Job Discussion Forums

nagilluc · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 9 Location: Oregon, USA

Hi all,

I'm new to all this. Recently completed a CELTA course and am beginning to narrow down the possibile destinations to look for a TEFL job. I'm considering South America and SE Asia, and have been looking at the AUA website for Thailand. Any thoughts on working at their schools- working conditions, difficult in getting a job, etc.? Any particular branches that you might recommend to someone looking for a city/town smaller than Bangkok (and with a not-so urban or industrial feel)? What is Chiang Mai like?

Thank you!
KC

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

AussieGuyInChina · Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 403

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

nagilluc · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 9 Location: Oregon, USA

Thank you for all the feedback.

A few questions- if AUA is closed for a few months, do you know when that is approximately? Would the wages you mentioned actually be enough to save a little bit if you live reasonably but still enjoy your weekends? Do you know much about the difficulty of getting a job at AUA, and whether or not it's something I could try to do from home?

Fourth and finally last qestion...Any suggestions on other schools in Chiang Mai? The more I read, the more appealing it sounds.

Thanks again, I really appreciate your input.

KC

Sorry, lots of questions I know.

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

nagilluc · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 9 Location: Oregon, USA

Again, thank you.

Very useful information, for someone who is basically clueless.

I had heard that Thailand isn't the place to save a signifcant amount of money. I'm really just looking to support myself and have a little bit for weekend trips, since I've never been to Thailand and would love to see as much as I can.
By saving, I meant for the potential summer months without work, or much work, that you had mentioned. I asked that way because I don't really have a context for the figures you all had suggested. For example, 30K a month- how does that compare to living expenses? Would that cover it? (I won't have much in the bank upon arrival.)

Good to know about surplus teachers in Chiang Mai.

Hope it's a beautiful day wherever you are.
This is the last of my questions...
KC

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

I second AussieGuyinChina.

AUA pay a below-average hourly rate. There is a one-week break after every 6-week term and a 2-week break at Songkrahn [Thai New Year] in April and a 3-week break for Xmas/New Year, I believe. Why not check with AUA? They have a very informative website.

In my opinion it is pretty hard to make ends meet with that arrangement.

Actually. to be fair the teaching part there isn't bad. They do try to run it like a real school.

Generally speaking, the TEFL scene in Thailand is hurting for teachers. The higher cost of living, increased regulations, economic stagnation and increased competition in the region have caused many people to leave.

Chiang Mai does seem to be the exception. Many people seem to want to live there and so it is more competitive to get a position.

You can check jobs here:
http://www.teflasia.com/ajarn/browse_jobs/index.html
although you may find little of interest.

nagilluc · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 9 Location: Oregon, USA

sigmoid, aussie guy & kent,

thank you all for your feedback and advice.

KC

nagilluc · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 9 Location: Oregon, USA

sigmoid, aussie guy & kent,

thank you all for your feedback and advice.

KC

cafecafe · Joined: 24 May 2006 Posts: 20

AUA was once THE place to be, now it's THE place to be. Mainly as previous posters have mentioned already, horrific pay and conditions.

Examples:
You're 1 second yes read 1 second late for you class. Class is immediately taken away from you by the management and you lost the hour since it's all part-time at AUA
AUA teachers never save much, every 6 weeks there is the interim week with no clases and therefore no income
You're on sick leave, you don't get paid
Public holidays obviously if they fall in the interim, again, no pay
New teachers are started off with 3 hours a day. Can you live on that for 3-4 months? I know I can't
Compulsory workshops and seminars, again you don't get paid
Compulsory weekend work. ok paid but... if you refuse, you're booted out fairly quickly

I can go on and on...

craven · Joined: 17 Dec 2004 Posts: 130

Hey, my first post on this forum!! I actually live in Japan now, but lived in Chiang Mai for a year working for AUA. It's a great place to be overall...regular teaching hours in blocks of time (so you're not exhausting yourself doing split shifts), and more to the point, a HUGE array of resources for teachers to use for their lessons. The owner is something of a nutter, but is a good guy overall. As far as Chiang Mai goes, it's one of the best gigs out there.

In regards to what the poster above said...it's true that they start you on a 6 week probation period, during which you only teach 3 hours per day. During that time, I supplemented my income working for another school in the mornings, and then stuck with AUA once my full class schedule kicked in. As far as the other stuff goes..well, I was never late for a lesson so I guess I never got docked pay!

I second what other posters have said about Chiang Mai being a competitive place to work...it's a FANTASTIC place to live, and as such you'll find the expats rarely give up their jobs! If you're worried about saving money, go and commit yourself to working a year there. At the beginning you will probably save nothing (or lose some even), but after a while you should be able to make things work! Don't expect to be coming home with thousands in the bank!