Job Discussion Forums

[No Moss]

I have worked in Shenzhen for three years now. The job market has always been good, and it's probably better now than it was when I arrived. I'm an old guy, 61 now, with a degree, a real TEFL cert, and six years of experience in Asia, American, OK in the looks, weight, and energy department.

Almost anyone can get a job in Shenzhen, although lousy teachers face the same short tenure here that they face elsewhere. Good teachers are in high demand, and the market for privates is pretty good, which is why I came here in the first place. Also, I haven't experienced age discrimination in China. What about Thailand?

Is the market good in Thailand, or just in Bangkok? I assume the job market is terrible in Phuket and Kho Samui, but what about Chiang Mai and Krabi, for instance?

I'll be glad to PM with anyone who is thinking about China, in exchange for info about Thailand.

[laben18]

What's wrong with China?

By the way, Bangkok rules. Please don't let anyone else know.

[isanity]

[Dex]

Bangkok is in very short supply of good teachers at the moment. Lots of schools are hiring shit teachers simply because they can't find decent teachers anywhere and are getting desperate. Thats how people like John Karr are hired.

Also, there are some good salaries to be found around BKK, with quite a few places offering 45-55k to the right person...

Age may be an issue in some schools here (I know it is in mine), more so than Shenzhen. I used to teach in Shenzhen, and the market seemed a lot friendlier to older faces.

[eek]

[isanity]

Less hectic, certainly. Whether that's sufficient counterbalance for you, only you can say. The cost of living is somewhat lower, but not, in my experience, sufficiently to offset the lower pay. Rent for a box still starts from 4/5000, everything in Tesco or the 7-11's the same price as everywhere in Thailand. No decent public transport- you can get a scooter, but someone will knock you off it soon enough. Eating out's cheaper, but that's about it.

[No Moss]

[tbigdog]

Worked in Phuket for 2 years and now 3 in Korea. In Thailand my experience is that most schools hire a warm body. Experience,compentency,degrees get you in the door but do not usually mean an increase in wages or other benifits. You are required to work the same hours, and perform the same duties as a newbiefresh out of school.
Thai schools are run like a military school in that someone at the top says do something,usually without advance notice nor can anyone give a reason why nor has the balls to ask why, the thais jump to it. The students mostly want to have fun and be entertained and only a few really want to learn also class size can exceed 60 or more. Try to teach conversation skills to that size is redicules.

[Sgt Killjoy]

[takgeyon]