Three pathways to a qualified teaching career in Southeast Asia. No padding, no sales language — just the information you need to make a clear-headed decision.
This guide covers what each programme costs, what you will learn, what real classroom practice looks like, whether you qualify, and what life in Cambodia actually costs. We have written it to be direct. If something disqualifies you, we would rather you know now than after you have paid a deposit.
Find the right programme for where you are right now. Each pathway leads to the same outcome: a qualified teaching career in Southeast Asia. The difference is your starting point.
* A university degree is not required for Cambodia placement. It is required for Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Destination TEFL works with native and fluent English speakers from the UK, US, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and South Africa. If English is not your first or home language, placement viability is significantly reduced and we will tell you that honestly at the application stage. Our candidates range from career changers to recent graduates to experienced professionals — what they share is a preference for real preparation over a certificate that arrives in the post.
4 weeks · 140 hours · $1,395 · In-person, Siem Reap
The Classroom Apprenticeship is Destination TEFL's flagship programme — a 140-hour, four-week in-person TEFL certification course in Siem Reap, Cambodia. It is not an online course with a practical add-on. The entire programme takes place in the classroom: first as a trainee, then as a teacher in front of real Cambodian students.
Every technique is modelled by the trainer before you replicate it. You receive detailed written feedback after every lesson. By graduation you will have accumulated more than 25 counted teaching moments — more than most TEFL programmes deliver across their entire duration.
Weeks 3 and 4 are spent in real Cambodian classrooms. You teach full lessons observed by a qualified trainer, receive detailed constructive written feedback after every lesson, and complete more than 25 counted teaching moments across the four weeks — starting from Day 1, not Week 3.
Specific days may vary between cohorts.
| Week 1 — Trainer Input | |
| Day 1 | Introduction, course admin, pair interviews, language lesson |
| Day 2 | Lexis & dialogue drilling, lesson planning Part 1, pacemakers |
| Day 3 | PPP methodology, effective techniques for young learners |
| Day 4 | Teaching phonics, pronunciation |
| Day 5 | Effective techniques for adults, understanding learners |
| Week 2 — Trainer Input | |
| Day 1 | Teaching receptive lessons, receptive skills ideas |
| Day 2 | Teaching productive lessons, productive skills ideas |
| Day 3 | School visit and cultural experience |
| Day 4 | Verb forms, grammar structure, teaching grammar & functional language |
| Day 5 | Cambodian cultural awareness |
| Weeks 3 & 4 — Teaching Practicums | |
| Mon–Fri Wk 3 | Observed teaching practicums with real Cambodian students |
| Mon Wk 4 | Lesson planning test |
| Tue–Wed Wk 4 | Teaching practicums continue |
| Thu Wk 4 | Online teaching options, interview preparation, graduation |
You are not watching videos and completing quizzes. From the first week you are in a training room with peers and a qualified trainer, practising every technique before you are observed doing it with real students.
More than 25 counted teaching moments by graduation. Detailed written feedback after every practicum lesson. Your trainer assists with lesson planning throughout.
3 weeks · $825 · For candidates who already hold an accepted TEFL certificate
The Fast Track is a three-week in-person programme for candidates who already hold a recognised TEFL or TESOL certificate and are ready to move into employment. It is not a repeat of theory you already know — it is a focused, practical bridge between certification and the classroom, combined with direct job placement assistance.
Week 1 is trainer-led: a concentrated review of methodology, lesson planning, grammar teaching, and effective techniques, calibrated to your existing knowledge. Weeks 2 and 3 are teaching practicums — observed lessons in real Cambodian classrooms with detailed trainer feedback after each session.
| Week 1 — Trainer Input | |
| Day 1 | Methodology foundation: lexis, dialogue drilling, PPP |
| Day 2 | Core teaching skills, effective techniques |
| Day 3 | Grammar mastery — teaching and review lessons |
| Day 4 | Detailed lesson planning |
| Day 5 | Teaching practicum preparation and presentation |
| Weeks 2 & 3 — Teaching Practicums | |
| Mon–Fri Wk 2 | Observed teaching practicums in real classrooms |
| Mon Wk 3 | Lesson planning test |
| Tue–Wed Wk 3 | Teaching practicums continue |
| Thu Wk 3 | Online teaching options, interview prep, graduation |
Online TEFL (self-paced, included) + 3-week Fast Track in Siem Reap · $925
The Hybrid is the entry-level option for candidates who are not yet certified and prefer to complete theory at their own pace before coming to Cambodia. The $925 fee covers both the online course and the full Fast Track in-country programme.
It suits those who want flexibility in how they complete the theory component, study around existing work or commitments, and still want real classroom experience before employment.
What you need to qualify for each programme.
| Requirement | Classroom Apprenticeship |
Fast Track | Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 20+ | 20+ | 20+ |
| English | Native / fluent home language | Native / fluent home language | Native / fluent home language |
| Existing TEFL certificate | Not required | Min 120-hr accepted cert | Online cert included |
| University degree | Not required for Cambodia* | Not required for Cambodia* | Not required for Cambodia* |
| Criminal record check | Required | Required | Required |
| Fit and healthy | Required | Required | Required |
* A university degree is required for placement in Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia. It is NOT required for Cambodia.
We accept candidates from the UK, US, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and South Africa. Candidates from other countries are assessed individually.
What to budget before you arrive. Figures are estimates based on what trainees typically spend.
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Destination TEFL course fee | See programme pages above |
| Accommodation during the course (from) | $185/month |
| Tourist visa on arrival | $35 |
| Work permit (first year) | $120–$220 |
| Travel insurance — SafetyWing recommended | $42/month |
| Flight ticket | Varies by country |
| Suggested spending money | $1,650 |
Spending money covers meals during the course, onward travel to your first job, visa extension, and first month's rent plus deposit. Most trainees find placement within 2–4 weeks of graduation. You are paid approximately one month after starting work — budget accordingly.
| Expense | Monthly Estimate |
|---|---|
| Rent — 1-bed apartment, Siem Reap | $200 |
| Water | $7 |
| Electricity | $40 |
| WiFi | $8 |
| Transport | $50 |
| Groceries (local and Western mix) | $150 |
| Entertainment | $50 |
| Total estimate | ~$505/month |
Most apartments include water and WiFi. A one-month rental deposit is typically required.
Placement is included in all three programmes. It is not offered as a standalone service. Teaching location cannot be guaranteed.
Destination TEFL primarily places graduates in Cambodia, where our school network is strongest. Placement in Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia is also available for candidates who meet additional eligibility requirements for those markets.
| Country | Degree Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cambodia | No | Primary market. Strongest network. |
| Vietnam | Yes | University degree required. Strong demand. |
| Thailand | Yes | University degree required. |
| Indonesia | Yes | University degree required. |
Salaries depend on your qualifications, experience, and the school. Most contracts are one year. Schools typically cover visa extension and work permit costs. Teachers usually work 28 teaching hours per week. Typical hours: 8:00–11:00am and 2:00–4:00pm. Weekends are generally free.
| Profile | Monthly Salary (USD) |
|---|---|
| Non-native speakers | $800–$1,000 |
| Teachers with little/no experience, no degree | $1,000–$1,200 |
| Teachers with any degree + qualification | $1,200–$2,500 |
| Teachers with education degree + experience | $1,800–$2,800 |
Salary estimates reflect current market rates and vary by school and candidate profile.
Not quite ready to apply, but want to talk it through? Send us your details and we'll be in touch. We answer every enquiry personally — no automated funnels.
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If this guide has given you what you need and Destination TEFL looks like the right fit, here is what happens next.
Visit destinationtefl.com/callback/ to confirm you meet the basic requirements before applying.
Complete the application form on our website. We review every application individually.
If your application is successful, we will schedule a call to discuss your goals and confirm the right programme for you.
A deposit confirms your place on the cohort of your choice. Cohort dates are published on our website.
Full pre-arrival guidance is provided once you are enrolled — everything you need for Day 1.
Have a question before applying? Contact us directly — we respond to every enquiry personally.
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