Job Discussion Forums

Kana65 · Joined: 22 Mar 2008 Posts: 22 Location: Malaysia

http://www.epamc.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=56

I came across this school and their website looks good

However, Wikipedia has some negative comments posted about this place

Have any forum members had any experiences good or bad with this school?

Thwartley · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 34

Sorry to beat a dead horse here but it's simply pointless to consider a job before you are in Thailand. The only relevant piece of info you need to consider on that website is the pathetic salary on offer: 30, 000 baht per month.

They may have a slick website but it's no substitute for being in Thailand and going to the school in person to get a feel for the place.

Believe me, you can have half a dozen job offers within a few days of arriving.

Kana65 · Joined: 22 Mar 2008 Posts: 22 Location: Malaysia

Okay noted but that doesn't really answer my question....

That school is a bit off the beaten track and I am certainly not going to show up there in person without a little reserach

So the same question goes out again....Anybody actually have any firsthand experience with this place?

norbdemn · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 128

Well, I did take a look at the site. They seem well established. I also did take a look at the Foreign teachers section where they give a short autobiography. It seems that quite a few of them been there for multiple years which is a good sign. Although some expats are willing to tolerate BS to stay in the area. So you never can tell.

Is this your first teaching gig in Thailand? If it is, I would still pursue it. With experience, however, you will be able to size up the school director, fairly easily and be able to tell if they are legit or not. For example, one director I interviewed with in BKK did not smile when he met me and was rather serious (it's part of their etiquette to smile when they meet someone) and then knocked off 20% of my salary during the interview which is obviously a bad sign. The social etiquette stuff can be helpful when evaluating a school.

I would go for it but do not sign anything until you meet with the school and if they want you to sign the contract in advance that would raise alarm bells!

By the way you can email the teachers - Do it!! The teacher's section is in 'Teachers' under the main menu in the left column. They list their email addresses.

Anyway, Good Luck!

Kana65 · Joined: 22 Mar 2008 Posts: 22 Location: Malaysia

Thanks for your response.

I may visit there next year when my contract and work permit at where I am now is closer to expiring.
(I currently teach in Malaysia and am happy here but would like to try life in Thailand).

A couple of years back I interviewed at a few places in Hat Yai and Songkhala but ended up staying in Malaysia largely due to better money offers here.

I didn't notice the teacher's e-mails....Good catch!!!!

Gringo Greg · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 1:20 pm Post subject:

I would run, not walk away from the school:

http://www.teflschoolreviews.com/srithammarat-suksa-school-2007330.html

I spent 18 months at the school, my wife spent more than 2 years there and in the last few months we were there, it turned into a nightmare.

About the teacher's emails: They have more than 20 teachers, but they have only a few listings, Guess why? They only list the names of teachers who they know will give a positive response.

Some of the teachers do have group outings, but expect the unexpected. One teacher quit after a weekend outing with other teachers when he witnessed drug use.

If you quit the school, expect the school to tell lies about you and contact other schools telling lies.

Jordan@EPAMC

Hello, I am Jordan, the Head of Foreign Faculty at Srithammarat Suksa English Program. For anyone wishing to find more information about working at our school, I am happy to answer any questions myself or even to call you from our office and let you speak to any number of our staff about work conditions. I have been at the school more than 4 years, and there are many teachers now on their third or second contracts. We have more long term teachers than other schools in town because we have standard pay increases with renewal and have a great group to work with. Any school with a staff as large as ours is going to have some teachers who aren't up to snuff and some of those may leave with a bad feeling (see above). I am happy to talk about any of those few cases. The bottom line is that honesty is the best policy, and I am happy to transparently run our school. Please contact me at [email protected] or call (66) 75-357-944