Job Discussion Forums

parvati_overdrive · Joined: 09 Jan 2005 Posts: 69

Having lived in and traveled throughout Thailand for many years - I'm a bit miffed at the aggressive adverts deployed by this outfit.

I must say in advance - The coursework may be top notch and for US1600 I certainly hope that it is. That sort of money will support a rural family for two years fyi.

What really irks me is that Thailand, already paying substandard wages - TEFL Ban Phe offers "special programs". The school will give you a paltry us100 discount and you in turn repay this by working for as much as half of what a BAD pay package would offer; what a deal! (avg rural pkg 25k, rural thailand pkg b12.5k = HALF!!). You just know that the contractors such as nike and the thai moe are paying the school at least 25k plus 5k (30K) for recruiting, etc...

It also says that both b12.5k and 15k are 'easy to live on' -HAH. I would say anyone that has so little exposure to thailand that they believe this tripe will NEVER be able to live on 15, let alone 12.5k a month. Housing is paid for and im sure what you are getting would cost you about 3k a month tops. After many years in Thailand knowing its ways, never drinking out, only eating Thai food, only taking the cheapest transport...does not include medical/dental issues, visas and many many things critical to the budget. I live on amounts between 12-15 a month. You'll never do it. Believe me, it's a joke 'more than enough' - this implies youll actually SAVE MONEY. An implicit LIE.

They give you a one time discount of 100 dollars and then leech on to your pay no less than us250 a month.

If thats the best the Thai moe and NIKE can do (eg the school) - find other work (and another school?). I think it goes right to the motives of the institution.

edit: FYI B12,500 = USD316 a month!!

PKB · Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 88 Location: USA

How long is that Nike thing? I thought it was just a short term program, maybe just a way for you to get your feet wet after getting a TEFL cert? I remember reading about it once, but don't remember the details.

bluffer

parvati_overdrive · Joined: 09 Jan 2005 Posts: 69

it never ceases to amaze me all of the apologists for the thai govt and business in thailand by foreigners. it seems to be central only to thailand, ive never understood it...

well friend - the promise was 12-15 NOT 18, for starters, which is TWENTY PERCENT MORE. but i think most off the plane couldnt live on 18k either -how about that!

second, why dont you cost out how these folks will be living on 12.5 a year since it strikes you as such a deal.

"suit some people who either need some money during the training period or dont care about money."

i was aware this was a POST teaching thing. further, everyone cares about money. ESPECIALLY the BUSINESS and MOE that seem quite happy to pay you substandard wages. ban phe is in on it too "hired to train 1000 teachers by thai moe..."

For me, its a damm sight better than working for some "volunteer community teaching programme" and then paying the "charity" $1000 or whatever for the privilege.

well, this is even more of a scam as we both know.

If a family can support themselves on 32000B a year then I think people can live on 15000 a month plus accom.

families live together in one hut, eat communally, pool their resources, GROW FOOD, HAVE LIVESTOCK, BARTER, etc...it does not sound like youve spent much time in LDCs -or specifially SEA. mango's to durain friend.

"I know someone that earned 18K a month..."

well friend, as mentioned, i PERSONALLY live on amounts between these two points and can tell you that new arrivals CANNOT get by on this money. if nothing else, they simply dont know the logistics and cant deal with the local food day on day 24/7. a meal at mcdonalds will set you back your days food allowance or more.

going to bars? AND you stated barS (pl) HAH! not likely on 15k a month!

It may not be for you but can you allow the possibility that it may be acceptable for others?

no. empirically, it is a scam and unless one is happy to work for nothing and spend out of pocket to work in the rural areas of a third world country (while others EXPLOIT their labor) there is no way in which this can be seen as a 'good gig'.

if anyone were to ask i would say that to meet teh avg persons needs simply no fancy pub crawls, no bar fines, no taxi rides, NO GIRLFRIEND - costs start about 25k. I personally feel kind of flush spending 20k, but keep spending to 16k.

12.5k - i have one friend living on this money. its a sad, dull life.

have fun - your life

kenkannif · Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Posts: 550

Sheep-Goats · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 527

Yeah, it's a bad deal. Doesn't everyone know that?

Just pay for the thing yourself and go get your own job. Makes sense.

bluffer · Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 6:40 am Post subject:

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

TEFL teachers come in all varieties.

For veteran TEFLers, or even those with a few years of experience under their belts, I
would tend to agree with the OP that this is probably not the ideal way to get certified.

On the other hand ...

for someone who just graduated university,

(or didn't graduate) Twisted Evil

has no teaching experience,

no TEFL training,

little or no money in the bank,

and no firm job offer (which can be difficult to arrange over the internet)

I could imagine that this might be a good way to get one's feet wet within the Thai TEFL scene.

i.e., learn something about teaching English while doing the course, pick up the TEFL cert, make some face-to-face contacts at a few schools while you're on the ground here, get some practical in-the-classroom exposure, decide if you like it here, and then either fly out or move on to something that pays better.

As they say, different strokes for different folks. Wink