Job Discussion Forums

Mell · Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Posts: 3 Location: Thailand

I just finished my TESOL course and I'm currently looking for a teaching job in Thailand, but now I'm surprised by the amount of ads that ask for: "Native speakers only!!" (I am Dutch) and on top of that: "must have bachelor degree"

I am as fluent as it gets, including all the slang from various countries, but if my resume gets chucked out as soon as they see I am a non-native speaker then hard to get a job isn't it?

My question now is can I still get a proper job? Or am I doomed to teach some far away remote hill tribe in the middle of nowhere, for a minimum pay??

Anyone got any advice for me on this matter??

Greetz,

Melle.

Volodiya · Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2005 10:17 am Post subject:

Mell, you'll never know how "marketable" you are as a teacher until you try, by actually applying for jobs.

Everybody who posts here recommends applying, in person, as the way that works best in Thailand. (By applying in person, you may be able to attract enough positive attention to get past those two "negative factors" you mentioned- avoiding an automatic rejection, based solely on your lack of "paper" qualifications.)

wix · Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Posts: 250 Location: Earth

I have met Dutch and Scandanavian people working in High School English Programmes in Thailand. I think near native English proficiency, combined with a degree should be enough to get a job. Having the right look goes a long way in Thailand too. That means being well dressed and having blonde hair and blue eyes might be the other ten percent that lands you the job. Sad but true.

kenkannif · Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Posts: 550

To be honest it's mainly Asians (Filipinos/as, Thais and Indians) that they're trying to deter with the non-native speakers need not apply. You as a 'white' (if you are) Westerner will generally be thought of as a farang and thus to a lot of Thais a native speaker.

You'll be fine I know tons of Swedes, Danes etc. teaching here and to be honest often your grammar knowledge is better than a lot of native speakers. I've also noticed Swedes et al generally seem to pick up Thai (or bother to) more so than a lot of Brits, Americans etc. (all the Aussies seem quite good).