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rippery
Joined: 24 Apr 2012 Posts: 5
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Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 9:46 am Post subject: Want to teach in Thailand because I can't stand KZ winter |
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I am 23, Bachelor of Computer Science (from Auckland uni of Technology, New Zealand), will have 1 year of full time teaching English experience by the time I go and already have 2 years of part-time teaching experience (Maths and English). I want to work in Thailand... I saw in many posts that with a degree it's easier to find a teaching job (any job?), but it isn't specified which degree... (first question) Is Computer Science ok? I am also soon getting Cambridge's Teaching Knowledge Test Certificate and want to get CELTA. (second question) When is the best time to go? And how much $$ should I have with me?
I actually want to immigrate there permanently if it will be possible. Additional info: English is my second language and my passport is from Kazakhstan. |
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tttompatz

Joined: 06 Mar 2010 Posts: 1951 Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 12:44 pm Post subject: Re: Want to teach in Thailand because I can't stand KZ winte |
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rippery wrote: |
I am 23, Bachelor of Computer Science (from Auckland uni of Technology, New Zealand), will have 1 year of full time teaching English experience by the time I go and already have 2 years of part-time teaching experience (Maths and English). I want to work in Thailand... I saw in many posts that with a degree it's easier to find a teaching job (any job?), but it isn't specified which degree... (first question) Is Computer Science ok? I am also soon getting Cambridge's Teaching Knowledge Test Certificate and want to get CELTA. (second question) When is the best time to go? And how much $$ should I have with me?
I actually want to immigrate there permanently if it will be possible. Additional info: English is my second language and my passport is from Kazakhstan. |
Non native speaker means:
(these are needed for immigration)
Degree (doesn't matter what your major was)
Official university transcripts
TOEIC - 600 or TOFEL 700 or IELTS 5.5 score
police check from your country of passport.
These will probably be requested by your employer:
proof of classroom experience (certificate of employment and/or photos)
CELTA or other TEFL certificate
This will be needed by you till you get paid:
~3000-4000 NZD
Immigration (permanent) is another matter and too complex to get into here.
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rippery
Joined: 24 Apr 2012 Posts: 5
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Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 12:55 pm Post subject: Re: Want to teach in Thailand because I can't stand KZ winte |
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tttompatz wrote: |
Non native speaker means:
(these are needed for immigration)
Degree (doesn't matter what your major was)
Official university transcripts
TOEIC - 600 or TOFEL 700 or IELTS 5.5 score
police check from your country of passport.
These will probably be requested by your employer:
proof of classroom experience (certificate of employment and/or photos)
CELTA or other TEFL certificate
This will be needed by you till you get paid:
~3000-4000 NZD
Immigration (permanent) is another matter and too complex to get into here.
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Thank you so much tttompatz! I am glad I have registered on this forum!
I have plenty of time to get IELTS and arrange police check paper. Will be getting CELTA in Jan 2013 and will go to Thailand in March or so, I've read in many posts that it's the best time to go.
By the way, police check paper will come in Russian language, do I need to translate it (with notary verification)? If so, can I translate it to English or it has to be Thai? (Actually same about certificate of employment) |
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Eagle Eyes
Joined: 26 Apr 2012 Posts: 121 Location: Istanbul
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Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 2:28 pm Post subject: |
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Thailand is a great place to start your TEFL career....for both Native and Non-Native English speakers. Once you get your TEFL certificate expect to earn anywhere between Baht 30,000- Baht 40,000 Monthly at English language institutes in Bangkok and upcountry. With your computer science degree you can also possibly teach computer subjects in English albeit at both government and private schools .Remember that Thailand is a very humid and hot country most of the year so if you like this kind of weather you will enjoy living here. Best of luck!  |
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rippery
Joined: 24 Apr 2012 Posts: 5
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Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 2:36 pm Post subject: |
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Eagle Eyes wrote: |
Thailand is a great place to start your TEFL career....for both Native and Non-Native English speakers. Once you get your TEFL certificate expect to earn anywhere between Baht 30,000- Baht 40,000 Monthly at English language institutes in Bangkok and upcountry. With your computer science degree you can also possibly teach computer subjects in English albeit at both government and private schools .Remember that Thailand is a very humid and hot country most of the year so if you like this kind of weather you will enjoy living here. Best of luck!  |
Thank you for the reply! I've spent few months in Samoa which is humid and hot too, and really enjoyed it. Good for my bones: they ache in anything below 0 degrees
I've been in Thailand for 1 day, and thought the weather was fine. I am going to spend there 1 months in December this year just to be sure... I hope I do like it. Also I am very fond of fresh fruit.
Anyway, I am very excited about the trip and very pleased that there is forum like this where I can find so much useful info. Kudos to Dave  |
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plumpy nut
Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652
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Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 3:28 pm Post subject: |
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Bangkok is the hottest capital in the world. It's not just the temperature, it's the heat content in the atmosphere. However if you don't mind the heat then go right ahead and come. Another problem is I get the impression it's going to flood again. That might put a wrench in your teaching opportunities. It was 41degC with very high humidity just a couple of days ago. |
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MaiPenRai

Joined: 17 Jan 2006 Posts: 390 Location: BKK
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Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 4:38 am Post subject: |
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Another problem is I get the impression it's going to flood again. |
It floods basically every year somewhere in Thailand. Last year there were poor decisions made (by the Miss Thailand P.M. gov't) based on fear of the droughts that seem to follow the floods every year.
While it may flood again and probably will to some degree, I doubt that we will experience a 1 month school closure like last year.
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It was 41degC with very high humidity |
Yep, stinkin' hot. Feel bad for those poor TEFL'ers working at govern schools with no AC. Been there year ago, not fun. |
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Scott R
Joined: 21 Jan 2011 Posts: 59 Location: Rangsit Thailand
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Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 11:08 am Post subject: |
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Hopefully no more floods. That was not fun walking through waist deep sewage water. |
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Eagle Eyes
Joined: 26 Apr 2012 Posts: 121 Location: Istanbul
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Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 2:45 pm Post subject: |
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Actually if you really like the steamy, tropical heat there is no place like Bangkok to experience it. You can get really hot here from the weather, the food and especially the tropical sun. Thais love hot, spicy food in general so be prepared when you eat you will most likely perspire too in the heat. Many of the classrooms you will teach in government and private schools are hot too...no a/c just a ceiling fan or two too cool you down in the summer months from March to May when the heat index in Bangkok and neighbouring provinces can soar to about 50 degrees celcius! Good luck!  |
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tttompatz

Joined: 06 Mar 2010 Posts: 1951 Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 11:40 pm Post subject: Re: Want to teach in Thailand because I can't stand KZ winte |
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rippery wrote: |
Thank you so much tttompatz! I am glad I have registered on this forum!
I have plenty of time to get IELTS and arrange police check paper. Will be getting CELTA in Jan 2013 and will go to Thailand in March or so, I've read in many posts that it's the best time to go.
By the way, police check paper will come in Russian language, do I need to translate it (with notary verification)? If so, can I translate it to English or it has to be Thai? (Actually same about certificate of employment) |
March to May are the best times to be here when looking for a job.
Documents will need to be in English or Thai. IF they are not then you will need authenticated translations of them.
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rippery
Joined: 24 Apr 2012 Posts: 5
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Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 7:38 am Post subject: |
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Thanks everyone for answers
I have another questions about degree paper itself: do I have to bring original or can I bring good photocopy (can do notarized) ?
(The reason I'm asking this is because the paper itself is size A2, I have no idea how I am going to transport it in my backpack without messing it up..)
Perhaps this is silly question.. but still. |
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tttompatz

Joined: 06 Mar 2010 Posts: 1951 Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 11:36 am Post subject: |
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rippery wrote: |
Thanks everyone for answers
I have another questions about degree paper itself: do I have to bring original or can I bring good photocopy (can do notarized) ?
(The reason I'm asking this is because the paper itself is size A2, I have no idea how I am going to transport it in my backpack without messing it up..)
Perhaps this is silly question.. but still. |
Your application will have copies. Immigration will want to see the original.
Not sure about trying to get one at a consulate. They may or may not want the original or an authenticated (apostille) copy.
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Eagle Eyes
Joined: 26 Apr 2012 Posts: 121 Location: Istanbul
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Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 4:17 pm Post subject: |
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When coming to Thailand bring ALL your original degrees, certificates, and documentation. Immigration wants to see everything. They are very strict when it comes to teaching English in Thailand now...mainly because there are thousands of EFL teachers here on the ground teaching English. The paperwork and documentation you will need is endless...be prepared for a lot of work to do and time needed to get your work visa. Also regarding the weather it is steamy hot and humid for about 9 months a year...the dry season lasts about 3 months and it is still hot with temperatures usually in the 90's Farenheit during the daytime hours. Also if you teach in Bangkok and/or CHiang Mai note the air pollution levels)are very high combined with dust levels as well as vehicle emissions due to the chaotic traffic jams. Good luck in your search!  |
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rippery
Joined: 24 Apr 2012 Posts: 5
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Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 4:29 pm Post subject: |
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Eagle Eyes wrote: |
When coming to Thailand bring ALL your original degrees, certificates, and documentation. Immigration wants to see everything. They are very strict when it comes to teaching English in Thailand now...mainly because there are thousands of EFL teachers here on the ground teaching English. The paperwork and documentation you will need is endless...be prepared for a lot of work to do and time needed to get your work visa. Also regarding the weather it is steamy hot and humid for about 9 months a year...the dry season lasts about 3 months and it is still hot with temperatures usually in the 90's Farenheit during the daytime hours. Also if you teach in Bangkok and/or CHiang Mai note the air pollution levels)are very high combined with dust levels as well as vehicle emissions due to the chaotic traffic jams. Good luck in your search!  |
Thanks for the info, will bring all papers, actually found waterproof plastic tube that's normally used to transport paintings
I really love hot&humid weather, but pollution/dust puts me off.
Also wanted to ask about prices for fruit in Chiang Mai, if anyone can tell me? (bananas, durian, papaya, grapes, etc) I mainly eat fruit&veggies, so trying to plan budget for the time when I will be getting CELTA and exploring Thailand in Dec-Jan. |
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