Job Discussion Forums

sfarrell · Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 2

I am interested in teaching in Thailand and I have received offers from the much-maligned (on these pages at least) ECC, as well as from a smaller school system called MediaKids. Does anyone have any info on or advice on the latter?

Any other recommendations or warnings about schools I should try to apply to or avoid? I'd like to teach in Bangkok but I'm also open to elsewhere around the country.

Finally, the more I look into it and read people's testimonials, the more it seems like I should just go over there without agreeing to any offers and just try to find something once I'm there. This admittedly scares me a bit since I've never been to Thailand before (or anywhere even close), so the idea of going there without a job set up for certain is sort of unsettling. Can anyone speak on this?

If this is what people recommend, what time would be best to go over there and start looking? Thanks!

roguegrafix · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 125

The next school semester starts around mid-October for highschools and the beginning of November for universities. So arriving around the first week of October would give you plenty of time to get a job and get acclimatised.

Re taking a position before arrival: I wouldn't but it really depends on the offer. You'll need a MINIMUM of 35k per month to live in Bangkok and even then you wouldn't be enjoying yourself very much. In fact, 35k is probably too low. Outside Bangkok and it's fine.

Master Shake · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: Colorado, USA

Just come on over now. You'll have your pic of jobs. Thailand is in such need of teachers now that, qualified or not, you'll find work.

But be aware that you do need at least a university degree to teach legally.

School semesters are really only important if you want to teach in a public school. The schools you mentioned are language schools. Language schools are in need of teachers year round.

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

Anybody thinking of going to Thailand in the next couple months better keep an very close eye on the news.

gastronaut · Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 4

^^ that's what I was thinking...

I finish my MTeach (TESOL) next year, but I am now wondering if I might be better off in Korea or Taiwan due to all the blogs/press I've read regarding the new teaching licenses and cultural exams etc.

Is this going to be a lasting situation, or do you think they will try and enforce it for a while and then forget about it (as one ex- Ministry of Education official described happening 20 years ago)?

I can wait, but it seems like I may have missed 'the golden years' - boooo

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

I was talking about the political situation... Rolling Eyes

Here's a sampling just from today:

Puea Pandin Party quits coalition government
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/07/30/politics/politics_30079342.php

Drunk man slams vehicle into PAD's road barricade
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30079355

Close to the dark edge, but not yet close enough to fall over
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/topstory/read.php?newsid=30079320

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

Almost a month later...

Police and PAD in a standoff at Gov't House
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/08/27/politics/politics_30081637.php

Thai police and protesters clash
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7583375.stm

Thai protests turn nasty
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/JH27Ae02.html

Thai police take positions at besieged govt compound
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/371956/1/.html

herzog · Joined: 01 Jul 2008 Posts: 26 Location: Spain

hkl · Joined: 10 Jul 2008 Posts: 3

If you don't want to get paid over the holidays (maybe 2 - 3 months a year) go with MEDIA KIDS!