Job Discussion Forums

Ramblin' Man · Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Posts: 105

Hey all,

I know this has been asked in various forms many times before, so I'll start by saying, sorry for bringing it up yet again.

I've actually been living here in Bangkok for almost a year already now, but haven't done any teaching here, or even looked in to it, but now I may be interested.

I don't have a degree OR a CELTA.

I do have a tesol/tefl certificate and some teaching experience in China.

What kind of work, if any, can I expect to get?

What kind of salary could I expect per hour/week/month? (I know it isn't that much)

Are there any agencies that can set up 1 on 1 teaching?

Are there language mills or what have you that I could kind of walk in and teach a class here a class there on a pay per class basis?

I'd be looking for something like one of the above, preferably the first one, and am less interested in teaching an entire class of students. But if that's what the best option is I can easily do it, I have before after all.

I don't have super high expectations, just let me know what I can expect with no degree and that's all I'm looking for.

Regards

Ramblin' Man

Gypsy King · Joined: 05 Mar 2010 Posts: 77

With no degree etc. you can expect not to find a decent paying teaching job in Bangkok. The only possibility I can think of is private tutoring where children are concerned but this is unstable and unsteady work. My advice is for you to invest in your education and get a CELTA or Trinity College recogized teaching certificate if you are seriously interested in teaching English in Thailand. Smile

MaiPenRai · Joined: 17 Jan 2006 Posts: 390 Location: BKK

Without at least a Bachelors degree, you will never get a decent stable job in Thailand. A CELTA would be a useful addition ONLY AFTER getting a degree. A CELTA without a degree in Thailand wont really help much in the actual finding of stable and legal work.

Gypsy King · Joined: 05 Mar 2010 Posts: 77

Without a degree you might try applying for English teaching work on Kaosan Road . I have ben approached by many backpackers who want to learn English while travelling in the LOS...mosly from Japan and Taiwan. Good luck! Smile

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

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

PattyFlipper · Joined: 14 Nov 2007 Posts: 572

Gypsy King · Joined: 05 Mar 2010 Posts: 77

On the other hand you could always live like a Thai in the LOS on these wages. TIT! Smile

MaiPenRai · Joined: 17 Jan 2006 Posts: 390 Location: BKK

Without a degree, the best you will get is bottom of the barrel English schools, but you will have no work permit or job security. If the schools decides to not pay you, you have no legal recourse.

Notice to all those thinking of coming to Thailand to teach. Get your degree before getting here and or expect to get teaking advantage of and be a dancing clown in the classroom working for $10 an hour.

It is getting more competetive here and the salaries are remaining dormant. Having people with no degrees willing to accept crap salaries just keeps the salaries crap.

Gypsy King · Joined: 05 Mar 2010 Posts: 77

Actually I have recently noticed entry level salaries or hourly wages are falling shaply due to Thais hiring Filipinos, Indians and Chinese as ESL teachers. Many of these Asian non-native speaking teachers have Master's degrees in English/TESOL/Linguistics etc. and are earning around Baht 15,000 monthly at universities, government and private schools.. Seems regardless of whether you are a native speaker or not with or without a degree the Thai ESL mafia still won't increase salaries but will instead pocket more money from their clients. TIT & smile! Sad

MaiPenRai · Joined: 17 Jan 2006 Posts: 390 Location: BKK

MOD EDIT
Not exactly making AYC look that good is it. Actrually makes them look like are the kind of people that are willing to bypass the law. I wouldn't want to be in any kind of mess with a company like that, be it Thailand or not.

MOD EDIT

DMPT · Joined: 26 Nov 2006 Posts: 71

I've been teaching in BKK for 2 years without a degree. Began on 35,000 for a 12 month contract. Upto 36,500 last year, and up to 38,000 this year. In a private school through an agency.

This pays for my comfortable life here.

I have a good Saturday job (4500b for 5 hours) which I picked up in my first month in BKK. So usually 18,000b a month on top which is either saved or spent on a nice gadget or my motorbike.

All in all it's a good life with 3 months off a year and have so far saved nearly 300,000b in the last 2 years, which must be about 8000 US$ or so?

The market isn't what it was 2 years ago though and the jobs are tighter, and the contracts usually down to 10 or 11 months as they can get away with offering contracts that don't include the end of term holidays.

Gypsy King · Joined: 05 Mar 2010 Posts: 77

DMPT,

You have confirmed what most of us know already it's who you know not what you know (or have) in the LOS that counts on landing a good teaching gig on the weekends in the Big Mango. Again with a degree or without a degree who cares TIT (This Is Thailand for sure!!!) Smile

MaiPenRai · Joined: 17 Jan 2006 Posts: 390 Location: BKK

DMPT · Joined: 26 Nov 2006 Posts: 71

I picked up my PT work through MOD EDIT as advertised on the jobs site.

I didn't know anybody here when arriving.

I haven't had a WP because of the degree, but most agencies who offer the jobs in the 35k range will let it slip if you are a good hard working teacher, who is okay in taking care of his own visa situation.

I have a 120 TEFL and a 2 week TESOL, both from Thailand.

If you're good at teaching and hard working and dependable, and come across as such you'll be okay.

I have interviewed at jobs at higher schools (55k p/m) and they both said they can't hire me w/o a degree, but should I get one come back to them.