The Expat Teacher's Guide
Life in South-East Asia
Thinking about making the move? Here's an honest, practical comparison of what life really looks like across the six countries that make up the Teaching SEA network.
2-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Capital City)
Average monthly rent in USD for a decent 2-bed apartment in a central or expat-friendly neighbourhood.
Mid-Range Restaurant Meal
Average cost in USD for a single main course at a mid-range restaurant (not street food, not fine dining).
Average Internet Speed (Mbps)
Typical fixed broadband download speed in the capital — important for streaming, video calls, and working from home.
Expat Quality of Life Index
A composite score (out of 100) based on healthcare access, safety, infrastructure, cost of living, and expat community size. Based on Numbeo and InterNations 2024 data.
At a Glance
Before You Apply
What International Schools Expect
Standards vary across the region, but most reputable international schools across SEA share a common set of expectations. Here's what you'll typically need to be a competitive candidate.
Degrees & Teaching Qualifications
Bachelor's degree
In Education or in your subject area — the baseline for any classroom role.
PGCE, iPGCE, or QTS
Or an equivalent home-country teaching licence. Highly valued and often required.
Master's degree
Gives a strong competitive edge for senior, leadership, or specialist positions.
TEFL / CELTA
Required for ESL/EFL positions; a useful addition for any classroom teacher.
Experience
2+ years in the classroom
The typical minimum; leadership roles usually require 5 or more years.
International teaching experience
A significant differentiator in competitive markets like Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
Diverse student populations
Experience with multilingual or multicultural classrooms is increasingly expected.
Frontier markets
Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia can be more flexible for candidates with strong potential.
Curriculum Knowledge
IB (PYP / MYP / DP)
The single biggest differentiator across SEA — many top schools are full IB Continuum schools.
British National Curriculum
Equally in demand, particularly in Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
American curriculum (Common Core / AP)
Valued at schools in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
IB workshop certificates
Subject and programme-level certificates strengthen any IB school application.
Safeguarding & Other Requirements
Criminal record clearance
An enhanced background check from your home country is mandatory at virtually all international schools.
English proficiency
Native speakers preferred; non-native speakers typically need IELTS 7.0+ or equivalent TOEFL score.
Work permit / teaching licence
Required in most countries — the school normally supports and sponsors this process.
CPD commitment
Continuing Professional Development participation is expected and tracked at accredited schools.
What makes a candidate stand out?
Across all six markets, the teachers who receive the most interest combine curriculum expertise with genuine enthusiasm for the region. Mentioning knowledge of local culture, a willingness to contribute to school life beyond the classroom, and a track record of student outcomes will set your application apart from the generic pile.
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