Siem Reap, Cambodia
Your complete guide to teaching English in Cambodia and Southeast Asia.
Three routes to certification. Real classroom practice. Placement support until you’re hired. Everything you need to know — in one place.
Choose Your Route
Three routes to certification.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or already hold a TEFL certificate, there’s a route designed for your situation. All three include the same placement support.
The Classroom Apprenticeship
Start with zero TEFL experience. 25+ real teaching reps across three escalating tiers — peers, role-play, and real Cambodian students.
- 25+ observed teaching moments
- Trainer feedback after every rep
- No degree required in Cambodia
Fast Track Programme
Already hold a recognised 120-hour TEFL? Skip the theory — one week of trainer input, two weeks of observed classroom teaching.
- Certificate eligibility check required
- Real student classroom time
- Placement support until hired
Hybrid Programme
No certificate yet. Complete an accredited online TEFL at your own pace, then come to Siem Reap for the Fast Track practical.
- Online TEFL + in-person practical
- One package, one price
- Placement across Southeast Asia
Why Cambodia
Why Siem Reap is the right place to start.
No degree required. Low cost of living. A real expat teaching community. A city with enough going on to make it interesting, small enough to find your feet quickly.
No degree required
Cambodia does not require a degree for English teaching positions. Your TEFL certification is the key credential — which is what we provide.
Affordable cost of living
A comfortable life in Siem Reap — accommodation, food, transport, entertainment — typically costs $600–$900/month. Most teachers save money.
Strong teaching market
Demand for qualified English teachers is consistent. New graduates typically start within weeks of completing their placement process.
Competitive salaries
Average teacher salaries in Cambodia range from $900 to $2,500/month — well above the local cost of living, and comparable to many Western entry-level roles.
Real community
Siem Reap has an established expat teaching community. You won’t be starting cold — you’ll land into a network of people doing the same thing.
Gateway to Southeast Asia
Cambodia is a practical base. Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia are accessible from here — and once you have experience, those markets open up too.
What to Budget
What it actually costs.
The programme fee is fixed. Personal costs depend on how you live, but we give you honest estimates so you can plan properly before you commit.
Living costs in Siem Reap
Per month, once you’re working
Getting started — one-time costs
Before you receive your first salary
Starting budget covers programme + first month + contingency. Most teachers are earning within 2–4 weeks of completing the programme.
Placement
Where you can teach.
Placement support is included in every programme and continues until you are hired. Teaching location cannot be guaranteed, but preferences are factored in.
Cambodia
- Primary placement market
- No degree required
- $900 – $2,500/month average
- Siem Reap or Phnom Penh
Vietnam
- Strong demand for teachers
- Degree required
- $1,000 – $1,800/month average
- Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang
Thailand
- Popular destination
- Degree required
- $800 – $1,400/month average
- Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and beyond
Indonesia
- Growing market
- Degree required
- $700 – $1,200/month average
- Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya
If you’re from outside the UK, US, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, or South Africa, we’ll be honest with you about placement difficulty before you invest anything. We’d rather lose a sale than set you up to fail.
Independently Verified
What graduates say.
Reviews collected and verified by independent third-party platforms — not curated by us.
I gained real teaching skills. The support from Willie was incredible. I highly recommend this course.
Shanaaz Van Rooyen
Willie was supportive, approachable, and gave clear, constructive feedback that helped me improve after every practical.
Kristina
If you’re seeking a solid start to a new life in Southeast Asia, the in-person track in Siem Reap is a great option to consider.
Gabriel Carletto Cousseau
Common Questions
Frequently asked questions.
Do I need a degree to teach in Cambodia?
No. A degree is not a legal requirement for teaching English in Cambodia. You need a recognised TEFL certification — which is what we provide. Degree is required for Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Which programme is right for me?
If you have no TEFL certificate: the Classroom Apprenticeship (4 weeks, $1,395) or the Hybrid (online + 3 weeks, $925). If you already hold a recognised 120-hour TEFL: the Fast Track (3 weeks, $825) — subject to eligibility check.
How does placement support work?
Included in all three programmes. It continues until you are placed — not time-limited. We match candidates with schools based on profile and experience, and support you through interviews and contracts. Placement support is never offered as a standalone service.
What are the eligibility requirements?
We primarily place native English speakers from the UK, US, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and South Africa. If you’re from outside these countries, contact us first — we’ll be honest about placement difficulty before you invest anything.
Does my existing TEFL qualify for Fast Track?
It needs to be a minimum 120-hour certificate from a recognised provider. Universal TEFL and Teacher Record certificates are not accepted. Contact us to confirm before applying.
Can I choose where I teach?
Teaching location cannot be guaranteed, but your preferences are factored into the matching process. Most Cambodia placements are in Siem Reap or Phnom Penh.
What does the programme fee cover?
Training, certification, and placement support. It does not cover flights, accommodation, food, visa costs, or personal expenses during your time in Siem Reap. We are upfront about this so you can budget properly before committing.
How do I apply?
Email us at admissions@destinationtefl.com. We’ll ask a few questions about your background, timeline, and which programme you’re considering, confirm eligibility, and walk you through next steps. No pressure, no sales pitch.
Destination TEFL by the Numbers
Real classrooms. Real students. Numbers you can check.
Since 2020
Represented
English Teaching
Across Cambodia
Ready to find out if this is right for you?
Send us a message. We’ll ask a few straightforward questions, give you straight answers, and let you decide.
admissions@destinationtefl.com