Job Discussion Forums

Agent007 · Joined: 27 May 2006 Posts: 17

Hi. I am thinking about teaching in Bangkok next year. I much prefer to teach adults than children. I have a B.A. in English, a TESL certificate, know grammar backwards and forwards, and will have more than a year of teaching experience in Taiwan by the time I consider teaching in Bangkok. Does anyone have a recommendation of some reputable schools that don't work you like a slave, and offer reasonable compensation? In Taiwan, I am able to live comfortably teaching 20 hours of adult classes per week with no office hours. I don't really care about saving money, as long as I can live without stressing over bills, or being afraid to pay for a dinner out with a girlfriend, etc.
I am also curious..if teaching kids is a necessity, is it like teaching kids in Taiwan? In Taiwan, you entertain them and play endless active games with them at a fast tempo--there's never a moment to sit down, work on their writing, or really do much substantive coursework with them. Is it the same in Thailand?
And, a final question...If you hate the school, how difficult is it to break the one year contract? I wanted to get out of the first school that I signed up with in Taiwan, and it took an eternity to disentangle myself from the contract. I ended up having to enlist the help of the Taiwan government, and jump through all kinds of hoops. Again, is that the same in Thailand?
Thanks for any help or suggestions. Any input would be appreciated. Best wishes.

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

There are plenty of jobs teaching adults, although there are a lot more jobs on offer teaching kids, especially when you factor in the public schools, which do hire foreign teachers. There are also many schools that cater to both kids and adults. Thai kids are OK, btw - they can be apathetic sometimes but they aren't rude or violent. You won't have any problems living well on the money you earn but you probably won't save any. Breaking a contract? Usually no major hoops to jump through - most schools expect 4 weeks notice.

Bangkok in Focus

laben18 · Joined: 06 Aug 2003 Posts: 84 Location: The parking lot.

How much is "reasonable"?

Agent007 · Joined: 27 May 2006 Posts: 17

Thanks for your input, Kent. So, I guess I'll see if I can find some adult schools that advertise job postings--or maybe I should make a trip out to Bangkok, and scout around for schools myself.

By "reasonable," Laben18, I meant as I tried to describe: no need to save up any money, but enough not to have to stress over bills, or worry about not being able to go out, etc. I'm not sure how much that would be in Thailand bahts.

Thanks again for your thoughts.

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

I'd say roughly 40,000 Baht per month in Bangkok.

That's a rough estimate based on my own spending habits.

You won't starve or need to dip into your savings with 40K in your pocket every month.

For a more complete cost of living, click on the Master Index Thailand sticky

located at the top of this forum and then scroll way down to Part III.

Bangkok in Focus

Agent007 · Joined: 27 May 2006 Posts: 17

Thanks, Kent. That cost of living index was very helpful. I just scrolled through it, and it gave me a good idea of expenses. So, if I can find an adult school that pays close to 40,000 per month, that will be great. I'll see what I can dig up...

tedkarma · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 12:38 am Post subject:

I worked for a while at I-TIM, the International Hotel and Tourism Industry Management School in Bangkok.

Great school (what they teach and what they do for the kids who study there), so so management, so so wages, great students - very worthwhile place to start out. Their turnover is high enough that if you showed up and did a decent interview you'll be on board within a couple months at the longest, tomorrow - or today - if they need you. They don't tend to advertise.

They do all the required work permit and visa stuff - so it is quite a decent place to work.

Good place to get oriented, get your feet on the ground and start looking around for better wages - or evening gigs.

My guess is that these days (I worked there in 2001-2002 - I think . . .) they probably pay 30-35k during the probation and it goes up from there.

But - they are decent in many ways. I finished my three month "probation" in about two weeks - and got my raise - and then another raise about four weeks later.

Look here:

http://www.i-tim.ac.th/

Ask for Peter, tell him Ted sent you . . .