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PattyFlipper · Joined: 14 Nov 2007 Posts: 572

Then brace yourself for the mandatory 'Thai Culture Course', for tis only the beginning of the degradation you'll have to endure for the 'privilege' of working in the Land of Smiles.

http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/reallifethailand/2008/06/20/entry-1

laconic · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 5:03 am Post subject:

My school paid the entire thing and no one got bent out of shape with any of the stuff. I learned some interesting and beneficial things even though I've been here for many years. I think attitude has a lot to do with how you approach the course or how you approach anything in life. If you go into something hating it, there's a high probability you will come out the same way. Cheers Wink

PattyFlipper · Joined: 14 Nov 2007 Posts: 572

Did your school give you time off to attend the 'course' or were you expected to do it on your own time? Are they also going to pay the 60,000 baht for the compulsory one year part-time 'teaching methodology' course?

I suppose it depends how desperate you are to be in Thailand, but it must surely be the only country in the world which requires TEFLers to pay to take a culture course in order to keep their job. It is not as if they are going to increase the generally pathetic salaries they offer after you've done it, either.

laconic · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 12:02 pm Post subject:

Yes, we were given the time off to attend the course. There has been no mention of the part-time methodology course, but I doubt it will be required as, at a minimum, we are all graduates of various overseas university teacher education programs leading to teacher licensing or certification by an appropriate governmental entity.

Charlie Wahlie · Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Posts: 6

He paints a pretty grim picture, that's for sure. I'm due to go out there soon and haven't been told anything about this. I'd be quite happy to attend, as long the school agrees to pay - believe me, I'll hit the roof if I'm footing the bill.

I do, however, think the following is very good advice:

PattyFlipper · Joined: 14 Nov 2007 Posts: 572

Carll101 · Joined: 17 Oct 2008 Posts: 45

Some may think this forum is very negative about teaching in Thailand, but to me it's quite realistic. I wish I had read this forum before going to teach in Thailand, I would have made a better decision. I left Thailand a month ago and I can't say I miss anything. And I'm quite happy not having to give 10000 B for that course !

I think the key to teaching in Thailand is to secure a good job with good benefits. And I think people living outside of Bangkok are enjoying themself more. Just my opinion.

PattyFlipper · Joined: 14 Nov 2007 Posts: 572

gusto102 · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 44

I've been teaching at a Thai govt school for a few years and it seems, as with most rules and laws here, that this new requirements is being very loosely enforced. Two years ago my ex boss informed me of the Thai culture course at about 20,000 which they could generously deduct from my monthly salary. The foreign teachers just blew it off and nothing came of it. Now I've had to get a 2 year waiver on my work permit by Thai immigration to take the course. I know other teachers without even the most basic requirement of university degree still obtaining work permits. 11,000 baht seems pretty expensive though. I have heard of courses being offered at the PSTAT Training Center in BKK for just 3,000. I can agree with laconic that attitude has a lot to do with how you feel about this culture course. But I still can't help but feeling swindled as no ones yet explained how this course will benefit me or make me a better teacher. Of course even veteran teachers don't understand Thai culture 100%, I just don't see how singing and dancing, as the blogger writes, will benefit me in any way. I do love my job here, and will eventually jump through the hoop and take the course. The teaching methodology course is another story though. My boss hasn't mentioned anything about this, yet.

StrayCat · Joined: 19 Mar 2007 Posts: 21

Imagine how I feel...

I left Thailand 2 yrs ago for Korea after being in Thailand since 1990. I'm married to a Thai and I speak the language quite well. However, I'll return to a new post in sunny Bangkok soon... I'll have to do 'the course' as well even though I've lived in Thailand for a lot more more than a decade.

I was rather hoping that this 'course' would have been dropped by now...

bradley · Joined: 28 Mar 2005 Posts: 235 Location: China

I keep hoping to hear that it will be dropped as well........Living and teaching in China seems much easier now.

Pauleddy · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 295 Location: The Big Mango

I work at a "main" uni in BKK. We have never had to take this course. I also do some work for the gvmt as a teacher.

An ex-colleague now works for a good gvmt school--he had to take the course, but said it was a waste of time. His sch paid.

It all seems very hit and miss. A scam.

Thailand has cons as well as pros. It is not paradise on Earth.

P

fladude · Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 432

I have been trying to decide.....
Thailand, Korea or Latin America.... then I read this post.

Golden Fingers... for only 30,000 Baht????

I'm going to Thailand!!!!

Master Shake · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: Colorado, USA

When I did the Culture Course last April, we didn't even get golden fingernails.

On the thrid day when the old British 'mouthpiece' for the Ministry of Education came on stage to answer questions, there were a few harsh words between the native speakers and the non-natives. Some poor German guy named Klaus got heckled off the microphone by some Australians who yelled "the free ride is over!" at him.

PattyFlipper · Joined: 14 Nov 2007 Posts: 572