Job Discussion Forums

[Toon Army]

pardon the newbie ignorance here but I was wondering what the minimum requirements typically are for an International school job in Thailand?

Did a search and a few posts mentioned a BEd on top of a few years experience......would that be about right? I have a BA International Business degree so I`m presuming I`m at a disadvantage already (even if I have a couple years experience ESL under my belt?).

Would just like to get some clarification so I can be a bit realistic about my chances (or not)

[PattyFlipper]

If you have to ask here, you're probably not eligible.

From the information you have given, it would appear that you are not even remotely qualified for the handful of real accredited international schools in Thailand (or indeed anywhere else), i.e. those with non-Thai management and faculty, a substantial non-Thai student body, and a scale of fees which would have your bank manager reaching for his cardiac medication. These institutions require that you have qualified teacher status and solid teaching experience (not just EFL/ESL) in your own country. They almost always recruit directly from overseas, and will not usually consider anyone who is already in country, though I suppose there may be the odd exception for suitably qualified candidates.

Thailand does, however, have a number of schools which have the word "international" in their title. They have Thai management (shudder!), mostly Thai teachers, and their students are also almost exclusively Thais. They are, in actuality, about as "international" as som tom. These institutions will often take anyone they can get, depending on how desperate they are, but this is, of course, reflected in the much lower salaries they offer.

So, if you were thinking that a BA in International Business and a couple of years TEFL experience would give you a shot at a position paying Bht 200,000 a month or more, plus housing, plus air fare, plus gratuity and pension, you might have to reconsider your plans.

Hope this helps.

[Toon Army]

Fair enough. I currently teach at University in Korea which pays a nice sum and long holidays so I think I`ll just stay here for now ........was just interested in teaching in Thai out of general curiosity. Thanks anyway

[PattyFlipper]

Wise decision, I think. Korean universities offer much better salaries and benefits than their Thai counterparts. They don't work you to death, either.