FAQs - Cambodia

Yes! Our Cambodia program is one of the only to accept non-degree holders.

Can I teach English in Cambodia with a diploma or associate degree?

It’s best to plan on around USD 10 per day living costs.

Do schools provide lunch?

Some do but not all. This will depend on each individual employer and their policy.

What is the cost of transport?

Taxis can range from 1-3 USD for a 15-30 minute trip. Motorbike taxi is roughly USD 1. Tuk Tuks are among the cheapest options for transport. There are also local two-row trucks that act as buses and will have a set route and can cost anywhere between 50 cents to USD 1 per trip. In the big cities, such as Phnom Penh and Siem Riep, there is also Grab taxi, which is like Uber.

Is transportation from my accommodation to work included?

Some schools will assist teachers with transportation but this is very rare. However, public transport is available.

How safe is it?

Like anywhere else it is recommended that you remain alert; however, Cambodia is a relatively safe place for both men and women to be alone.

What are the age groups I will be teaching?

Students range from kindergarten to high school. While we do try to meet individual preferences, we cannot guarantee that you will be placed with your first choice of age group.

What are the working hours? And days per week?

You should expect to be at school for 8 hours per day, but you will only have about 4-5 “in class” hours though. Private schools typically run from Monday to Friday. Language schools run in the afternoons and then full day Saturday and Sunday.

Are there sports after school that you have to attend or teach?

This will depend on your school. In most cases, teaching activities out with work hours is voluntary, however they do have concerts, cultural festivals and after school activities every now and again that you will be expected to attend.

After my contract can I still travel in the country or do I need to leave straight away?

You can stay as long as you like as long as you maintain a legal visa status.

Can I renew my working contract and visa without leaving the country?

It’s possible but it depends on the situation. Worst case scenario, you just do a quick border bounce and come back on a visa exemption and then your new school can transfer you over to the work permit.

How long is the working visa valid for?

It depends. Typically, 6 months or 1 year depending on length of contract.

What type of visa will I be arriving on?

You will be arriving either on tourist visa exemption, otherwise known as a visa on arrival, or a business visa on arrival.

Are there organized activities during evenings and weekends?

We holds meet-ups for teachers at different throughout the year. These meet ups are a great way to meet up with old friends and meet new people who are in your area.

Will I receive any language lessons? How will I understand my students?

During your orientation week and TESOL course, you will have several Cambodia language lessons to get you started. One of the key things to remember in your classroom is to gesture your directions. You may find that your students have a lower proficiency of English than you were expecting, but overtime you will learn to communicate with your students and colleagues.

Where is the best place to work?

This will differ from person to person. There are no bad places to work as every person has their own preferences. We find that there are tremendous benefits to working in both rural and urban areas.

What is the possibility of a second job to make more money?

Many of our teachers take on extra work to build up their monthly income. In some cases, people are able to double their income with extra work on the side. This can be negotiated through your employer or done privately and usually for English tuition.

How are the authorities?

The authorities are genuinely helpful and professional. They should be treated with respect as in your own home country.

Medical services and insurance?

We require that participants be fully insured in Cambodia with travel insurance for the duration of their stay. This must be arranged prior to as obtaining insurance once you have left your home country can be difficult and expensive. The insurance that schools may provide is too basic to provide good quality medical care.

What is phone and Internet connectivity like?

WIFI can be spotty all over Cambodia so we recommend getting a larger data plan on your phone in case you need to hot spot your other devices. Phone connectivity is really good and cheap and there are many places to assist you with this process. We will provide you with a SIM card upon arrival and will help get you up and running within the first two days of the course.

Can non-native speakers participate in the course and placement?

At this time, we only allow participants from native English-speaking Western countries.

What if you are unhappy in a job? Can you get a new one?

Yes, but we don’t often find this to be a problem. If the applicant really dislikes the job and they have a good reason, then we can help move them. But they need to understand that this can take time, and we ask that they be patient and flexible.

What is the dress code for teaching?

Men are expected to wear smart trousers and a collared shirt. Depending on the school you may also be required to wear a tie. Women are expected to where a skirt and a smart shirt or blouse or a dress. Some schools may permit women to wear trousers. The dress code varies depending on the school but you should plan to dress to impress.

How difficult is the TESOL course? Can I fail?

Yes, you can fail. However, our staff continuously monitoring applicant’s progress and should they feel that an applicant requires additional support it will be offered to them to ensure that they are able to pass the course.

Must the teachers have CV’s?

Yes. Your CV should be added to the template and sent to us ahead of your arrival in Cambodia.

Are there any serious laws they are very strict on?

Cambodia has a zero tolerance on drug possession and speaking negatively about the government.

Can couples be placed together?

This can be done, but not always at the same school. The schools may be within the same town. For participants travelling in couples or friends, they need to be extremely flexible and open to placement location.

What is the level of English and behavior of students?

This will vary city to city; however, there is typically beginner knowledge of English throughout the country. Thai students are generally well behaved.

What curriculum will they follow at school?

There is no set curriculum; each school will have their own curriculum and procedures. Teachers should be aware they most likely will be asked to teach multiple subjects, all in English.

Will my colleagues speak English?

Yes. Sometimes only limited English though.

Will I work with any special needs children?

Yes, probably, but they won’t necessarily be classified as such. They will just be in your normal classes.

What are the chances of schools deducting security money? And how does this work?

Schools may sometimes hold a small portion of salary in escrow until the end of the contract to dissuade teachers from leaving in the middle of a school term. This is, however, a rare policy.

What are the expected deductions from your paycheck? Does is differ from school to school?

The tax rate is approximately 20% for teachers in the first 6 months in Cambodia, and then lowers to the residence rate around 5% in the second 6 months and beyond.

Will I get paid overtime?

No.

What are the chances of getting a salary increase?

If you do a good job there is potential to get a pay rise or a resigning bonus.

What are the chances of teaching English in neighboring countries?

We works with several other countries in Asia and we can help participants who are interested in teaching elsewhere get started.

Is all paperwork and books supplied by the school?

Yes, most of the time, but not all the time.

When are the school holidays?

There are many public holidays throughout the year. school holidays are not long as these are private and language schools

What is the big difference between language schools, private schools, government schools and varsity?

Starting times and salaries vary. Also, they have different holidays. Language schools typically do not have long holidays.

Can participant choose part or full time?

All positions are full time.

Is religion a big issue?

No, however it is important to be respectful at all times of other religions.

What happens if you lose your job? Can you get a new one?

If you are fired due to poor conduct, we will no longer help with placement.

Are you expected to work during school holidays?

Not normally, however your school may ask you to participate in an English camp or activities camp of some kind.

Can you drink tap water?

It is recommended not to drink the tap water, as there can be bacteria our bodies are unfamiliar with. Bottled water is cheap and it’s safer to go buy a bottle. But if you happen to get a mouth full brushing your teeth, etc., there’s no need for concern.

How does setting up the local bank account work?

Once you get placed with a school, the school will transfer you’re visa from a visa on arrival to a
business visa. With that new business visa and rental contract, opening a bank account is easy. Just take your rental contract and visa to a local bank. We will stand by to assist and provides a step-by-step guide on opening a bank account once you have the documents and visa ready. The fee to set up a bank account is USD 15.