Laos

With its breathtaking mountain views, tranquil Buddhist monasteries, and elegant French colonial architecture, Laos offers visitors a wealth of picturesque views and rich traditions to explore. Bordered by China and Myanmar to the north, Cambodia to the south, and Vietnam and Thailand to the east and west, Laos is the only country in Southeast Asia to be completely landlocked. While it has a small population compared to the rest of Asia, Laos nonetheless boasts a vibrant, multidimensional culture shaped by its diverse ethnic groups, Theravada Buddhism, and Indian and Thai influences. The country’s tourism slogan, “Simply Beautiful,” neatly encapsulates Laos’ stunning natural beauty, colorful gastronomy, and lively celebrations; but visitors to the region should also be cognizant of the country’s complex history, and the legacy of violence created by the Vietnam War. The resilience, warmth, and strength of the Lao people through and despite it all, however, makes Laos the spirited, strong, and growing country it is today. History Tribesmen from Yunnan, China were thought to be the first people to inhabit the region we now know as Laos, pushed south from their homeland in the 13th century. In 1353, Fa Ngum founded the first official Lao state. He named it Lan Xang, or “Kingdom of the Million Elephants,” a tribute to the stately mammals native to the region and a nod to the stalwart character and powerful military presence of the kingdom’s people. Ngum is also widely acknowledg…

Each country has its own requirements and qualifications when it comes to teaching. Some require a bachelor’s degree in any field. In others, you’ll qualify with only a high school diploma and your TEFL certificate. Some countries have strict visa requirements that may disqualify you based on your citizenship or criminal background. Let’s take a look at the qualifications needed for teaching English in Laos. Education A bachelor’s degree is not required to teach in Laos, but it is preferred by employers. Those who do not have a bachelor’s degree will still have options to teach in Laos. Citizenship While there are no specific citizenship requirements to obtain a visa to teach English in Laos, the vast majority of Laotian schools and employers will prefer to hire English teachers from countries where English is the primary language — especially the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. English Fluency For the most part, you will need to be a native English speaker in order to find a job teaching English in Laos but there are opportunities for teachers whose English fluency level is high. A teaching license or additional qualifications will help expand your opportunities if your first language is not English. Background Check A clean background check is not necessary to teach in Laos. The exception to this rule is that some international schools in Laos might require teaching candidates to submit a clean criminal record check.…

While Laos’ English teaching market is not as developed as some of its Southeast Asian neighbors, there are still opportunities for TEFL-qualified instructors to find work in the region. The majority of English teaching positions in Laos can be found in private language schools or with volunteer organizations, but some qualified teachers also secure jobs teaching English in international schools and/or as private tutors. Each of these job types comes with its own specific set of advantages, so you’ll want to understand the basic differences between them before you begin applying. Private Language Schools Private language schools are privately-run and typically for-profit language training centers that can cater to students of all ages, backgrounds, and ability levels. Many school-aged students will attend private language schools to supplement their public or private school language education, and adults will often attend private language schools to develop their foreign language competency and thereby advance their professional and career options. Unlike public or private schools, private language schools specialize solely in the teaching of foreign languages. Class sizes at private language schools will typically be small — teachers might instruct a handful of learners of the same language level, or conduct private one-on-one lessons. At a private language school in Laos, you could be working with learners of all ages, from children to adults. You’ll also likely be one of m…

Now that you’ve explored the job types available to you, it’s time to begin the application process! There are several steps to take to find a job teaching English in Laos, and we have them all outlined here below. Heads up ! The timelines for your job application process and for gathering documents for your visa may overlap. You’ll want to be working on both processes at roughly the same time. Be sure to check out our Laos Timeline, as well as the Applying for the Visa section for more information and to make sure you are staying on top of your visa documents while applying for teaching positions. Step 1: Prepare Your Initial Application Materials Resume & Cover Letter Your resume and cover letter are the keys to connecting with schools and beginning the application process. International employers look for specific elements in a resume that may differ from what you’re used to seeing domestically. To take a deeper dive into international resumes and cover letters, visit the Resume and Cover Letter section! Once you’ve updated your resume and cover letter to meet the recommended international standards, submit your draft to your Student Affairs Advisor for review. Step 2: Determine Your Preferences A major part of the teaching abroad experience is enjoying where you’ll actually be living! Do you have a preference when it comes to your daily routines and surroundings? Do you want to live in the bustling city of Vientiane? Or do you crave a picturesque, small town experience …

Congratulations on your job offer(s)! If you’ve been offered a position from a school in Laos and you’ve followed our previous advice, you’re already off to a great start. But what’s next? Determining whether or not the offer is right for you. To help make this decision, follow the recommendations below by reviewing the basics. Whether you have one offer or several, the key elements you’ll want to take note of are: salary, working hours, vacation days, sick days, housing, airfare, insurance, and bonuses. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect with each of these elements. Review the Basics Salary The average starting salary for a first-year English teacher in Laos is 7,000,000 – 9,500,000 LAK per month. Anything significantly lower or higher should make you ask a few questions. If the reason for the pay difference is obvious, like you’ll be volunteering in a rural location or working longer than average hours, you may find that you’re okay with it. But don’t accept a contract that is paying you less for doing the same amount of work the average English teacher does, or one that doesn’t fit into your work-life-travel balance. Working Hours Teaching English in Laos can be a part-time or full-time gig, though the latter is more common. However, there’s more than just the total number of working hours per week (typically 30-35 hours) to consider. Will you have to work in the morning for a few hours and then come back for more in the evening? Does your school require that you s…

The word “visa” tends to provoke daunting images of endless red tape and paperwork but we’re here to ease your anxiety and hopefully have you zipping through this process like a pro. Below, we’ll outline the most common visa routes for foreign English teachers in Laos. As is always the case with any of the visa advice we provide, please be sure to cross-check this information with your local Lao consulate or embassy to ensure you are getting the most up-to-date, accurate, and personalized instruction there is! Visa Types Tourist Visa What is it? Many English teachers in Laos are hired by an employer “under the table” on a tourist visa. Though this might sound like a slightly questionable practice if you’re unfamiliar with it, in Laos it’s a fairly standard routine for schools and teachers. Once you have your tourist visa in Laos, you can extend it by visiting the Department of Immigration, and/or by “border hopping” into a neighboring country before your tourist visa is set to expire. Upon re-entry into Laos, you’ll have a new tourist visa stamped in your passport. How do you get one? Most nationalities will need to apply for a tourist visa to enter Laos. Check with your local Lao consulate or embassy to verify whether you can travel to Laos visa-free, or if you will need to apply for a tourist visa in order to enter the country. In the likely scenario that you do need to apply for a tourist visa, you can do so in-person from your home country at your local Lao consulate or …

In the days, weeks, and months leading up to your move abroad, it’s more important than ever to stay organized and ask yourself: What are the logistics I have to consider and the loose ends I have to tie up in order to thrive in my new home? Do I have to worry about taxes? What about health insurance? And what the heck do I do about a cell phone? Fear not, TEFL teacher. In this section, you’ll find the tips, resources, and wisdom to tackle these questions and more! Review the Basics Health Insurance Although in a perfect world an apple a day would keep the doctor away, in reality, even teachers get sick. Cue health insurance. Regardless of the country you end up in, you should always inquire about health insurance before accepting a position. If health insurance is indeed provided by your employer, it’s imperative that the relevant details are outlined clearly in any contract you sign. Depending on your school’s policies and resources in Laos, you may or may not receive health insurance benefits. If you are working at an international school or internationally-managed private language school, however, health insurance should be part of your employment package. Check out the Accepting the Right Offer section to learn more. If health insurance is not included in your contract, you will want to do your own research in order to determine which health insurance plan abroad might be the best fit for you, your health needs, and any dependents you might be bringing along. With so man…

You have finally made it to the end of the Laos section, no small feat! Here is all of that wonderful information from the previous section laid out step-by-step and month-by-month before your intended departure date for Laos. This timeline is not only for the planners and checklist lovers (although you will love this too!). It is strongly encouraged for anyone planning a move to Laos to help keep you on track and organized as you make your way through the process. Finding a Job on the Ground English teaching jobs in Laos can be found year-round, except for during major Laotian holidays like Boun Khoun Khao in late January and early February, and Pii Mai in April. While it may be possible to move some parts of the process along quicker, follow this timeline as closely as possible. 4 months before departure: Begin your research __List out your preferences and priorities __Chat with ITA alumni and read about alumni experiences __Watch a Student Affairs webinar __Reach out to your Student Affairs Advisor __Read about Laotian culture __Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months past your anticipated return date or order a new passport 3 months before departure: Prepare important documents __Finalize your international resume and cover letter. __Obtain passport photos. __Make copies of your passport bio data page. 2-3 months before departure: Make travel and visa arrangements __Book flight to and from Laos. Since you will be entering Laos on a tourist visa, you will nee…

Teaching English abroad is probably one of the most life-changing experiences you will undertake. It can be scary at times because it involves moving to a foreign country, starting a new job, making new friends or learning a foreign language. Prioritize self-care to help you navigate these challenges. Judi M. ITA Alum Read through travel blogs, buy a guidebook, subscribe to news updates. Talk to people who have been there or are from there to get a better sense of what to expect! Ashley H. ITA Staff Alum I was surprised to find that the easy life that I had in the Western world was not the thing I felt I missed when I moved. Sure, conveniences are nice but I don’t find myself incapable without them. It is empowering to find that out and is one of my favorite things about moving. Kate J. ITA Alum