Job Discussion Forums

rocknroll · Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 41

I am presently working in China and was planning to work in Thailand. I have got Bachelor�s Degree in Physics and TEFL Certificate. I have taught for more than 2 years in China and overall 4 years. I got an offer from International School for working from 8:00-4:00 and 2 hrs extra for meeting per month.24 classes per week. The job is for specialized courses and not TEFL.Salary is around 40000-45000 Baht. No accommodation. No Airfare.

My Questions are as follows:

1. This job is provided by recruiter so how much can you rely on the recruiter? Recruiter wishes that I should come first and then negotiate with the Employer I don�t think that�s the best thing to do as I already have good job in China and if I would leave to Thailand. I want to go with something more concrete in my hand.
2. It is said international school but the license is hold by another company? Is that common and how safe would be that?
3. There is 3 months probation period. I am confident that they would find me a good teacher but I have seen schools in China where they recruit you for just for publicity. Although one worked they try to take out different mistakes and then they would kick that teacher out. Does something like this happen in Thailand? OR it happens in China only?
4. Is it common for Employer to withhold some money like 1000 Baht as deposit?
5. What about the salary during holidays? Do you get fixed monthly salary or it gets pro rated or calculated as per days you work? I get fixed monthly salary and I prefer it that way as it reduce confusion and hassle to calculate.

Does this offer sound genuine and worth it? I hope to hear form you soon.

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley

Is the intl. school in Bangkok? Would you be teaching physics? Are you a native speaker of English?

I think the salary might be just a bit low.

kenkannif · Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Posts: 550

Yeah a so so wage at what I'd guess is a so so international school.

Not a very good deal at all from the sounds of it.

You could/can do better on arrival...depending in when that is?

rocknroll · Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 41

I am not basically worried about the salary. (Ofcourse more is better but I think it's reasoanble.) I am worried about the other terms and working from 8 am to 4 pm. How many of you would agree to the terms I have mentioned in my first post like porbation period,deposit, holidays,working hours,etc.

Henry_Cowell : I would answer your questions.

It's not in Bangkok .
Yes, I would be teaching science or computers.
Yes, I am

kenkannif : I prefer that everything is finalized before the arrival so atleast I have some picture of the new place and how things would be. No surprises.

kenkannif · Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Posts: 550

IMO and IME you're far more likely to be surprised if you try and get a job before you arrive here.

At least when you're here you can check things out thoroughly before taking a position.

It sounds like a mediocre job with mediocre benefits through a mediocre agency. You should be able to do better if you applied for work while you're here. If you're working for an agency there's a good chance you either won't get paid for the holidays and/or they'll offer you other work during the holidays.

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

8-4 is normal for an "real job" at an international school.

If you don't have teaching credentials and aren't in Thailand and an international school is offering you any kind of job it means they're terribly desperate to find anyone who can even babble about physics. The credentialed teachers there will be making 80 to 100k, plus bennies, most likely, while your non-credentialed butt is at 40 or 45 sub bennies.

Deposits on your paycheck are not at all normal in Thailand, but they do exist at some schools. They're technically illegal for most contractual situations involving teaching, but there's wiggle room on their end.

Holiday pay shouldn't vary from normal pay.

Thailand isn't a very good place to look for teaching work if you want "safe." Risk takers do a lot better there.

kenkannif · Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Posts: 550

^ Yeah but SG do you know any 'good' international schools that do or would (even) use an agent? I don't?

rocknroll · Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 41

Thanks !! everyone for your feedback.

Sheep- Goat : I was glad to know about the working hours ,holiday salaries and deposit.Things are same and yet little different from China.
I just didn't wanted to sound unreasonable.

kenkannif · Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Posts: 550

^ In theory if the agency gets you the TL, WP etc. there's a good chance it won't 'really' cover you to teach at the Int. school.

Whereabouts is it please(roughly)?

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