Were you educated in the USA and coming to/or in Thailand planning to join the SLS TEFL Certificate Course and teach in Thailand? Blog # 32
- paullambert15
- Mar 27
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 18
SLS TEFL in Pattaya, Thailand is regarded as one of the best TEFL courses in Thailand because it offers internationally recognised certification, practical teaching experience with real students, and strong trainer support. The course develops key skills, lesson planning and classroom management, while also providing strong job placement guidance, helping graduates feel confident and ready to teach in Thailand and abroad.
SLS offers:
SLS offers an intensive in-class TEFL course in Pattaya, typically completed over four weeks, including teaching practice with real students.
SLS is the best TEFL - Thai study option:
It's also the best TEFL study option in Pattaya – a vibrant city surrounded by beaches and lots to do. Moreover, SLS offers 5 hours complimentary Thai language tuition, so you could even do further study once you've finished your TEFL certification.
The SLS TEFL Certificates:
SLS provide two SLS TEFL Graduation Certificates.
One is written in English Language and a second written in Thai Language together with a separate evaluation document for your own use. If you graduate the SLS TEFL course and plan to teach in another country, SLS will ensure that your certificate is “authenticated” by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thailand so that it is valid to use outside of Thailand.
Qualifications Required:
No previous teaching qualifications are required. Students should have a good command of English, and non-native speakers may need to demonstrate proficiency.
SLS's TEFL Process to a Job in Thailand or abroad;
SLS provides active job search support to its graduates. After an initial consultation, the team will assess your qualifications and discuss your goals for completing a TEFL course.
If you hold a higher qualification (such as a Bachelor degree in any subject or above), SLS will guide you through the process of having your certificate "authenticated" by your country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (or relevant authority).
If you are in the USA and yet to come to Thailand:
For the USA the process is a little different from state to state Authentication Procedure - U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Thailand
Essentially, key process:
U.S. Consular Officers are not Empowered to authenticate Public Documents Issued in the United States. Such documents include vital records (birth, marriage, death and divorce), as well as academic, commercial, or other credentials. Consular Officers do not have access to the records of the issuing office or the seal of the custodian of these records.
Public documents issued in the United States may be authenticated by the designated official in the U.S. state or other jurisdiction where the public document was issued. For documents issued in the United States.
When a certification or authentication of a true copy of a document issued outside of Thailand is required, please contact the embassy or consulate of the country where the document was issued.
Official documents requiring authentication will need to be certified first by the entity that issued them, then by the state in which that entity is located, and then by the federal government (the U.S. State Department). Once the document has been authenticated by the U.S. State Department, the foreign embassy in the United States of the country requesting the document will perform a final authentication.
Following is a brief outline of what will be required (though the actual requirements will vary greatly from state to state).
To authenticate and legalize official documents issued in the United States, please follow the steps below.
Step 1: Obtain the Document
If you do not already have the document, contact the custodian of records where the document was originally issued to obtain a copy. In some cases, you may be required to obtain a new sealed copy for the purposes of authentication, even if you already possess a copy. Please check with your respective state.
Academic Records: Contact the respective academic institution directly for information on what it will need to certify the document’s authenticity. Some academic institutions require the submission of the original diploma; others issue a true copy themselves. Most academic transcripts issued to the student, for example, cannot be used for official purposes; a new sealed copy must be obtained.
Step 2: Contact the State Authentication Office -this is the state of the university from which the degree was issued.
Authentication procedures vary from state to state. We strongly encourage patrons to contact their respective state’s authentication office for more information.
In some cases, the Clerk of Court is required to certify that the Notary’s term has not expired in the county where the Notary Public is commissioned.
2.1. Obtain Signature and Seal from State Secretary of State-State Authentication Office
The document must then be signed and sealed by the Secretary of State in the state where the Notary is located, certifying to the Notary’s current status.
Step 3: Obtain U.S. Department of State Authentication
Forward all documents to the U.S. Department of State at the following address:
Office of Authentications
U.S. Department of State
CA/PPT/S/TO/AUT
P.O. Box 1206
Sterling, VA 20166-1206.
Authentications fees are $20 per document for all services.
For more information about Authentications of U.S. documents to be used abroad is available here https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/records-and-authentications.html .
Step 4: Obtain Embassy/Consular Authentication of Foreign Government
Once the documents have been authenticated by the U.S. Department of State, bring the documents to the foreign embassy in the United States of the country requesting the documents, where they will do the final authentication.
If the documents are to be used in Thailand, you may contact information for the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington D.C. at: https://washingtondc.thaiembassy.org/th/page/certify-us-documents .
This is the link for the Royal Thai Embassy Locations in the USA. Once the "authentication" is done find the location that is convenient and give them a call about the process to have your associate degree certificate "legalised". They may accept mailing services.
Once the document is in Thailand, submit the document to the Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs-Legalization Division to make the document legal for use in Thailand. Once they put their stamp and seal on the document it can now be used in Thailand officially. The phone number for the Legalization Division is (+66) 2-572-8442.
If you are no longer in the USA and your degree was issued in the USA:
You can absolutely get your U.S. degree authenticated and legalized for use in Thailand even while living in Thailand — but you’ll need a U.S.-based legalization service to handle the process on your behalf. Below are the most reputable, commonly used agents that specialize in U.S.–Thailand document legalization.
🌟 Recommended U.S. Agents Who Can Legalize Your Degree for Thailand
These services handle the full chain: Notarization → State Authentication → U.S. Department of State → Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate legalization.
1. Monument Visa https://monumentvisa.com/thailand-documents-legalization-for-us-citizens/?utm_source=copilot.com
Specializes in Thailand document legalization.
Manages the entire process: notarization, state authentication, U.S. Department of State, and Thai Embassy legalization.
Designed specifically for people outside the U.S., including expats in Thailand.
Known for fast, structured processing and clear communication.
Source:
2. US Legalization (USLegalization.com)
Offers expedited U.S. Department of State and Thai Embassy legalization.
Provides digital submission options, online tracking, and discounted FedEx labels.
Handles all types of educational documents.
Particularly useful if you want the fastest turnaround.
3. BVS Global https://www.bvsglobal.com/thailand-certificate-attestation-apostille-authentication-legalization/?utm_source=copilot.com
A global attestation company with a Thailand office.
Handles U.S. educational document attestation for use in Thailand.
Good for people who prefer a large international provider with multilingual support.
Why You Need an Agent (and What They Actually Do)
Thailand is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention, so your U.S. degree cannot receive a simple apostille. Instead, it must go through a multi‑step authentication chain:
Notarization (if required)
State Secretary of State authentication
U.S. Department of State authentication
Legalization at the Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate in the U.S.
Because you’re in Thailand, an agent in the U.S. is essential—they physically submit documents to each office on your behalf.
Tips Before You Start
Do NOT laminate your degree — Thai authorities reject laminated documents.
If you don’t have your original degree with you in Thailand, order a fresh copy from your university and have it sent directly to the agent.
Expect the full process to take 10–16 weeks, depending on U.S. Department of State processing times.
You will still need to bring the original degree to Thailand for final verification when applying for a work permit.
SLS helps graduates secure teaching positions:
The aim is to ensure you are fully “job-ready” and eligible for a Non-Immigrant B Visa and Work Permit immediately after completing the course.
SLS provides step-by-step support via email, followed by WhatsApp messages and video calls. If you do not hold a higher qualification, SLS will help explore alternative options and offer appropriate visa guidance.
All non-native English-speaking trainees receive five hours of complimentary TOEIC test preparation, further ensuring they are ready for employment.
Thanks to strong local and nationwide connections, along with practical training, SLS helps graduates secure teaching positions in Thai schools and language centres.
Finally, optional accommodation while completing the course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7Gmr2mvFlI
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