Job Discussion Forums

[The Hungry Yeti]

I received an email from SINE EDUCATION SERVICE CO.,LTD (SES).
Any word on this organization?

[Kornan DeKobb]

I am trying to get in touch with SES. Do you have a telephone number?


Thanks.

[Pauleddy]

there are some comments on the old TEFLWATCHschool site (no longer extant) but you have to google quite 'hard' (Sine, Thailand etc.)

The comments are mixed in tone and content

eddy

[Sutherland]

I've just got out of a contract with the company. I'd say a big fat NO. The woman is a big time liar. She replaced me under my nose and gave me a few days warning, talking real sweet and having me do her favors until she gave me the boot. She also said she's never recruited for my school before but it turns out she has, and it hasn't worked out for the others before me. Very meddlesome, also, constantly sticking her nose into not just your job but your private life. Stay far away in my opinion!

[TEFLteacherthai]

I would have to agree with Sutherland's views about the organisation Sine Education. The owner comes across as insincere and is more concerned with keeping the school happy. She is very demanding of the teachers so she likes teachers who don't ask questions and do as they are told so as to keep her schools happy. Teacher rotation is very high because of this.

It is also my opinion that teachers shouldn't have to pay for a work permit when other schools pay for the work permit application for you.

My advice is to apply directly to a school or find another company because Sine Education provides very little teacher support for the service fee they collect from the school on your behalf. If they actually supported teachers, it may be an option but I think there are better options available.

[Gypsy King]

There are much better recruiters out there in Thailand than Sine Education. The lady who runns the show is typicaly Thai so don't expect to be treated fair when it comes to your pay!

[Charly T]

I have been working with Sine Education Service for the past three years and I havent had any problem with the company. The salary has always been paid on time. I have received support when needed. A small bonus for new year and a scheduled cruise dinner for all teachers to get to know each other. All recruiting agencies will have you to pay for your WP.
It is true that one of the main purpose is to make the school happy. But if you really understand Thai Educational system and behavior. There is no much you can do.
Thailand is a culturally sensitive country, some of our repetitive actions that we can define as 'normal' can be interpretated differently and report to the agency and dont expect the outcome to be in your favor.

My advice: SES is a good company. Come and live it yourself. People are different, so are experiences.

Charly T

[Gypsy King]

It is not difficult at all to understand the Thai educational system, culture and behavior. You mentioned all you need to do is make the school happy. NO we are not only talking about the students,,,,we mean the Thai teachers and adminstration who when or if they decide they do not like a Farang ESL teacher for any reason....mostly personal (through grudges etc.) have no hesitation in getting rid of him on the spot although he himself may be an excellent teacher, well liked by his students and of course make them HAPPY! This I believe is the major reason why there is a high turnover of QUALIFIED EFL teachers in Thai government and/or private schools TIT:shock:

[NigerianWhisper]

MOD EDIT

[Charly T]

True that Gypsy! As for the company, after posting I called some other teachers to have their impression. It is all good for all of them.
As I said: ' People are different, so are experiences'
SES is a very good company compared to many others.
TIT and you know it.

Charly T

[seattle]

all recruiters do NOT require a placed teacher pay for the work permit.

sine?...buyer beware.

[TEFLteacherthai]

I have to disagree. Can someone show me on the job postings all these schools and recruiters that are saying the teacher should pay for the work permit? Most I have worked for and ads I have seen say that the work permit is provided.

Sine does replace teachers based on personal whims and, in most cases, a superficial judgement call based on a teachers appearance or willingness to participate (unpaid by Sine) in an overwhelming amount of extracurricular activities after school hours. Why does someone always bring up �Thai Culture� when there is a company that is obviously taking advantage of employees for the benefit of profit margins? I saw a post a while back on culture on this forum. I can�t remember where I saw that but if I find it again, I will share it because I think it said pretty well what happens by a company that hides behind "culture" in order to take advantage of someone.

[TEFLteacherthai]

Regarding the post that everyone charges the teacher for work permits. It amazes me when some tries to post like they are the most rational person in the world and others are overreacting or not understanding the "culture". Then they proceed to make claims such as "all the teachers I contacted love the company" and "most recruiters (schools) charge for work permits". Well here you go. The proof is in the pudding as they say:

From Dave's:
http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/index.cgi?read=21058
All one year work permits/visa applied and paid for by The Language.

http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/index.cgi?read=21054
* Work permit and necessary visa

http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/index.cgi?read=21051
* Visa and work permit fee provided

http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/index.cgi?read=20964
-Visa & Work Permit provided

http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/index.cgi?read=20883
4. Paid and arranged work permit

http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/index.cgi?read=20719
- Visa renewal, teaching permit, work permit, provided at the company's expense, after probation

http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/index.cgi?read=20710
all one year visas provided by the school

From Other Sites:
http://www.esljobfeed.com/ESLfeed-JobPostingPage.php?read=9917
Visa extension, work permit, and teacher's license paid by BFITS.

http://www.esljobfeed.com/ESLfeed-JobPostingPage.php?read=10031
-Visa & Work Permit provided

http://www.esljobfeed.com/ESLfeed-JobPostingPage.php?read=10043
Visa and work permit fee provided

I think I have made the point.

Now can someone show me a company that says the teacher must pay for your work permit? I could fine only one, Sine Education:

http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/index.cgi?read=20975
8. For non-b-visa and work permit process, it is your responsibility to pay for the fee and expenses. The expenses will be deducted from your salary in the first two months which is total 5,000 baht.

[pacovl46]

I've been working for Marsha (Sine Education) for over 2 years now and I never had a problem. I always found Marsha to be a very honest person who says what she thinks. She's always been very supportive of me and actually stood up for me once I had a problem with a school. She always pays on time and always has an open ear when problems arise.

As for the work permit, she shared the costs for it 50/50 with me which I found nice. It's true that a lot of schools provide teachers with work permits, but they usually pay less then the schools that don't. So in the end of the day it's better more often than not to pay for the work permit yourself and pocket more salary.

It's sad but true that a lot of schools suck up to the parents. They don't like the way you want to get their kids to do their homework, so you get fired. A lot of the parents pay for their kid's school education. So the schools basically cater to them, and if there's enough parents complaining about you, or the school isn't happy with your performance you gotta go. It's as simple as that.

Someone said that she's very demanding and always puts her nose in his job and private matters. This has NEVER been the case with me. Not once!
She might be demanding when it comes to her reputation, which she gets from the performance of her teachers, but that only makes sense. If you had your own business you'd be protective of it, too.

Finally I'd like to say that in my opinion you can't find a better boss, and I'm NOT saying this because I work for her. I'm saying this because I truly think so based on my own experience with her.

[pacovl46]