Teach, Travel, and Transform Lives.

There are myriad of compelling reasons to choose Siem Reap for your TEFL certificate.

From captivating cultural experiences to abundant teaching opportunities, the list goes on. Here in Siem Reap, there are endless adventures, delicious and diverse cuisines, and a supportive TEFL community that’s easy to connect with. Not to mention the affordable cost of living which will allow you to stretch your earnings while relishing in this vibrant community.

But the opportunities to explore and teach in this incredible place don’t stop here. Cambodia is but one of many countries in Southeast Asia that you can teach in. 

There are tons of opportunities to explore Cambodia and beyond when you choose Destination TEFL to begin your teaching journey. It’s what makes Siem Reap one of the best launching points for first-time teachers. You’ll be able to easily launch into your dream life of living abroad here.

Absolutely! Travelling to and around Cambodia is a breeze, making it an ideal destination for adventurers. And, despite its recent past, it is absolutely a safe country to reside and travel around.

With well-connected airports, hassle-free visa procedures, and an efficient transportation system, getting to and around Cambodia is simple.

Once you’re there, you’ll find a plethora of affordable and convenient options to explore its fascinating attractions, from majestic temples to vibrant markets. The warm hospitality of the locals adds to the ease of travel, ensuring a welcoming and memorable experience.

Whether you’re embarking on a journey to Cambodia’s pristine beaches or strolling through Siem Reap’s enchanting streets, you’ll discover opportunities for seamless travel adventures at every turn.

A teacher in Cambodia will earn between $900 and $2,500 a month depending on their qualifications and experience.

Individuals who have Education degrees will be able to find and negotiate salaries on the higher end of the scale. However, newly qualified TEFL teachers with no experience and no bachelor’s degree will find themselves at the lower end of the salary scale.

Your living expenses will be relatively low in Cambodia in relation to the salary you earn.

You can get a decent apartment for between $150 and $300 a month, and a beer out is $1 – sometimes less! If you eat like a local, food is not expensive, with meals from a street stall or local restaurant averaging $1-3. If you’re eating at Western restaurants every night, it’s going to be more expensive. However, food costs in general in Cambodia are comparatively less than in Western countries.

If you play your budgeting cards right, it’s possible to save money on your teacher’s salary in Cambodia. It’ll largely depend on your style of living and the choices you make when you arrive. We should warn you though, it’s super easy to spend money in Cambodia. We definitely don’t want you to run out of money before you get your job so it’s important to do some research and create a budget before you arrive.

Don’t have a degree? No problem!

Cambodia is the ONLY country in SE Asia where you can LEGALLY teach English without a degree.

Of course, you do need a TEFL certificate, and this is where we come in. Destination TEFL is dedicated to creating passionate teachers in SE Asia. Alternatively, you can stay on after the course as a digital nomad and teach English online. Some online teaching companies take non-degree holders also.

Either way, don’t worry if you don’t have a degree. We’ve got you covered and will make sure you get the best job placement possible with the qualifications and experience you already have.

Of course! From the moment you arrive, you’ll be well connected to our staff as well as the other teacher trainees who will be in the course with you. No matter your age, many of our trainees have formed lifelong friendships with the other people in their course and sometimes even end up in the same job placements! You’ll be set up with easy opportunities to make friends from day one.

Outside of the staff and other people in the course, you’ll meet, there are also many places where you can chill after class to meet new people who are in the same boat as you. You’ll find that striking up a friendly conversation with anyone, from locals to expats, is easy even if you’re a little introverted.

Oof! Where do we even start!?

You’ll need to prepare your taste buds for a culinary adventure like no other. The food culture in Siem Reap is a true reflection of its rich heritage, blending traditional Khmer flavours with international influences.

This place is renowned for its delectable cuisine and boasts a vibrant food scene to tantalize your senses. You can indulge in mouthwatering local delicacies, from flavorful curries to aromatic street snacks. Or if you’re feeling a little homesick, there are a plethora of cuisine options from all over the world to choose from.

Don’t miss the chance to savour the iconic fish amok or refreshing green mango salad. With bustling markets and charming eateries around every corner, you’ll be sure to find a delightful array of options to satisfy your cravings.

Once you get here, if you’re not sure where to eat for any meal of the day, just ask one of our staff members. We’re always happy to give recommendations to our favourite restaurants!

Don’t you worry about a thing!

Whether it’s clothing, electronics, or even outdoor gear, there is nothing you can’t find in Cambodia. It takes a lot of pressure off preparing knowing that anything you forget can be found in Siem Reap easily. It’s a literal shoppers paradise.

We’d highly recommend coming with less than what you think you’ll need. Like many of our trainees in the past, we’re certain you’ll find many things to buy here to prepare yourself for your new career.

Not only that but saving some room in your suitcase to buy these things when you arrive will help boost the local economy. A practice that many responsible travellers here participate in and something that we’re passionate about at Destination TEFL. It’s seriously one of the easiest ways to give back to this wonderful place

Simply put, TEFL teaching practicums are practical experiences teaching English in a classroom setting.

It’s an opportunity for you to practice what you’ve learned in your TEFL certificate course and apply it in a real-life setting. Many of our previous trainees say this part of the course is their favourite, and we’re confident it’ll be for you too.

Not to mention, our teaching practicums are unlike any other! We get you inside a real classroom, in a real school, with real students who are super eager to learn from you (even if you are new to TEFL). We’ve found that many of our trainees are nervous about this part of the course, but there’s genuinely nothing to be worried about.

Even if you do mess up and fudge one of your lessons, it’s okay!

That’s what this process is all about. After all, how can you improve and learn from your mistakes if you’re trying to strive for perfection from the very beginning? As long as you’re open to your instructor’s feedback and are able to incorporate it after every lesson, you truly have nothing to worry about. We promise.

The terms basically mean the same, with TEFL more common in the UK, and TESOL more common in America.

There is a slight technical difference since TESOL refers to learners whose first language is not English, although they may speak English in their daily lives. TEFL refers to ‘foreign’ students, learning English as a foreign language. These students do not use English regularly and therefore have different usage and comprehension problems. The course in Siem Reap covers both aspects, and our TEFL certificates mention both TEFL and TESOL.

We understand that it may have been a while since you studied grammar in school.

However, as a native English speaker, you already know grammar quite well, it’s more the terminology that you may not know.  We can send you an easy-to-use grammar workbook before you start the TEFL course in Siem Reap so that you can brush up in your own time prior to the start of the course. However, during the course, we work through this material to ensure that you are familiar with grammar as well as its terminology before you become a teacher. This way you’ll feel more confident when you enter a classroom to teach.

No, not unless you want to!

The most common language spoken commonly across Cambodia is Khmer. Learning a few basic phrases in Khmer will help you navigate conversations with locals in everyday situations much easier. It’s also important to learn Khmer because you’ll likely find yourself travelling to other places in the country where they won’t understand English.

When you’re teaching, you won’t be using any native language that your students speak. Destination TEFL/ TESOL Cambodia uses the international standard communicative approach to teaching, where English is the only language used in the classroom. These methods are thoroughly explained and practised during the course in Siem Reap so it’s alright if you don’t know what they are now. The best part about this approach is that it’s used worldwide to teach English so you’ll be able to use these methods to teach English in Cambodia or any country your heart desires.

Applications are welcomed regardless of first language or nationality.

However, we believe that in order to teach English well, you need to KNOW English well. The only requirements are a proficient level of both spoken and written English and an understanding of the intensive nature of the course. Please be aware that some schools will only employ NATIVE English speakers (NES). Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee placements for non-native speakers (NNES).

If you are unsure, let’s set up a video interview before you sign up so we can determine your level of English and therefore employment prospects as an ESL teacher in Cambodia. Note that for the work permit as a teacher in Cambodia, you’ll need a high TOEIC or IELTS score if your passport is not from one of the official NES countries. This is a requirement for South African teachers in Cambodia too. It’s possible to do the TOEIC test in Cambodia.

We have no official upper age limit for the TEFL course in Cambodia, but you must be 20 years of age or older for your application to be considered.

We will consider individuals aged 18- 19 years, based on a video interview – However please note that it’s not likely for someone of this age to have a bachelor’s degree, therefore placement will only be in Cambodia.

If you’re ‘older’, please don’t let this prevent you from applying. If you are receptive to learning, you should have no problems. We have many mature students taking ‘Golden Gap Years’ who are not quite ready to retire yet and desire the adventure of a new life as a TEFL teacher.

NOTE: Some employers may have an upper age limit, especially if the job is with younger children, due to the energy level required for this kind of teaching. Our job guarantee for native English speakers has an upper age limit of 55 years due to these restrictions at some schools.

• An open mind and sense of humour!
• Your ORIGINAL degree and transcripts, authenticated, are a requirement for the work permit.
• Your prepared CV/resumé, and we’ll assist you in tweaking it for the local job market in Cambodia.
• A police clearance certificate or a criminal background check is often required to apply for a work permit as a teacher. Please ensure you get one before coming to Cambodia. The process is different depending on where you are from.
• We provide some basic stationery but if you have a notebook you’re attached to, bring it.
• Bringing a laptop or tablet (whichever you find easier to work on) will make your time on the course, and afterwards as a teacher in Cambodia or beyond MUCH easier. You’ll need to do research and find resources for lesson plans, type up lesson plans, etc. We do have computers at the training centre in Cambodia, but these are for printing purposes only. Afterwards, you’ll really need one for teaching, so we strongly suggest you bring a laptop computer with you.
• Everything else as per normal travel requirements and personal effects for your journey to Cambodia.
• Be fully vaccinated against covid-19. (It’s a good idea to be vaccinated as many schools will require it to teach.)