The Thailand expat forum for Travel, Lifestyle and Fun.

BobR

I'm a retired American lawyer with an American law degree, and I had absolutely no problem whatsoever finding a teaching job in Thailand in fact the job found me. Went to one of the TEFL schools in Pattaya, the one off Soi 53 on the dark side, After I graduated they placed me in a government school about 40 km away. This is my 3rd year teaching at that same school. The down side is money; that's not why I do it, I have enough already to live here well, but I needed and wanted something to do, was climbing the walls with boredon. The pay is only 22,000 baht a month, which is twice what the Thai teachers make and I made as much in 2 days at home as I make in a month here, but this is the most fun job I've ever had. Also, when you work 5 days a week here you spend much less money than when you are not working and bored. Thai children are very polite, respectful and charming, and many of them are quite motivated students...(we call most of them the girls). Some things are the same in all schools. I've been lucky enough to find a school very free of the kind of internal politics that can ruin a teaching experience. They treat me very well and I've really enjoyed it, but the pay is definitely not the motivation.
I never hated anything in my life as much as practicing law, (could not wash the sleeze off myself at the end of the day) so this lifestyle suits me quite well. Good luck to you, hope this helps.

BugginOut

It's an imperative. He wants to be advised. He doesn't have advice.

And, yes, you're trying to be a grammar Nazi. Better luck next time.

somtamslap

Just bowing down to your blinkered view of anyone that doesn't lead your obviously, exceptionally, successful career... Yer focking boring, mate.

crazy dog

True but I never heard of anyone making such a small amount, I know people without degrees or TEFL making more than 30.000 and with over 50,000. I know you don't do it for the money but even so does seem a little bit on the low side.

nidhogg

Disagree. The post was soliciting information, not giving it.

As to the grammar nazi bit, well, its always nice to see if all those "English teachers" and wannabe "English teachers" can cut the mustard. In this case clearly not.

__________________
facilis est descensus Averni

kingwilly

What the fuck?

Are you AA in disguise?

I'm taking exception to you confirming the sterotypical teacher as a washed up unqualified sexpat and you'd rather I didnt?

Righto then, as you were.

Jesus Jones

A friend of mine has a TEFL but no degree. However, his English is very good and I believe he earns just over 40K. He lives quite comfortably on that and he's also aware that this is a short term career.

Depending on your lifestyle 40K is plenty. I've lived on that with no problems and still had money spare at the end of the month. I don't drink, smoke or use dirty women though. For me, the money isn't important (paying the bills etc are) but the free time I have here in comparision to what I had in the UK is.

If your coming because the booze and women appeal to you, then a better paid job is advisable.

__________________
Pilger’s law: ‘If it’s been officially denied, then it’s probably true’

The way of life can be free and beautiful, greed has poised men’s souls, has barricaded the world with hate, has goosed stepped us into misery and blood shed. We have developed speed, but we have shut ourselves in. Machinery that gives us abundance has left us in want. Our knowledge has made us cynical, our cleverness hard and unkind. We think too much, and feel to less. More than machinery, we need humanity

mikehunt

I teach English. I've worked at my current institution for almost 3 years. I do not have a "degree" of any type. I have my apprenticeship (4 years) & that's all. My other work experience is not proven by a qualification but only by experience. As a result, I can be employed as an electrical engineer in Australia.

But this is Thailand, where a piece of paper is worth much more than experience in a particular field.

I've just received a wage rise. I did not ask for this but my Thai colleagues seemed to think that I deserved it. I'm also the only "native English speaker" at my institution.

As for being Irish, I hope that your Irish accent is not strong. My recollection of an Irishman, with whom I worked, is like this;

Irishman: "Can you go to Taunton Street & do blah blah blah?" (This is what I "heard".)
I went to Taunton Street & was greeted with, "No. We never called you."

Upon further investigation, I discovered that the correct street was Thornton Street & not Taunton Street. It just so happens that there are 2 streets in Revesby (Sydney) with both of these names. The Irishman's pronunciation was the problem.

Summary.
If your Irish accent is strong, please do not teach Thai students.

__________________
Oh for fucks sake! Get a life & stop trying to fuck mine up!

BobR

You're quite correct CD, I know I could probably go elsewhere and make more money, but I'm happy where I'm at and don't want to take the chance of landing in a place I would hate for a few extra baht. Thanks.

Mr R Sole

Well some interesting points....1:- the accent...totally agree if you have a soft accent then you maybe ok...if it's a hard northern irish accent..eg:Belfast then I'd forget it. You won't pass the interview..IMHO.

They really like clear spoken English at the schools I've taught at.

If your just coming over for a 'short time' experience (pardon the pun..you guys know what I mean..TDer's) then also I wouldn't think about teaching just yet..wait and see if you can put up with the place first...

There are some things to learn about the Thai's and their ways of doing things...also I would stay away from Bangers and Pattaya...or you may find yourself getting into trouble quickly...I would say that those places are really for the 'Tourists' and not serious long stayers..IMO

If ya coming in July-Aug 09' then you will have missed the start of the terms over here, but will no doubt be able to fill someone else's position that either couldn't hack it or got the sack for any number of reasons!!!

One guy here in Trang is getting the sack today from a Anuban school cos' he's been walking out of lessons after 20mins stating that he hasn't got anything else prepared!!!!! and leaving the class to the thai teacher to complete!!! prime examples!!! and this job is a piece of piss to be quite frank.

nomad

If you havent done a tefl or a celta yet just check with the agency wether its a acceptable world wide. Tefl is just teaching english as a second language it not a certificate to teach in schools or universities. Down to the truth a tefl is purley for teaching at a language school to someone who wants to improve the language skills.

But thailand is so desperate for english that TEFL teachers can teach in schools with any type of degree wether its in Photography or Education. And is some casses without.

Well good luck have fun and enjoy teaching screaming thai kids who dont want to learn or adults that have nothing better to do.

BobR

I don't know about elsewhere, but most teacher credentialing programs in America are nothing more than useless garbage designed to protect the teacher's unions and lifetime teachers from equally capable and educated competition. Time consuming but useless garbage, but particularly in an economic downturn when many educated people are out of work, it keeps the worthless union teachers from being fired.

kingwilly

really?

firsthand experience?

evidence?

Mr Quickly

Thanks again for all the helpful replies .

Thanks also to Sandmike who sent me a pm . Unfortunately I don't have enough posts so am unable to reply .

My accent is soft as I'm from the south of Ireland , but have lived abroad quite a bit.

My trip in July or August is a holiday and fact finding exercise but plan to move within the next six to nine months .

I must say I'm very impressed with this forum , I've learned a lot from it .

Thanks again .

Another Farang

You should take the TESOL, can even do it online, and try teach something along the lines of Business Studies at an international school.

Mr Quickly

Thanks another Farang , if possible it should certainly pay more .
I'll look into it .

Marmite the Dog

I've edited the title in the spirit of the English continually educating the Oirish.

killerbees

A bit OT, but whereabouts are you in Trang, Mr R Sole?

Mickymoo

Mr Quickly,
Plural of "opening" is openings (no apostrophe). I'm just a pedantic twat. But if you're thinking of teaching English...........................

mtone9317

I got my teaching credential in Elementary Ed from San Francisco State University. the program was excellent but...my first full time job was a Band teacher in a ghetto school. I was bitten by snakes and wolves on a daily basis, but I survived...mostly because I dazzled them with brillance.
Our school Salsa group performed for the All-City festival and knocked them out...the Latino wannabe gangbanger teenage musicians called the Superintent an asshole and told him to fuck off when they sat down in reserved seats and he kicked them out. They all got suspended the following week. very funny. We were heros to the whole school. After that it was easy. I had a group of teens who said:"Do not mess with the Band teacher or you will get it after school."