Teach English in Cambodia

For starters, the demand for English teachers is high, and there are many opportunities to find work at schools, language centres, and even in private tutoring. 

Teaching English in Cambodia can be a deeply rewarding experience, as you’ll have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of your students, who want to learn English to improve themselves and their future prospects.

Cambodia is a beautiful and fascinating country filled with rich history, culture and scenery. Teaching English can give you the chance to immerse yourself in this unique environment and learn about its people, traditions, and way of life. 

So if you’re looking for a meaningful and exciting adventure, teaching English in Cambodia might just be the perfect choice for you!

Here are some of the best places to live in Cambodia:

Phnom Penh

The busy, beating heart of Cambodia

As the capital city and economic centre of Cambodia, Phnom Penh has a high demand for English teachers. A bustling and vibrant city, you’ll soon get used to its three seasons: hot, hotter and rain-soaked! 

Siem Reap

The nation’s tourist capital

Siem Reap is one of the most famous places in Cambodia due to its proximity to the Angkor Wat temples. Sightseeing is a must if you live here. As a result, there are many language schools and tourism-related businesses that hire English teachers. While salaries may not be as high as in Phnom Penh, the cost of living is lower, and the city has a vibrant expat community.

Battambang

Agriculture, creativity and a foodie’s dream! 

Battambang is a charming city in the northwest of Cambodia that is known for its art scene and French colonial architecture. There are several language schools and universities in Battambang that hire English teachers, and the cost of living is lower compared to Phnom Penh.

You can also consider some of the beach towns such as Kampong Som, famed for their festivals and boisterous nightlife.

No matter where you choose to teach, Cambodia is a fantastic country with many cities to visit, friendly people, delicious food, and rich culture.

Read more: Interesting facts about Cambodia you probably didn’t know

Yes, everyone entering Cambodia needs a visa before they are allowed into the country. 

A TEFL teacher can apply for an Ordinary or Type E visa on arrival or in advance from your local embassy. Once you have secured a job, your employer will help you convert that to a work permit which allows you to extend your visa for up to a year.

A TEFL certificate or degree is not required for a Cambodian work visa, but it is highly recommended you have one when it comes to applying for TEFL jobs in Cambodia. The TEFL Academy’s Level 5 168-hour Combined TEFL course is your best bet of landing the best jobs.

Prior teaching experience is not essential for teaching English jobs in Cambodia. Backpacker teachers are able to jump into their careers on their travels across Asia!  

Employers prefer those with experience, however, so why not check out our classroom experiences for a way of bolstering your resume?

To begin teaching English in Cambodia, most employers look for teachers with at least 120 hours’ worth of TEFL accreditation. Our accredited Level 3 – Online 120-hour TEFL course will give you that, and can be conveniently completed entirely remotely. 

However, to really ensure you stand out from the hundreds of other teachers looking for TEFL jobs in Cambodia, we recommend picking up our 168-hour TEFL course.

Cambodia is one of the best destinations for TEFL teachers without a degree. It is not essential to have a degree to begin teaching English in Cambodia.

In order to be considered for a TEFL teaching position in Cambodia, you must be under the age of 65.

You do not have to be a native speaker (i.e. from the UK, US, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland or South Africa) to teach English in Cambodia. Some employers might show a preference for native speakers, but Cambodia is known for being very open to non-native speakers.

Khmer is the official language of Cambodia. Other commonly spoken languages in the country include Thai and Chinese. Despite being one of the world’s most popular TEFL destinations, English proficiency in Cambodia remains low, ranking 97th out of 112 countries worldwide. This is why it’s worth learning some key phrases to help you get around during your stay in the country. 

In the classroom, it’s not necessary to be able to speak the local language. Our TEFL classrooms rely on immersion learning to teach English as a foreign language. Translation is used at a minimum.

TEFL certification: A TEFL course can cost between $100 – $500, depending on the length and level of the course and the course provider. 

Document fees: Any costs related to certifying and apostilling your degree and TEFL certificate

Flight ticket: Variable.

Visa application: Visa applications typically cost 200,000 KHR – 600,000 KHR ($50 – $150 USD).

Living expenses: One month’s start-up capital is recommended. For a single person living in Cambodia, the average cost of living is 2.5 million KHR ($600), without rent.

Here are the different types of teaching jobs and their benefits and salaries in Cambodia:

Language schools

These schools cater to both children and adults and typically offer part-time or full-time positions. The average salary ranges from 60,000 KHR – 120,000 KHR ($15 – $30) an hour, depending on experience and qualifications. Benefits may include a work visa, accommodation, and transportation.

International schools

International schools in Cambodia cater to a more affluent and often expat community. These schools typically follow a Western curriculum and require teachers to have a Bachelor’s degree and teaching certification. Salaries range from 7.7 million KHR – 14 million KHR ($1,900 – $3,500) a month, with additional benefits such as housing, healthcare, and transportation.

Universities

Universities in Cambodia often hire English teachers for full-time positions and require a Master’s degree in a related field, such as English or education. Salaries range from 5 million KHR – 10 million KHR ($1,300 – $2,500) a month, with additional benefits such as housing, healthcare, and transportation.

With the high demand for English teachers in Cambodia, there are many opportunities to find a rewarding and fulfilling teaching job that fits your skills and preferences.

Now we know what sorts of TEFL teaching jobs are available in Cambodia, there are several steps you can take to land a job offer:

1. Get a TEFL certification. Acquiring  Level 5 TEFL certification (for those who haven’t taught in a classroom before) is first on the list. 
2. Meet the minimum requirements. Remember that not every position is going to be a fit for you! 
3. Prepare your documents. This includes apostilling your TEFL certificate, and making sure all other paperwork your employer needs is in order. 
4. Prepare your CV. Tailor it to each specific job posting.
5. Start your job search. Check out our TEFL jobs board for teaching positions.
6. Consider using recruitment companies. Recruiters are a great way of ensuring you have a helping hand through all the legal jargon that comes with a move abroad. 

Apply for a visa. After wowing your potential employers with your passion for teaching you can begin the process of applying for a work visa.

Accommodation

• One-bedroom apartment in city centre: 1.8 million KHR ($445) 
• One-bedroom apartment outside city centre: 1 million KHR ($255)

Utilities

• Gas, electricity, water, garbage disposal: 400,000 KHR ($99)  

Food and groceries

• Monthly shop: 600,000 KHR ($150)
• Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: 14,000 KHR ($3.50) 

Transport

• Monthly pass: 48,000 KHR ($12) 
• Single bus or subway trip: 4,000 KHR ($1)

Internet

• Unlimited: 120,000 KHR ($30)

Entertainment

• Gym, cinema, going out: 400,000 KHR ($100)

Cambodia is amongst the cheapest places in the world to live in. The big cities and tourist hotspots are naturally going to be more expensive with the amount of expats and foreign nationals staying there so if the budget is really tight, you might consider staying in a city like Battambang, where rent on a studio apartment is only around 400,000 KHR ($100) a month.

Yes, yes, yes! It’s definitely possible to save as an English teacher in Cambodia, especially if you are mindful of your expenses and budget carefully. The cost of living in Cambodia is extremely low compared to many other countries, and your salary as an English teacher can provide a comfortable standard of living. 

By making smart choices such as living in affordable housing, cooking at home instead of eating out, and using public transport, you can stretch your budget even further.

Despite its tragic past, Cambodia has shown itself to be a remarkably resilient, welcoming and friendly country for TEFL teachers to live and work.

The cost of living is low compared to many other countries, which means you can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle without breaking the bank. Day-to-day life in Cambodia is quite different from what you may be used to in Western countries. The weather is typically warm and humid, and transportation can be a bit chaotic. However, once you get used to the pace of life in Cambodia, you’ll find that it has a certain charm and energy that is unlike anywhere else in the world. 

Cambodian schools are quite different from what you may be used to. Class sizes are typically larger, and resources may be limited. However, Cambodian students are often eager to learn and are respectful of their teachers.

It’s common for Cambodian schools to have a more relaxed and flexible approach to teaching, which can allow for more creativity and adaptability in the classroom. 

Jobs may be salaried or by the hour, and volunteering work has become especially crucial as the country looks to up their English skills. It might mean shelling out on more of your living expenses, but volunteering is always a good idea.

Overall, living and teaching English in Cambodia can be a challenging and rewarding experience. You’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture, make a positive impact in the lives of your students, and experience the different landmarks in Cambodia.

Begin your teaching journey by signing up with the world’s most accredited TEFL course provider today!