is it worth teaching in Thailand

[lucky]

I teach advanced English and TOEFL in the middle east.I live in Kalasin Province and would love to be home more than two month of the year but the jobs offer so little money I am forced to work abroad.If anyone can advise me I would be grateful,Lucky

[jojo333]

Stay where you are, save and retire here.

[BobR]

No, 30k (30,000 baht) is about tops, 20 is much more likely. I don't need the money so the salary does not bother me so much, I teach because I enjoy it and it given meaning to life. If I actually had to work, I'd have to go elsewhere. The pay here is too low, and the bureaucratic nonsense is getting out of hand.

[Thetyim]

Friend of mine teaches and gets 40k per month including his bonus.
His does a few hours of private lessons which tops him up to 60k per month.

He doesn't live in Bangkok, he lives out in the sticks

[Marmite the Dog]

A TOEFL tutor I know does/used to earn about 90k a month at one place I used to work at in Bangkok.

[forreachingme]

^Bangkok and the sticks,quite different financial story in many things have you not yet discovered this with your actual location...But for sure there are ways to make 90k in the sticks too. takes a few hours more or classes with much more students probably.

[AussieBazza]

Hi, I noticed that you are an experienced teacher teaching in Thailand and i have heard that it is a Thai Government requirement that anyone wishing to teach English in Thailand must have a degree and that there is absolutely no way around this? is this true?

I am about to relocate to Thailand from Australia and have been searching the internet for advice on obtaining a teaching degree.

I came across a site called (HILL UNIVERSITY) who profess that after paying them just over $1000.00 US dollars, they will provide you with a 14 day course they will provide you with a (BACHELOR OF EDUCATION) which they say is totally recognised in Thailand to enable you to teach english there legally? their website is: hilluniversity.com and they are situated in the USA. It sounds like a scam to me and I was wondering if you, or anybody else has had dealings with them or know of them.

I have a Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety and it took me a lot longer than 14 days to obtain that................so being skeptical.........its seems like a fraud site trying to rip people off?

Any Feedback information on this topic would be greatly appreciated

[Jesus Jones]

Some places will take on teachers without a degree; most at least require a TEFL - obviously the salary will reflect this.

Personally, i wouldn't go to the trouble of using one of these sites offering these so called recognized degrees, they are a waste of time.

There are many agencies taking on native English speaking teachers but again the salary could be anything from 20 - 30k if you're lucky. If you can find employment directly, the school may pay 40k plus. Without a degree, you may find it difficult to obtain the required visa and work permit, so the responsibility will be with you in this case.

The rules are supposed to be getting stricter, but schools, at least the majority are able to get around this issue.

[PattyFlipper]

It took me less than a minute to find the following information about Hill "University"

Office of Degree Authorization
Diploma Mill News: Got money, got degree

Any half switched-on employer could do the same. Even the website itself screams diploma mill. The Thai Ministry of Labour have a list similar to the Oregon Office of Degree Authorization one in the link above, so it is unlikely that you could successfully use a 'degree' from this entity to obtain a work permit (though in Thailand, who knows?).

A B.Ed in 14 days. Yeah. Right.

[bangkokeddy]

You could start a real degree at a Thai University with an International Programme. Not expensive, entitles you to a study visa and you can teach at the Uni in order to cover your fees and expenses.

[bangkokeddy]

After the degree you can apply to do a one year PGCE by distance learning and earn an International School teachers salary.

[PaulBunyon]

in my opinion, Thailand won't offer much and may even drain your savings especially if you have children. But if you really want to come back to Thailand, do it for a year and see how it is. Since you've worked abroad you could always go back there if Thailand doesn't meet your expectations.

[Dreadlord]

in my opinion, Thailand won't offer much and may even drain your savings especially if you have children. But if you really want to come back to Thailand, do it for a year and see how it is. Since you've worked abroad you could always go back there if Thailand doesn't meet your expectations.

That is exactly what I plan to do in 3 years. I am currently getting my AA and will continue my schooling in Thailand at the university. I plan on saving for the last year here and then going for a year to see how well I like it. That way I know whether or not I want to stay there. Its a great idea.

[Munted]

After the degree you can apply to do a one year PGCE by distance learning and earn an International School teachers salary.

Can you tell me what schools will take me on whilst I do PGCE? I have a linguistics major.

[Bettyboo]

Linguistics is a good major for the unis; poor salary at first though. You'll need the PGSE completed before applying for higher paid positions (in horrible jobs, imo...) at International secondary schools.

[Munted]

(in horrible jobs, imo...) at International secondary schools.

You say this; what can I expect to earn, and how many hours per week? If I can fund a 15-20 k apartment in Bangers I can stand the s***.

[Bettyboo]

You probably could.

I don't know this area because I fukin hate kids..., but I've been offered 70/80k a couple of times to work at new International schools (wouldn't consider it, meself). I don't think this is a particularly high wage for the sector; others will know better than me, mind.

I think the hours are pretty long; 8 - 6 six days a week, I presume, could be wrong. May want you to live in too, and look after the horrible little bastards...

[OhOh]

Friend of mine teaches and gets 40k per month including his bonus.
His does a few hours of private lessons which tops him up to 60k per month.

He doesn't live in Bangkok, he lives out in the sticks

If you have a work permit to teach at a "school" is it legal to take on additional "private" work on the school premises or elsewhere?

[Stranger]

Stay in the Middle East and retire in Thailand.

[PaulBunyon]

You can teach here but you will not really change Thai people or Thai society. Teaching here is just a way for you to enjoy time in Thailand. It's just a job not a way to change the world. In other places, that might not be true but in Thailand it is. The government and institutions in Thailand really don't want Thai people to think. Just the facts.

[zeusbheld]

If you have a work permit to teach at a "school" is it legal to take on additional "private" work on the school premises or elsewhere?

technically, no.