Job Discussion Forums

[phil_reimann]

Dear all,

My girlfriend and I have both just been offered contracts with Fun Language International Thailand, and I was wondering if anyone had any advice or experiences they could share of any dealings with them.

So far I've been very impressed. The contact we've had with them has been very helpful and seemingly honest, plus they havent run away when I asked to be put in contact with a current employee (although it is yet to happen).

We know that Fun International Thailand work in over 40 schools in Thailand and so a single evaluation of them is difficult, but I would be keen to hear anyone's experiences.

Thanks in advance,

Phil Reimann

[kerrilee]

Hi there,

I worked for them last year for 6 months, I left early but only because I got onto an MA programme that started in Feb in China. It was my first real TEFL job (apart from a month at Summer School in the UK!) and they were really supportive. Its a fairly active job, running around and stuff playing games with the kids which is great fun and a good way to teach. They give you training in the way they teach and you observe teachers and trainers, and then they observe you teaching too sometimes which I found really helpful. You team teach with a Thai teacher, which comes in handy with little kids. I believe that now they may have some adult teaching which you may teach on your own. My only issue was travelling to the schools in the Bangkok traffic, one of mine was far and I was there twice a week! But the kids at that school were great and so it wasn't too bad. They have a large amount of foreign teachers there which is also cool, I have missed that in China. Everyone there was really friendly and willing to help. PM me if you want any more details.

[Joachim]

I worked there in 2002-03 and really enjoyed it for the most part.

OK, the pay was abysmally low, the standards were also pretty low (they hired just about anybody, regardless of qualifications or experience), and I often questioned the effectiveness of the curriculum.

But the children loved it, it was a lot of fun (but exhausting), and I will echo the previous poster who said that the taxi rides around Bangkok were really trying after a while.

Also the uniform is the ultimate sweat trapper - and in steamy Bangkok it makes for an unpleasant odour at the end of the day!

But Thong Lo, where they are based is a really up and coming area in BKK, with plenty of affordable accomodation close by, allowing for a real sense of "neighbourhood" and camaraderie between teachers.

Don't go there expecting a professional and serious learning centre, it isn't, and some of the schools are better than others. Just bring your enthusiasm and some confidence and don't be afraid to make a fool out of yourself, and you should have a great time.

[phil_reimann]

Thanks guys, it sounds like it could be a lot of fun.

Both of you mentioned travelling to work as a bit of an issue, but according to their outline of the job, they offer free transportation to the schools and back from their office. Was this the case while you were there or is it something they have recently brought in do you think?

[kerrilee]

They pay for taxis or you get an office car to the schools, the only issue was the time it took to get from Thong Lo to the schools. I lived near though and so only had a 15 minute walk to work, but then travelled to the schools. I then chose to do a club day at the weekend as that day was in Thong Lo and involved no travel which helped a lot! Club was smaller classes too so it was a great change.

[Joachim]

Yes, they always paid for our transportation to the schools from the office, but Bangkok traffic is incredibly bad, and it could take a long time, squashed together with other teachers and team teachers.

Also, because the travel time was so extensive, it often meant very early mornings - something I have never particularly enjoyed.

One was to avoid this is to do what kerrilee did and volunteer for weekend club work (with Monday or Friday off in lieu), thus meaning no travel and a smaller class - however, that does mean that your weekend socialising options are limited, and I had several issues with the Club curriculum.

Still, so long as you aren't there to save money or live royally, you should have a great time.

[phil_reimann]

Ok, that sounds pretty much as they described. I wonder how prepared we are to Bangkok travel! It certainly sounds like an 'experience'.

Just one other question (for now) - What differences, if any, are there in housing prices if me and my girlfriend live together? The guides we have read so far tend to express a reasonable apartment would put you back between 10,000 and 20,000 baht per month, but is this strictly a per person rate, or would a two-bedroom apartment not cost too much more?

Thanks again, I was just wondering since it will make quite a difference to our budgeting.

Phil

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

^ Hi Phil


Here are the factors that generally

determine the price of apartments:


1. proximity to the Skytrain / MRT

2. the size of the apartment in sq. meters

3. the condition and age of the building itself

4. the amenities & perks found within the building


You can rent a 2 bedroom apartment in Bangkok for

as little as 6 ~ 7,000 Baht or as much as 60 ~ 70,000 Baht,

depending on the specific mix of the 4 factors mentioned above.


Whatever you do, don't try to arrange an apartment before you arrive.

After you're on the ground, you'll meet nice people who can steer

you to apartment blocks that are decent, reasonably priced

and not too far from the branch you'll be working at.


It doesn't hurt to spend an hour or 2 browsing these links.

All 5 websites have an English version and a search function;

you can search by price-range, location and/or number of rooms:



BANGKOK :: APARTMENT HUNTING


http://www.mrroomfinder.com/ (Mr Room Finder)

http://www.click4apartment.com/ (Click 4 Apartment)

http://www.thaiapartment.com/ (Thai Apartment)

http://www.easyhorpak.com/ (Easy Horpak)

http://9apartment.com/ (9 Apartment)







Thailand teaching and travel resources available here :::: The Master Index Thailand ::::

[Joachim]

I stayed just off Thong Lo Soi 20, in one of the 3 or 4 mostrous concrete apartment complexes there (all eyesores, but secure enough, with all mod-cons, aircon, (dirty) pool, internet etc) and paid 15,000 Baht for a 2 bedroom apartment (shared).

However, this was in 2003 and I imagine that prices have risen somewhat. I hope the Fun Language salary has risen accordingly!

Oh yeah, that was one thing that really irritated me about Fun Lang. Qualified, experienced teachers made the same amount of money as ignorant backpackers who had picked up local girlfriends and decided to stay.....and then we were expected to train them....

[kerrilee]

I stayed in Thong lo Soi 20 too, I paid 9000 baht a month for a studio, 2 bedroom apartments were pretty expensive from what I remember, but there were some 1 bed with a decent lounge that were reasonable. I did not manage to save any money there. Also be aware that many accommodation places want 2 - 3 months rent as deposit AND you pay a month in advance so it can be a huge outlay when you arrive.