Teaching English

[Kleyshay 0]

Hi folks, a friend of mine is about to do a TEFL course here in England in the New Year. She is a French National, although has lived here for over 20 years and probably speaks English better than most natives.

As you would expect she is fluent in French and also Spanish too. She has a strong passion for languages and would like further this by teaching overseas. She has experience teaching French and English voluntarily in Mexico for about 3 or 4 months.

She would ideally like a placement in Thailand assuming she gets through the course but is worried that as she is a French passport holder and not an English speaking native, she won't get a placement anywhere. Could anybody shed any light on this, as it's really putting her off.

Also can she get a placement in Thailand without a degree?

The people running the course are saying yes to both questions but are they just saying this so she signs up for their course and pay the money?

Any thoughts or experiences would be gratefully received.

 

Thanks

Edited November 12, 2008 by Kleyshay

[zaphodbeeblebrox 0]

Hi folks, a friend of mine is about to do a TEFL course here in England in the New Year. She is a French National, although has lived here for over 20 years and probably speaks English better than most natives.

As you would expect she is fluent in French and also Spanish too. She has a strong passion for languages and would like further this by teaching overseas. She has experience teaching French and English voluntarily in Mexico for about 3 or 4 months.

She would ideally like a placement in Thailand assuming she gets through the course but is worried that as she is a French passport holder and not an English speaking native, she won't get a placement anywhere. Could anybody shed any light on this, as it's really putting her off.

Also can she get a placement in Thailand without a degree?

The people running the course are saying yes to both questions but are they just saying this so she signs up for their course and pay the money?

Any thoughts or experiences would be gratefully received.

 

Thanks

 

Yes, she is going to run into a lot of resistance because she is not a native English speaker. She will, however, be able to get a job, but not at top pay, and probably not in Bangkok. If she lacks a bachelor's degree, this will be a more significant impediment than her French nationality. Technically, you cannot get a work permit as a teacher without a bachelor's degree. Some schools in the provinces can get immigration to overlook this. She could also get a job at a language center, because she would be classified as a consultant, rather than a teacher.

 

I know several Scandinavian-born English teachers working in Thailand, but all of them in the provinces. Yes, their grammar skills and pronunciation are technically better than native English speakers, but the Thais are very fixated on appearance which means hiring a French national to teach English would cause them to lose face.

 

In the alternative, she may want to consider teaching French. My school has two French language teachers, one from France and one from Thailand. Again, the lack of a bachelor's degree will limit her job opportunities.

 

She will have a better chance to land a job if she applies from Thailand, rather than from overseas.

Edited November 12, 2008 by zaphodbeeblebrox

[friendlyric6411 0]

I saw an Advert for a teacher in , Sumat Parkan, Bangkok, But the pay was 40,ooobaht a month. You will not have a good life style on that pay , unless you can subsidize your income, some Schools will find you a room but very basic..Good luck,

[Obsession 571]

Probably best to forget it if she hasnt got a degree. Otherwise she will be working illegally. Some TEFL teachers got 3 months jail last year for using fake degrees and you can get the same for working without the right permit. Harsh treatment.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Probably best to forget it if she hasnt got a degree. Otherwise she will be working illegally. Some TEFL teachers got 3 months jail last year for using fake degrees and you can get the same for working without the right permit. Harsh treatment.

 

It depends on the position as to whether or not you need a degree.

 

If she can get a job/contract offer before leaving UK then she could save a few quid by getting a B Type visa from Hull prior to her departure. To do so she would need a copy of a provisional offer of employment.

[Obsession 571]

It depends on the position as to whether or not you need a degree.

 

If she can get a job/contract offer before leaving UK then she could save a few quid by getting a B Type visa from Hull prior to her departure. To do so she would need a copy of a provisional offer of employment.

Not sure about visa types. But was under the impression that you couldnt get a work permit if you didnt have a degree. Also, you couldnt get a work permit if you were only working part time. I had thought a bout teaching part time for something to do and the extra cash would be yahoo money. If its as easy as applying to HUll Im off in January

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Not sure about visa types. But was under the impression that you couldnt get a work permit if you didnt have a degree. Also, you couldnt get a work permit if you were only working part time. I had thought a bout teaching part time for something to do and the extra cash would be yahoo money. If its as easy as applying to HUll Im off in January

 

Obsession,

 

There are a whole host of ifs and buts and varies greatly by province (and even between schools within the provinces). Probably best she chucks her questions to the folks at ajarn.com forum but even then she is likely to get a whole host of conflicting responses.

[VicVegas 70]

I saw an Advert for a teacher in , Sumat Parkan, Bangkok, But the pay was 40,ooobaht a month. You will not have a good life style on that pay , unless you can subsidize your income, some Schools will find you a room but very basic..Good luck,

 

40,000 baht is over $1,000 US. She should easily be able to live a comfortable life in Thailand on that.

[jacko 8,822]

40,000 baht is over $1,000 US. She should easily be able to live a comfortable life in Thailand on that.

In Thailand, how many USD it is, has little relevance. Nor does how many Zambian Kwacha it converts to. I doubt the salary is based in USD.

[JohnnyK 28]

Schools promise work permits but somehow there are always "delays".

When they do produce one they keep it, its not transferable. Beware.

40K in BKK is nothing.

Schools will try to screw all sorts of unpaid hours out of starry-eyed falangs. Assemblies, weekend events, overtime, conferences etc etc.

Late pay is another dodge.

Huge classes (40+) of screaming little Somchais who can do no wrong will exhaust people by noon.

Lack of materials is another and if you don't have materials its a bitch doing lesson plans.

Trust me, I've been doing ESL for 12 years in Canada, France and Taiwan. In the ESL world Thailand sucks, its a racket except for those in the true international schools and they do not hire newbies.

Edited January 6, 2009 by JohnnyK

[bigmick 840]

is there any specific reason she wants to come to thailand, a friend of mine was teaching english here last year and only got 15000 baht per month, he went onto korea and is now earning 100000 baht per month, maybe she can search for better paid opportunities around asia first and maybe move to thailand after some experience teaching in asia, just a thought

[doorman 0]

A friend was a school teacher in thailand and was making a little over a thousand a month. And that meant Saturdays also. If you are not a monger you can live on it. He chucked that and has became a manager of Penthouse. If you have any questions about teaching in thailand. I am sure if you stop in and buy him a drink he will give you any information as to teaching in thailand. Just ask for Mike.....Doorman!

[zaphodbeeblebrox 0]

A friend was a school teacher in thailand and was making a little over a thousand a month. And that meant Saturdays also. If you are not a monger you can live on it. He chucked that and has became a manager of Penthouse. If you have any questions about teaching in thailand. I am sure if you stop in and buy him a drink he will give you any information as to teaching in thailand. Just ask for Mike.....Doorman!

 

Just not working for the right employer. I work 28 hours a week and make 70,000 baht/month (USD $2000). I get 8 weeks of paid vacation per year. I haven't worked a weekend or holiday since I started 1 1/2 years ago. I've managed bars and restaurants, it takes up your life, and isn't worth it unless you have an ownership interest.

Edited January 6, 2009 by zaphodbeeblebrox

[JohnnyK 28]

Just not working for the right employer. I work 28 hours a week and make 70,000 baht/month (USD $2000). I get 8 weeks of paid vacation per year. I haven't worked a weekend or holiday since I started 1 1/2 years ago. I've managed bars and restaurants, it takes up your life, and isn't worth it unless you have an ownership interest.

 

28 contact hours?!

Fuck, you must be exhausted. I won't do more than 20 absolute max.

[jacko 8,822]

Just not working for the right employer. I work 28 hours a week and make 70,000 baht/month (USD $2000). I get 8 weeks of paid vacation per year. I haven't worked a weekend or holiday since I started 1 1/2 years ago. I've managed bars and restaurants, it takes up your life, and isn't worth it unless you have an ownership interest.

Well there's a novelty, a teacher admitting to having a cushy job. They are normally whining about how they have to spend a lot of their own time marking!

[VicVegas 70]

In Thailand, how many USD it is, has little relevance. Nor does how many Zambian Kwacha it converts to. I doubt the salary is based in USD.

 

Why so bitchy, jacko? Just making a comparison.

 

My point remains - a single woman can easily live on 40,000 baht per month. A Thai English teacher I know makes 7,000 baht per month. I hope that's relevent enough for you?

 

40K in BKK is nothing.

 

First of all, she doesn't have to live in BKK. It may be news to some of you, but there is more to Thailand than BKK and Pattaya. I lived in a one-room apartment in Udon Thani and paid 4-5,000 baht per month, and that price included electricity, cable TV, and internet access, and I was perfectly happy with it. Not everyone has to live in a 30,000 baht per month condo. Some people can get by without a car, and can eat at a Thai market most nights. She certainly won't have the same "free time" expenses as most of us.

[jacko 8,822]

Why so bitchy, jacko? Just making a comparison.

 

My point remains - a single woman can easily live on 40,000 baht per month. A Thai English teacher I know makes 7,000 baht per month. I hope that's relevent enough for you?

A comparison for whom? You were replying to somebody showing the flag of Nauru, which used to be German, where the currency is Australian dollars, discussing a teaching post in Thailand where the currency is Thai baht, and making a comment on the salary, stated in Thai baht, which would be utilized in Thailand......err

Off you went on about USD

 

You comparison, as above, has meaning. that of 'over $1000', does not!

Anyhow, look what time I posted.... coffee hadn't kicked in.

Edited February 7, 2009 by jacko

[VicVegas 70]

What is this, a geography and currency test? I was told there'd be no pop quizzes on this forum.

[Dr Mick 111]

Probably best to forget it if she hasnt got a degree. Otherwise she will be working illegally. Some TEFL teachers got 3 months jail last year for using fake degrees and you can get the same for working without the right permit. Harsh treatment.

 

Been told by some teachers here in Khon Kaen a degree is required in the private schools.

In fact also told some teachers have now lost their jobs due to being found out that they

did not have degree.

 

Also was told that some gov schools do not need a degree

[FatherMojo 2]

Been told by some teachers here in Khon Kaen a degree is required in the private schools.

In fact also told some teachers have now lost their jobs due to being found out that they

did not have degree.

 

Also was told that some gov schools do not need a degree

 

 

Looking on Thaivisa, there are many stories about teachers needing their degree along with a TESOL or a CELTA.

 

There was also a scam of a certification test with a 90%+ fail rate for the teachers. If the teacher failed an additional course would be needed for the princely sum of 60k baht... The training included Thai traditional dance At the present time I think these courses have been eliminated but they may come back in the future...

 

 

FatherMojo

[zaphodbeeblebrox 0]

Looking on Thaivisa, there are many stories about teachers needing their degree along with a TESOL or a CELTA.

 

There was also a scam of a certification test with a 90%+ fail rate for the teachers. If the teacher failed an additional course would be needed for the princely sum of 60k baht... The training included Thai traditional dance At the present time I think these courses have been eliminated but they may come back in the future...

FatherMojo

 

Some rural government schools, which are well-connected, can send a letter to the provincial MOE asking for a waiver of the requirement of a bachelor's degree requirement for teachers, and the waiver will be granted. A CELTA/TESOL/TEFL certificate is rarely required by a government school, although some private schools will either require one, or pay more to a new hire who has a certificate.

 

You are correct that there was a scam called "teacher licensing". Teachers with less than 5 years of verifiable teaching in Thailand were required to attend a 2-weekend culture course and take an exam (cost about 6,000 baht). Also, teachers without a B.Ed. were required to take a TKT exam battery (cost 3,000 baht) or take a 1 year graduate education course (cost 60,000 baht). The pass rate on the TKT was less than 5%, ensuring that the certified courses were well-attended. A few private schools and a few immigration offices were duped into thinking a teachers license was a requirement to get a work permit.

 

When the Abhasit administration took office, the entire licensing program was eliminated by the MOE, but a new program will take its place in April. Students attending the certified courses were notified that the courses were canceled, and no refunds have been issued.

Edited February 10, 2009 by zaphodbeeblebrox