Job Discussion Forums

[Sareva]

Hi all,

I'm a soon to be college graduate and I've been looking into teaching abroad for about a year now. I was wondering if anyone could offer any advice about Surat Thani, Thailand? It's sort of become the front runner in my searches but I'd like to know what it's really like. Also, if anyone does have knowledge of that town, what are my chances of being hired there?

I'll be graduating with a B.A. in History and have a little experience as a language assistant at the local university. That job primarily entails leading communicative activities focused on improving Ss informal listening/speaking skills. The Ss are usually between ages 18-45, but I think I'd like to work with children if given the opportunity. I'm not planning on getting any type of TEFL certification (it's a bit expensive). I am a native English speaker and I'm tall and blond, which I've heard is a benefit for TSL jobs in Asian countries. My friend is also going, and ideally we would like to work in the same area, but I don't know what the chances of that are. She is not a native speaker, but moved to the U.S. when she was 10 and speaks English like a native (very slight accent). She is also graduating with a B.A. in History but currently has no experience teaching (though she's trying to get a job as a Language Assistant for the summer).

That's all the pertinent info I believe, so, any thoughts? And if you don't know about that town, any recommendations based on my qualifications (they're slim, I know)? Anywhere that both my friend and I could go? We're most interested in teaching in south-east Asia or Latin America, but above all we want to go somewhere where we can live near each other.

[Pauleddy]

I don't know Surat Thani town but it's small, about 120,000 souls live there.

It is mainly known as the seaside town which has ferries to Koh Samui. From what I can see, there are few other attractions, although I recall seeing some gvment school jobs in outlying towns not far from the beach.

As a small southern town, there won't be much to do, and few westerners will live there. Great if you want that, although some folks think they want that but then change when they realise that it's hot and boring and very Thai if you live in the boonies--there will be very little in the way of movies, nice shops, clubs and all the stuff which western people want EVEN very occasionally.

Eddy

[Sareva]

Good to know, thanks! I was under the impression it was a medium sized town, so that changes things a bit.

[Pauleddy]

It's relative. A small town in Oregon may be a small city here. Google told me that there are 124,000 people there. Other sources told me that it's a great town for the boat to Samui island but that there is not much there otherwise. Check other sites. I don't know...but small cities here are all hot and boring and strange.

When i first came to Thighland a long time ago , I had the idea of finding somewhere on the beach with no people and very deeeeep Thai culture. I had seen too many beach movies. I went crazy within 5 weeks and fled to Bangkok, where I could get (at least) pizza, wine and a movie.

E