Job Discussion Forums

[sharona]

Hello everyone,

I've just gained my CELTA and want to head off to China or Thailand (but not Bangkok).

Fact is I have a little bit of credit card debt, so want something quite well paid, at least for initial six months. Being degree'less though cannot go to Taiwan or Japan.

From looking around on the net, I think the main drawbacks with Thailand would be having to teach young children (which I don't really want to have to deal with straight off), and large classes.

And with China it seems having to be available for long hours on working days, and polluted cities.

Anyone have any solutions??

thanx
S

ps I will post to both China and Thailand forums, if this is okay! (want as many answers as possible)

[Teacher Lindsay]

I taught in Thailand for 5 years and now I am teaching in China.

I enjoyed Thailand but 5 years was enough for me; life had become mundane. So far, I am enjoying my time in China.

Salaries are slightly higher in Thailand but the overall salary packages that can be obtained in China are better. For example, I get a rent-free apartment which has a computer and 24/7 internet connection, free electricity, gas, water & drinking water and free meals.

The process of obtaining a 'Z' visa and Foreigner Residence Permit (effectively a work permit) is much easier here in China.

The Thai government has drafted legislation, scheduled to be implemented in July, which, among other things, requires EFL teachers to have a university degree in order to obtain a Teacher's Permit. Teachers' permits are issued by the Ministry of Education and are a prerequisite for obtaining a work permit, which is a seperate procedure handled by the Office for Alien Employment.

Many people believe that the legislation won't be implemented OR will be implemented at a much later date OR will be implemented but not strictly enforced.

Another component of the legislation is that foreign teachers must be paid a minimum salary of 40,000 baht (US$1,000). Currently, the average is 30,000 baht. The Ministry of Education limits salaries paid to foreign teachers at 17,500 baht + 8,000 baht accommodation allowance, a total of 25,500 baht.

The Ministry of Education's salary limit contradicts the government's new legislation. The M of E claim that they can't afford to pay foreign teachers higher salaries.

To find out more, check out the following websites:-

http://www.stickmanbangkok.com/

http://www.eslcafe.com/jobinfo/asia/sefer.cgi?Thailand

As for your lack of university degree, you can buy one in Thailand for approximately 4,000 baht (US$100). Take a stroll down Bangkok's Khao San Road and you will be approached by more than 1 tout.

You can nominate whatever university you like. They even 'age' the paper for you to 'match' the year you 'graduated', and provide transcripts.

I have seen one of the fake degrees, a tout showed it to me, and it looked authentic to me, but I don't know anyone who has actually used one (at least I have never met anyone who admitted to using one).

I don't know how things work in the States but my country has privacy legislation which means that a prospective employer simply can't phone / fax / e-mail the nominated university to check your bona fides. A prospective employer would have to obtain a signed letter from you authorising realease of the requested information.

Most universities in my country charge an administration fee for providing such info and the whole process could be expected to take 3 - 4 months.

Schools and universities in Thailand advertise that they will check the validity of teachers' qualification certificates BUT THEY DON'T. I doubt whether South Korean & Japanese authorities and employers would take the time to check out authentic-looking degrees.

Cheers

[anthyp]

Cripes, don't buy a fake degree. You can work in China without one. Though I'm not sure you'll be able to find the kind of job you are looking for, all things considered. I mean, you want a high - paying job, but you don't have a degree ... really I think Chinese employers care more about a degree than a CELTA (or equivalent), but I could be wrong.

And from what I understand, it's not a good idea to go teach abroad with debt, although if it's not too bad I suppose you could pay it off and live pretty decently here.

[sharona]

thanks for your advise guys, especially Lindsay - it was very helpful.

S