Job Discussion Forums

oochie · Joined: 22 Jan 2006 Posts: 2

Hi. Im wondering if anyone here can advise me. I am considering going to Thailand for a 6-month contract teaching english. I have a degree and completed a short TEFL course also. I have no previous teaching experience however. A company in my country offers arranged jobs for 6 or 12 months for a fee of about 700 euro. They offer jobs in practically all parts of thailand. I have no idea where would be the best place to spend 6 months teaching. so im wondering if anyone could make any suggestions on where might be a good location to apply for? I know its all very subjective but any replies would be appreciated. Its just a bit daunting on trying to decide on a location when i know nothing really about any of them......

maximmm · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 59

I've never been to Thailand, but the company that offers to find you a job in any part of Thailand for a fee of 700 euros sounds rather odd. What kind of company is it? What sort of monthly wage are they offering? If they'll pay you a thousand euros per month, and if the company is legit, I'd think about it, but if this is just some company whose ad you saw in a newspaper, I'd think twice before even calling them. All good (normal) recruiting agencies take their fee from your employer, rather than from the teachers (in other words, you will not get charged for their services). Some agencies find it very profitable to charge not only the employer but also the teachers, but at least they do connect employers with teachers and vice versa. Finally, there are agencies that take money from the teachers while promising to find them a job and then offer them jobs in bad areas, with poor wages, etc, and if the teachers refuse their offers, then these companies stop keeping in touch.

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

I agree with maximmmmm. It sounds like a bit of a strange way to go about getting a job, especially in Thailand where salaries are usually quite low particularly in rural parts of the kingdom.

Try to set up something without an intermediary by contacting schools directly. And in general, get more info before you commit to a recruiter.

Kurt has taken the time to compile a lot of info on the Master Index

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=12862

at the top of the page, which includes links to lists of schools (right, Kurt? they're a bit hard to find. Actually, where are they?)

and there are numerous posts advertised at

http://www.teflasia.com/work/jobs/thailand/index.html

The main problem will be doing a 6-month contract. Most schools won't go for that. Consider doing a year and your opportunities will increase dramatically.

Give us more info about yourself and the company and we can probably provide you with more suggestions.

Check http://www.ajarn.com too.

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

^ The TEFL links and school lists are located in Part II.

Scroll down a wee bit and

look for these 4 categories:

TEFL in THAILAND

TEFL WORLDWIDE

VOLUNTEER in THAILAND

THAILAND TEFL RECRUITERS

oochie · Joined: 22 Jan 2006 Posts: 2

Hi guys. thanks for the replies. The company i was considering using is i-to-i which is a well established company from what i know. It certainly would be better if i could arrange a position myself without the placement fee. it is quite a substantial fee i must agree. I guess my main reason for considering using them is firstly because they can arrange 6-month contracts and secondly because they seem to be able to arrange positions in a short space of time. the salaries they offer are between 25000 and 35000 baht which is fairly standard from what ive read. do you think im limiting myself too much by looking for a 6-month position? i would probably be happier committing myself to this length of contract as i havent done this type of thing before.

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

With a degree and a TEFL certificate, I think I'd advise you to apply

to a few places on your own, as sigmoid suggested -

and see what kind of replies you get.

If you can do it on your own, you save 700 Euros,

which would come in handy for sightseeing, etc.

If you don't get any positive replies on your own,

you can always fall back on i-to-i in a pinch.

If you just want to get your feet wet, summer school is an option,

and that's coming up soon - in March, April & May and

schools are hiring for these programs NOW.

Generally speaking ...

Six month contracts are not too common in Thailand,

and you'll generally find better all-around offers

by taking a full year - strictly imho!