Job Discussion Forums

[explorer06]

Hi everyone..

I have applied to this school just to see what the deal was.
Here's what they sent me :

OUR VACANCIES
Position 1: Bi-lingual Kindergarten 2 ( 4/5 year olds) There are between 15 to 20 students in a class. You would teach the students from 8 � 12pm Monday to Friday and 14.00 � 15.00 Monday to Thursday. You would have the same students all day everyday. Teaching all areas English, math�s, science and sport. There are 3 hours overtime for this position. The school has all the resources you desire and you would have your own room.

Position 2: At The Language school teaching Saturday and Sunday, 6 hours each day. You would have three classes teaching from 10 � 12, 13 � 14.00 and 15.30 � 17.30, you would also have the same classes Saturday and Sunday. There is a max of 15 students. If a class reaches 16 we split the class in half. Monday to Wednesday teaching Kindergarten at our outside contract. These students will be mostly Kindergarten 1.

Position 3: At The Language school teaching Saturday and Sunday, 6 hours each day. You would have three classes teaching from 10 � 12, 13 � 14.00 and 15.30 � 17.30, you would also have the same classes Saturday and Sunday. There is a max of 15 students in a class, if a class reaches 16 we will split the class in half. Monday to Wednesday teaching at our local High School M5 & M6 ( 16 & 17 year olds). These are large classes of 45 to 50 students. There will be 10 classes so teaching the same lesson plan ten times.

Position 4: At The Language school teaching Saturday and Sunday, 6 hours each day. You would have three classes teaching from 10 � 12, 13 � 14.00 and 15.30 � 17.30, you would also have the same classes Saturday and Sunday. There is a max of 15 students in a class, if a class reaches 16 we will split the class in half. Monday to Wednesday teaching at our local High School M1 & M2 ( 12 & 13 year olds). These are large classes of 45 to 50 students. There will be 10 classes so teaching the same lesson plan ten times.

Position 5: Teaching an EEP at our local High School, you would team teaching with another teacher. (A normal class size is 50 students, for EEP the students sign up for the program and the class is split in half) so 25 students in a class, you see the students 1 hour everyday. You would also be teaching normal class sizes at M4 level (15 years old).
Position 6: Teaching various different levels at our local High School, teaching different ages from M1 to M6. 16 hours per week Monday to Friday. Also hours at The Language school Monday to Thursday

===> What is EEP?

SALARY
All positions are salary based, we pay 20,000 Baht per month based on a 22 hour week with free,fully furnished, shared accommodation. Overtime is paid at 300 Baht per hour and optional. We also operate a performance bonus system which is based on attendance, lesson plans and performance. This is calculated monthly but paid at the end of the one year contract, this would be over one months salary which is enough to buy a flight ticket to most places in the world.
Social Sercurity
Due to Thai law a social sercurity expense does come from your salary at 750 Baht per month. Please check www.sso.go.th for more details.

==> Is this money for social security true? How do I benefit from this?

PAY SCHEME
All positions are for a 40 hour contracted week which consists of 22 hours teaching time, 8 hours "in house" time for preparing, meetings etc and 10 hours flexible time. We don�t believe in keeping you here for the sake of keeping you here. So what the flexible time allows to do is if we have a lot of work for preparing for a meeting or any extra curicular activities we would ask you to come in and do a 40 hour hour week.

HOLIDAYS
We do offer 25 days paid holiday in the first year contract and 21 days for a ten month contract.

LESSON PLANS
One weeks preparation time is given at the start of each semester, within this week lesson plans and objectives for the following semester should be completed. This is also done together as a group so that we can share ideas and thoughts.

HOUSING
Our houses have a living room, dining room, fitted kitchen, 3 to 4 bedrooms with balconies, T.V, DVD player and 2 toilets. Our houses are very central in Suratthani but at the same time in a quiet area with a restaurant opposite.The house is a ten minute walk from The Language and the High school but the Kindergarten school is a five tuk-tuk ride.
The cost of house rental is anywhere from 4,000 - 6,000 Baht per month. We do offer housing allowance but only if our accommodation is full.


VISAS
First you would need a Non Immigrant B visa which lasts for 3 months. We will give you everything you require to obtain a Non Immi B but we do not pay for a Non Immigrant B visa. Once you have the Non immi B we will do and pay for everything except photographs (500 Baht) and two medicals (110 Baht) on your behalf to obtain a one year teachers license and work permit.

===> What do I need to get the Non immigrant B visa?
Once I have that, what do they mean by they will do and pay for everything for one-year visa?

WHAT TO EXPECT ON ARRIVAL
We'll pick you up at the airport/train station, take you to your new home. We advise that you come a week before training starts to settle in and we'll show you around Suratthani and the school.
To help you settle in as regards to teaching, for the first week you would observe the teacher you are replacing this allows you to get to know Thai children and letting them get to know you.The second week the teacher that you are replacing will observe you for one week. Even if you've taught before this is still a great way to get started into your new job.These two weeks are unpaid so please bear that in mind when you arrive. If you have any more questions please do not hesitate to ask me, in the meantime I would like to ask you few questions.\

Name:
Age:
Nationality:
Qualifications:
Experience:
Which position are you applying for and why?
What do you feel you can offer as a teacher at The Language?
Why have you chosen Suratthani as your place to teach?
What do you like most about teaching?
What don't you like about teaching?
What would you do if a class of students just aren't listening to you?
How would you describe yourself personally both positively and negatively?
What do you expect from Suratthani, Thailand?
You have one day where you can do and be anything you wish, what would you do and be?
-----

I think the last question tries to find out what type of personality does one have.... Hmm... variety of answers for me ! lol!

[sigmoid]

First, let me say that the message seems to reflect a professionally-run school apparently 'owned' by a foreigner.

But, the salary is not especially high (read: somewhat low) for a 40 hour week with 22 teaching hours. This is somewhat balanced out by the free housing (but it is shared) and the fact that it is 'upcountry' and thus less expensive to live there. But 'upcountry' (read: 'bahn nork') is also way boring. Also, there is the bonus.

[explorer06]

Thanx for the feedback sigmoid...

I am currently in korea, and finishing my job in march.. I was checking the options for schools in Thailand, but there's not many postings on daves site...
If I want to get my own place, do I have to pay up front for three months in smaller cities as well? (as I read about Bangkok which seems to be the case..but I wouldn't wanna go there..)

Which country is best to go for the visa run when I am there?

Do you happen to know any good sites that lists foreign schools or universities in Thailand? Maybe I can apply to them...

thanx in advance!

[colonel]

Sigmoid since when was Surrathani up country

[sigmoid]

[kenkannif]

Laos can be a bitch for Non-imm Bs, so make sure your school is sure they can get them from there.

WP = 3,000-3,100 Baht.

Visa extension (generally for 9 months the first time, not that it effects the price at all) = 1,900 Baht!