Job Discussion Forums

theincredibleegg · Joined: 01 Jul 2008 Posts: 224

I'm currently employed as an EFL-teacher in China.

I have a Master Degree in Education; 1 year (legal) work experience in Beijing; 6 months work experience in Sweden.

I have a natural fluency in English with a slight Swedish accent.

What are my chances of working as an EFL-teacher in Thailand?

kidefl · Joined: 22 Jun 2007 Posts: 40

A lot of schools discriminate L2s. But with the teacher shortage you might just slip on in. Your accent won't mean much, the Thai who interviews you can't speak English so good himself - in all likelihood. It's your passport they'll be more concerned about. I have a German lady friend who got a job at The Prince of Songkla University. She earns 20,000B a month and has a master's in TESL. Sometimes Rajabhat University Rolling Eyes

hires L2s. There are about 40 of those throughout Thailand.

skann · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 25

I don't think you should have much of a problem. I'm working in Hat Yai, and I know several people, Germans and French, who have good university jobs. One German friend I referred to an opening that I myself didn't take, and the university hired him instantly. Of course, he does speak 5 languages.....

Hey kidefl, do you live in Hat Yai too? I have friends who work at Prince of Songkla. I don't know of a female German teacher there, though, but I know a male German teacher there - Steffan. Who is the female?

newyork · Joined: 08 Sep 2007 Posts: 15

With the new changes in Thai law regarding who can and cannot teach in Thailand your MA in Teaching is something that now lots of schools are looking for. I work in a very reputable school in Thailand and we have qualified non-native teachers working here.

Good luck.

theincredibleegg · Joined: 01 Jul 2008 Posts: 224

Thanks a lot guys!
I might just give it go.

From what i've read and heard, it's hard to find a job from outside Thailand. So i should save up some money and just go there for interviews?

Cheers!

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

Vince · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 559 Location: U.S.

Placebo · Joined: 19 Nov 2004 Posts: 80 Location: Bangkok

L2 is often used incorrectly on this and other efl boards. As Vince said: L2 means second language but not non-native speaker. To call someone an L1 or L2 is nonsense. A person is either a non-native or native speaker of a language. The person's languages are called L1, L2, L3 and so on.