Job Discussion Forums

rudycat · Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 3 Location: Cardiff, Wales

Hello again, advice needed on working in Phuket. Has anyone ever managed to get a job contract for 6 months or less? I would love to work in Thailand to get some experience but am joining my finace in New Zealand later on so would love to know if it is possible to find a contract for less than a year.

Many thanks, rudycat Idea

Rice Paddy Daddy · Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 425 Location: Japan

In Phuket - don't know.
Tedkarma can tell you more about Phuket EFL scene than most here.

I do know friends who have worked for less than a year in Bangkok teaching before moving on - so I know it can be done.

If you can't find anything on the island you should check out the situation there - and Kent/sheep goats on this forum maybe can tell you more about what's going on there.

tedkarma · Posted: Sun May 22, 2005 11:30 pm Post subject:

Only my personal opinion, but the local scene is a bit weary of people passing through - it's a major problem for them. One major school used to keep back your first month's wages - to be paid at the end of the contract - to ensure people would stay a full year.

I quite doubt that you could get work that would make you legal. No one would want to go through the hassle. If you wanted to take the risk of working illegally - you might find some work.

rudycat · Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 3 Location: Cardiff, Wales

Thanks for the advice. That has cleared a couple of things up for me. Since I do not want to work illegally could either of you recommend any schools in Bangkok who take on teachers for a shorter length of time legally?

Many thanks Smile

tedkarma · Posted: Mon May 23, 2005 10:42 pm Post subject:

Personally, I doubt any school will go through the trouble and expense of hiring anyone (there may be a rare exception of course) for less than a year. The paperwork to make you legal is just too much hassle and a bit expensive.

I am not the expert on this issue though. You might post your question on Ajarn.com and see what kind of response you get.

kenkannif · Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Posts: 550

It would be the same. Most schools will only bother getting you all legal if you commit to a year. So you either work illegally (as many, many teachers do here!) or you lie and then fob them off when it's time to leave....if you do this the school can make it difficult for you to get WPed up etc. if you plan to come back here to teach.

You will at some time or another work illegally here, that's just the way it is (Sorry Bruce H. for nicking your song there).

Sheep-Goats · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 527

Your odds of dropping into Puket and finding any kind of work that'll even keep you in the black for a period of only six months are pretty much nil. You could sign a year long contract and then do a runner -- likely losing a months pay in there somewhere in that process, and really short-shrifting your students as well.

Schools in Bangkok will sign a contract with you for less than six months but won't provide a work permit for that period of time (though it's probably quite legal to do so -- just not worth the hassel as that whole work permit process usually takes 3 or 4 months anyway) so you'll be working "illegally." Odds of you getting into any kind of trouble for that are nil -- especially if you leave your school on good terms with fair warning.

ddarko34 · Joined: 21 Mar 2005 Posts: 12

how's the job market in phuket anyways? pretty good for newbies? better to find one in the states or fly out on ur own?

tedkarma · Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2005 7:10 am Post subject:

No one on Phuket is going to hire you unless you are on the scene. My opinion anyway. Few places are that organized anyway. And, the island has several TEFL Cert schools cranking out a regular supply of fresh smiling new teachers.

Better to base yourself in BKK - and fish for good jobs on the island. At least, that's what worked for me.

Sheep-Goats · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 527

Simone · Joined: 21 Sep 2004 Posts: 12

tedkarma · Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 6:30 am Post subject:

Recognize Simone, that I said fish for the "good jobs"

I've been teaching overseas since 1992 - and am not and was not - interested in the bottom of the barrel teaching jobs. Also, as I am older I tend to recommend caution - particularly to newbies who often arrive after hearing fantasy stories from backpacker friends.

I stand by my previous comments.

Simone · Joined: 21 Sep 2004 Posts: 12

I'm sorry TedKarma - I didn't mean to be critical. You're right - there is a difference between the good jobs and the bottom of the barrel jobs. Unfortunately I had to start at the bottom but I'm aiming a little higher!!

jonathan_r · Joined: 06 Jun 2005 Posts: 3

tedkarma · Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 4:22 am Post subject:

I think the market is changing a bit with more jobs opening up. Kajonkietsuksa is growing like crazy. Though I still feel that wages are poor - comparatively speaking. Spoke with an experienced long term Phuket TEFLer last night who has good knowledge of the jobs and wages currently available - He confirmed those thoughts.

But, I do have to say that wages vs. costs is quite a subjective/relative issue. I am an older guy with a very specific minimum lifestyle I am willing to tolerate. So, the financial arrangements you might find quite satsifactory - I might find unreasonable/unacceptable. Doesn't make either one of us right or wrong - we just have different needs/wants.

I typically like to exercise caution for the newbies - too many have stars in their eyes - better to be realistic and maybe pleasantly surprised - than to be overly optimistic and possibly sorely disappointed.

Just my opinion.