Fluent English Speaker
A TEFL/TESOL certification is required unless you majored in Education (but you can add this on as part of your program!)
Ages 20-50
Citizen of the US, CA, UK, Ireland, Au, NZ, South Africa
Be in great mental and physical health
No criminal record (with the exception of traffic or other minor violations)
An adventurous attitude and strong flexibility are a must
At a minimum, a degree equivalent to a U.S. 4 year bachelor’s degree (non-degree holders available)
TESOL Certification is offered (must be completed through this program in Thailand

Classroom Audience

Early Childhood Middle School High School University Students

Weekly Classroom Hours

Age Min.

Pricing

Salary / Benefits

-- Full time, paid teaching placement in Thailand with a guaranteed salary of at least 30,000 THB per month
-- International medical and accident insurance coverage provided
-- Accommodation during orientation
-- TESOL Course Option: hotel accommodation is included for the entire month of your course

Price Details

-- Full time, paid teaching placement in Thailand with a guaranteed salary of at least 30,000 THB per month
-- Extensive international medical and accident insurance coverage provided
-- Accommodation during orientation
-- Pre-departure support and orientation from your experienced Greenheart Travel Program Manager.
-- Airport pickup
-- One week comprehensive orientation upon arrival including all excursions
-- Transfer from Bangkok to Hua Hin for Hua Hin Participants
-- 24 hour in-country support for duration of the program, including a 24/7 emergency phone number

--Note: Prices changes according to type of placement (Placement Only, +TESOL certification course, Summer Program)

What's Included

Some Accommodation Some Activities Some Meals

Last Updated: May 16, 2023

Last Reviewed: Jan 09, 2023

Wish List

139 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Greenheart Travel’s paid English teaching program in Thailand is your chance to make an incredible impact in the classroom while getting paid to travel. This program offers guaranteed placement! Currently only accepting non-degree applicants for our November 28th start date.

Program-at-a-Glance:
- Average salary of 34,000 Thai baht per month (~$1100 USD) for degree-holders. Guaranteed minimum of at least 30,000 Thai baht per month
- Placements in kindergartens, elementary, middle, and high schools
-Option to add TESOL training
-1 week group orientation and excursions
- All inclusive program with add-ons packaged in: airport pickup, extensive emergency medical insurance for 6 months, accommodation for your training period, and more.
- Short contracts with the ability to extend as many times as you’d like to for free

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Video and Photos

explore Thailand as an English teacher abroad

Make international friends as a teacher abroad

teach english in Thailand with Greenheart travel

group outside of gold monument in Thailand

group standing with certification papers

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Diversity & Inclusion

BIPOC Support

We appreciate that everyone has a unique worldview and value everyone regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender or gender identity, ability, military status, religion, sexual orientation or political view. We are committed to building relationships and ensuring everyone we encounter feels welcomed, respected, and accepted. Greenheart is committed to helping anyone find the best program fit and will go the extra mile to make sure our participants feel safe and supported wherever they end up.

LGBTQIA+ Support

Greenheart Travel welcomes travelers identifying as LGTBQ+, and is committed to helping you find the best program for you. We can provide information on the cultural norms of our destination countries and are prepared to advise you on the best programs based on your needs and interests.
While most of our programs could be a good fit, we also know that certain cultures and countries are more accepting of and prepared to host LGBTQ+ people than others. We are committed to working with LGBTQ+ people to determine which experiences may be the right fit for them. Please reach out if you want to discuss which of our programs might fit you best ahead of applying at travelabroad@greenheart.org or set up a phone call with us here.

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Neurodivergent Support

Greenheart works with partners who have varying levels of what is considered "good mental health". While we cannot change their eligibility conditions, we will work with participants to the best of our abilities in order to get them the program placement they want. We encourage you to discuss your specific situation with us directly, before securing these documents.

Accessibility Support

Greenheart Travel welcomes students of varying ability to explore their study abroad options! While resources and support differ from country to country, Greenheart Travel staff work with individual students as needed to find program options that will set students up for success.

Impact

Sustainability

We believe in supporting our travelers to make a positive impact in their communities. The Greenheart Club provides Greenheart Grant funding to alumni projects all over the world.
As the leading eco-friendly exchange organization, we are passionate about helping travelers explore the globe while respecting the environment and cultural heritage of the destinations they explore.

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Ethical Impact

Greenheart Travel is a branch of Greenheart International, a Chicago-based organization that connects people and planet to create global leaders through personal development, volunteer service, environmentalism, fair trade, and cultural exchange. We provide resources, grants, and experiences to those who want to immerse themselves in another culture and leave it better than when they arrived. Through volunteering, creating relationships and more.

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Program Highlights

One semester PAID contracts
1 week orientation (+ optional 3 week TESOL certification)
Paid summer 7-Week teaching program available
Insurance, excursions, and accommodation for your orientation and training period packaged in
Full support from Greenheart Travel staff before, during and after your teaching program

Program Reviews

4.85 Rating

based on 111 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Teach TEFL Volunteer

5 rating 86.49%
4 rating 12.61%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0.9%
1 rating 0%

Benefits 4.85
Support 4.9
Fun 4.8
Facilities 4.5
Safety 4.9

Instruction 4.7
Support 5
Value 4.85
Academic Rigor 3.5
Job Assistance 5

Impact 5
Support 5
Fun 5
Value 5
Safety 5

Good for Solo Travelers, Adventure travelers, Building your resume

Showing 1 - 8 of 111 reviews

I choose to teach abroad to push myself out of my comfort zone and it is amazing! Greenheart travel provided so much support while I was back in my home country and they allowed for a smooth transition to XploreAsia! Go with them for lots of support when moving to a new country. They answered all my questions and even had a few informational sessions before I left to help me with the required documents. The staff gets back to you by email so fast and it made me feel more comfortable and confident before I left to Thailand.

Pros

Lots of support
Easy to make friends with peers and in TESOL course
Clear pre departure instructions

Cons

Very fast process
Had to accept teaching contract longer than expected
Not a lot of information about culture show

I personally had a great experience going through Green Heart Travel. Initially, I was not aware that they partnered with Xplore Asia but the transition was very smooth and they were just as useful. I came through on November 28, 2022 date and I am now at my placement in Bangkok & teaching at an international private school. GreenHeart Travel provides you with all the resources you need prior to departure, making it easier to gain a full understanding of how everything will take place from start to finish. Ian was always there to answer any of my questions and scheduled phone calls which made me feel a lot more confident/ prepared to leave. I really enjoyed my experience going through GreenHeart and they really did exceed my expectations overall.

Pros

Great Communication
Easy Transition
Very informative and useful when it came to info. about visas, placement, accomadation, etc

I definitely could not have made this trip happen without Greenheart. I had never been to Asia, nonetheless, had also never been to Asia during the height of COVID. Arrival planning was chaotic at times, but I definitely felt Greenheart staff did their best to keep us updated given the circumstances. Communication was easy and I was able to stay in touch with staff regularly until arrival. I was really unaware of the involvement of Xplore Asia though when I applied to Greenheart--they will pass you off to Xplore Asia prior to departure from your home country. The fees were definitely high, but for the level of coordination required (visas, work permits, teaching placement) to make this happen, it was definitely worth it. The program itself was great-- loved my kids and the time off to travel, but the location wasn't the best and the weather is not to be underestimated (prepare to sweat constantly everyday). Overall, won't do it again, but it was the best thing for me at the time and no regrets!

Pros

the kids will change your life
lots to explore in Thailand
able to live comfortably on the salary

Cons

hot...all the time...enough said
had to design lessons entirely by ourselves
location makes travel slightly inconvenient

I was really hesitant to move to Thailand but have now been here for 3 months and am loving it. Greenheart obviously have a lot of experience in placing teachers and were always available to answer my questions. The staff are friendly and understand that it's a daunting experience for new teachers and they were really accommodating when I wanted to postpone my programme due to Covid last year. Their pre-departure support was key in helping me sort my visa and all the other documents I needed to come here.

Pros

Pre-departure support
Network of people who have been there and done it
Continued in-country assistance

I was initially so nervous to travel to Thailand, especially due to the COVID pandemic- I even put it off for another 6 months because of this! But I could not say enough good things about Greenheart and how they helped. They completely understood when I wanted to push back my start date, and stayed in contact with me the whole time. At one point, I was even worried I was sending too many emails and annoying them- but they always consistently answered and never seemed annoyed by my anxiety! Right before I was due to leave, I ended up having a ton of visa problems, and they answered almost immediately to help me work through my issues. Luckily, I haven't had many issues since arriving in Thailand, but I know they are just an email away if need be. If you are looking for the opportunity to visit Thailand, I recommend going through Greenheart- this company has your back!

Pros

Great support
Clear expectations
Set you up with all of the right people!

Cons

There were a lot of hidden costs when I actually arrived- but Greenheart could not have prevented this, and it isn't their fault.

Response from Greenheart

We appreciate your recommendation and kind words! It's a whole new world out there post-Covid and flexibility, diligence, and good communications make travel go more smoothly for everyone! Thank you for traveling with Greenheart! Enjoy your stay!

By Greenheart Travel on August 8, 2022

Everything from the people that I’ve met, the support I’ve received, and the experiences thus far, have been worth taking that leap of faith into the unknown! My journey is only beginning and I’m excited to see what my new home in Thailand holds. I’m looking forward to making a difference by teaching students English as well as getting to know the locals. I know there will be challenges but, that’s all a part of the process. Greenheart was with me every step of the way to prepare me before I left and I would choose them again!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Be flexible and put yourself out there even though it may be uncomfortable at times!

Response from Greenheart

Hi Kiana! Thank you so much for your review. We are so happy that you had a wonderful time. Stay in touch and best wishes on your next adventure!
Greenheart Travel

By Greenheart Travel on June 17, 2021

I experienced a misunderstanding between myself and XploreAsia during the placement portion of my TESOL course. Instead of supporting me and seeking resolution the Senior Program Manager at Greenheart Travel sent me an aggressive email in an attempt to put me in my place. This made my placement process even more difficult while navigating culture differences.

I paid a premium to work with Greenheart Travel again and expected a higher level of support while aboard. It was only after a string of emails with the Director of Greenheart Travel that any wrong doing was admitted.

I would recommend saving your money and going with a cheaper organization that might offer better support and act more professional towards participants.

What would you improve about this program?

I would suggest Greenheart Travel provides better training to it's staff to act in an empathetic and professional manner. They should strive to reach understandings between partner organizations and participants when conflicts arise.

Response from Greenheart

Hi John. Thank you for your feedback! We always appreciate learning how we can do better, and we’re glad your conversations with the Director of Greenheart Travel helped clear up the misunderstandings from both sides. We’re glad you received a placement that you enjoy!

By Greenheart Travel on January 2, 2020

I absolutely loved green heart they were beyond helpful with everything I needed and with preparing for my trip.
Kara was absolutely amazing and made the entire process very easy and with very minimal stress. She kept me on schedule and if I had forgotten to do anything she was always there to remind me.
Great organization, very efficient, great communication, great team

They checked in regularly and throughout the entire process of planning the trip it can be overwhelming and stressful. For myself the entire visa process and trying to book everything in time was overwhelming, Kara and greenheart coach you through the entire process and make sure all forms and documents are completed to standard for nothing is a surprise for your arrival

Questions & Answers

How long can you stay and teach in Thailand as an TEFteacher while being a part of this program?

Answer this question

Am I able find accommodation on my own and still participate in the program?

Answer this question

Would I be able to get a work permit with my diploma?

You need to have your original degree with you and authenticated by the government. It can be done in Thailand too, but don’t count on that. To get a work permit you will also need to get a non-b visa, which the schools/agencies help you obtain. You can’t get a work permit without the proper visa.

By Nicole Lang on November 9, 2019

Can I come with my sister?

Yes! We can place friends/couples/siblings together!

By Greenheart Travel on January 22, 2019

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I chose Greenheart Travel after watching a friend from high school embark on the adventure.

After college, I spent the summer teaching in Shenzhen, China, and LOVED teaching abroad. I knew I wanted to make a life out of teaching in a foreign country, but I had no idea where to start. There were so many programs out there to choose from, but seeing a friend use Greenheart made the decision simple.

Upon first researching Greenheart, and speaking with the program coordinator, I immediately knew I was making the right decision. Greenheart provides you with a more personal experience, unlike some of the other big "teach-abroad" companies. I ultimately chose the program because of there personable entities it brought to me. I felt like my voice was being heard and all my questions were answered.

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

From the beginning, Greenheart travel made it known that they were going to help you through each step of the way. Greenheart explained everything that needed to be done in order to have a successful departure with regards to moving to Thailand. I did not feel as if I needed to do anything "on my own", as Greenheart was there to help and answer any questions necessary. Once you’re in Thailand, a company called Xplore Asia then does everything for it. Everything from booking your hotels, picking you up at the airport, getting you a Thai bank account and Thai phone SIM card is taken care of. They take care of all the little things that you would never think about but are super important!

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What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

My biggest piece of advice to anyone deciding to teach abroad with Greenheart is to not come with many expectations. Thailand is a BEAUTIFUL country with AMAZING things to offer everywhere. I highly recommend not doing a ton of googling, and leaving things up to fate. Here, in Thailand, the most lived by the slogan is "mai pen rai", which translates to "no worries". Just come as you are and Thailand will fit you in. There are so many wonderful things to explore for every type of person.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

When doing the TESOL course, your weeks will be pretty consistent. You will have your TESOL class Monday - Friday from about 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. During your day, you'll have an hour break for lunch to wander around the town and grab some local street food. Once you are done class for the day, some days you might have a little homework to do. The rest of the night is yours.

On the weekends, we would do amazing excursions, like visiting a temple cave, seeing wild elephants, or hiking a waterfall. On week nights, we would spend time hanging by the beach, the pool, and exploring the local night markets!

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear initially of coming abroad was the fear of "not fitting in". I was leaving my perfect little college friend bubble, and was extremely nervous about meeting new people and finding a new way to fit in. It was insanely easy to get over this fear.

From the minute you land in Thailand, you are greeted with 1000 warm smiles. The Thai locals want you talk to you, and taking the TESOL course makes it extremely easy to meet 100 new people and form life-long friendships. Before coming to Thailand, I was such a worrier, I was always worried about "will I know people here", "will people like me"... but Thailand has completely changed that side of me. It has made me into a person that lives by "mai pen rai", no worries.

What are the options for living like in Thailand?

It's going to depend where you end up living, as to the extent of housing options available. I live in a medium-sized town in southern Thailand and there are any types of living situations you could want. They have things from up-scale condo's with a pool/ gym to Thai homes that foreigners can rent. You can decide to live with other people, or on your own. There is something for every preference which is amazing!

Abby Lex

2016 Alum

Autumn Klesch

2017 Alum

Kelsey Caulfield

2018 Alum

Meredith Chambers

2018 Alum

Kristen Vermeire

2016 Alum

Jeff Dick

2018 Alum

Kayla Duryea

2017 Alum

Erica Holland

2014 Alum

Stephanie Warren

2014 Alum

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

What is your favorite travel memory?

This past year I had a destination wedding in the city of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Being able to share my love of travel with my close friends and family was the ultimate travel memory for me. Many of my friends had never heard of San Miguel and some were a little nervous to travel outside of the US - so seeing them have a great time and get over the initial "culture shock" was the best feeling! And churros instead of wedding cake was a plus too!

How have you changed since working for your current company?

I started working at Greenheart Travel when I was 22 so I've changed a lot! I think working here has taught me to be even more open-minded when it comes to other cultures. I have lived abroad in South Korea and Costa Rica myself, but I am also surrounded by coworkers who have lived in Thailand, Ghana, Spain, Mexico, China, Austria, Peru, Argentina... you get the point.

All of us have different experiences and stories to tell, so even though I haven’t been to some of these countries, I get insight into what the culture is like from my coworkers (and participants!) on a daily basis. We push each other to be constantly learning and open to new ideas.

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What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

I have heard of multiple marriages and babies! Some of my participants have ended up married to one another after meeting on the program, but I also have quite a few participants who met someone in their host country that they ended up getting married to or having kids with. Many of them are living in their host countries permanently now, and speak the language fluently. I’d say that is the ultimate cultural exchange!

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I would choose to do our Teach English in Italy program. I am a total Italian food and wine lover and would love the chance to get to live with an Italian host family for 3 months. I can only imagine the pasta, gelato, and awesome experiences I'd get to have! Some our our participant's host families have even lived on an Italian wineries, which would be an absolute dream. I always swoon over our participants photos traveling around Europe on this program.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

We are a pretty small non-profit organization (only 9 of us!) which means we have a limited amount of manpower and budget. I'm really proud of what we've been able to accomplish with our hard work in developing Greenheart Travel as a brand and business.

All of my coworkers work really hard and are excited to come to work. We all really believe in the work we are doing, and I think that shines through.

A lot of time participants are surprised to learn that we aren't a huge corporation with a ton of employees and I think that has to do with the determination of our small team. We want Greenheart Travel to succeed because we have all partaken in programs like ours! We even have 3 Greenheart Travel alumni that become permanent staff that I sent to Thailand and Myanmar as their program manager!

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

In this line of work, I think the most important thing is to be upfront, transparent, and honest. When you are participating in a program like this, you aren’t signing up for a vacation; this is a true cultural immersion program. If I told all of my participants that every day was going to be wonderful and sunshine and rainbows, they’d experience a big shock when they got there.

Many days will be great, sure, but you will also have some really hard days. Being upfront and transparent is a huge factor in why our participants are able to adjust and go into the experience with the right expectations.

Megan Arzbaecher

Short-Term Programs Manager

Sara Thacker

About Greenheart

Greenheart Travel is a 501(c)3 non-profit, mission-driven organization based in Chicago, USA. We are passionate about providing immersive cultural experiences for teenagers and adults in countries all over the world. We believe in the power of travel; a power that broadens perspective and turns strangers into family. It’s this belief that motivates...

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Program Details

Pricing

Program Highlights

Response from Greenheart

Response from Greenheart

Response from Greenheart

Alumni Interviews

Allison Scott

Why did you choose this program?

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

What are the options for living like in Thailand?

Staff Interviews

Sara Thacker

What is your favorite travel memory?

How have you changed since working for your current company?

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?