Coming to Myanmar was definitely a culture shock. After a couple of weeks, the generosity and sincerity of the people and their culture envelops you with a feeling I have never felt before. I do not regret one minute joining the course! If you are adventurous, willing to be flexible, and love working and traveling off the beaten path...Myanmar is your ticket. - Myanmar Culture Course Graduate Aileen

9.6/10 - reviews from goabroad.com
HOW THE COURSE WORKS

Why Take The Myanmar Culture Course for English Teachers?

Prepare for your transition to becoming an English teacher in Myanmar with ITA's exclusive 40-Hour (1-week) Myanmarese (aka "Burmese") culture & language training course for English teachers, held in Yangon, Myanmar

Tailored specifically for soon-to-be English teachers, this 40-hour week of in-person lessons, language lessons, and excursions will enhance your understanding and appreciation for your new home and make adjusting to the basics of daily life in Myanmar so much easier.

What will you get out of this course?

  • A week-long, interactive deep dive into Myanmar's culture, history & politics.
  • Six hours of introductory Burmese language classes.
  • Delve into the history and daily life of Myanmar with excursions to the legendary Shwedagon Pagoda, national history museum, and Yangon city walking tour, which includes local markets.
  • Experience traditional culture with special interactive classes in Myanmarese cooking the ancient martial art of Lethwei.
  • Gain insights into Myanmar's rich history and explore distinct ethnic and cultural regions and exotic neighborhoods that make up Myanmar's national and regional geography.
  • Get insider tips and insights into Myanmar's culture during exclusive workshops that will prepare you for working with your Myanmar students & colleagues.
  • Meet and bond with fellow soon-to-be ESL teachers in Myanmar.
  • Accommodations, airport pickup, and some meals are also included.
Teach English in Myanmar

Get Practical Tips & Insights from Local Experts

From making friends to eating Myanmarese food, get expert tips about all aspects of daily life in Myanmar from experienced English teachers & local experts. 

Delve Into Myanmar's History & Culture

Embrace and learn about the richness of Myanmar's local culture before you start your teaching adventure. To facilitate this process, this program entails exclusive courses & excursions led by qualified & experienced experts.

Learn Basic Myanmarese Language to Acclimate to Life in Myanmar

Learning basic Myanmarese (aka "Burmese") will help you enjoy a seamless transition to your daily life in Myanmar. In addition, you will impress your Myanmarese colleagues, students & friends.

Join a Community of Teachers & Travelers

Build friendships with fellow teachers before embarking on your common journey as English teachers in Myanmar. Establishing these bonds will lessen your chances of suffering from loneliness and culture shock as you transition to life in Myanmar. 

COURSE FEATURES & DETAILS
Myanmar Culture Course Structure

Myanmar Culture Training Course Content

This Myanmar Culture Course includes five modules based on topics:

  • Myanmarese History
  • Myanmarese Culture and Society
  • Myanmarese Politics
  • Working and Living in Myanmar
  • Myanmarese Language:
    A qualified Myanmarese Language teacher provides 6 hours of Myanmarese language lessons to our participants. These are broken down into 3x 2-hour lessons and cover the basics of the five tones in Myanmarese language up to some basic conversational content.
Cultural Excursions and Activities

Exclusive Excursions & Activities

During the week, you will gain practical experience exploring Myanmarese culture through the following exciting and informative excursions and activities included in the course:

Guided tour of Shwedagon Palace

A tour of the Shwedagon Pagoda is an absolute must-do due to its awe-inspiring beauty and spiritual significance. As one of the world's most revered Buddhist sites, its towering golden spire and intricate architecture offer a profound glimpse into Myanmar's rich cultural heritage. Exploring the pagoda's serene atmosphere, adorned with countless stupas and relics, captures the essence of Myanmar's spirituality and history.

Guided tour of Downtown Yangon

Embark on a guided tour of downtown Yangon to delve into the heart of Myanmar's vibrant capital. Led by knowledgeable local guides, you'll traverse bustling markets, colonial-era architecture, and iconic landmarks like the Sule Pagoda, and the lively Bogyoke Market.

 

Lethwei Martial Arts Lesson

Participants will be introduced to the fundamentals of Myanmar's traditional bare-knuckle boxing, known for its raw intensity. Under the guidance of an experienced instructor, beginners will learn basic stances, footwork, and striking techniques, including punches, kicks, elbows, and clinches. Lethwei is distinguished by its authenticity and directness, making the lesson an exhilarating introduction to this ancient martial art.

Burmese Cooking Class

Enjoy an exclusive opportunity to create a delightful spread of iconic dishes, starting with Shan noodles. Under the guidance of a skilled instructor, you'll learn to prepare the noodles and craft a savory Shan-style broth with aromatic herbs and spices. Additionally, participants will be guided through the art of making a traditional tea leaf salad, combining fermented tea leaves with crunchy nuts, seeds, and a zesty dressing for a harmonious blend of flavors.

Accommodations & Other Included Features

Included Features

What’s Included:

  • Airport pickup
  • Housing for the week in a double occupancy room
  • Entrance fees for all cultural excursions
  • Transport to and from all cultural excursions
  • All lessons and cultural excursions listed
WHO IT'S FOR

Who Should Join This Myanmar Culture Course?

This 1-week course in Yangon, Myanmar, is open to those planning to teach English in Myanmar who have earned an accredited TEFL / TESOL certification from International TEFL Academy (ITA) or another TEFL course provider (ITA approval required); or those with other advanced credentials such as a college or university degree in TESOL.

This orientation program is ideal for you if  you plan to teach in Myanmar and are looking to:

  • Gain a foundational understanding of Myanmarese culture, language, & etiquette before beginning your teaching position.
  • Experience a smooth transition to your new life as an English teacher in Myanmar with guidance from experienced teachers, guides & other experts.
  • Seek to join a community of fellow ESL teachers in Myanmar.
  • Gain the confidence to successfully manage the cultural differences teachers will face in day-to-day life and at work.
  • Maximize the cross-cultural experience of living and working as an English teacher in Myanmar.

NOTE: If you are enrolled in ITA's TEFL Course in Yangon, Myanmar, or the Teaching English in Myanmar Job Placement Program, this week-long cultural orientation course is already included in your program.


BUNDLE A TEFL COURSE & SAVE

Bundle a TEFL Course & Save

If you’re not yet TEFL certified, consider bundling this in-person Myanmar Culture Course with our 11-week part-time or 4-week full-time Online TEFL Certification Courses.

Standard Tuition for this course is $799 $699 if you bundle. 

Benefits of bundling include:

  • Save Money! When you register for both a TEFL course and the in-personMyanmarCulture Course, you’ll save an additional $100. Existing students and alumni will also enjoy a $50 alumni discount on this course.
  • Combine award-winning TEFL training to prepare you for teaching English classroom with this exclusive orientation course to prepare you for your daily life outside of the classroom
  • Learn from the Best: Our In-Person Myanmar Culture Course is taught by a team of experts in the field of teaching in Myanmar and helps new teachers to navigate a truly cross-cultural experience.
  • If you take an ITA standard TEFL Certification Course, you will receive lifetime Job Search Guidance to help you gain employment teaching English in Myanmar and in 80 countries worldwide. 

Myanmar Culture Course Cost Comparison

With International TEFL Academy’s In-person Myanmar Culture Course in Yangon, you can jump right into an expertly-curated introduction to Myanmarese culture. You don't need to worry about the planning and logistics - we take care of that - and you'll save time and money. We're offering up to a 52% discount for International TEFL Academy students off the total cost of the included accommodations, lessons, and excursions. See the breakdown below:

 

ITA In-person Culture Course

Do-It-Yourself Cost

Total Cost

$799

$1,674

Pre-arrival online culture course

Included

$299

Accommodations in Hua Hin

Included

$150

In-Class Presentations 

   

Language

Included

$150

Culture & Politics

Included

$200

Placement

Included

$100

Road Safety

Included

$50

First Day of School

Included

$50

Diversity & Inclusion

Included

$50

Workshops

   

ESL Teaching

Included

$100

Navigating Culture Shock

Included

$75

Happy Teacher 

Included

$50

Cultural Activities, with Transport

   

Muay Thai

Included

$75

Market Trip

Included

$25

Cooking Class

Included

$100

Temple Dhamma Talk & Meditation

Included

$100

Rescue P.A.W.S. Volunteer Experience

Included

$75

Welcome Dinner

Included

$25

Back To Top

Course Dates & Registration

IMPORTANT: Before enrolling, we strongly recommend that you are concurrently enrolled in an accredited TEFL certification, are already certified, or have experience teaching ESL. Not yet TEFL certified? Get in touch with us. You can bundle our TEFL certification course with this specialty course and save an additional $100. 

International TEFL Academy's Lifetime Job Guidance and support, access to our alumni community, and our high-quality accreditation are only available to students and alumni of our online and in-person standard TEFL certification courses.

We also invite you to read our registration procedure and terms & conditions. Note that all students will be charged a small processing fee per course/program purchased.

BUNDLE & SAVE: Get $100 OFF your culture course if you bundle with a standard TEFL course

 

The Preparation You Need to Succeed as an English Teacher in Myanmar

Even the most experienced teachers and travelers face challenges when moving to a new country, including culture shock and even loneliness. That's why ITA offers this exclusive 1-week cultural orientation course in Yangon, Myanmar: to help you make the most of your teaching experience and to prepare you for a smooth transition to life in Myanmar. 

Gain the Tools You Need to Avoid Culture Shock

Learning basic Myanmarese language, making a core group of friends, and gaining a foundational understanding of Myanmar's culture will help you avoid the culture shock many teachers experience when arriving in a new country. 

Learn from Experts

Our team has years of experience working in the Thai education system & helping new English teachers successfully acclimate to life in Myanmar. In addition, you will learn about Myanmar's history, politics, culture, cuisine, and even from local experts.

Better Prepare Yourself for the Classroom

Taking a week to acclimate to life in Myanmar and gaining in-depth knowledge about Myanmarese culture, etiquette, language & values will help you relate to your students and better adjust to cultural differences you encounter in the classroom.

Ready Yourself for Daily Life in Myanmar

Going out for a meal. Shopping. Saying hello to your neighbor. Learning basic Myanmarese and spending a week getting tips from experienced locals will make your transition to daily life in Myanmar so much smoother.

Download Culture Course Guide

Ask a Culture Course Instructor

Jonathan Harman, Myanmarese Culture Course Instructor.
Jon has 9 years of ESL teaching experience in Thailand, South Korea, and Vietnam, in addition to two years of teaching experience in the UK.

Where will I stay during this one-week cultural orientation course in Myanmar?

Accommodations for the week-long duration of this course are included. You will stay in a double occupancy room shared with another participant. 

What visa will I use to attend this course in Yangon, Myanmar?

Foreigners who work in Myanmar must hold a Business Visa, which allows them to stay in the country for an initial period of 70 days. This will then be extended to either 6 months or 1 year, depending on the length of the contract.

Guidance will be provided on how to arrange the necessary documents for you to apply for a business visa before you come over to Myanmar, if you plan to teach in the country following the Culture Course.

For those just wanting to do the culture course and travel after or return home, they can go over on a tourist visa.

I didn't get my TEFL certification or my Myanmar teaching job from ITA - can I still enroll in this Myanmar Culture Course?

YES. This 1-week course in Yangon, Myanmar, is open to those planning to teach English in Myanmar who have earned an accredited TEFL / TESOL certification from another TEFL course provider (ITA approval required); or those with other advanced credentials such as a college or university degree in TESOL.

Can I join this course with my friend or partner?

Yes!  If you are both planning to teach English in Myanmar, you can definitely take this course with your friend(s) or partner/spouse.

Can I take this Myanmar Cultural Orientation Course at any time of the year?

Yes.  The course is offered and operates throughout the year. 

How far in advance do I need to enroll & save a place for my desired course date?

For this course, you need to enroll at least 30 days in advance in order to save your spot.

Is it safe to travel & teach English in Myanmar?

Like many nations in Asia and worldwide that are now major English teaching markets, Myanmar has experienced its share of political conflict over time. Several years ago, the nation did experience a coup, however, in Yangon, Mandalay, and other major cities, life has returned to normal and is as calm as one could expect in major international cities. In fact, Yangon is now statistically one of the safest major cities in Southeast Asia. 

At ITA, the health and safety of our students is our primary concern, and we would not encourage our students (or our staff) to work or study in a region or country that is not considered safe. We do our utmost to ensure that all of our courses and teaching placements are in safe locations well beyond conflict areas.

Of course, no country in the world is completely safe, and as you would in any situation at home or abroad, you should always be mindful and use common sense. For more on health and safety, please check out our article 11 Tips for Staying Safe While Teaching English Abroad, and call us at 773-634-9900 in the U.S.

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