Job Discussion Forums

[ragazzo gallese]

Hi guys,

Just a quickie. I'm not sure if it's be answered before, so apologies if it has.

I see a lot of conflicting reports on here, and other forums, about how much an ESL/EFL teacher can earn in Bangkok. These range from the truly awful (30k a month) to the sublime (60k+).

I've had three holidays in Thailand now, and I actually like Bangkok, so I'm looking to give it at least a year when my current contract in Italy expires.

So, by then, I'll have 3 and a half years of experience in good schools (currently with International House) at all levels, and including IELTS prep, plus the degree and CELTA. I'm also looking to do the modular DELTA next year, so you could say I'm a career teacher.

With the above, good references, a smart suit and a fair wind, what salary should I be aiming for? I don't want to be unrealistic, but neither do I want to sell myself short. Ideal would be around 50k a month.

Thanks!

[bulgogiboy]

If your experience is post CELTA then you could apply to the British Council, they were advertising not so long ago. I think that would put you up in the 60k range with some nice allowances.

If you're looking for jobs in BKK you will be roasting alive in that smart suit. Enjoy.

[ragazzo gallese]

Thanks for the reply! If last April was anything to go by, I won't be wearing my jacket. The heat WAS insane in Bangkok, and that was in shorts and t-shirt. In fact, one of my goals over the next four months of seeing out my contract in Italy is lay off the pasta and pizza and drop two stone so I can cope better in boiling Bangkok.

I'm glad you mentioned the British Council. I've been on the phone to their recruitment office in London, and although they seemed interested, they were looking for teachers for October. It will be the luck of the draw whether they need anyone in Feb/March of next year, but we'll see. I didn't know they paid as much as you mentioned, so that's good news.

My current company - IH - only pays 40k in Bangkok, with no accom, which frankly is a bit low. Can you recommend anyone else who I could drop a line to?

MOD EDIT

Thanks again.

[bulgogiboy]

Hi, you're welcome.

I can't remember precisely how much the BC were offering, although I'm sure it amounted to somewhere between 55-60k ish. It's definitely one of the few places in BKK that offers good money. I was on 30k with no accommodation, I would have killed to get a job at the BC!

I haven't worked in Thailand for quite a few years now, so can't really recommend any other places you might try, sorry.

Best of luck.

[tttompatz]

The time to be looking is next Feb/March for May (new school year) starts.

There will be lots of jobs on offer at 30-40k. There will be a large number on offer at 40-50k and a few on offer in the 50-60k rage.

Since you are not teacher certified (from your home country) you will not be eligible for the international / IB schools and will, for the most part be looking at language academies (40-45k range), private schools (again 40-50k range) or any of the 30k+ government jobs.

30-40k is OK if you are outside of BKK (rents in the 3000-4000bt range). In the city however it will be very tight at that salary (up to 1/2 of your salary going on housing) and yes, you should hold out for one of the higher paid positions.

.

[NigerianWhisper]

[ragazzo gallese]

I'm a British citizen, so no problem there. I've got a new colleague here in Italy with a friend in Bangkok BC, so I'm going to pick the friend's brains. Thanks for the advice!

[NigerianWhisper]

Also google 'Bell Worldwide'. Then look up Thailand on their website.

They are currently looking for EFL/ESL teachers at some of the Assumption Schools in Bangkok.

The salaries are higher than the BC and lots of benefits.

[DanusiaR]

[DanusiaR]