Job Discussion Forums

[ben warlow]

Hi there, I have recently completed a TEFL with the intention to use to do some voluntary work in Laos (I have particular contacts with a rural school there). As I will have to exit Laos every 30 days I thought it would be a good idea to try to do some teaching in Thailand also and especially as i would like my first teaching to be a reasonably supportive environment - or least at where I am not the only english teacher for 100miles!

Anyway I have been wondering what the prospects for picking up shorter term work in the North are like? I have read other posts on here stating that Dec/Jan are bad months to look for TEFL work unless you are looking at language school work in Bangkok. I don't have any real desire to spend time in Bangkok (i'm not anti I just prefer other bits of thailand) so wondered if anyone had any advice for work prospects in the North, esp around Chiang Mai (good rock climbing).

As is probably obvious I don't see TEFL teaching as being my profession (i will be returning to the UK to study as Physics teacher). That said i am keen to apply what i have learned and hope that i have something to give. My preference would be to obtain a reasonably short-term contract with a small number of hours (initially at least) with visa and everything that accompanies that, but i am prepared to go volunteer or black market if that isn't possible.

Does any one have any tips, because at the moment my plan is just to go to Chiang Mai and knock on doors! Any help much appreciated!!

[tttompatz]

[ben warlow]

tttompatz,

Thank you very much for reply it is good to get information even if that information isn't what i had hoped for!

As it happens I do have a degree (physics and philosophy), so i'm guessing that might just change it from being impossible to very difficult?

With regard to Laos I don't really have any info on how things work over there, i just know where there is a school that would like to have me and that i would like to go there. The school is in a very rural location with little obvious funds and seemignly far from government presence. Seeing as I would not expect to get paid a work-visa seems like an complicated and unnecessary extravagance. Perhaps I am wrong though? I'm not really sure where I can get better info as there doesn't seem to be much online about Laos other than on http://www.orientexpat.com/forum/

So I guess i now have other questions and they are:

Is there anywhere in Thailand where i might be able to pick up the sort of work I describe above legally? Perhaps if i was prepared to commit for longer?
MOD EDIT

Oh and what does LOS mean (sorry for the newbie question!)

Thanks again, much appreciated!!

[tttompatz]