Job Discussion Forums

[Ramblin' Man]

Hey everyone,

I was just recently in Bangkok and really enjoyed my time there. I have spent some time teaching in China before and now am back in China looking for work. I have some options but I'm interested living in working in Thailand.

The kicker of course is that I don't have a degree. I've heard that sometimes the government will give a work permit to you if you have TESOl certification (which I do) but no degree as long as you are teaching children.

I was thinking of teaching private 1 on 1, preferably out of an apartment (once I get one) or some near (to me) public location, but of course initally I could be flexible on that.

I was just wondering how easy it would be for me to build up enough people.

What would be a good amount to charge per hour (assume 300-400 baht, with a group rate option,)?

Should I use an agency?

Would I be able to have success trying to build a clintel entirely on my own, through advertising on craigslist/other forms (anybody know some good ones) ?

Answers to any or all of these questions, or just any info at all would be most appreciated.

[MaiPenRai]

Ramlin Man,

Getting privates in Thailand on your own usually involves knowing people which usually involves being here for a little while and getting a reputation as a good teacher. Dont think anybody will come to your apartment to study English unless they know you before hand and even then females won't unless it is a bigger group. Better plan a neutral area like Uni campus or more public area.

Technically, you can get a work permit in thailand if the director of the school writes a letter on your behalf stating your value to the school regardless of degree. That can be tough if you are not already at a school, but I am sure it is doable outside of bangkok somehwere. Do you have a diploma or associates degree? Often it is just a matter of having some piece of paper with a fancy seal and signature on it with the word college or Univeristy on it.

also, many of the hourly pay language schools dont even care about work permits, so there is work to be had, just no job security.

I find the rate you charge better reflect the work you produce. 300-400 baht/hour would be ok for a group of 3-6 or so. 1-1 should be 500 or so. Try to organize small groups if you can. Tell them that if they get a friend or 2 to join, they can get a cheaper rate. The biggest problem will be cancellations. Try to get students/groups to pay at least 1 week or 1 month is advance. BUt they will probably want to test you out for the first lesson before agreeing to this.

Try pantip.com or educationzone.com. Or put up posters at Uni's. A language school that pays by the hour might be better for more secure work.

Good luck.

[Ramblin' Man]

[skann]

If you're going to do private teaching, beware of doing public advertising. Technically speaking, your work permit only allows you to earn money in Thailand through the school that gets it for you, so private teaching is technically illegal. However, that shouldn't be a problem, unless you make an enemy. At Thai universities, there are many Thai English students who earn extra money by doing tutoring, but they get a pretty low wage. If they see an ad for "lessons with a native speaker," they will probably know what you're doing and it's possible they could make trouble for you. I don't want to say 100% not to do it, but just beware of that. As someone else on here said, the best way of getting private students is through word-of-mouth.