Job Discussion Forums

[EddieTsg]

Hello everyone,

I am starting a 4 month sabbatical from my job starting the beginning of next month and I have just finished my online TEFL course (TEFL Scotland). I am planning to teach in Thailand, more specifically Bangkok but I'm not sure what the situation is like there currently, would it be still possible to seek work there?

I have been told that it would be much easier for me to seek a short term contract (3 months) when I actually arrive in Thailand, can anyone give me some pointers?

Thanks

Eddie

[Pauleddy]

You have been misinformed.

In general terms, schools, academies and universities here don't take people on for three month contracts. One year contracts are normal. If you stay in the same school for a couple of years, it may go to a two-year.

One of the reasons is that you need a Non-Immig visa and a work permit to be legal. The visas last for one year, and tie in with the contract if you commence at the start of the school year.

There may be exceptions. Visiting professors sometimes teach short courses.

The other important reason, obviously, is continuity. The schools (etc.) don't want a teacher for 12 weeks. It could be bad for the kids. Plus, if they are gonna need somebody else in 12 weeks, they need to start advertising after four or six weeks.

I am sure that someone will have an example of a teacher who had a 12-week contract (maybe a teacher quit, and cover was needed)--but it's not normal here.

Of course, you could take a job and then run away after 3 months but then you wouldn't get a reference, and bad news spreads damn quickly etc etc.

Eddy

[EddieTsg]

Hi Eddy,

Thanks for the reply, I have been doing a little research and I read that it is usually the norm for schools to hand new teachers a 3-month probationary period where the school can let go of you if you are not up to standard or you can just leave at your own discretion?

Would it be possible to just do the 3 months and exit/enter thailand to renew your visa once every month?

Thanks

Eddie

[tttompatz]

[Pauleddy]

Tompatz is right, and has put the technicalities much more succinctly than I could.

My uni (one of the 'top' ones) would never, in their wildest dreams, hire for less than one year. Schools ditto. Some fly-by-night outfit may do, as said.

Now and again, on here, we get people who have a break or want a nice Thighland holiday for 3 months and subsidise it with a few hours of work. Some crooked academies may take you on, like an hourly paid basis. But, of course, it works both ways. You have no contract and no security.

To work, you need a genuine working visa, a Non-Imm 12 month renewable thang. Without that, you can't get a WP. If you don't have a WP, you can be fined or deported if you are caught (some people are jailed a few days too). Some people do work on a 60 day visa, but any good place with good salaries would not even entertain you.

The thing about scamming a 3 month probation period and then leaving/getting kicked out...nice try but you would never work again in a proper job here. You would also need to leave the country in 7 days and come back on another visa/or else not at all.

Thighland is such that the dice are always against you. If you pass your probation, you will be expected to work on. The probation is only a formality so you can be fired if you are drunk or hopeless. Sure, I have heard of people lying after 3 months and saying their mother died and sorry...

What you propose is riddled with difficulty IMHO.

Eddy

[EddieTsg]

Thanks for the replies everyone,

Well basically I am just looking short term work so I can gain experience before I return back to my country. If I like it, I plan to work at my job for maybe a few more years before returning to Thailand to teach as a career.

I also have a good chance of extending my sabbatical, would seeking a 6 month contract be possible? One website says this is the minimum contract length required, what are the chances of landing one? This is the website:

MOD EDIT

I am going to start looking for a position once I land in Thailand, I have looked at several sites which advertise short term teaching contracts like this one:

MOD EDIT

Does that mean the school can provide maybe a 3 or 6 month working visa?

Sorry for my ignorance, I was very excited to come over and experience teaching english but I have never worked abroad before so I don't know 100% how it works and I am becoming quite worried that this is turning out to be a disaster.

[Kiels]

MediaKids and AYC are two companies which offer 5 month contracts in Thailand in government schools. Thats the shortest contract I am aware of. Google them if you are interested.