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Scott R
Joined: 21 Jan 2011
Posts: 59
Location: Rangsit Thailand
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 Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 3:41 am Post subject: 59 and need some advice |
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I am a 59 years old with an MA in psychology, Ph.d candidate in clinical psychology (not completed), a TEFL certificate from UCSD (college credits not hours) and no English teaching experience. I have spoken to many recruiters who are very interested until they find out my age at which time the interest abruptly stops and an excuse is given. I am thinking about flying to Thiland in April. What do you think my chances are of getting a teaching job that pays at least 30,000 THB? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, |
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roguegrafix
Joined: 30 Jan 2007
Posts: 125
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| Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 4:47 am Post subject: |
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| You'd probably be ok -- particularly if you worked outside of Bangkok where there are a lot of rural schools desperately seeking foreigners to teach. Re your age, a lot of it depends on the institution--at my uni, they are only concerned if you are physically healthy. We have had teachers over 70 still working. |
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Scott R
Joined: 21 Jan 2011
Posts: 59
Location: Rangsit Thailand
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| Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 5:08 am Post subject: |
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Thank you for the reply, that is encouraging.
I would actually prefer not to be in Bangkok. I understand I will have to enter on a 60 day tourist visa which requires round trip airfare. Is there a way to get around that? I would hate to pay for a round trip ticket and loose the return half if I got a job. Do you think Chiang Mai would be possible? I know there are less teaching positions there and more competition.
Thanks again. |
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tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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| Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 6:44 am Post subject: |
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| Scott R wrote: |
Thank you for the reply, that is encouraging.
I would actually prefer not to be in Bangkok. I understand I will have to enter on a 60 day tourist visa which requires round trip airfare. Is there a way to get around that? I would hate to pay for a round trip ticket and loose the return half if I got a job. Do you think Chiang Mai would be possible? I know there are less teaching positions there and more competition.
Thanks again. |
Chiang Mai = unlikely. Too many newly edumicated TESOL certs cranked out every month trying to find something in the area. Wages are particularly low and jobs are hard to find.
Move 100km in any direction away from Chiang Mai and no problem.
Start looking for jobs in early April with starts around May 1. There will be lots. You can easily find a job in the 32-40k range (despite your age) as long as you are healthy and active and can climb 3 flights of stairs a few times per day. (IF you hold out and don't sign the first things that comes along) you could probably to better (40k+ in the provinces).
For entry you do NOT need return airfare but you do need "onward passage".
Easiest way is to get a refundable ticket (pay with credit card if possible) to anywhere. It keeps the airline and passport control happy. Cash it in after you arrive. If it is on your credit card you should be credited back in about 3-5 working days. It is a pain to get a cash refund if you pay cash.
Do be aware that you need 21 days left on your "tourist" visa to enable to you change your status to a "B" visa when you find work (save you the cost and trouble of a border run).
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Scott R
Joined: 21 Jan 2011
Posts: 59
Location: Rangsit Thailand
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| Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 6:09 am Post subject: |
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Thanks again,
I will leave for Thailand late March or early April. Any suggestions for locations to focus on, I know I will need to explore.
From what I hear the weather in April will be like Miami on steroids. |
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Aristede
Joined: 06 Aug 2009
Posts: 180
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| Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 4:39 pm Post subject: |
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From what I hear the weather in April will be like Miami on steroids. |
That's about right. I was in Thailand last year and the weather was comparable to South Florida until March. Then the combination of heat and humidity surpassed Florida's worst. Unfortunately it scarcely gets better at night. Try to limit time spent outdoors and periodically stop to rehydrate. |
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tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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| Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 10:24 pm Post subject: |
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| Scott R wrote: |
Thanks again,
I will leave for Thailand late March or early April. Any suggestions for locations to focus on, I know I will need to explore.
From what I hear the weather in April will be like Miami on steroids. |
It is a big country with lots of schools. You certainly qualify for a job in a government school and as I said earlier, 100km away from Chiang Mai and NOT in a major tourist destination and your chances are about 100%.
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Scott R
Joined: 21 Jan 2011
Posts: 59
Location: Rangsit Thailand
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| Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2011 1:06 am Post subject: |
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I will arrive in BKK on April 2.
Thanks for the help. I will keep you posted as to my progress. |
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Scott R
Joined: 21 Jan 2011
Posts: 59
Location: Rangsit Thailand
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| Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2011 7:01 am Post subject: |
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| Is it worth taking the 20 hr. Thai Culture class on my own while I am searching for a teaching position? |
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tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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| Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2011 8:00 am Post subject: |
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| Scott R wrote: |
| Is it worth taking the 20 hr. Thai Culture class on my own while I am searching for a teaching position? |
It has been discontinued.
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This e-mail from the PSTAT was forwarded to me by one of the schools on its mailing list.
�Dear Teachers,
Please be informed that the Teachers Council of Thailand is making a new policy regarding foreign teachers� teaching license requirements. And because of this, all seminars / training particularly the 20-hour Thai culture course has been suspended until permission will be granted by their office. Therefore, please inform your friends and colleagues who haven�t taken this course yet to attend this last Thai culture course we are conducting on February 18-20. Kindly give them my number indicated below for registration or forward this e-mail to them.
Sorry for this short-time notice. Thank you
P.S. I will post new policy when finalized
Kind regards, Training Organizer,PSTAT |
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Scott R
Joined: 21 Jan 2011
Posts: 59
Location: Rangsit Thailand
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| Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2011 8:52 am Post subject: |
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Thank you.
I was not aware of that. |
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sigmoid
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 1276
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| Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2011 9:17 am Post subject: |
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I will arrive in BKK on April 2.
Thanks for the help. I will keep you posted as to my progress. |
I'm very surprised that no one has bothered to mention that you'll be arriving less than 2 weeks before Songkrahn, the Thai New Year (also celebrated in neighboring countries).
This is one of the worst times to show up as the festivities mostly consist of splashing people with water and smearing them with a kind of powder, whether you're interested or not. |
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Scott R
Joined: 21 Jan 2011
Posts: 59
Location: Rangsit Thailand
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| Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2011 6:02 pm Post subject: |
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Sigmoid,
I was not aware of that and I did not have any choice. My TEFL program is on an academic quarter system at UCSD and does not end until about the ninth of this month. I thought I would give myself a few weeks to consolodade my storage and sell my car. I also wanted to make sure that my timing was right for the Thai school year to increase my chances or getting a job.
What would you suggest to prepare for the upcoming onslaught? I do not plan to stay in Bangkok long. |
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tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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| Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2011 11:49 pm Post subject: |
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| Scott R wrote: |
Sigmoid,
I was not aware of that and I did not have any choice. My TEFL program is on an academic quarter system at UCSD and does not end until about the ninth of this month. I thought I would give myself a few weeks to consolodade my storage and sell my car. I also wanted to make sure that my timing was right for the Thai school year to increase my chances or getting a job.
What would you suggest to prepare for the upcoming onslaught? I do not plan to stay in Bangkok long. |
If you aren't doing anything during the holiday then head for the beach.
If you are doing something then continue doing what you were doing.
Nothing (in terms of your job search) will happen during Songkrahn but it will give you a few days off to get your feet and have a bit of fun.
Most positions will start right after Songkrahn so there is nothing wrong with your timing. (just make sure you are arriving on a (60 day) tourist visa and not the 30 day entry-on-arrival stamp).
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Scott R
Joined: 21 Jan 2011
Posts: 59
Location: Rangsit Thailand
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| Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 7:18 am Post subject: |
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Thanks,
I did get the 60 day visa. Maybe I will take it easy and get my bearings before Songkrann. I know I am going to be lost for a while. |
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