Job Discussion Forums

jumpamonkey · Joined: 02 Oct 2009 Posts: 9 Location: Bangkok

We are an energetic married couple taking the CELTA in Bangkok, January 2010. After completion we plan to pursue 1+ year contracts with quality schools. We are both former executives with global consulting companies and entrepreneurs that have started, built and sold our own companies. Degreed of course. (She 35, He 45 but we both look about 10 years younger). Can you recommend some of the best venues for us to pursue teaching positions? We have the work ethic, integrity and staying power that should set us apart from some of the "flakes" we have seen in the market. Your suggestions would be appreciated so we can begin assembling necessary documents to approach these firms independently and early. Schools, recruiters or other sources would be much help. Thanks everyone and please let us know if we can reciprocate. We're newbies but only to teaching.

NigerianWhisper · Joined: 21 Mar 2009 Posts: 176

Your post is a bit vague to be honest.

You start off by mentioning looking for '1 year contracts with quality schools' then talk about 'firms' etc.

Your degrees are not in Education so what are they in? Windsurfing? Business? Admin?

Errrrrrr, what is a 'Type A Teacher'?

What age group are you considering teaching? CELTA, as you know, is geared towards teaching adults.

With your backgrounds then perhaps you should consider teaching Business English with one of the many numerous agencies. There again, getting a 1 year contract for that is unlikely.

Back to schools. What defines a quality school in your opinion? Salary? Curriculum? Benefits?

The only quality schools I know of are the true blue Internationals but you won't be considered for those.

I think you need to narrow your search, so to speak, as currently the info you are requesting is too broad.

jumpamonkey · Joined: 02 Oct 2009 Posts: 9 Location: Bangkok

Wow. I'm used to the executive level where we get to the point with minimal explanation. I was trying to be concise and not write a book on this question. To clarify:

We're both Type-A personalities. This means we're self motivated, driven and normally outperform our peers in the corporate world. It also means we're easy to deal with because we can plan, organize, execute and we accept responsibility as well as accountability. (There is a difference)

Firms: This is a generic term meant to include schools, private institutions, recruiters and any other organization you feel we should consider contacting who would be useful in locating the best teaching opportunities for our experience, skill level (as newbies but with far more experience than green grads).

CELTA: Yes, we know the curriculum is designed toward adults originally but the hands-on portion is with kids. It's a far more in-depth, difficult and organized certification than an online TEFL and we want to show that we take this seriously. The point is that it should set us apart from other candidates. Or am I just wasting money?

Quality School: Not a government school. An organization that has adequate resources, pays above average, attracts the best students and teachers, is run efficiently and managed by people who know what they are doing. If other teachers have a different definition of a "quality school" I am all ears!

Teaching Who? We think 8-14 years old or adults. We find kids easier at that age range and adults are definitely geared toward our previous business experience.

NigerianWhisper · Joined: 21 Mar 2009 Posts: 176

PattyFlipper · Joined: 14 Nov 2007 Posts: 572

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

They will have a lot of (er...) fun here!

Much of the original research about type As and type Bs (there are also Ds and others nowadays) was done in connection with coronary disease risk--in the 1950s. When I did my MBA in the early 90s, this stuff was very popular in Business Schools.

Type As are more "go-getting" than Bs but typically get more stress and heart attacks. They are impatient and restless. Some experts say that this points to low self-esteem plus compensation. They do not necessarily "outperform" others (Type Bs are more relaxed, quiet, creative, artistic etc).

In Thailand, the concept of Jai Yen (cool calm heart) is very important. The opposite is Jai Rorn ("type A", pushy, impatient etc.), this is a no-no and Thais hate and avoid "Type A situations and behaviour".

IMHO the OP wording is peppered with arrogance, outdated jargon, excessive self-promotion PLUS lends itself to being criticised and even to gullibility. Thais will certainly snicker and will gladly "exploit" all this energy and dynamism on offer.

The wording of the OP suggests that the subjects are perhaps hifliers in the corporate stratosphere, probably multimillionaires. If you click on user details to the left of the OP, there is a link to the OP's own website and blog. You can see who these people actually are.

We look forward to welcoming this couple to the Land of Smiles and the poor, humble world of TEFL.

Eddy