Job Discussion Forums

[Serious_Fun]

If one successfully completes the Teacher's Licensing Course (called Baw Bundit in Thai), or opts to take the exams, will the resulting Teacher's License be permanent or will it be attached to a specific employer?

I have read differing opinions.

thanks

[Master Shake]

The teachers' license is you get will be yours and is not attached to a particular school.

And, to my knowledge, it is not for any particular subject (i.e. Chemistry, Math, English) and simply states that you can teach legally in Thailand.

[Serious_Fun]

[No Moss]

This is a wonderful new law. Finally, some country is taking a stand against the un- or under-qualified teacher. Only serious candidates will attend these classes, and Thai students will be far better-served.

Any questions? Why is everybody staring at me like that? Did I say something wrong? Wait, don't hit me. Aaarrgghhhh. I take it back...I take it baaaaa...

[Serious_Fun]

[Master Shake]

If you actually took this so-called 'Thai Culture Course' and Professinal Knowledge Tests, you would be singing a different tune, No Moss.

To this date, NOT ONE PERSON has passed the Prof. Knowledge tests. They are extremely difficult and ask questions that require the equivalent of a master's in education to answer correctly. They also ask questions about minute details of Thai legislation (i.e. according to Article 1265A of Thai Teachers' Council resolution 1268C/D...). They also ask about technical jargon (i.e. hot-key shortcuts in MS Access). The icing on the cake is that the test questions themselves can be confusing because of poor grammar.

And the Thai Culture Course is not anything to brag about either...

Agreed, making sure that qualified people are teaching English in Thailand is an admirable goal. But it is being carried out in a careless way and the real aim is to suck as much money out of your pocket as possible.

Thai Culture Course= 4000 baht
Prof. Knowledge Tests= 4000 baht

[No Moss]

Master Shake, I assure you that my post was totally tongue in cheek.

Here's the way I see it:

1. Get your (unrelated) degree--approximate cost US$50,000-150,000.

2. Pay $1500 for a 4-week TEFL course.

3. Prepare extensive paperwork for Thailand.

4. Buy plane ticket and visa to Thailand.

5. Take your Thai Culture Class.

6. Get a job.

7. Go through hassle of getting Thai work visa.

8. Take your teacher's license course (1 year plus 60,000 baht).

9. Enjoy that 30,000 baht/month lifestyle.

Legal FT population in Thailand in 2009? About 20. Long hours and huge classes push that down to 3 in 2010.

2011. The last legal FT in Thailand retires at age 24, and teacher recruitment begins on Walking Street in Pattaya.

[norbdemn]

What does this new course consist of?

I taught in Thailand for 2 years (2004 - 2006) when it was not required but changes were being established. I have a TEFL and a BA.

Also it would be appreciated if someone can shed some light on what the current visa situation is like now? Tourst and NonB.

Thanks.

[musicmunky]

without a teachers certificate now in thailand is it illegal to teach there? wots tha situation if you have a ba degree and a weekend tefl? is it more hassle than its worth or should be go elsewhere. shabing x

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

To the best of my knowledge, a teacher's license is required only if you are teaching kids at a Thai government school, i.e. Thai public school. If you want to teach at a university, language school or in-company (as I do) a teacher's license is not required. You need a non-immigrant B visa and a work permit - that's it.

Yes, for teachers at public schools, there is some confusion about new procedures and tests, but I don't think we have the final word on what those requirements will be. If, as Master Shake's post suggests, the Professional Knowledge test proves impossible to pass, they will have no choice but to drop that requirement. The 'get tough' rhetoric we're hearing now, in the end, will be moderated by the reality that schools need native teachers to teach English, as it is abundantly clear after you've lived here for a while that Thai teachers aren't qualified to do the job properly.

And remember this: the school that hires you is responsible for getting your paperwork processed - not you. You couldn't do it on your own even if you wanted to. If the school that hires you can't get your paperwork organized, you leave and find one that can. It's really that simple. Nobody expects anybody to risk deportation or fines for overstaying a visa or violating immigration rules. School owners and directors know this. They also know that it is their responsibility to take care of it.

People with legitimate degrees have absolutely no reason to worry. There's plenty of work available, and schools that know how to get through or around the red-tape. And for what it's worth, I wouldn't want to teach at a public school anyway, but that's up to you! Consider this excerpt from chon nom's recent post ...

[No Moss]

Thanks for clearing that up, Kent.

Do you know how I could get that police check without going home?

[Thwartley]

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

^ Hi



re: police background check from abroad



At the top of this forum, you'll see the word Sticky: The Master Index Thailand @ Dave's ESL Cafe

Click on that and scroll down to FAQ, Part IV. Now scroll down a little more to FAQ 2.

For US citizens, you'll see 2 links, one is for FBI, the other is for State.

[Master Shake]

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Is the TL requirement for everybody a new rule or an old one that was always ignored?

I was under the impression that the TL was for public school teachers only.


Can you point me to a thread that would support your claim?

I'm not doubting you - just want to get the facts right.