Job Discussion Forums

[Lord Bafford]

I'm aware that the new term kicks off in May, so, is it a little premature to head over to Thailand within the next couple of weeks?

I'm looking for a position outside Bangkok with a low cost of living, any advice would be appreciated.

[MaiPenRai]

Most of the schools that are "on the ball" will try to sort out their teachers for next year before Songkran (mid-late April). Although some will wait till after Songkran to find teachers. Im not sure what the start dates are for gov schools this year. They seem to always vary, but almost always sometime in May. Private schools may have different starting dates, usually earlier, so if you have a B.Ed, experience and/or a specialty (ability to teach other subjects from EFL) then it would beneficial to be here in March/April to compete for those jobs (although most of these jobs are in and around Bangkok).

If you are looking for outside BKK, many of the government schools use placement agencies. PM me for more info as we are limited in what we can discuss on the open forum.

By the way, the whole cost of living argument is kind of a myth. Bangkok can be just as cheap as anywhere else. Its just that there are MANY more ways to spend your money in Bangkok. If you live frugally in Bangkok , you will constantly feel like you are missing out on everything. If you live the same in Nakhon Sawan (for example), you will fit right in with most of the locals.

[Lord Bafford]

Thanks a lot for the informative post! PM sent.

[deadzenpoet]

[EFL Educator]

Hello there,

It's never too early to go job hunting in Thailand. Some jobs to be had in the Chiang Mai area though. Your Baht 30000 monthly salary won't go far in Bkk. Government schools hire all over Thailand with most jobs located in the Northeast (Isaan) region. Good luck!

[flow]

[Lord Bafford]

Thanks to everyone --especially Mapipenrai for the PM -- for responding.

I arrived in Bangkok yesterday and I'm preparing myself for the job hunt.

What I find a little concerning is the fact that most positions on Ajarn seem to stipulate 24 teaching hours per week and require a Tefl cert. That's a little on the steep side for 30,000 baht salary the majority are offering.

I would be prepared to accept less than 30,000 if it meant a lower workload.

I am thinking of leaving Bangkok and finding a less expensive city, is this wise? My hostel is eating 10$ a day out of my budget and I would like to reduce that considerably.

Do the majority of interviews take place in Bangkok?

[Highlander.Mark]

watching and reading this with great interest as this will be my position in one year when im out of China !

[bansheebeat]

[EFL Educator]

Hello Lord Bafford,

My advice is get out of Bangkok if you are LOW on savings...and head out to Petchaburi or Ayuthaya and look for work. Cost of living is cheap there and jobs are to be had. Bangkok is becoming more expensive by the day.and there are many, many and MANY EFL teachers looking around now for teaching work in Thai schools there so competition is fierce as the new school term starts in a few days on May 1. Good luck!

[Lord Bafford]

I managed to land a job in Isaan at a government school.

The pay is pretty basic -- 32,000, 20 hours a week -- but health insurance and the non B is included in the package.

I want to thank everyone for the sage advice. Had it not been for the warning, I would probably have used one of the agencies which don't pay for your visa.

I would have preferred a job with less hours, but with my savings dwindling I just couldn't afford to be too picky.

[EFL Educator]

Hello there,

That's good news for savings....your money will go MUCH further there..than in the BIG MANGO BANGKOK!!! Good luck!

[Lord Bafford]