Teach English in Cambodia with ITA and TravelBud

Boost your employability

You might think you’re taking a step back by taking a year off but nothing could be further from the truth!

Although you may think it’s a halt in your education journey, you’re actually fast tracking yourself through:

• Learning independence.
• Learning how you react to different situations.
• Learning how to master and grow your confidence in public speaking.
• Learning how to overcome obstacles.
• Learning about yourself through your own personal self discovery.
• Learning how to step out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself.

These would normally take much longer in a normal, sheltered environment and wouldn’t be nearly as much fun!

When you do head back home, you’re not just another resume in a pile of resumes – you are someone different who’s done something interesting and rewarding.

Teaching Placements

Teaching Placement Overview

Teaching Placements

English Teachers in Cambodia teach mainly in private schools. Most people in Cambodia send their children to private schools as the quality of public-school education is very low. There may also be limited language school classes.

Most positions are teaching young learners but there are also some high school positions.

Salaries

You’ll earn within the range of $800 to $2,800 USD * per month (3.2 – 11.4 million Riel) depending on your qualifications, experience and placement location.

This will comfortably cover your living expenses and weekend adventures due to the low cost of living.

General salary range:

• Degree holders can earn $700 – $1800+ * USD per month for 22-30 in-class hours per week.
• Non-degree holders can earn $700 – $1000+ * USD per month for 22-30 in-class hours per week.

* USD amounts may fluctuate due to exchange rate volatility.

Working Hours

Language schools are busiest Saturday and Sunday so teachers work many classes on the weekends and then have time off during the week.

Private and international schools usually run Monday to Friday and so teachers work during the week and have the weekends off.

Note that for language schools teaching days vary from 5 to 6 days of teaching per week.

If teaching 6 days per week, the teacher is given multiple paid vacation days to offset.

Teaching hours per week range from 22 to 30 or 4.5 to 6 hours of teaching per day.

Schools provide an English teaching curriculum for teachers to follow. Class sizes range from 15 to 25 students.

Taxes

All participants will pay taxes in Cambodia of 10-15%.

Saving Potential

Due to the low cost of living in Cambodia, many teachers are able to save between $200 and up to $1000 monthly after expenses.

What if I am unhappy with my job? Can I be placed somewhere else?

If you are unhappy and there are clear reasons why the job is not working out for you, TravelBud will offer you placement assistance for a different job within our vetted school network.

That being said, we have strong relationships with our partner schools and our applicants are generally very happy with their placements.

We are also available 24/7 to fully support you and will check in with you throughout your teaching adventure.

What is the dress code for teaching English in Cambodia?

The dress code for English teachers is smart-casual. You are expected to look professional at all times when you are in the classroom bearing in mind that some schools may expect smarter clothing than others, so come prepared.

Here are some pointers:

• Skirt to the knee (Pencil or A-line, not too flowing) or smart trousers. Blouse that is not revealing. No sheer. No cleavage. Shoulders covered.
• Tattoos covered. Extra piercings removed.
• Collared shirts. Smart trousers. Closed Shoes (slip-ons are fine). Wear a tie to an interview if possible!
• Clean shaven or neat beard. Neat hair. Neat nails.

Cultural Preparation

Part of the success of your experience comes from understanding the culture that you’re going to be living and working in.

Our Program Includes:

Pre-departure Support

We assist you with all planning, packing, visas, costs, budgets, booking flights and any questions or information you need. 

Pre departure Support

• We’ll outline the entire process you’ll follow to realise the teaching abroad dream.
• You’ll be provided comprehensive information relating to each step in the pre-departure process and you’ll have the opportunity to ask as many questions as you like, no matter how silly you may think they are!
• We’ll explain and help you get the necessary documentation prepared prior to departure.
• We’ll assist you with all planning, packing, visas, costs, budgeting and booking flights.
• We’ll ease any anxieties you may have regarding your trip and share the positive and life-changing adventures of the teach abroad experience.

Logistics and Safety when arriving

We’ll pick you up from the airport and introduce you to your support team in-country.

Logistics and Safety when arriving

• Airport Pickup in both Thailand and Cambodia provided you land within two days of start date, and are going to the designated hotel. Note that airport pickup in Phnom Penh will be using a TukTuk.
• We’ll introduce you to your 24/7 support team on the ground.
• We provide guidance on SIM cards (SIM cards, airtime and data for your own account) so that you can contact your loved ones back home and your new friends you’re about to make on your epic orientation!
• We provide guidance setting up a local bank account so you can save money on international withdrawal fees. Your salary is paid into your local bank account.
• You’ll get to meet and greet fellow teacher travellers.

A toolkit for navigating your new country

The perfect foundation for adjusting to life in your new country and meeting your fellow teachers and in-country stafff members.

A toolkit for navigating your new country

Our in-depth culture and language orientation, which takes place in Phnom Penh, is a one-week, comprehensive, active learning, culture, history and language program designed to give you the perfect foundation for adjusting to life in Cambodia as well as an opportunity to bond with your fellow teachers-in-training and in-country staff members.

Learn foundational Khmer language

We help you with foundational language to help you navigate:

• The bustling markets.
• Grabbing a taxi.
• Ordering a delicious meal.
• Garnering respect from locals.

(plus it’s pretty cool to impress your mates at home or add it to your resume!)

Cultural and History lessons

• Learn from local Cambodian staff and ex-foreign teachers who have made their home in Indonesia.
• You’ll understand the cultural dynamics so that you don’t feel like a fish out of water.
• You won’t be making any faux pas or disrespecting the locals.
• How to address locals and your fellow teachers.
• You will know what you can and can’t do in Cambodian classrooms.

Relevant Cultural Excursions

Excursions could include, but are not limited to, one of the following options, dependent on the time of year, weather, size of the group and a number of other factors:

• Visit to the National Muesum of Cambodia
• Cambodian Cooking Class
• Guided tour of  the Killing Fields to learn about Cambodia’s past
• Guided tour of the Royal Palace
• Visit to a traditional local market
• Visit to Buddhist Temple to learn about Religion in Cambodia

A support network of fellow teacher travelers

In addition the personal assistance and 24/7 support we provide, you’ll also have a support network of fellow teachers.

24/7 In-Country Support

• Ex-foreign teachers and local, on-the-ground support staff provide you with personal assistance throughout the duration of your teaching experience.
• You can rest assured knowing that any queries will be answered such as translation help, culture shock, legalities, emergencies, travel options or school queries. Someone is on hand.
• Teacher meet-ups.
• We check in with you regularly and keep up to date with your teach abroad experience.

Have some fun and embrace your new adventure!

Accommodation

Accommodation during Orientation Week in Phnom Penh

During the in-country orientation, participants will study at our campus in Phnom Penh. The location of our office is #KH1+KH2, St.105, Sangkat Toul Sangke I, Khan Reuseykeo, Phnom Penh.

They will have shared accommodation during the orientation week a short distance from our campus.

For the orientation program in Phnom Penh, a high-quality hotel with dormitory and single room options are available.

The name of the accommodation is Poolside Villa. It is right in the heart of Pnom Penh and close to the river. It is also only an 8-minute tuk tuk ride from our office.

Poolside villa has dormitory accommodation as well as single rooms at an additional cost.

Note that all participants will receive accommodation in the dormitory but may opt for single accommodation if available, at an extra charge of USD 20 per night.

Accommodation is provided from Sunday to Saturday during the orientation week.

Accommodation during your Teaching Placement

Accommodations in Cambodia range from free to around USD $250 per month for one room studio with private bath.

Free options are typically provided by schools in the provinces in medium sized towns.

Below are some examples of accommodations at different price ranges.

For apartments across Cambodia, you can see many more examples here.

Studio in Phnom Penh – USD 150 per Month

Studio in Phnom Penh – USD 170 per Month

Studio in Siem Reap – USD 80 per Month

Note that these accommodations are in Phnom Penh.

Accommodations in the provinces are not quite as modern but they are also much less expensive.

Internationally Accredited TEFL/TESOL Certification

There are so many options when it comes to TEFL/TESOL courses that it can be quite overwhelming to understand what’s legitimate and what high quality schools require from teaching staff.

An accredited TEFL certification is required to participate in this placement program.

If you still need to be TEFL certified, ITA offers award-winning TEFL classes that will best prepare you for success teaching English in Cambodia.

We strongly recommend these options for participating in this Teach English in Cambodia Program.

Dates

Placement Only start dates

During the orientation week, participants will meet with the placements team to discuss their preferences and find a suitable placement.

Depending on the timeline and time of year, we may confirm placement prior to arrival in Cambodia.

By doing the in-country orientation, the participant will be able to experience a full Cambodia cultural program as part of a group, meeting other teachers who are also going to teach in Cambodia.

Budgets