Job Discussion Forums

[durian]

I am sure this question has been asked, but I have not found the thread--anyway I am sure many of you have not answered it.

I love Thailand and had even lived in the South some years ago, but not as a civilian. Anyway, most of you could easily find a job here in Korea and be making a lot more money. From what I read and have heard the average wage there is 30,000 Baht. How can you save anything. Maybe a few University positions, if you are fortunte enough to be certified, a position at an International school for a higher sum. I just do not understand what the trade off is and would really like to know.

Thank youm

[frankly speaking]

Dear Durian, You won't be welcomed in Korea, you smell to bad. We love Durian here in Thailand though.

Now as to your questions. In the Northern Provinces of Thailand the pay is a lot less. University positions usually pay less than 30,000 unless you have a PHD in a related field. The trade off is quality of life. If you enjoy living in 10 pyeong apartment and working in a cold environment than stay in Korea but in Thailand you can live a much higher lifestyle for much less. If you ate the same kind of food and enjoyed yourself the same as you can in Thailand, you wouldn't save much in Korea either. I think that most people that come here and stay here are not pay check chasing. They are here for the love of teaching, the love of the country and for whatever other personal factors that they have.

As for teaching, there are much fewer classroom problems encountered in Thailand. Discipline problems seldom exist compared to the chaos that runs throughout Korea. You will not get any fingers stuck in your behind here in Thailand. (Dong JIn, I think that they called it.)

If saving money is your main concern than don't come here ever. In Korea and Japan you can save 2 times what you earn here but the burn out rate is usually higher in those countries.

Good luck and enjoy the lifestyle here. Remember though, the classroom is not a military academy. You must treat Thai students gently and with calmness in your voice. If you ever raise your voice or command students they will stop learning from you. In Korea that is more acceptable and commonplace.

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

xxxx

[sigmoid]

Yes, indeed, verily many are the TEFL teachers in Thailand that have concrete serious plans to leave soon, including me. Many are those that have already left. Without significant increases in overall salaries and other changes that would induce foreigners to stay, I would say that Thailand will not be able to compete for TEFl teachers with other countries in the region. The kingdom is already losing out to China and Vietnam economically and was never in the league with Taiwan, South Korea or Singapore. Without a robust economy, salaries will never increase more than incrementally.

At the same time I haven't heard much interest in Korea, in spite of very attractive salaries and benefits packages. Anybody who takes the time to review an offer and do some research about the school and the country quickly sees that there's a reason they at least try to make it look good. I have heard though that a university job in Korea allows you to avoid many of the pitfalls associated with teaching in that country.

Which is more than can be said for China with their low low offers which, even with free housing, are utterly insulting to experienced teachers, especially given that they are supposedly 'the world's fastest growing economy'. But still, a few people I know are interested in at least giving the place a try, especially southern China. Obviously, what you see on the internet is likely just tip of the iceberg.

Then there's Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Middle East, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Brunei, etc. etc. Some people even speak of going home!

So, to sum up, I think we'll see more and more teachers leaving Thailand, but there will always be at least a few arriving to enjoy the transient pleasures that the place has to offer.

[jibbs]

I think people just like living there, simple as that. The money is poor, the work isn't great, the education system is crap, but the culture, the food, the easygoing nature of the people, can make up for this. Not many people like Korea, Vietnam is riddled with dishonesty, Taiwan is considered boring by many people, and I think China has a lot of problems too. So, many take the option of low pay but being able to enjoy life outside work though the cash can be tight. Other places are better for saving money, but if you dislike living there, how long will you tolerate a country just to fatten your savings?

[flapjack]

well put Jibbs,
but TW is more than just boring
I know you were trying to keep things short and your focus was on Thailand but I would like to add that teaching in TW rips the bones out of your back, its really not worth the money.

[tedkarma]

Food, weather, people, beach, relaxed lifestyle - are all on my list of why I am here.

Also - I have (at times) spent as much as two months wearing only flip flops and shorts . . .

[frankly speaking]

The only thing that I take exception with is the statement that Thailand has a poor education system. I think that you are over estimating the Western Education system. There are faults with the Thai education system but so are there with all countries. I remember a few years back on the Jay Leno show, he went out into the streets and asked simple questions to the public. There are as many morons in Western countries. There are many brilliant and highly educated people who go to school right here. If a student is motivated he/she will learn, don't blame the education system.

I am surprised that Sigmoid is still here. He has been complaining about the low wages and other things for over 4 years. I have taught in Korea and Japan and you can save a lot. I saved an average of 15,000 US a year. The difference is, I didn't live there, I only worked there. If you live there, you are more likely to spend your money to make yourself comfortable.

Personally, I think that all teachers in Thailand should get a pay raise not just the Western teachers. I also think that Thailand should increase it's qualifications for teachers. I gave the Toefl exam to a few native English teachers that I worked with. Unfortunately, I had students that did better. Most scored around 530-550 but I think that they should have scored at least 580-600. I would be ashamed if I couldn't score higher than some students.

[AnchorMan]

Truthfully? Where I come from I don't earn a middle-class income. Here I do. I get the associated status and the associated benefits. My chalk-face hours are 21 and my lesson plans don't change much from year to year. I consider myself semi-retired. Back where I come from my occupation was such that sometimes people spit in our faces and even like to punch us. The food is drab and expensive. The women only want you if you have a mil in the bank, or have the social and seductive skills of a Valentino. The women in Thailand smile when you smile at them, the women from the country I come from are thinking "what's in it for me?" I could go on but I would only be repeating the obvious...

[White_Elephant]

Durian, how can you compare working in Korea to working in Thailand? I see you are looking at this from a dollars and cents perspective. Look at in a different way. If someone told you you could live in heaven with beautiful people and always feel welcome but you couldn't become rich OR you could live in pure hell where the people can regularly be rude, nasty and make you feel like an unwelcome guest but you can save money, what are you going to choose? There's a good reason why the salaries are high in Korea. The turnover is probably higher there than in any other ESL teaching country. Ask yourself why. Talk to the vast majority of people working in Thailand and it's hard for them to think about leaving. It's all about quality of life and Thailand has it in spades.

[ttalapp]

I'm sorry but I have to disagree with white elephant. I spent some time in Thailand and Korea. This is my second year in Korea and i have yet to meet rude and dishonest people here. Granted that Thailand has warmer weather, good food, etc... But people in Korea are often more generous to foreigners than they are in Thailand. Surprised? That's because they don't get many tourists. Army brats and English teaches is all the foreign exposure they get. But I have yet to meet the person who will try to cheat and get some extra mileage out of me. Maybe it's because I'm working at Public school now, but i also worked at hagwon in my first year. All I'm saying that it's unfair to criticise the country whose hospitality is on par with Thailand. [/list][/quote]

[White_Elephant]

[Mr. Kalgukshi]

This is the Thailand Forum.

This is not the Korean Job Forum.

If you want to discuss Korea, please do it on the Korean Forum.

Please keep your comments here focused on living and teaching in Thailand.

[Mr. Kalgukshi]

Two inappropriate/off-topic postings (now deleted) following my warning above = locked.

[Mr. Kalgukshi]

As you can see above, this thread was previously locked due to inappropriate and off-topic postings.

This thread must remain focused on Thailand. If you want to discuss Korea, please do it on the Korean Job Forum.

If the previous problems reappear, this thread will no longer be with us and members will be sanctioned, as appropriate.