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Jennad
Joined: 28 Jul 2010 Posts: 31 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2010 8:02 am Post subject: Can you help a (very confused) girl out? |
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Hello everyone,
There seems to be an abundance of legit and not-so-legit certification programs out there......my question is: Can you score a decent job in Thailand with a bachelor's degree and a certification from one of those $100 online TESOL courses? Or should I go the expensive route and shell out $1,000 + for an in-class program? The number of options are daunting.
As a side note, are there free recruiting websites that help teachers land jobs in Thailand, similar to the ones I've heard of for S. Korea? Anyone know of any good ones?
Thank you for any helpful information!! |
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tttompatz

Joined: 06 Mar 2010 Posts: 1951 Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2010 11:34 am Post subject: Re: Can you help a (very confused) girl out? |
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Jennad wrote: |
Hello everyone,
There seems to be an abundance of legit and not-so-legit certification programs out there......my question is: Can you score a decent job in Thailand with a bachelor's degree and a certification from one of those $100 online TESOL courses? Or should I go the expensive route and shell out $1,000 + for an in-class program? The number of options are daunting.
As a side note, are there free recruiting websites that help teachers land jobs in Thailand, similar to the ones I've heard of for S. Korea? Anyone know of any good ones?
Thank you for any helpful information!! |
IF you want the run-of-the-mill job in Thailand (spend a year or 2 abroad and teach) then any old TESOL cert (coupled with your degree) will get you a visa (meets the immigration requirements) and work permit.
If you want something better than a 30-40k baht job then you will need a recognized cert (CELTA, Trinity, or SIT tesol) to name but 3) AND a couple years of classroom experience.
IF you find you like being a teacher then after you get some experience you can work toward improving your credentials and landing some of the better jobs.
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About recruiters and recruiting websites:
Really, when it comes to a recruiter, who cares?
A recruiter is nothing more than an introduction to an employer.
REPEAT: A recruiter is nothing more than an introduction to an employer.
Hello Mr. English speaker this is Mr school owner/director/DOS.
Mr. school owner/director/DOS, this is Mr. English speaker.
Mr. English speaker, here is the contract. Please read and sign.
School, here is the signed contract. Pay me.
Good bye.
-You are not paying the recruiter anything (or you shouldn't be).
-THEY DO NOT WORK FOR YOU! - They work for the school.
-They owe you nothing once you get there.
-They are not your friend.
-They are not your baby sitter.
-They cannot help you if things go to *beep* after you get there.
Beyond that it is YOUR responsibility to check the school out.
Do NOT trust ANY recruiter. They are like used car salesmen. They will lie and sell their soul to get the signature on the contract. You walk onto their lot and look at what they have on offer. If there is something you see that you like you inquire further and make your own good judgment about whether or not to proceed with the purchase from there.
Do your own DUE DILIGENCE in regards to the school or get burned.
Use the recruiters for what they are; a bridge between you and an employer that you would otherwise be unable to find.
Use more than one and keep going until you find the job you want, in the location you want, with the benefits that you want.
There is no rush and there is certainly no shortage of jobs in ESL globally.
When it comes to the school - again - repeat - Do your own DUE DILIGENCE.
1st - READ the contract over very carefully. If that doesn't scare you away then...
The best you can do is minimize the risk by talking to MORE THAN ONE of the foreign staff and ask POINTED AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS (*when the boss is NOT listening over their shoulder). Don't accept non-specific answers and broad generalizations.
No foreign staff references to talk (directly and via e-mail when the boss is NOT looking over their shoulder) to = walk away now.
Accept NO EXCUSES for any reason.
BIG NOTE HERE:
A recruiter is NOT an employment or dispatch or temp agency who sends you out to different jobs and charges a portion of your salary as a fee.
They are a head-hunter who finds an employee for an employee and once that is done they are out of the picture.
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Jennad
Joined: 28 Jul 2010 Posts: 31 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2010 6:17 pm Post subject: |
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tttompatz--Thanks for the info and your help. I have been warned on the topic of recruiting services......I definitely know not to just blindly sign something without reading it or without talking to current employees, etc.
The appeal of a recruiting service for me is that I have absolutely no idea how to start, or how to secure a job on my own, so having someone that could help me bridge that gap would be nice. Having never taught overseas, I think it would be helpful....as long as I'm cautious.
What are the pros and cons of getting certified while already in Thailand vs. while still in the States? |
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tttompatz

Joined: 06 Mar 2010 Posts: 1951 Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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Posted: Sat Dec 04, 2010 1:57 am Post subject: |
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Jennad wrote: |
tttompatz--Thanks for the info and your help. I have been warned on the topic of recruiting services......I definitely know not to just blindly sign something without reading it or without talking to current employees, etc.
The appeal of a recruiting service for me is that I have absolutely no idea how to start, or how to secure a job on my own, so having someone that could help me bridge that gap would be nice. Having never taught overseas, I think it would be helpful....as long as I'm cautious.
What are the pros and cons of getting certified while already in Thailand vs. while still in the States? |
Pros = cost and the chance to network with other newbie teachers.
Cons = depends on who is doing the teaching. Some are reputable but many are not.
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