Thread: Teach in Laos or in Phuket?

I thought you had it "near" sorted.

That's what I thought. But then the Telecoms Minister (who grants the licence), was placed under house arrest for 'various' reasons, and I'm back at square one again.....

Originally Posted by Simon43

I thought you had it "near" sorted.

That's what I thought. But then the Telecoms Minister (who grants the licence), was placed under house arrest for 'various' reasons, and I'm back at square one again.....

Typical Burmese politik.

Originally Posted by Simon43

(I am a primary homeroom and middle school Maths/Science teacher).

You need a degree to teach "homeroom?" that would be Math and Science, right? Is there more than one form of math? I can't wait for the TEFler's responses on this one....hahahhahahaha!!!!!!

Originally Posted by ltnt

Originally Posted by Simon43

(I am a primary homeroom and middle school Maths/Science teacher).

You need a degree to teach "homeroom?"

Yes, a Bachelor of Teaching or Education (Primary)

that would be Math and Science, right?

Not quite, a primary school teacher normally teaches their students almost everything, reading, writing, social studies, math, science etc.

Specialist teachers are usually only used for foreign languages, music and PE.

Is there more than one form of math?

Depends on the school system, English and Aussie, no. American system tend to modulize into Trigonometry, Alegebra etc.

I can't wait for the TEFler's responses on this one....hahahhahahaha!!!!!!

What on earth for?

^Thanks King, you are indeed a scholar and a gentleman. Its getting so you can't get a good wind up here. Green coming for polite reply.

Originally Posted by Simon43

I thought you had it "near" sorted.

That's what I thought. But then the Telecoms Minister (who grants the licence), was placed under house arrest for 'various' reasons, and I'm back at square one again.....

Probably arrested for trying to grant a radio license to a foreigner.

Good luck, Simon.
It will be interesting to hear how life in LP pans out for you.

So keep us posted.

Cheers.

You do know that Laos is probably even more dysfunctional than Isaan..?

Good luck, anyway.

Originally Posted by Simon43

I resolved the low salary problem by wowing my future employer so much at the interview, that they offered me the job of Principal at their new international school in Luang Prabang.

good luck Simon, by taking this you are going to be working as you have not been in a long while mate.

good luck Simon, by taking this you are going to be working as you have not been in a long while mate

Not quite sure what you mean In my previous VP role in Myanmar, I was in the school by 6am and left at 7pm, working 7 days a week.

you mean I'll have to work harder than that?!!

Simon

I would vote for Phuket. While there are certainly drawbacks when teaching in an area like Phuket, Laos is a largely depressed country. Luang Prabang is fine for a few days, but it really feels like communist SE Asia.

Even people who have been traveling to Laos for the last 20 years (for travel or research) seem to agree with this sentiment. Great for a visit, but living there would be too much.

Thailand on the other hand, is a much more liveable country for more reasons than I have time to write. The money is one consideration. Another is - f you think the police in Thailand are corrupt, pray you never get stopped in Laos.

This is my 2 cents. Good luck in whatever you choose!

Glad you decided on Laos and good luck as they can use the help.

best of luck and i agree about visiting vs living. Love going up once a year for the past 6 years but 2-3 weeks is plenty.
LP .....hope u can find some other expats to hang with,

Enjoy! Better than building another hotel in any case. Kiss the wives and say good-byes, making sure to keep a handle on the cash flows...

Since I managed to last one year in dreary Myanmar, I expect LP to be much more enjoyable. I'ved visited LP many times and the rural environment is much more appealing to me that a city.

I've lived in Phuket since 2002 and still have my hotel businesses there, so it will be good to have a change of scenery again.

A few things that I'll be doing in LP, apart from my day job;

- Relaxing with my ham radio hobby
- Finding a local khaen teacher. I play the khaen reasonably well and will be taking my 'made-to-measure' khaen with me. I really want to get tuition from a Lao khaen 'master'
- Studying the PGCEi course from Nottingham University, which I'm due to start in August and complete in 2014.

To be honest, who could refuse an employment offer in LP - it will be another experience in my life.

Itnt - ex #2 hotel is going fine, full every night and new rooms being built. Ex #3 is going shite, and I've told her that if she doesn't get her finger out in the next 12 months, then I will buy her out for a pittance, (or I'll just wait for her to run the business into the ground which she seems to be quite good at).

I'm off to Laos next Monday with a to-do list that's longer than my willy, (so at least 4 actions on the list...)

Simon

Did you fake some of those Trip Advisor reviews Simon ?

#3 may be more likely to turn on the charm once you have left? Money is a real inducement for attention.

Originally Posted by Simon43

they offered me the job of Principal at their new international school in Luang Prabang.

Good news. You will love Luang Prabang. I'm really enjoying it here in Laos.