Thailand
18 English Teaching Assistant Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodFall StartGrant Length12 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
Teaching Assistantships are for 12 months (including a four-week orientation in Bangkok).
All placements will be made by the Thailand-U.S. Educational Foundation (TUSEF). Approximately 16-18 hours per week of classroom teaching, plus class preparation time and school-related activities are required. A combination of co-teaching and independent teaching will vary from school to school and will depend on the school's situation as well as the ETAs' backgrounds and qualifications. ETAs will be supervised by mentor teachers at the host schools.
To help the ETAs better prepare for assignment in Thailand, selected candidates who do not have TEFL/TESOL certificates may be required to take online course(s) for TESOL prior coming to Thailand to take up the grant. More details on this mater will be provided in the grant documents.
Grant Length
Grant Period
All English Teaching Assistants (ETAs) are required to begin their grants in late September 2025 in order to attend the in-country orientation in Bangkok. Grantees start from the second semester in Thailand and proceed to the first semester of the subsequent academic year. During Thai summer school vacation, grantees are assigned to internships and may be engaged in English camps, outreach or other related community activities.
Renewal for one additional year is available and are awarded based upon satisfactory cultural adjustment and teaching performance. There are two renewal grants.
Orientation
The four-week orientation will be held right after arrival in Bangkok. The orientation programs covers intensive basic Thai language study, ESL teaching techniques, Thai cultural issues, and practical teaching.
Candidate Profile
Candidates must be articulate fluent English-speakers. Candidates are expected to demonstrate the necessary initiative to teach conversational English at elementary, middle-high school, and technical/vocational levels for an average class size of up to 35-45 students with a tradition of rote learning. Moreover, candidates must be able to adapt and thrive within a variety of intensive cultural environments including the challenges of living in a less comfortable setting. Candidates must be willing and able to physically and mentally adjust to work in the Thai cultural context and the Thai educational system.
Candidates need to be self-motivated, adventurous, flexible, and independent. Candidates from all majors are welcomed but those with Education/English majors who possess prior teaching experience are preferred. As cultural ambassadors, ETAs are expected to exhibit a high level of professionalism and share aspects of American culture with their schools.
ETAs cannot be accompanied by dependents.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Carrying out and fulfilling the ETA grant activity in accordance with its requirements; forstering positive professional with host school; demonstrating adatability and flexibility in diverse circumstances; engaging with the host school and the community; and representing the Fulbright Program with excellence, embodying the role of an American Cultural Ambassador.
Eligibility
12 Months
In case of holding a dual citizenship, an awardee has to enter Thailand as an American citizen, using an American passport.
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
Foreign Language Proficiency
Additional Information: Thai language proficiency is not required, but, some self-study of Thai prior to arrival is recommended in order to promote deeper engagement with the host community. ETAs will be provided basic Thai language as part of the in-country orientation.
Placement Type
- Elementary School
- Middle School
- Secondary School
- Vocational/Technical School
Grantees will teach at either the elementary/middle or middle/high school/technical/vocational level, depending on the placement. ETAs will be assigned to public schools/technical/vocational colleges in cities and towns in the north, south, east, and northeast of Thailand. ETAs are not assigned to schools in Bangkok.
Placement Locations
- Regional City
Supplementary Project
English Teaching Assistantship grants are not study/research awards and teaching takes up most of the grantee's time. In applying, the Statement of Grant Purpose should focus on the reasons why the applicant seeks the cultural experience of teaching English in Thailand and what candidate will bring to the classrooms, activity to support the ETA's teaching responsibilities, club activity to further focus on using English in the school and/or the community, etc.
Award Benefits
- A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
- International travel benefits
- Accident & sickness health benefits
- 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
- 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
- English language teaching preparatory course
Stipend Amount
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
Monthly stipend: 22,500 Baht
Housing will be provided by the host school/college.
One-Time Allowances
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
- Excess baggage fees
- Settling in allowance
In-transit allowance: 4,500 Baht
Settling-in allowance: 10,000 Baht
Excess baggage allowance: 12,000 Baht
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
Cost of living in Thailand is lower than in the U.S..
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
Housing arrangements are made by the host schools and with approval by TUSEF. Housing situations vary from site to site, and this requires a high degree of flexibility and adaptation on the part of the ETAs.
*Riding Motorbike Policy: For safety reasons, TUSEF does not condone ETAs riding or owning a motorbike.
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Health Disclosure & Eligibility
In compliance with the Thai government regulations regarding health and assignment in the school system, candidates must include any medical disclosures for the applicable medical conditions listed below in the medical examination forms provided by IIE and TUSEF after being selected as Fulbright finalists. Strict adherence to these regulations is mandatory, and your grant is contingent on the ability to secure a placement in Thailand. Any attempts to omit or falsify information are immediate grounds for revoking/terminating the grant.
Individuals with the following conditions cannot be placed in Thai classrooms:
- Visual impairments (conditions that cannot be corrected by glasses/contact lenses)
- Hearing impairments above 40dB
In addition, selectees must also disclose the following conditions:
- Conditions worsened by stress such as: epilepsy, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, schizophrenia, etc.
- Severe food allergies including, but not limited to: nuts, shellfish, beans