Job Discussion Forums

clintbronson33 · Joined: 03 May 2009 Posts: 12

I am in Canada, but returning to Thailand as soon as I get a contract sent to me here. Has anyone heard anything, good OR bad, about AYC Intercultural Programs based in BKK?

Greatly appreciate any info you have.

firesign90 · Joined: 01 Mar 2008 Posts: 9

Hi, I just went for an interview with AYC for a teaching position for next term. The lady that interviewed me was very up-front and honest about placing me in my location of preference, salary etc...
What has your experience been thus far with this company??

adventuramust · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 126

I am expecting an invite letter as well and posted to see if anyone knew anything about them. At what point do you find out details of an actual position?

Is the interview for a position indicating the afore mentioned contract is not one as such?

firesign90 · Joined: 01 Mar 2008 Posts: 9

Hi, I was told that I cannot be 100% guaranteed a contract until mid/late September. The reason being is that the school must decide if they want to renew the contract with AYC. This is pretty standard from my experience working over here. They gave me a 70% guarantee that the school they sent my resume to would resign a the contract with them.

adventuramust · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 126

Thanks for the info. Reminds me of the typical end of the year notices teachers get about not 100% about coming back, but they do. Interesting that AYC is still able to send a letter that would be acceptable to request a B visa. At the same time I notice on the application that I need to complete the date of arrival.

Do you have any idea when the majority of schools start. Perhaps I should make flight arrangements for August and complete my form with date.

Gosh, you being over there already would be a wealth of information. Very Happy

adventuramust · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 126

I was told that training would commence in mid-August. At the same time I learned that opening has a starting date in November.

If I arrive in August for training, am I just "vacationing" for the next 2 months? I would expect training to be closer to starting date.

Anyone "been there, done that" recently?

clintbronson33 · Joined: 03 May 2009 Posts: 12

I sent them my cover and resume about 2 months ago. Then I had one month of free Skype and I phoned them twice. They have yet to reply...

Pauleddy · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 295 Location: The Big Mango

I was amused by some of the "teacher regulations" on their website:

"teachers must not wear ear-muffs in class" (!)

In general terms, there is no such thing as a "free lunch" in Thailand. This outfit is run by high-society Thais as not-for profit--but it is probably not a charity. It "trains" you and then places you in a school.

You will need to check the salary and many other things.

Thai government-run high schools, especially the less prestigious ones and the ones in the boonies, will tend to have large classes of fairly ill-disciplined kids and teens. It is an open secret that in Thailand, you need to be an edu-tainer...something between a cheerleader and a clown. Thais quickly become bored and difficult if something is not fun. Academic rigour is low-priority in Thailand. Copying in exams and the like is the norm. In many schools, all kids PASS every exam (even when they can't write a word of English), because the parents expect it and in some cases pay "contributions" to the school. Teachers may even get into trouble if they don't pass the child--and the school will alter the grade anyway.

As the site says, the hours are 7.30 to 4pm (or similar) in schools. Unlike some universities and hourly-paid jobs in academies, you will be in school all day most of the time. You may even be told to meet and greet kids at 7 30am, because parents like to see a real "white" teacher.

The above comments are not intended to be contentious, and may be found on any website which deals with Thai education, the good and the bad.

It suits some people to be "placed" and supported with visa-getting etc, but you will have less control over your life because you will be sent to a school, and many of the decisions will be out of your hands. Some people prefer to arrive here and make their own life, but for that you need to bring enough money to start out for 2-3 months while you look around.

Coming to Thailand entails a certain amount of culture shock. Whatever you are used to in your home town...things here will be totally different.

Diddy