Teaching English in Chiang Rai
To teach English in Chiang Rai is to enjoy a slower pace, a quaint village vibe, endless trekking, great cuisine and ancient Buddhist history. Make great new friends teaching abroad for a year in Chiang Rai and get valuable experience in Education. Save money to travel around Thailand after your TESOL contract! Chiang Rai is the perfect place for young university graduates who want to make a difference in people’s lives. Most jobs are in Thai public schools, so you will be teaching English to kids between the ages of 6 and 15.
The salary is about $1,000 per month plus subsidized accommodation. The cost of living in Chiang Rai is very low, so you can live really well in this part of Thailand.
For those who want to teach English in Chiang Rai, expect a small quaint town. There is not as much to do as perhaps there is in Chiang Mai or Bangkok, but that is what makes it unique! If you are a nature lover, it is a great place to go trekking or hiking. For a day out in the country, head out to Boon Rawd Farm.
If you are teaching English in another part of Thailand, come to Chiang Rai in mid-February for the International Balloon Festival. This festival displays over 30 international balloons in the sky and is a great day trip to enjoy the vast scenery and valley plantations. Top off the day with a great meal at a mountaintop restaurant.
Chiang Rai has the country’s most ancient and adorned temples. If you have any curiosity about Buddhism, this is a great city to teach English in. A must-see is Wat Rong Kuhn (known as the ‘White Temple,’ in English). This temple is nothing short of magical! Its smooth white sculpture tells ancient tales at every turn. The temple however, is not old. It was created in 1997 by a devout Buddhist and its sculpture depicts modern day in a very surreal and fantastical way. For a peaceful and deeply insightful tour, head over to see where the Emerald Buddha was discovered in the Wat Phra Kaew temple.
If you are crazy about Thai food, then Chiang Rai is the best place to teach English because it is where most of the delicious Thai dishes originate. Although eating at a restaurant is very affordable, learning to cook Thai food is a great way to save money and gain valuable cooking skills. Many who teach English in Chiang Rai choose to take Suwannee’s Thai Cooking Class. The local teacher will take you through the market to learn certain cultural nuances and practices and then back to the class where everything that was collected is cooked into a sumptuous meal. A very hands-on and educational class, this is one of the best things to do to connect with the local Thai community in Chiang Rai. To enjoy a tranquil break from teaching, head over to the Chivit Thamma Da Coffee House, which is tucked away under a canopy of trees overlooking the river. Enjoy a nice coffee or some of the delicious food in this hidden gem!
Overall, Chiang Rai is a great place for teachers who are comfortable living in a small town and who want to be closer to nature and enjoy a cooler climate. For all things related to TESOL, check in with Thailand TESOL , an association devoted to supporting the TESOL teaching community in the country. They host conferences and provide some great resources.