It’s been a wonderful experience. I’ve seen things, heard things, and met people that I otherwise wouldn’t have come into contact with. It’s really opened my eyes almost on a spiritual level. I’ve enjoyed interacting with the people and being able to connect with them.. - ITA Grad Sarah

HOW THE COURSE WORKS

Why Take The Thailand Culture Course for English Teachers?

Prepare for your transition to becoming an English teacher in Thailand with ITA's exclusive 40-Hour (1-week) Thai culture & language training course for English teachers, held in Hua Hin, Thailand

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 so much easier.

What will you get out of this course?

  • A week-long, interactive deep dive into Thai culture, history & politics.
  • Six hours of introductory Thai language classes.
  • Excursions to a Buddhist temple, an authentic Thai market, a Muay Thai class, and more!
  • Hands-on Thai cooking class.
  • Gain insights into Thailand's rich history and explore distinct ethnic and cultural regions and exotic neighborhoods that make up Thailand's national and regional geography.
  • Get insider tips and insights into Thai culture that will prepare you for working with your Thailand students & colleagues.
  • Meet and bond with fellow soon-to-be ESL teachers in Thailand.
  • Accommodations, airport pickup, and some meals are also included.
Thailand students on the beach

Get Practical Tips & Insights from Local Experts

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

Delve Into Thailand's History & Culture

Thailand is steeped in rich tradition and spirituality, but to understand the nation's people, it's essential to understand Thailand's history and culture. Therefore, this program entails exclusive courses & excursions led by experts.

Learn Basic Thai to Acclimate to Life in Thailand

Learning basic Thai will help you enjoy a seamless transition to your daily life in Thailand. In addition, you will impress your Thai colleagues, students & friends.

Join a Community of Teachers & Travelers

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

COURSE FEATURES & DETAILS
Thailand Culture Course Structure

Thailand Culture Training Course Content

This Thailand Culture Course includes five modules based on topics:

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

Exclusive Excursions & Activities

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

Thai Cooking Class

By learning how to prepare traditional Thai dishes, participants can gain a deeper appreciation for the local cuisine and develop skills that can be used in their day-to-day lives. Additionally, cooking classes provide a fun and interactive way for participants to connect with their fellow ESL teachers and build relationships within the community.

Thai Cooking Class

Volunteering at Rescue P.A.W.S.

Rescue P.A.W.S. is a non-profit organization in Thailand that focuses on rescuing and rehabilitating stray dogs and cats, as well as educating the public about animal welfare. By volunteering at Rescue P.A.W.S., participants can learn about the challenges facing animals in Thailand and gain hands-on experience in helping to care for and rehabilitate them.

Muay Thai Class

Muay Thai is a traditional martial art that originated in Thailand and is known for its striking techniques and use of knees and elbows. By participating in Muay Thai classes, participants can learn about the history and culture of this martial art and gain valuable physical and mental skills.

Visit to Buddhist Temple for Dhamma Talk and meditation session

Buddhism is the predominant religion in Thailand, and visiting a temple can provide participants with valuable insights into the country's culture and spiritual practices. By learning about Buddhist teachings and participating in a meditation session, participants can gain a deeper understanding of mindfulness and inner peace. This visit can also be a chance to appreciate the beauty and architecture of the temple, as well as to observe and learn about local customs and traditions.

Beach Dinner

Experience the beauty and relaxation of Thailand's beaches while enjoying a delicious meal. This can be a great opportunity for participants to unwind and connect with their fellow ESL teachers in a more informal setting. The beach dinner can also provide a chance to sample local cuisine and beverages, as well as to appreciate the natural beauty of Thailand's coastline.

Trip to Authentic Thai Market

Markets are an essential part of Thai culture and provide an opportunity for participants to experience the vibrant and bustling atmosphere of a traditional Thai market. By exploring the market, participants can sample a variety of local food and drinks, as well as purchase handicrafts, textiles, and other souvenirs. Additionally, a trip to a market can provide an opportunity to practice language skills and learn about Thai bargaining customs.

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 Thailand Cultural Course?

This 1-week course in Hua Hin, Thailand, is open to those planning to teach English in Thailand 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 Thailand and are looking to:

  • Gain a foundational understanding of Thai culture, language, & etiquette before beginning your teaching position.
  • Experience a smooth transition to your new life as an English teacher in Thailand with guidance from experienced teachers, guides & other experts.
  • Seek to join a community of fellow ESL teachers in Thailand.
  • 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 Thailand.

NOTE: If you are enrolled in ITA's TEFL Course in Hua Hin, Thailand, or the Teaching English in Thailand 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 Thailand Culture Course with our 11-week part-time, 4-week full-time Online TEFL Certification Courses, or our 4-week TEFL Course in Chicago.

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-person Thailand Culture 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 Thailand Culture Course is taught by a team of experts in the field of teaching in Thailand 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 Thailand and in 80 countries worldwide. 

Thailand Culture Course Cost Comparison

With International TEFL Academy’s In-person Thai Culture Course in Hua Hin, Thailand, you can jump right into an expertly-curated introduction to Thai 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

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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 Thailand

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 Hua Hin, Thailand: to help you make the most of your teaching experience and to prepare you for a smooth transition to life in Thailand. 

Gain the Tools You Need to Avoid Culture Shock

Learning basic Thai, making a core group of friends, and gaining a foundational understanding of Thai 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 Thailand. In addition, you will learn about Thai history, politics, culture, cuisine, and even Muay Thai from local experts.

Better Prepare Yourself for the Classroom

Taking a week to acclimate to life in Thailand and gaining in-depth knowledge about Thai 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 Thailand

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

Download Culture Course Guide

Ask a Culture Course Instructor

Mike Volpe, Thai Culture Course Instructor.
Mike has a PhD in Thai culture and politics and is a Fulbright Scholar.

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

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 Hua Hin, Thailand?

The type of visa an individual gets will depend on their nationality and whether or not they have a job in advance of going to Thailand. If an individual has already secured a job prior to arriving in Thailand, their employer will likely sponsor a non-immigrant B visa (a work visa). Other individuals may arrive on a tourist visa and upon finding a job, the employer will assist the English teacher in obtaining a work visa. 

I didn't get my TEFL certification or my Thailand teaching job from ITA - can I still enroll in this Thailand culture course?

YES. This 1-week course in Hua Hin, Thailand, is open to those planning to teach English in Thailand 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 Thailand, you can definitely take this course with your friend(s) or partner/spouse.

Can I take this Thailand 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.

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