many young minds.
But everything changed the moment I walked into my first lesson. The students greeted me in unison, their voices chiming, “Good morning, teacher! How are you today?” The sheer enthusiasm in their eyes melted my nerves.
Each class is a whirlwind of energy, laughter, and occasional chaos. Some days, the challenge lies in keeping their focus, while other days, I’m blown away by their eagerness to learn. My 5th graders, for example, have a knack for turning vocabulary lessons into mini performances, complete with hand gestures and giggles.
My fellow Thai teachers have been an anchor. They share homemade Thai dishes daily, ensuring I’m never without a warm meal or a kind word. Their generosity has made me feel like part of the community, and I’ve even picked up a few Thai phrases along the way.
Outside the classroom, I’ve embraced local culture through Muay Thai boxing, weekend markets, and trips to nearby waterfalls. These experiences make me appreciate how much teaching abroad is about more than just the classroom—it’s about connection, growth, and embracing a new way of life.
With four months left in my placement, I’m excited to see how my students and I will grow together. Teaching in Thailand has been a journey of discovery—of the world, my students, and myself. If you’re thinking about taking the leap into TEFL, I can confidently say: it’s worth it.
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