Job Discussion Forums

Lack · Joined: 10 Aug 2011 Posts: 252

I think I'm about ready to apply for something in Thailand. I think I'm finally frustrated enough to actually do it now, and I need a change. I've been reading on ESL and Thailand for months. Now I'm just trying to tie up loose ends because I hate to go for something significant or important and fail to see something I should have known about. And that's what this thread is for. (And maybe it will be sticky worthy and help lots of people too besides myself.)

Ok, so...let me break this into categories:

1. Money. I primarily want to do ESL because I can't find a teaching job in the U.S. because that market is atrocious here.
I have a B.S. in Education/English, and work as a camp counselor, having experience educating kids informally. And I'm a U.S. citizen, obviously a native speaker of English. So from pretty much everything I have read, I will have no problem simply finding a job in Thailand. But I want a little more than bottom of the barrel; at the same time, I'm not expecting the best. Decent will do. My main question here is how much baht per year can I top out at with my current resume? I know this will depend somewhat based on if I worked rurally or in the city.

As far as money issues starting out, I have that base covered. I have $10,000 savings, so getting set up will not be a problem. I want my employer to at least pay for my plane ticket there.

2. Climate. I live in a very hot and humid place, and have all my life, so I'm used to it. I've read plenty about people complaining that they have to wear a suit and tie teaching. Is this true? Do most schools in the LOS require that dress code? I think I could still do it, but that sounds unreasonable.

3. Location. I'm a rural kind of guy. I hate driving, even in the USA. I will never, ever get behind the wheel in another country. Even if money was not an issue. I would much prefer walking. Public Transit is fine. I think I would like trying to live in a large city, but if anyone has an opinion on whether rural or urban is better, my ears are wide open! Also, I want to have plenty to do also. For those who have taught in the LOS, what location(s) do you recommend teaching in?

4. Preparation for teaching. I trained to be a teacher in college, although not in ESL. I am already thinking up ideas for teaching ESL, collecting ideas and resources. I don't want to take a course unless I need to. I am aware that there are some programs in which applicants take an ESL course in their destination country and then teach afterward. If it did not cost a lot, I would be fine with this. Does anyone recommend that route? (And does anyone know of ones that are legit. I'm wary, of course, for what seems like paying for a job, even if it looks like I am paying for a course instead.)

5. The Application process and interviewing and accepting a job, etc.
I have read lots of times that the better jobs are found with boots on the ground. I plan to just apply online. Plane tickets to Asia are very expensive. I'm okay with entry level, but I just want to avoid struggling to make ends meet! So a little play money with a little to save is what I need at minimum. So how much will it hurt to apply/accept online instead of real life?

The second part of this is, how much info should I give to prospective employers? I've looked at lots of job postings for ESl jobs online and tons of them look suspect. I disregard any job listing with gratuitous errors, emoticons, etc. Applying for a job typically requires a social security number at some point, but obviously I'm not going to do that. What about the prospective employer asking for a copy of passport? (I'm getting mine soon, don't have it yet. Not sure exactly what all personal info is on one.) The online aspect plus not personally knowing employers schools makes me nervous giving out even a little contact info. And I realize this is why people tend to suggest going in person, so that one can actually see the employer, workers, and school, and area. I'm really just looking for general tips here.

I have to go right now, but I will add anything later if I forgot. Sorry if anything I posted sounded obtuse, and let me say thanks already for how helpful this board and the posters here tend to be.

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

repeat post deleted

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

Just a quick post to cover a few main points.

1) First, with your creds you should really be looking beyond mere ESL language schools. You should be looking at universities/colleges or primary/secondary schools, possibly international schools.

2) You don't have to wear a suit and probably not a tie. You should wear a tie for interviews though. If you have to wear a tie, just leave it in your office and put it on upon arrival.

3) Bangkok is modern and cosmopolitan, but with about 10 million people it can also be atrocious. There is a pretty good public transportation system although the buses leave a lot to be desired. There is a skytrain and subway and also express boats on the river. Taxis and tuk tuks are abundant and motorbike taxis, which may seem to risky for some.

There are many opportunities outside of BKK. You should look into other cities.

4) I wouldn't worry about extra training at this point. Get settled first, start working and later you can upgrade. Your current quals are fairly competitive.

5) You can contact any of the better schools via e-mail to initiate an application and get more info from them. Then they may offer you an interview either online, by phone or when you arrive. Most schools though will want to interview you upon arrival before offering you a position.

You can find info about the reputation of most schools on this or other forums. Just search for the name.

Basically there is a ton of info about teaching abroad on the internet.

As for the application process, just send your resume (often referred to as a CV in Thailand) with a cover letter to begin with to see if they have any interest. A scan of your passport proves your nationality. In general, your SSN is not asked for. Some schools do want a CBC (Criminal Background Check). Scans of degrees and letters of reference can be included, but again maybe wait for their response first. Basically they will tell you all you need to know.

Anyway, obviously you are doing your research, which is great. Take your time and don't rush into anything and you should be fine.

tttompatz

Lack · Joined: 10 Aug 2011 Posts: 252

Thanks Sigmoid and Ttompatz -

Sounds like I would have it fairly easy. And if I stand to make a lot more per month if I go in person, then I must do that.

Sigmoid, you mentioned universities, primary/secondary schools, and international schools. Which kind of school do you personally recommend?

Ttompatz, sounds very easy if I fly over. And if very few employers would pay my airfare, then I guess I need to do that. What do you think about supporting oneself in Thailand by giving private lessons? I could do that before I landed a job, and even after I got one, just to supplement my income as I desired. If I was working for a school that is actually a business, obviously I can't teach my students there with private lessons I get paid for. Is there any problem if I gave private lessons to students if I worked at a public school or something like that?

tttompatz · Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 7:37 am Post subject:

MaiPenRai · Joined: 17 Jan 2006 Posts: 390 Location: BKK

Mostly good advice here but a few things need to mentioned or added.

1. With no relevant and current classroom experience, even with a B.Ed you may not walk into the better jobs here. I would hope for 45-60,000 baht/month, but be prepared to make a low as 40,000 baht/month.

As you mentioned, you should be able to supplement this with after school/weekend tutoring, but it takes time to build up a reliable clientele. You could also just take a job at a weekend language school to make 10-20,000 baht/month. You should hope for 500+ baht/hour, but again you may have take 350-500 baht/hour.

Once you get a year or 2 of relevant and current classroom experience AND a make a few contacts, MANY more doors will open up for you.

2.

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

You should easily be able to get a job at an international school in the north in the Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang region. Bangkok is in fact a hot sweaty polluted atrocious city and I would recommend it for visiting only. Chiang Mai is a bit of a resort town that has a pleasant size to it. Chiang Rai and Lampang are pretty nice cities by themselves and are close to Chiang Mai. That whole area is very pretty and picturesque as you will see when you come to Thailand. As far as getting your way paid, I think you can forget about that. A Thai school is not going to pay your way to come to Thailand, there's too many other people that are already here that they can hire and fire as they please. Anther thing, Chiang Mai, and the other small cities can be traveled by motorbike; Bangkok not.

MaiPenRai · Joined: 17 Jan 2006 Posts: 390 Location: BKK

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

Lack · Joined: 10 Aug 2011 Posts: 252

If it's going to be difficult to land a job at an International school, then I would rather go with something easier to get. And then I could gain the experience that will allow me to get such a job. I'm ok with paying my dues. But that's just one of several teaching options. As long as I can find work, it's fine. Main thing is ease of finding a job. But if I can't find work at an International school, I may just try to set something up before I leave. Going first makes me more nervous anyway.

bule_boy69 · Joined: 05 Mar 2007 Posts: 158 Location: Jakarta

tttompatz · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 11:57 pm Post subject:

bule_boy69 · Joined: 05 Mar 2007 Posts: 158 Location: Jakarta

MaiPenRai · Joined: 17 Jan 2006 Posts: 390 Location: BKK

Its too confusing to get into all the details and I dont know if I am 100% on the following but my understanding is that,

In Thailand, ALL teachers at K-12 schools are required to have a THAI teaching license. If you have a license or a B.Ed or PGCE/Grad Dip Ed from your home country, they will usually honor that and you can apply to get the Thai license. You need to be currently employed by a Thai K-12 school for at least 1 year to get this. You are also supposed to have the Thai Culture Course (this is another thread in and of itself).

NOW, schools can apply for a waiver for up to 2 years which gets around these requirements for most foreign 'teachers' in Thailand. In the past, schools have been able to extend this waiver again and again. But they (TCT or Min of Ed??)seem to be getting tougher on this now. Also, my understanding is that the law states that each teacher is only allowed 1 two year waiver. This may not actually be enforced though. If this was actually enforced, it would be very difficult for schools to get work permits for a lot of teachers. Perhaps it is a way to get teachers to finish contracts?? This tends to be more enforced at ISAT schools.

ALSO, my understanding is that IF the teacher/school can prove that the teacher is working towards getting certified (B.Ed, GradDipEd or the insane 4 tests in Thailand), then they can get an extension of the waiver. This may have changed recently??

SO, the requirement to have a letter verifying at least 1 year of experience at a K-12 school may help the school in acquiring a Thai license OR it may just be a requirement for the school.

It should be easy to get. Just call up/email your old boss/school and ask them to write up a quick letter stating the dates you worked at the school. Sign and deliver. Obviously it should be on school letterhead.

Hope that clears it up. LOL!