Job Discussion Forums

[marge_81]

Hi everyone, I just wanted to start off by saying this is a great site and its brilliant the way so many of you take the time to help out newbies such as myself with so many questions. Thanks millions!!

Well my story is that I am starting my PGCE this year and am due to finish next May. I hope to save for next summer and head off to Thailand around August.

By that stage I will have my degree, PGCE and a good bit of teaching practice. By looking through all the previous posts I'm thinking that I shouldnt have much trouble finding a job when I am over there.

I am going over with my boyfriend. He is a community worker and basically does the work of a teacher minus the actual title of 'teacher'- he doesnt have a degree though and is wondering what he can do to better his chances of a decent wage when we get to Thailand. Do you think a tefl course is best?


I am so glad I found this site because everyone seems to be so passionate about Thailand and it has really made me so excited about next year. I live in Belfast and have never properly travelled - apart from one or two foreign holidays. So I cant wait to get out there into the big wide world and experience a different culture and way of life!

Roll on next year!!

[marge_81]

Oh by the way this is a course my boyfriend is considering taking - I was wondering if anyone would have any advice on whether this sounds like a good choice?
Cheers everyone!!
http://www.teflireland.com/aboutwt.shtml

[kenkannif]

Well I'd personally advise he does a course in Thailand as the advantages are he'd get help with a Visa, placement, accommodation etc. Also he'd have 4-6 weeks to find his feet, make contacts etc. An Ireland based course may be too 'general' for Thailand and not overly help! Then again it might all be fine!

If he doesn't have a degree it will be difficult for him to be 100% legit here (i.e. teachers licence and thus work permit) although it is possible (depending on who, what and where you're teaching) to get a WP with only a TEFL cert, but the exception rather than the rule! Most teachers here in Thailand (I'd say over 50%) do not have a WP (I'm not saying it's right though etc.).

PM me if you want any pointers or advice!

Good luck to both of you!

[marge_81]

How far would the FAETC get you in Thailand?

(Further and Higher Education Teacher's Certificate)

[RikkiHoon]

Hi Marge,

I would agree with Ken: Completeing a TEFL course here in Thailand will be more useful than doing one in Ireland, for aforementioned reasons.

Also, it is worth you bearing in mind that just because you have a PGCE and QTS you may not necessarily be able to teach EFL as effectively as your PGCE specialisation (that is assuming that your PGCE is Secondary/Post-16) - even if that subject is English. Have you considered doing a TEFL course with your boyfriend? I would strongly recommend it.

Unfortunately, many employers here consider a degree to be more valuable than a specialised teaching certificate. This, IMHO, is ill-considered. The fact that you will hold a degree and PGCE means that you will have little problem securing a language teaching position, but you may find the teaching of EFL more demanding than you, perhaps, anticipated.

If you are considering taking a TEFL course in Thailand then I would not hesitate to suggest you enroll on the TEFL Int'l TESOL Certificate course in Ban Phe. An alternative course would be the RSA/CELTA course in Siam Square, Bangkok. There are many different postings on this site which discuss the pros and cons of the two certificates.

Good luck!

[marge_81]

Thanks very much for the info - very helpful!!

The course in Bangkok sounds very very appealing - the biggest fear though is that a lot of people have said its more intense.
Also would you need some working knowledge of the Thai language to do the course there?

Thanks again for all the help!

[wtdot03]

Rubbish!!I and many people i know have done a TEFl course in Ireland.In the Republic it's u can do RELSA wich is an Irish affiliated course and world recognised.Or u can do others such as Celta (Cambridge) which is dearer.Generally it would be cheaper to do the course at home, lasts about 3 weeks to a month.Yes there are advantages to doing course abroad but disadvantages also.Some friends of mine did a course in Chiang Mai and had difficulty getting job due to competiton for jobs.It would be better to do your course in Ireland and then apply to jobs on sites like Tefl.com or Ajarn.com and also post your resume on site.You can organise a job before u go and alot of schools help u out towards finding accomodation or just come over and se what's there.I would also advise if youre new to travelling to give yourself a few weeks to travel around Thailand to settlr into a new culture and just enjoy yourself before u comit to a job.Having a degree will generally get u a higher wage and everywhere looks for a TEfl cert of some sort.I myself was on 30,500 bhat per month based on experience(ahem !) and degree.Alot of places down south only give 20,000 a month.Expect more in Bangkok even up to 60,000 i haven heard in one case.Howver it's all relative, seeing as living costs, travel and social life (very important!) are higher there.You could spend most of the day travelling to and from work.Pace of life somewhat more relaxed down south.Good luck and enjoy!!

[wtdot03]

Oh and if u have your PGCE and a Tefl u could get work in an International School, better pay and nice locations such as Kho Samui.But then agin experience is required too, perhaps think about doing a summer camp even for a month in Ireland to get this.

[RikkiHoon]

Thank you wtdot03 for your rather forceful dismissal of my previous posting.

My reasons for advising Marge to enroll on a course (the TEFL Int'l Certificate course) in Thailand are:

1) She will be given help with placements (TEFL Int'l have an excellent support structure for this, as do most respectable TEFL providers);

2) It will be an excellent way to deepen her understanding of Thai culture by learning how to teach Thai students and by actually living in Thailand;

3) TEFL Int'l is renowned for providing a top rate course at an affordable price with accommodation thrown in. It may even be cheaper than doing one in Ireland.

At no point did I mention that she should leap straight into a job after completing the course; she would be well advised to enjoy a holiday both before and after. If Marge was to complete a TEFL course in Thailand, it would certainly be beneficial for her to post her resume on the Internet as well as respond to advertisements on ajarn/com and in the Bangkok Post etc, as you mention. The fact that she would already be in Thailand would make the interview process and finding accommodation etc, much easier.

Also, international schools rarely hire anyone without at least 2 years experience in a school setting (obviously they must be degree holders and hold professional teaching certification such as a PGCE), as stipulated by the Thai Ministry of Education, so Marge may find it difficult to secure a job, initially, in this capacity. You are correct that international schools generally pay higher salaries, but those that pay significantly higher salaries demand the experience and credentials. I am quite sure that one month's experience at a summer school would not be sufficient for gaining employment at one of the premier international schools. Perhaps it would suffice for the international school you mention in Ko Samui, although I have ever heard of there being a respectable international school there.

With regards to your friends who had trouble securing jobs after taking a course in Chiang Mai, it is not surprising considering Chiang Mai is relatively small. Finding a job in Bangkok (25 - 35K) is easy and anyone with the right credentials (and, unfortunately, even those who have none) gain employment within hours, if not minutes of pounding the pavements. The jobs which rake in 60,000 baht per month are usually to be found in international schools, although this is still high for purely English language teaching.

It is more useful, wtdot03, to constructively disagree with someone�s point of view rather than dismissing it entirely and responding with vague information. At the end of the day, Marge should consider the advice of all those that have provided concise and valuable insights to living, studying and working in Thailand before committing herself to anything.

[kenkannif]

Wtdot,

Well I disagree with a lot of your post, but cannae be bothered to argue. However I would say that obtaining a teaching position from abroad (unless you're qualified to the eye balls is going to be difficult!). I don't know many people that have managed it and it's generally a no no IMO. As it's too hit and miss for employers.

Rikki,

Some good points as well. But I'd say as there's such a lot of courses here it would be best for Marge's other 'alf to have a look at the courses on arrival rather than go by a few posts on a message board. I like T&T personally, I think TEFL Int. also offer a good course as is the CELTA and AUA's new SIT (although it's pretty new here) TEFL1 has people say good things about it etc., but different strokes for different folks. It's a buyers market at the moment from what I can see....so use that to your advantage!

I would employ someone with an Irish TEFL, but I'd prefer them to have attended a Thai TEFL course as it would make them more aware of Thai learning difficulties etc. and they'd most likely be Visa'd up for the next 12 months or so making it less hassle for Visa runs etc. (although probably would still have to leave every 90 days!).

Don't listen to any of us Marge, take everything with a pinch of salt and check things out YOURSELF!

[RikkiHoon]

I agree, Ken.

However, Marge, bear in mind that most worthwhile courses book-up in advance, sometimes by as much as a couple of months. So, although it is a wise idea to check things out when you arrive, consider the timeframe!

All the best.

[wtdot03]

Hey chill ot, mai pen rai lads!!I was just miffed that ye seem to thinkh an irish Tefl is not world recognised.Which is complete ok i will be nice...completely untrue.Also most of teachers i know actually secured their jobs before they came but i also mentioned u may have noticed that i suggested Marge trabel around and assess her options also,Sensitive lot aren't ye.Maybe it's fact i'm Irish we all talk leke that and it was meant with a hint of humour!! Poopr little auld me i feel bad ahem!!Irish women we're all nuts boy!!

[Ajarn Miguk]

[kenkannif]

[marge_81]

Thanks very much for taking the time to reply guys.

I have taken all your comments on board and am now strongly considering checking out a TEFL/CELTA course in bangkok. I think that I will do this course as well as my partner because your comments about increasing my knowledge of thai learning styles and difficulties make a lot of sense.

I am definitely considering saving a bit this year so that we can take maybe a month or so to enjoy the country before we jump straight into a working environment. Is the Thai TEFL/CELTA full time over a few weeks?