Job Discussion Forums

[ivory420]

Hi there

I am new to all this, and I am desiring to teach English in Thailand. The trouble is, I am so overwhelmed by the many directions I could go from here. Therefore, I'm hoping that others who have done this could offer some advice...

Here is what I do know...I would like to teach soon--between November and January. I have experience leading groups and because my family hosted exchange students while I was growing up, I have some experience teaching one on one. I have not taken any TESL program, and I would like to avoid spending the money to do so if possible. And from what research I have done, I can guess that I would not enjoy teaching in Bangkok, but that I would enjoy teaching in Chiang Mai or a more rural area. I just want to experience Thai culture and really create a great learning atmosphere in the classroom. I've read over the internet that it is better to go to Thailand first, THEN find work. But for several reasons...safety, security, possibly a school helping me with flight costs...I'd like to find a job before I go.

My questions are...

1) Is it possible to be hired by a school to teach after the start of the term in November? Or have they already found all their teachers at that point?

2) Who can I trust online as far as finding a job? Is this even the best route? How would you recommend going about getting a great job to a 26-year old college graduate in Indiana?

3) How much money would you recommend taking to Thailand if planning to teach for a year?

4) What are the best schools to work for in Thailand (outside of Bangkok) and why?

If anyone can help me with some advice, I would be so grateful. I am getting stressed out about this, and this is supposed to be a life-changing, awesome learning experience--hopefully free of all this stress!! : )

THANK YOU
Sincerely,
ivory420

[JosephP]

You could always go to Thailand and just see what turns up. Besides, it's healthy to get outside one's comfort zone. It's what makes adventures...well, adventures.

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

If you look at renumeration for the jobs advertised on this site for Thailand, you will begin to see why the chance of the company paying for a flight from the US is pretty slim.

In some of them they are billed as learn how to teach ESL and teach in Thailand and you pay far more for the training than you actually earn for the entire rest of the time teaching.

[kenkannif]

[miles_trethewey]

I think if you browse around ajarn.com you'll find something to do.

Cheers and good luck i've been here 11 years.

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

hi ivory420:


I just wanted to add a few brief comments to those above.

TEFL veterans will usually tell you to stay away from recruiters,

but they sometimes forget to tell you why.


Basically, there are 2 reasons:


#1. Recruiters tend to represent schools that have a hard time

finding teachers on their own, and there's usually a reason for this.

It could be that the school is waaaaay out in the boondocks,

or that the pay & benefits package is substandard, or it could be

that you'll be teaching 50 special-needs kids in a classroom

without air-conditioning, etc.


#2. Recruiters aren't helping you out of the goodness of their hearts.

They earn their living on commissions, and that money, whether

directly or indirectly, comes out of your pocket.


Having said all that, I won't stand in the way if somebody

really wants the added security of a pre-arranged contract.

As long as you know the pros & cons.


In terms of your other questions:


You can land a job in Thailand at almost any time of the year;

the market is strong and the demand for qualified teachers high.


How much $$$ to bring along? Hard to say.

Are you a big spender?

I arrived with US$4,000 two years ago and still have

US$2,000 stashed under my pillow, if that helps?


Some concrete advice:


If you'd like to get started with the job hunt,

click on The Master Index Thailand located at the very top of this forum

and then scroll down to Part II - TEFL in Thailand

Within that category, you'll find links to all the major Thai TEFL websites,

as well as half a dozen recruiters - to browse through and reply to,

but remember that your best chance of landing a good position

will emerge after you are on the ground in Thailand

with a mobile phone strapped to your belt,

and available for face-to-face interviews.




PS: my dad graduated from Wabash.

[Stosskraft]

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Konichiwa Stosskraft-O-san!


Actually, I don't have a bank account, a credit card, a driver's license or a work permit.

I suppose 16+ years in TEFL have turned me into an anti-establishmentarian freak of nature.

I don't have much hair either but I'm free and happy, and I save $$$ on haircuts.



Imho - you can live comfortably on US$1,000 per month.

note: that's 40,000 Thai Baht, which would allow you to spend roughly

1,000 Baht per day on food & misc, leaving you 10,000 Baht for rent & utilities.

You can find a decent pad for 10K in Bangkok, by the way.



So ... if you're bringing 5K with you, you'd be set for 5 months,

although you'll be earning income within a month or 2

unless you look or smell like the Elephant Man.


As for cost breakdowns:

I've spent several months developing what I think is a pretty good one,

and I add to it and update it on a fairly regular basis.

It's located toward the bottom of The Master Index Thailand sticky post;

just scroll all the way down to Appendix A

and look for this gif:

[Stosskraft]

Thanks Kent,

I am planning on going up to Changmai (who isn't? ) when I arrive and look for work once I hit the ground. I actually prefer this method and it has worked well for me in China and Japan. I will have about 2 1/2 years of teaching experience once i arrive, so I hope this is will help my search.

How on earth do you remember where everything is on that index ? it is immense !! It is also one of the best resources I have ever seen but together for a country and I will spend many long hours search through the Thailand section.

Arigato gozaimasu.

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

^ Doe itashimashta ! with your plans ...



PS:

You'll spend much less than 10K for a flat in Chiang Mai,

although you'll probably earn less than 40K, to be realistic.

Here's a Chiang Mai apartment resource to browse:

http://www.chiangmaiinfo.com/d/accommodation

[kenkannif]

^ Probably less than 30K actually, CM doesn't generally pay well.

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

^ Right you are, kenkannif.


I've seen offers as low as 20K, although

25K to 35K seems to be the general range.

Most people 'top up' their base salary by picking up a few privates

and/or selling their bodies at the flower market.


Here's one more Chiang Mai resource to surf:

http://www.1stopchiangmai.com/living/teach/