Job Discussion Forums

[N.O.Teacher]

I have been a public school teacher in New Orleans for 15 years-- I am certified in Math and Business. I am taking a sabbatical for one year beginning in August 08. I would like to teach somewhere in Asia for that year, and I am considering Thailand. If anyone could answer a few questions for me it would be a big help!

my bio:
41 years old
15 years as a teacher
BA in Marketing/Finance
MBA (both degrees from LSU)
teaching fields: Math and Business

I will still get sabbatical pay (65%) from my school board, but I would like to save that and use as little as possible while I teach abroad. I gather from the info on this board that the best paying schools and best working conditions are the international schools. I think I would like to try for one of those.

Questions:
1. I do not have a TEFL cerfication. I can get one by taking a couse at UNO. Will this cerficate open a lot more doors for me, or are are my qualifications adequate to find a good teaching job?
2. What are the school year months in Thailand? In US school year runs from August to May.
3. Should I try to secure a job before I leave, or will I find better opportunites when I am 'on the ground' in Bangkok?
4. Is Bangkok my best option to find a good job? Is finding a job somewhere further south on or near the beach even possible? (I like to dive and snorkle!)

Thanks in advance for any responses and God Bless!

[tedkarma]

Apologies that it has taken so long for you to get a response!

Do you specifically WANT to teach English?

There are several colleges here that would likely be interested in having you teach business courses - and certainly international schools are almost always looking for math teachers.

The first tier international schools tend to hire from overseas through agencies like ISS.edu One issue though is that they like to hire for at least two years at a time. However, as a certified math teacher, my guess is that you are/will be a HOT property. It is probably VERY worth spending the money ISS will cost (about US$150 last I know) as they can tell you and can hook you up with the VERY best of circumstances.

The next tier down of international schools are more likely to hire locally, pay about half as much, can be a bit flaky - but there are a few that are decent.

The next tier down (there are several tiers and even a level of faux int'l schools) - lower wages still, flakier, etc.

Down south near the beach . . . ? Here on Phuket you might contact QSI - just do a web search - and British Curriculum School.

[N.O.Teacher]

Thanks Ted! I really appreciate your response. I will contact ISS next week and see what they can do for me. While money is not a big issue for me, I would like to make enough to cover most of my expenses without having to dip too deeply into my sabbaticcal pay. I am ceretainly open to teaching business or math if there is an opportunity to do so. One of the reasons I am considering Thailand is because of the world class diving and snorkeling it offers. I know it is too much to hope for to find a school that would allow me to go after work...but I would hope to be close enough that I could enjoy watersports on weekends. Could recommend a couple more beach type areas that a large enough population base that there would be some language schools? Thanks again for the help you have already given!

[tedkarma]

Language schools will typically pay you just about enough to live - barely. Living means a studio/efficiency apt., no transportation - or drive a scooter. Not really recommended for anyone over about 25 IMO.

That said, anywhere there is big tourism industry you will tend to find language school. The industry needs English as its medium of communication with its guests. So, in the south, Samui, Phuket, Krabi and smaller areas up and down the coast like Hua Hin, Surat Thani, Trang, Khao Lak (maybe only one school).