| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
hapygirl
Joined: 09 Mar 2006
Posts: 10
|
 Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 12:52 am Post subject: text and talk Phuket or Pattaya? Please help! |
 |
|
I'm going to take the TnT course in August. I am 43, female, have a MS (none teaching related), 1 years experience in Korea and am very professional.
Isn't it better to take the course in the area you want to work so you can begin networking? I know from researching this board that positions in Phuket are very comptetive. Would I better in Pattaya? Need to reserve my spot soon. Thanks in advance for your help. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
kenkannif
Joined: 07 Apr 2004
Posts: 550
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 6:54 am Post subject: |
|
|
| IMO it makes more sense to do it where you plan to teach, however you don't have to (it just helps a bit if you do). |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
hapygirl
Joined: 09 Mar 2006
Posts: 10
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 12:03 pm Post subject: |
|
|
i think it just makes good sense. the thing is, like everyone else, i prefer Phuket. with my qualifications do you think that is a unreasonable goal? i would rather not live in town. will that increase my chances of finding a decent position?
is there something about the diving in Pattaya i don't know? all the info on Phuket says it is world class. i haven't been able to find very much for Pattaya.
thanks for your response. that was fast |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Kent F. Kruhoeffer
Joined: 22 Jan 2003
Posts: 2129
Location: 中国
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 12:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hello Hapygirl
My advice: Go with your gutt instinct here !
There's competition everywhere these days.
You have a Masters Degree and teaching experience in a TEFL market
where females have a definite advantage over their male counterparts.
The reasons for this are two-fold:
1. females are usually more patient with children, and
most jobs in Thailand involve teaching the wee ones.
2. men are sometimes drawn to beach towns for the wrong
reasons, and many employers are well aware of this now.
PS: If you do get to Pattaya, try P J Scuba . 
Thailand teaching and travel resources available here :::: The Master Index Thailand :::: |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
kenkannif
Joined: 07 Apr 2004
Posts: 550
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 7:21 am Post subject: |
|
|
You should be okay in Phuket with your quals.
I think Phuket is better for diving than Pattaya, but I also agree with Kent....if you wanna dive in Pattaya then for sure use PJ! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
isanity
Joined: 05 Nov 2004
Posts: 179
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 4:41 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| hapygirl wrote: |
is there something about the diving in Pattaya i don't know? all the info on Phuket says it is world class. i haven't been able to find very much for Pattaya.
|
Pattaya has probably the worst and most expensive diving in Thailand. Better than nothing (and probably better than Korea!) but not Phuket-class. Having said that, most of the good diving in Phuket is not actually that near Phuket at all, and needs a liveaboard to get to. Not something to do on an odd day off. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
hapygirl
Joined: 09 Mar 2006
Posts: 10
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 2:42 pm Post subject: still questioning |
|
|
I really think I want to be in Thailand. Since getting certified diving has been a major part of my live. One more course and I'll have Master Diver. Getting to live in my dream environment sure does sound good.
It's just that I am saving some serious $$ in Korea. love my kiddies here and renewing for the second year would bring up some good bennies. The time off still won't be there which leaves no time for diving other than breaks between contracts.
What really makes me happy (beach, diving, diving buddies and the relaxed atmosphere) vs the ability to put up serious cash with a decent lifestyle in a known comfortable place??? that is the dilemma.
If you've got any suggestions that might help make this decision any easier, I'd appreciate any input. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Kent F. Kruhoeffer
Joined: 22 Jan 2003
Posts: 2129
Location: 中国
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 3:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
^ Here's my honest advice based on what you've just written:
Stay in Korea until you've paid off all your debts and have 10K in the bank.
When you've reached that point, fly to Thailand and enjoy yourself.
I'm saying this for several reasons, and because I've taught in both countries.
First: Korean kids are much better behaved than Thai kids.
Second: getting a work permit in Korea is much easier.
Third: the money you're earning in Korea is
WAY more than you'll see here.
In fact, double or more.
In very plain, no bullsh*t English ...
there are good reasons to stay put!
Thailand teaching and travel resources available here :::: The Master Index Thailand :::: |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
isanity
Joined: 05 Nov 2004
Posts: 179
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 9:19 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Kent F. Kruhoeffer wrote: |
First: Korean kids are much better behaved than Thai kids.
|
Now you surprise me. One of the reasons I've been avoiding Korea is the dong-chimming. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Kent F. Kruhoeffer
Joined: 22 Jan 2003
Posts: 2129
Location: 中国
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 3:12 am Post subject: |
|
|
^ A poke in the butt is better than a  !
It's true that Korean kids are no angels, but at least in Korea
the class size is reasonable; usually not more than 16,
and most schools apply for WPs for their teachers.
In Thailand, I've walked into classes of 50 kids, where 30 of them
tune you out completely, 10 continue talking in Thai, and
10 actually care about learning something.
That's why I moved into teaching company classes. 
With regard to WPs, it is estimated (nobody really knows for sure)
that as many as 50% of teachers in Thailand are working sans WP.
I just want hapygirl to know the pros & cons!
Thailand teaching and travel resources available here :::: The Master Index Thailand ::::
Last edited by Kent F. Kruhoeffer on Wed Apr 05, 2006 4:30 am; edited 5 times in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
laconic
Joined: 23 May 2005
Posts: 198
Location: "When the Lord made me he made a ramblin man."
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 3:30 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Kent F. Kruhoeffer wrote: |
^ Here's my honest advice based on what you've just written:
Stay in Korea until you've paid off all your debts and have 10K in the bank.
When you've reached that point, fly to Thailand and enjoy yourself.
I'm saying this for several reasons, and because I've taught in both countries.
First: Korean kids are much better behaved than Thai kids.
Second: getting a work permit in Korea is much easier.
Third: the money you're earning in Korea is
WAY more than you'll see here.
In fact, double or more.
In very plain, no bullsh*t English ...
there are good reasons to stay put!
Thailand teaching and travel resources available here :::: The Master Index Thailand :::: |
I've also worked in both countries for several years and pretty much agree with Kent.
Your situation in Korea sounds positive with indications that it will be even more positive in your next year there.
If you can gut it out for another year there and really concentrate on saving some serious KRW, I'd do that and then head for Thailand.
You will find living in Thailand a lot easier if you arrive with considerable savings in hand.
I did it that way and lived very comfortably there.
I saw a lot of people who did it the other way.
They were two very different worlds. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
kenkannif
Joined: 07 Apr 2004
Posts: 550
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 6:27 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Kent F. Kruhoeffer wrote: |
^
With regard to WPs, it is estimated (nobody really knows for sure)
that as many as 50% of teachers in Thailand are working sans WP.
I just want hapygirl to know the pros & cons! |
And even a lot of those that have them aren't fully covered (for various reasons). |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
