Job Discussion Forums

[jirikoo]

Hi to everyone,

I fell in love with Thailand on my last visit and want to come back. So I've decided to set off back sometimes around April or so.

My priority is to take a break and get away from and after the European winter, but as im a certified ESL teacher (CELTA), I am thinking of landing a teaching job once there.

The drawback is that I am 'only' a Czech, thus non-native English speaker and hold no university degree. I live now back in CZ and start arranging for the trip including visa.

What is the best strategy to take? I have got a triple of questions that may sound silly (sorry for them upfront):

1) Should I try to arrange/apply for the work offshore while still in CZ before I fly out to Thailand?
Considering my education and nationality, it seems I have only a dog's chance to get successfully through an application process from here - is that right? I know, I can find out from the local embassy but I want to be ready before I call at their office. What 'story' am I to come up with? Is there ever any chance of getting the non-immigration "B" visa without being accepted to work?

2) Or..., another option is to fly to Bangkok on tourist visa, turn up in some of Bangkok's schools and possibly get a teaching job. Then, if accepted, fly out, apply for non-immigration "B" visa and come back? I was told that this impossible from the neighbouring countries in SE region as Thai embassies of those countries allegedly stiffly insist on the degrees.

3) Are in Thailand any non-native English speakers who work/worked as ESL teachers and who have first-hand experiences to share? Much appreciate.


On balance, I realize if there are strict regulations for inbound teachers regarding uni degree requirements thsu seems I have only slim chances to get a legitimate job in Thailand, anyway...

Be sure, I am heading to Thailand in any case - if unsuccessful in teaching, I'll just do some travel and most importantly enjoy the sun!

Please, could you clarify this for me?

Sending the warmest regards,

jirikoo

[Carll101]

I'm not a native speaker and I taught English in Thailand. But I do have a Canadian passport, so it's all native to them. I worked with a teacher from France, so it is still possible to find work if you are not from UK-US-Canada and not a native speaker. But without a degree I don't think so.

Good luck.

[Pauleddy]

But difficult. Universities and larger/public schools require natives with a degree. Smaller private schools may take a native with only a CELTA. In the countryside, schools make take a native with no CELTA. If the school is desperate, or up-country, or the pay is low, they may move the goalposts.

It used to be easier, but it's stricter now.

You could maybe find something. The best thing is to arrive here and feel your way. Don't arrange a job from outside without knowing something about the options.

You are restricted, just as you would be if you were non-white. Native speakers who are brown or black, even with degrees and CELTA, will also find problems. Thais want to see white native graduates who are well-dressed. Parents may demand white natives for the kids. There are good non-white and non-native teachers--as there are lousy white natives--but it doesnt matter to the Thais.

Thailand is known to be/have a "presentation" culture. How you look and yr status are more important than how you really are.

P

[skann]

That may be tough, especially because of no degree. However, I think anything is possible in Thailand. Case in point, I live in the south and I had a few teacher friends here who were brothers from France. They were 18 and 19 years old, had no university education, no teaching certification whatsoever, no teaching experience, and were on their gap year. However, they almost effortlessly got good-paying teaching jobs at good schools. After 4 or 5 months, they walked away from their jobs and traveled around other parts of SE Asia.
It seems amazing, but it's true. Granted, they did speak English very well. I really think it was the fact that they had white faces, which makes the school look good, that they were hired. I also know two dutch guys teaching here that have some university education, but no formal degrees.
So I would say it's possible, but it may be hard. If you're going to come for a vacation anyway, though, then definitely ask around. Good luck.

[Pauleddy]

Now is a good time to arrive--summer holidays. Teachers will be needed in May or on june 1. Best time for jobs is now.

I agree anythg is possible. I work at a 'main' uni here, and they will accept only natives with at least BA--prfer MA.

Certainly there are schools--I know one dutch guy in a school. I am just saying it will be 90% harder. If there is an american and you with CELTA, they will choose him.


P

[PattyFlipper]

Given the astonishing ignorance of most Thais (including alleged educators) about the World around them, and the fact that many seem to think (if they give the matter any consideration at all) that Farangland is one homogenous English-speaking mass, I'll wager that the OP will find something without too much difficulty. Particularly true if he is young and good-looking; incontestably so if he has blonde hair and blue eyes! Tell 'em that English is the national language of the Czech Republic and you have a better than even chance that a Thai interviewer won't know any different. Very few of them will have even the vaguest notion of what and where the Czech Republic is anyway.

Obtaining a work permit and living on the salaries they will want to pay are, of course, separate issues.

[FarangFarang]

[roguegrafix]

This should be deleted

[roguegrafix]

Whenever I'm in a bad mood and want to seriously cripple all my students in a test/exam, I give them a map and ask them to label the countries. Their answers would lift Hamlet to sing and dance! Czech Republic would in all liklihood be the USA or Australia!

[Smeagol]

The post about young, good-looking, particularly with blonde hair and blue eyes, is revolting. But, oh, so true. Why don't you try lining up the job before you go and discreetly include a flattering photo with your CV? You could always look for a better job after you arrive, but will have the original job as a base from which to work. Good luck, mention of the Czech Republic makes me cold. Think I'll go have a cup of hot chocolate and wrap up in a blanket (but wait, it's 30 degrees C. here... )