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eclectic
Joined: 09 Nov 2006
Posts: 1122
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 Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 2:15 pm Post subject: is 4-week TESOL in Phuket enough? |
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| Plus a BA in English and 2 years teaching in Korea? Or do I need to do additional Thai requirements as well?....to teach in Thailand that is. |
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rostovru
Joined: 19 Mar 2009
Posts: 17
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| Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 6:34 pm Post subject: Actually... |
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You don't need the TESOL in Phuket.
Forget about it. It's a waste of money. Your salary will be the same with or without it. Especially having two years teaching experience in Korea... You're fine as you are.
The only way to significantly raise your salary will be to get a CELTA. That will make you elgible for the international schools, and the pay there is roughly 2 to 3 times as much as what you'll get through a government school.
So the short story is either go all the way and get a CELTA, or don't do anything at all. |
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MaiPenRai
Joined: 17 Jan 2006
Posts: 390
Location: BKK
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| Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 8:01 am Post subject: |
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| The only way to significantly raise your salary will be to get a CELTA. That will make you elgible for the international schools, and the pay there is roughly 2 to 3 times as much as what you'll get through a government school. |
Sorry, but that is not really the case. A CELTA would be helpful, but not the be all end all for work in low-mid tier International schools. I agree that it is a waste to take a TEFL course, especially one in Phuket, if have 2 years exp already. Most of these courses offered in beach type areas are not focused on training. The big draw is the lifestyle after class. That doesn't mean that they are all crap, but they are definitely not as good and/or USEFUL as a CELTA for example. If you are definitely going to do a TEFL course, DO THE CELTA if you are serious about teaching.
With a BA in Eng and 2 years exp and no TEFL, don't expect to make 2 or 3 times the average salary as stated. A CELTA will really only help to open a few more doors for you rather than boost your salary. You may get lucky and land a 40-50,000 baht a month job right away and be able to work into the 60,000/month range in a year or 2. But any more than that (mid-high tier International schools) will require home country certification (B.Ed, PGCE, etc.)
FOR ALL: Please remember that degrees and certifications only get you to the interview and demo lesson phase. If schools dont like your look, style, interview, etc, there seem to be plenty of other teachers for them to choose from these days. |
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rostovru
Joined: 19 Mar 2009
Posts: 17
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| Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 3:38 pm Post subject: |
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| Sorry, but that is not really the case... If you are definitely going to do a TEFL course, DO THE CELTA |
That is exactly what I said. A CELTA will open doors at the international schools. A TESOL won't.
Her BA in English is going to be her biggest calling card, and will count as a home country certification in the international schools.
Salaries vary. I've met quite a few international school types who make upwards of 100k monthly. Obviously there are others at lesser known schools making less. It all depends on your goals, but this girl probably has the CV to get to the top. |
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MaiPenRai
Joined: 17 Jan 2006
Posts: 390
Location: BKK
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| Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 3:43 am Post subject: |
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| Her BA in English is going to be her biggest calling card, and will count as a home country certification in the international schools. |
This is just plain wrong. Home country certification means having a certificate or licence to teach in your home country. A B.A in English and 2 years exp in Korea will not allow you to teach in America, Canada, England, etc. A PGCE oR PGDE is required in England. A B.Ed + a provincial teachers licence is required in Canada. A degree + a state teaching licence is required in America.
The mid-top tier International schools will require home country certification as a minimum just to get an interview. Most also require 2+ years experience and if applying for ESL, a TEFL certificate is often required. I know many teaching EFL/ESL at mid tier International schools without a CELTA (only 120 hour TEFL).
100K a month is top 5-10% in Thailand for teachers. It is highly unlikely for a B.A in Eng + 2 years exp in Korea to get her into that salary range. 40-55,000 baht to start is more likely. 60,000+ might be possible after a couple years in Thailand and with a good TEFL or CELTA. (I reccommend the CELTA). As a young female, 50-60,000 may be possible to start if willing to work in so called International pre-schools or kindergartens.
This is based on 6+ years of experience working at and with almost all levels of education in Thailand and based on the current job market and trends.
Don't mean to be picky, but I beleive in giving realistic advice to newcomers. |
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rostovru
Joined: 19 Mar 2009
Posts: 17
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| Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 4:16 pm Post subject: |
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| So the moral of the story is: Don't do the TESOL. Enjoy yourself instead. |
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dharma86
Joined: 05 May 2009
Posts: 187
Location: Southside baby!
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| Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 1:32 pm Post subject: |
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HAHA YEAH. There are FARRRRRR better ways of 'wasting' your money on 4 weeks in Thailand!  |
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beckersteph
Joined: 05 May 2008
Posts: 12
Location: KC, MO USA
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| Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 6:30 am Post subject: |
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The school I worked at and those of my friends in Phuket wouldn't even look at a CV unless you had a CELTA or TEFL certificate. But you can test the theory out when you go door to door if you want, then go get your certificate. Since you already have teaching experience, I'd get a cheap one on-line.
Also, we found teachers that have teaching certificates from America or the UK have a more difficult time adjusting to the Thai school way, and they are not hired there any more. |
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NigerianWhisper
Joined: 21 Mar 2009
Posts: 176
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| Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 11:56 pm Post subject: |
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I might be wrong in this but hard to see how certified teachers from the UK, USA would consider working in a 'Thai school'.
More likely the bigger internationals with 'home country' curricular and western management. |
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beckersteph
Joined: 05 May 2008
Posts: 12
Location: KC, MO USA
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| Posted: Thu May 20, 2010 7:21 pm Post subject: |
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The teachers who had teaching degrees came to our Phuket school in the middle of the semester and just needed jobs for a semester.
The international schools are more competitive and their staff tends to hang around for years instead of months. |
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