If you’re looking for an adventure, have advanced English language skills and either already hold, or are willing to invest in quality TESOL training, you’ll be pleased to know there is a multitude of paid English teaching jobs in Cambodia for people just like you. From an Asian backwater, that’s best known for years of war, Cambodia is now booming.

Demand

The insatiable demand for English language skills in Cambodia is driven by: 1. an economy that’s growing at a rate most developed countries can only dream about, and 2. over 60% of the population being under 30 years of age. Wherever there’s demand, there’s opportunity. The demand for English language skills in Cambodia directly translates into well-paid English teaching jobs in Cambodia for people who are adaptable, hold quality TESOL, TEFL or CELTA certification and are up for the challenge.

Sure, you’ll be taking a risk grabbing your backpack and jumping on a plane because somebody wrote in a blog there’s an abundance of English teaching jobs in Cambodia. It might be comforting to know that many people have gone down this path before you and have lived to talk about their adventure. These days, Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, is full of foreigners pursuing teaching jobs and having walked in your shoes, they’re more than happy to give you a helping-hand. 

Starting your search for English teaching jobs in Cambodia while still in your home country can’t hurt, but the reality is that schools rarely engage foreign teachers ‘sight unseen’. Typically, employers (schools) want to see you ‘in the flesh’ and will ask you to do a ‘demo’ class before offering you a contract. This isn’t a reason to balk! With so many opportunities available, if one school doesn’t work out, there are plenty of others that will roll out the ‘Red Carpet’.

Network

Most English teaching jobs in Cambodia are filled via someone’s network. Talk to as many people as you can – TESOL classmates, friends, neighbours – and knock on a few doors. With this kind of strategy, you’ll have more employment offers than you’ll know what to do with. Once you have an employment offer that includes conditions that will meet your needs, it would be wise to have someone who knows about Cambodian contracts to read over the ‘small print’.

Contracts

When flicking through the employment contract in front of you, no doubt you’ll hone in on the provisions that cover the pay rate and work hours – I get it. Money and hours, however, are only part of the deal. There will be other components in the contract that are equally important. Does the contract include an Exit Clause? Will the employer sponsor a Work Permit and related visa? What are the taxation arrangements? Is there anything in the contract related to disciplinary action, in the event that you upset the boss? Is there provision for overtime payments. Is ‘health cover’ included in the deal. Will you be required to participate in school related activities that are unpaid, for example, supervising weekend sport and parent-teacher interviews? 

Typically, English teaching jobs in Cambodia allow foreign English language teachers to earn around US $1,250.00 (net) for working 80 to 100 hours per month. Obviously, the salary depends on where the teacher works – rural, regional, metropolitan – the number of hours, the availability of free housing, free utilities and suchlike. Regardless, with the relatively low cost of living in Cambodia, foreign teachers can realistically save (after meeting all expenses) more than half of their salary each month, working sensible hours and without scrimping. You’d surely agree that there are few people in western countries who can save this kind of money, working double the hours.

No degree – no problem

You may be interested to know that a college or university degree is not a prerequisite for: 1. English teaching jobs in Cambodia; and 2. a teaching related work permit and visa. If it happens that you don’t hold a university degree, but are keen to teach English abroad, it would certainly be worth your time to check out what Cambodia has to offer. Holding a university degree will open more doors, corporate teaching jobs for example, but the pay difference between those without a degree and those with a degree is negligible.

While employers (schools) are not particularly fussed about whether a prospective teacher holds a degree, they are fussed about quality TESOL, TEFL or CELTA certification. The TESOL course in Phnom Penh offered by AVSE is perfect. How is it perfect? It’s Australian Government accredited and therefore, genuinely internationally recognised. 

Conclusion

So, what’s the upshot here? There are plenty of English teaching jobs in Cambodia for folks who possess decent English language skills, quality TESOL certification and an adventurous spirit. When you find your ideal teaching job, make sure you conduct a thorough due diligence process so there are no surprises. Cambodia is a brilliant place to live and work as an English language teacher. Certainly, teaching in Cambodia will allow you to earn a decent salary while leading an expat lifestyle. You’ll be living the dream.

About the writer: Peter Goudge has been living and working in Southeast Asia, specifically in Cambodia and Vietnam, since 2006. He is the Managing Director (and owner) of Australian Vocational Skills and Education (AVSE-TESOL). AVSE-TESOL offers an Australian Government accredited TESOL training programme in Cambodia (Phnom Penh) and Vietnam (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City). Check out the AVSE-TESOL website: www.avse.edu.vn