Teachers - why so negative?

**Umbuku** · 21-09-2007, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by NickA

Heard anything about the 500 baht some people had to pay for a teachers license last year? Someone told me the whole thing had collapsed and they were going to give up because the number of teachers is so low at the moment.

The 500 baht was a payment to have all current license details and documents transferred to the newly formed Teacher's Council of Thailand.
www.tch.or.th
They are to become the ombudsman that oversees all regulations regarding the issuing of licenses in Thailand under the MoE.
It is ultimately a positive step as it will streamline the whole process of licenses and work permits by centralizing a teachers 'file'. It also removes the school from the license process making it truly a license granted by the Thai government for you to teach in Thailand. The work permit will still be directly attached to your employer and to your Non Imm B or O visa. The license will travel with you from employer to employer.

As I said the truly bogus teachers are about to find that their effort is not worth it anymore, within the next few years. The hammer is falling, if you are unqualified or an ex-con with convictions that would make you unfit to be a teacher in the west then you had better start planning.

The bottom feeder language schools will always be there if you'd prefer working for 200 baht an hour of course.

**Umbuku** · 21-09-2007, 10:58 AM

Re a comment by CMN:

I predict that the new regulations will be grandfathered for a few years at least and will only apply to new applications and not renewals. Only until the system is settled and functioning properly, then they will apply it retroactively to all renewals.

TIT. It may take 5 years before this all comes into effect. Many old timers used to tell me to ignore changes as they will revoke them after 6 months. In my time here not one new initiative or regulation has been recinded, only delayed before being implemented.

I'm going home for my son's primary school education and to get my BEd and teacher's license from Australia. I'm planning on returning in about 7 years time.

**dirtydog** · 21-09-2007, 11:14 AM

I find it quite amusing all these farang teachers going back to their home countries when they have their own children that need educating, these are people that work within the Thai education system and yet don't want their own children educated using this system

**Umbuku** · 21-09-2007, 11:21 AM

It's precisely because I have worked inside the Thai system that I don't want my son involved in it.

The pricey international schools give a good standard of education but anything below them is a certificate mill of ineptitude.

**colourful-era** · 21-09-2007, 12:03 PM

same old bollocks about a degree = good teacher

a degree in what?

you are either a decent teacher or not

**Homer** · 21-09-2007, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by colourful-era

same old bollocks about a degree = good teacher

a degree in what?

you are either a decent teacher or not

exactly

**Little Chuchok** · 21-09-2007, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by mad_dog

I like my job. I have a good income. I think my work is rewarding. I don't feel perscuted by the Thai government. My students are well behaved and I good working relationshiops with my colleagues (Thai and farang). I haven't lived "from pay check to pay check" since my first year when I came out here straight from uni with no cash. I don't consider the time I have spent in Thailand (almost five years) will be a black mark on my CV in anyway. I plan to study at a post graduate level in the future and I feel in no way "trapped" in Thailand.

I think it is the fakes and sex toursits that have brought this negativity into the teaching profession and I dearly hope that the Thai government tightens regulations further to get rid of all the scum bag teachers that are giving the rest of us a bad name.

It's 'cause many "teachers" here wouldn't dream of doing the job in their own country.Means to an end and all that...

You do sound lily white though...ever been to Cowboy or nana.Ever had a beer in a bar beer?Ever had anything sexual with a prozzie here?

Luckydog · 21-09-2007, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by colourful-era

same old bollocks about a degree = good teacher

a degree in what?

you are either a decent teacher or not

Give that man a Banana!

**Controversial** · 21-09-2007, 02:06 PM

I have to say I stuggle with trying to understand how you can either be a good teacher or bad teacher,based on some of your comments.

As I understand it,to teach in the UK you need to have gained A levels and then go to university to gain your degree,after that you then attend a one/two year course on how to teach.I am not sure if this is correct,so please do correct me.If you want to teach English then you will need a degree in English.

So let me get this straight, in Thailand you can attend a TEFl course and then teach,this takes how long?

You then become a good or bad teacher...?

**IsaanAlex** · 21-09-2007, 02:11 PM

I liked this blurb at the top of the page.

Teaching In Thailand Teaching in Thailand can be a great career with salaries in the range of $2,500 to $6,000 per month, or you could become a TEFLer with a salary range of 350-500 pounds per month, no experience necessary.

I disagree that even those with a fair bit of experience will make much in Thailand, unless "cerified", but, that aside...who could be happy being in the lowball range, especially with a family?

*oh, the money stress*

I think life could be quite bearable for (real) teachers on a decent salary; except for all the thick Thai people you have to deal with and teach.

IA
PS. If you're lowball TEFLER scum like me, why don't you just move to Korea and make what "real teachers" make in Thailand; then just vacation in Thailand. Not a bad life...

**Umbuku** · 21-09-2007, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by colourful-era

same old bollocks about a degree = good teacher a degree in what? you are either a decent teacher or not

Agree, I don't have a degree but consider that I have learned to be a good teacher by applying myself to the job and reading up on educational methods and grammar.
The EFL industry in Thailand and around the world is geared to pay higher wages to those that are fully qualified. Reality.
I don't see myself in 10 years time, when my son has higher expenses and the looming prospect of university fees, being able to give him the best when I'm earning a TEFLers wage in Thailand. I also have to plan for my own eventual retirement as well. Can't be done on 30-40,000 baht a month.
At least not within the expectations I have placed on myself.

**dirtydog** · 21-09-2007, 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by IsaanAlex

I liked this blurb at the top of the page. Quote:

Teaching In Thailand Teaching in Thailand can be a great career with salaries in the range of $2,500 to $6,000 per month, or you could become a TEFLer with a salary range of 350-500 pounds per month, no experience necessary.

I disagree that even those with a fair bit of experience will make much in Thailand, unless "cerified", but, that aside...who could be happy being in the lowball range, especially with a family?

I think it is a pretty accurate description IA, whats the dollar to baht rate these days? Whats the pound to baht rate these days?

**chitown** · 21-09-2007, 06:28 PM

Originally Posted by Umbuku

Enforcement of existing laws requiring a minimum of a bachelors degree from years ago. Degrees now have to be submitted with a sealed transcript from the university. Passing a fake through the system is still possible but a lot more difficult now. It doesn't of course stop nepotism and a licence can still be had with a tea money arrangement.

Police background check now mandatory for all licence applications from home country and from the Thai special branch.

New exam with 20 hour course being trialed in Surat Thani province now to be implemented nationwide for next year covering Thai language, culture and educational pedagogy.

The net is closing and the fakes and charlatans better wise up or they will be found and deported.

For what they pay, they should be glad to get an English speaker from India to teach. I know some guys in Isaan making 12000 baht a month.....

**chitown** · 21-09-2007, 06:30 PM

I do not think much will be enforced. If it is enforced, it will be only for a short while. Like the crime clean ups in Pattaya that they are always launching. They never get off the ground!

**dirtydog** · 21-09-2007, 06:35 PM

Most of the english teachers in Pattaya are working without work permits, got to admit that did suprise me as Pattaya immigration are pretty strict on that sort of stuff.

**chitown** · 21-09-2007, 06:44 PM

I have been told that they look the other way when it comes to teachers. I would not want to test it.

**mad_dog** · 22-09-2007, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by Homer

Originally Posted by colourful-era

same old bollocks about a degree = good teacher

a degree in what?

you are either a decent teacher or not

exactly

I have a BSc but don't think you need a degree to teach in Thailand. You just need to be "educated". Having a degree proves that you are. But other qualifications like Lily's nursing Diplomas and LDMA's HND also show that someone is well educated enough to impart knowledge.

It's the delivery men, sandwich makers and van drivers who are a joke to have in the classroom. I once worked with a 33 year old who could even type! These are the clowns that need to be shown the door. It will result in higher wages for the rest of us and hopefully a more positive image of TEFLers in Thailand.

**IsaanAlex** · 22-09-2007, 11:41 AM

DD wrote:

I think it is a pretty accurate description IA, whats the dollar to baht rate these days? Whats the pound to baht rate these days?

XE.com - The World's Favorite Currency and Foreign Exchange Site

And really, let's hash this out.

Why are relatively qualified teachers working in Thailand for peanuts, 10 months a year, when they can come and get a University job in Korea and get paid $2500 USD a month with 5 months paid vacation.

That's 5 months they could spend in Thailand, living like a king per year.

Many teaching Thailand have no perspective and don't know how badly they are being taken for a ride. It's a big world out there and the Thai baht, especially on a "teachers" wage, doesn't cut it....

IA
PS. You could easily bank another $1,000 a month for the 7 months a year you work here and I didn't even mention the severance and pension payments, (add 2 months wages total)...

**Marmite the Dog** · 22-09-2007, 01:15 PM