Phnom Penh, the intriguing capital city, is Cambodia’s largest city with a population of over 2 million. The city is packed with teaching jobs for those interested in teaching English abroad. Phnom Penh is a typical big city, in that you will find sharp contrasts, action at any hour and bad traffic, but it offers a history that is at once romantic and heart wrenching at the same time. The city was planned by the French during their colonization of Cambodia and the French influence is still clear in the historic French Quarter. Individuals who teach in Phnom Penh will also learn about a darker time in Cambodia’s history. The Choeung Ek Village is about 10 miles south of the city, and most widely known as the commemorative site of the Killing Fields. This Buddhist memorial is built at the site of a mass grave that contains thousands of victims led to the Killing Fields from prisons in Phnom Penh.

The feel of Siem Reap is almost schizophrenic and the city will surely leave you gaping. It is the gateway to Angkor Wat, one of Southeast Asia’s most popular attractions with over 2.5 million people visiting the ancient city each year. Visitors can stay at the ritziest resort then walk across the street and eat bugs. Its modernity is evident yet it still manages to feel quiet and slow. Some streets are dirt, others paved, and they are filled with tuk-tuks, trucks, shiny cars, bicycles, and even the occasional elephant en route to Angkor Wat. The side streets are small and still flanked by small shops and foodcarts, a charming characteristic of the city. There is also a pretty established expat community in Siem Reap, with easy access to air transportation as well as natural areas, and a high demand for international teachers.

Rural Areas. English teachers are in high demand in the rural areas of Cambodia, but are almost exclusively on a volunteer basis, unless teachers are paid a small stipend or perhaps given assistance with housing and meals. Teaching jobs in Cambodia’s rural areas are usually flexible and will typically require teachers to teach subjects outside of English, such as art or technology.