Job Discussion Forums

stubblyjoe · Joined: 06 Aug 2010 Posts: 2

Hello, first of all I would like to apologise as I am in no doubt that this question has probably been asked before, but here goes with my scenario:

I am currently living in Chengdu, China teaching in an Elementary school, I have been here for 4 months now and have the possibility to extend my contract for a further 6 months.

Now my desire is, like so many others, to live and work in Thailand, but I've hit the old "I don't have a degree" brick wall! I will have teaching experience and a TEFL certificate, but not the all important degree.

However I am really interested in the TEFL International programme which lets you study and teach in Thailand for 3 years, the adverts for which I seen on this very site. However my question is, what's the catch? I know 30,000bht is not a great deal of money, but you could comfortably survive on this while doing the course. Then, after 3 years you have certification which will allow you to apply for a working visa within Thailand?

Am I safe to assume since they are advertising on here, with so many clued-up individuals this is not a scam? I am trying to look for a catch but I'm not experienced enough to see one?

Sorry for the long winded post, and thanks in advance for the replies.

Mark

tttompatz

PattyFlipper · Joined: 14 Nov 2007 Posts: 572

I would add a further caveat to what tttompatz wrote. This organization has something of a history of association with institutions of higher education which later fizzle. At one point they were allegedly offering credit with, I believe, the University of Washington and after that a TEFL degree via an Indian university. These options are no longer available, so draw your own conclusions.

Studying with a Thai tertiary-institution, particularly as a way of circumventing the convoluted visa/work permit regulations, is also not without its own potential pitfalls. Google information regarding the recent debacle at Chiangmai University and what happened to the foreign students following the Thai language course there for further insights.

stubblyjoe · Joined: 06 Aug 2010 Posts: 2

Thanks for the response, It certainly has put some doubts in my mind.

Also just read the following article:

Teaching in Thailand Without a Degree
All is not lost. There are exceptions to the rule, after all, �this is Thailand�, TIT! Any teacher wanting to teach without a degree should make sure they have a recognized TEFL teaching certificate and a high school diploma. Whilst there is certainly no guarantee, the Ministry of Education does make exceptions, especially for the teaching of young children, teaching in rural areas (where there is a greater shortage of teachers) or for teaching in some language, rather than government schools.

Does anyone know if this is a viable option? Or anyone who has manages to obtain a teaching visa without a degree?

Sorry for all the ?'s, but your help is invaluable!

tttompatz · Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 2:36 am Post subject:

diggersD · Joined: 06 Dec 2010 Posts: 4

Hi,
I am also very interested in anyones thoughts and comments about this 3 year degree course offered by Tefl international/tefl life. I have always wanted to teach in thailand and this looks the best way to do it and a way for me to enter into teaching abroad without a degree. The course offers experience,money and a degree. I would stay in thailand after the course, so be great as a newbie to see what you guys think. good or bad

diggersD · Joined: 06 Dec 2010 Posts: 4

can anyone give more details of this course and if they think it will work. getting the experience of teaching for 3years must be worth something in itself. to get a degree and tefl can only help. can't it ??????

tttompatz · Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 10:01 am Post subject:

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

I can't beleive that anybody would even consider getting a "degree" from a TEFL school in Thailand. Go home, study something you are interested in, take spring/summer courses and finish in 2-3 years and also save some money. That way when your EFL teaching career bores/annoys you after a couple years (as it does with most), you will have a "real" degree to show for it at least.

As far as the "experience"goes, it will probably be similar to the "experience" you are "honored" to reveive when you take these "reduced cost" tefl courses that offer short term placement/practicum in return. In many cases you are placed in poorer schools in smaller "less desirable" towns/cities (although some people prefer smaller cities) and guess who gets a placement/recruitment fee for you working there. I'll give you a hint...it's not the teacher.

TEFL "schools" are businesses, plain and simple.

As someone else already mentioned, (to the best of my knowledge) you cannot work legally on an ED Visa, so your "experience" will not "technically" be legal. WHile it may be overlooked in many provinces due to shortages or whatever, it still gives even more control to the employer and leaves the teacher with very little legal recourse. It can be a pain (not impossible) to get some things done in Thailand without a work permit (banking, phone plans, inetrnet plans, etc. etc).

Best of luck...

diggersD · Joined: 06 Dec 2010 Posts: 4

The degree is in either Business Administration or TESOL, from Institute of Technology Ayuthaya. why is it a bad idea? i know it wont be recognised outside thailand but within thailand it should help ???

tttompatz · Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2010 11:15 am Post subject:

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

When did they start this programme? Has anyone done it?

Swerve · Joined: 18 Nov 2010 Posts: 2

This is the first joint degree program they have offered in Thailand that I'm aware of, and it's pretty new. I signed up for the first class starting at the end of February.

tttompatz · Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 4:04 am Post subject:

tttompatz · Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 5:53 am Post subject: