The Complete Beginner's Guide to Teaching English in Cambodia
Everything you need to know - from TEFL certification to your first week on the ground. No fluff, just practical steps.
Get TEFL Certified
You don't need a degree to teach English in Cambodia, but you do need a TEFL certificate. Most schools require at least a 120-hour TEFL. It shows you've learned the basics of lesson planning, classroom management, and teaching grammar.
The most popular option is an online TEFL from a provider like Bridge or International TEFL Academy. You can finish a 120-hour course in 4 to 6 weeks studying part-time. A 240-hour Master Certificate with specialisations looks even better on your CV and opens up higher-paying positions.
Cost: roughly $200 to $500 depending on the provider and course level. It's the single best investment you'll make before arriving.
Key Takeaway
Get at least a 120-hour TEFL certificate. It's your golden ticket to teaching jobs in Cambodia, especially without a degree.
Find Teaching Jobs
Most teaching jobs in Cambodia are at private language centres or international schools. The main hiring hubs are Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville, with Phnom Penh offering the most positions.
Where to look: - Facebook groups like "Teaching Jobs in Cambodia" and "Phnom Penh Expats" - Job boards on Cambodia Expats Online and Bong Thom - Walk-ins: print your CV, dress smart, and visit schools in person (this works surprisingly well) - GlobeScraper's blog posts with current salary data and hiring patterns
Typical salaries range from $1,000 to $1,800/month for full-time positions, with some international schools paying $2,000+. Part-time and freelance tutoring rates are $15 to $25/hour.
Key Takeaway
Start your job search 4 to 6 weeks before your planned arrival. Facebook groups and walk-ins are your best tools.
Sort Out Your Visa
Most teachers arrive on a Tourist Visa (T-class, $30 at the airport) and then switch to an Ordinary Visa (E-class) once they have a job. The E-class visa is what you need for a work permit.
The process: 1. Arrive on a Tourist Visa (valid 30 days, extendable once for another 30 days) 2. Accept a teaching position 3. Your school often handles the E-class visa conversion and work permit application 4. The E-class visa costs about $35 and can be extended for 1, 3, 6, or 12 months
Important: never overstay your visa. Cambodia takes this seriously and fines are $10/day. Some teachers do "visa runs" to Thailand or Vietnam to reset, but this is becoming less reliable.
Read our detailed visa guide for current requirements and costs.
Key Takeaway
Arrive on a Tourist Visa, line up a job, then let your school help you convert to an E-class visa with a work permit.
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Find Housing
Accommodation in Cambodia is affordable by Western standards. In Phnom Penh, you can find a furnished studio or one-bedroom apartment for $250 to $500/month. Siem Reap is even cheaper, with apartments starting around $150/month.
Most teachers sign month-to-month leases, which gives you flexibility. Key areas for teachers: - BKK1 / BKK3 (Phnom Penh): popular expat area, walkable, good restaurants - Toul Tom Poung / Russian Market area: slightly cheaper, vibrant local feel - Riverside (Siem Reap): convenient, tourist-oriented - Wat Bo area (Siem Reap): quieter, lower prices
Use GlobeScraper's rental search to browse 30,000+ listings across 7 Cambodian cities.
Tips: always view a place in person before paying. Check water pressure, electricity reliability, and wifi speed. Negotiate — landlords often drop the price for longer commitments.
Key Takeaway
Budget $250 to $500/month for a furnished apartment in Phnom Penh. Sign month-to-month until you know the area.
Understand the Cost of Living
Cambodia is one of the most affordable countries in Southeast Asia. A comfortable lifestyle as a teacher typically costs $700 to $1,200/month including rent.
Monthly budget breakdown: - Rent: $250–$500 - Food: $150–$250 (mix of local and Western) - Transport: $30–$80 (mostly tuk-tuks and a rented motorbike) - Utilities: $30–$60 (electricity is the biggest cost) - Phone/internet: $5–$15 - Entertainment: $50–$150 - Health insurance: $50–$100
Cambodia uses US dollars for most transactions, which makes it easy. Khmer riel is used for small change (4,000 riel = $1).
Use our Cost of Living Calculator for a personalised budget based on your lifestyle.
Key Takeaway
You can live comfortably on $800 to $1,000/month. Your teaching salary will cover this with money left for savings or travel.
Your First Week
You've arrived. Here's your first-week checklist:
- Get a local SIM card — Cellcard or Smart are the main providers. $2 for a SIM with a data package.
- Set up mobile banking — ABA Bank is the most expat-friendly. Download Wing or ABA for transfers.
- Download essential apps — Grab (taxis), PassApp (Cambodia's ride-hailing app), Google Maps.
- Buy a motorbike or rent one — a Honda Dream costs $50–$80/month to rent. Learn to ride before you need to commute.
- Explore your neighbourhood — find the nearest market, pharmacy, laundry, and gym.
- Meet other expats — join Facebook groups, attend meetups, or visit popular expat cafés.
- Stock up on basics — sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and a good water bottle.
The culture shock is real but manageable. Cambodia moves at a slower pace. People are kind, the bureaucracy can be frustrating, and the heat takes getting used to. Give yourself grace during the adjustment period.
Key Takeaway
Get a SIM card, set up a bank account, and take the first week to explore. Don't try to figure everything out on day one.
Ready to take the next step?
Check out our other guides, or start browsing apartments.