rediculouspom

Hi, British embassy in Bangkok have for several years, possibly six refused to verify/validate degrees from UK universities, which has on a personal level presented me with a number of problems when seeking permission to teach from the TTC, (Krusepha). The TTC have a list of accredited universities which you can look at on line. This list contains a few institutions that might be described by discerning persons as Degree Mills. Res ipsa loquitur.

I'm on a non-immigration B visa which expires on April 30th. I return to Thailand on April 12th.

Presumably, if I do not get a re-entry visa when I leave on March 30th, it will automatically lapse and I will have to get a TV on my return or could possibly apply for a 2 month TV at the Thai consulate in London. What do you think?

My contract with my school ends on April 30th. I will be paid up to then. If I let my current visa lapse I am concerned that the school may contend that I'm not entitled to be payed for the aforesaid month.

what do you advise.

Thank you Guys for your advice. I will cancel the Non B visa and proceed as advised.

I have a non-immigrant B visa which is due to expire on April 30. I have been working as a teacher but will leave my present school when the visa/WP expire.

On March 30 I am going to England for 2 Weeks.

I can apply for a re-entry permit at the airport, but this will expire on April 30.

I propose dispensing with the aforementioned procedure and simply rely on a tourist visa on my return.

My query is, do I have to get a letter from my school to say my contract will expire on April 30, to produce to Immigration control before leaving Thailand?

Your assistance would be appreciated.

Last month I was refused a non-immigrant B visa, notwithstanding I had previously obtained a provisional teaching licence, several months from TCT. The Immigration officer simply ignored the aforesaid and my protestations and said that with respect to my professional qualifications I should seek Accreditation from my Embassy. (if only!).

Who's in charge of the hen house? How many times............................. Blowing in the wind.

Incidentally, on a brighter note I encountered no problem in obtaining the said visa from a Thai consul, less than a week later.

Having persuaded Krusapha to accept that my professional qualifications were equivalent to a BA in Law, Honors Degree, and grant me a temporary teachers licence I was taken aback by a recent interview I had with a representative of a large, "reputable', teaching agency.

Prior to the meeting, as requested I sent him an e-mail with my CV and papers attached. I expressly stated in my e-mail that I had the equivalent of a BA. However, it soon became evident, during the interview that he had not read the same. He was evidently very interested in recruiting me to teach at a local High School, seeking to impress me by boasting how his agency could grease the wheels as far as immigration work visas/permits were concerned. As he put it they were very well connected. Wow I thought! However, when I could not produce a BA document his interest nosedived. Consequently it came as no surprise 48hrs later to receive a 'Dear John' rejection e-mail. In this letter he stated that if I could acquire a BA which could" pass muster" within the next few days they would hire me.

In hindsight perhaps I should have sent a reply requesting clarification of the aforesaid! Sadly, this would have been pointless as I already knew that the majority of the English Language teachers working at the school held fake BA's. Presumbably, this is a practice being condoned nationwide!

I guess the moral of this story is that it doesn't pay to be honest, if you want to teach in Thailand.Can someone please explain how Fake degrees that can pass muster are preferable to papers approved by Krusapha?

Thanks for your guidance. My aim is to obtain a 90 day single entry and then apply for a Non immigrant B visa at a later date if I find a teaching Job. Hopefully this should be viable!

Hi,

I need some guidance. I am from the UK and married to a Thai. I wish to obtain a Non-immigrant O visa to enable me to stay with my family for 3 months.

Do I simply have to complete an Application for a visa form TM.87? I previously had a marriage visa which expired and was given a 2 month extention until 22/04/2013.Initially I thought the aforesaid was merely a 2 month Tourist visa, but I notice there is no reference to this on the stamp in my passport.

If I am correct in my above assumption what documents will I have to produce on my application?

Hi,

Has anyone taught English in Cambodia? What's it like?

When is the best time to apply for a teaching post?

What are the term times? Do you normally get paid for holidays, (public holidays)?

Hi,

Does anyone know the name of an organization which provides accreditation of documents? It must be recognised by the Thai Teaching Council.

I have recently been invited to sign a contract with a (reputable agency) which contains what they call a Guarantee Clause, but which can be construed as a retainer. Basically, they want me to give them 10000 baht; this sum to be deducted in monthly instalments of 1000 bht from my monthly salary for the duration of the contract. They have intimated that these monies will be repaid to me on completion of the contract.

Has anyone else encountered the aforesaid Clause? Is it legal?

NOTICE PERIOD: No provision has been made for this, despite my advising them that it is normal practice for either party to give one months notice. Apparently modern day SLAVERY is still very much alive and kicking...........................! Naturally, stringent provisions have been incorporated to exact the max amount of baht from the employee should it become necessary for the agency to terminate the contract.

Incidentally the same agency have apparently been inforned that you can get a letter from the British Embassy to verify that your qualifications are equivalent to a BA and that the Council will not provide accreditation for any documents, other than a BA. ( right thinkiing ...............might consider the aforementioned to be ......!

Any Thoughts?

my qualifications are equivalent to a a Bachelor of Law

Sorry to hear your predicament. If the requirements are to have a degree than having obtained the equivalent of a degree is insufficient. If the requirements do not explicitly state "or the equivalent of a degree" there is theoretically no bases for an argument.

Having said this, personally I would prefer to employ someone with your experience and qualifications than someone with merely a degree for this position.

Good luck! Try to find suitable people, who could persuade officials as this seems well justified.

PS: A short possible answer: Equivalent to BA = BSc, LLB, BBA, .... Equivalent to first degree = NVQ6, ... Equivalent to taught postgraduate degree = CPE, NVQ7

my qualifications are equivalent to a a Bachelor of Law

Sorry to hear your predicament. If the requirements are to have a degree than having obtained the equivalent of a degree is insufficient. If the requirements do not explicitly state "or the equivalent of a degree" there is theoretically no bases for an argument.

Having said this, personally I would prefer to employ someone with your experience and qualifications than someone with merely a degree for this position.

Good luck! Try to find suitable people, who could persuade officials as this seems well justified.

PS: A short possible answer: Equivalent to BA = BSc, LLB, BBA, .... Equivalent to first degree = NVQ6, ... Equivalent to taught postgraduate degree = CPE, NVQ7

Maybe, I'm worrying unecessarily about having a BA! My Fellowship Cert, is level 6 on the NFQ & QCF, as is my CPE, i.e BA, but i can trump these with my Graduate Diploma in TESOL = QCF, LEVEL 7= MA. I actually got a distinction in the latter. ( incidentally it was a darn site easier than taking the old style Law Society exams)

I always thought the word "equivalent" meant the same as. However, perhaps it's got a different meaning in Thai.

I think I'll make another visit to The British Consul to complete a Declaration regarding the aforesaid Diploma and years of study, Perhap's that will do the trick!

Thank you for your advice.

I am looking to continue teaching in Thailand and i am determined to convince the TCT that i have the requisite academic qualifications.

I studied for 5 years before sitting the Law Society's Final Exam. I have letters from UK teaching institutions including London Metropolitan University stating that my qualifications are equivalent to a a Bachelor of Law.In addition I have a Diploma in TESOL studied and assessed at MA level. Forgive me for saying that I am at a loss to comprehend why I am expering so much grieve over this issue. If anything, I am probably over qualified , if that's possible.

I can't figure out what your intentions are. Are you trying to study in a university in Thailand or are you trying to work as a teacher? If you are trying to study in Thailand with your current credentials, the Ministry of Education in Thailand only recognizes certain academic credentials. The rest don't mean anything. If you are trying to work as a teacher, I imagine the department of labor only recognizes certain credentials.

I've spoken with several foreign teachers here recently. Some were very worried that their qualifications would not suffice anymore. I understood from them at you must have a degree. A TEFL / TESOL etc wasn't enough on its own. Moreover, vocational professional body qualifications are unlikely to be accepted has equivalent to a degree in this context, assuming you are looking to carry on teaching. They are accepted as equivalent in the UK - providing they meet OFQUAL requirements but TIT.

I come from the UK, and around thirty years ago, I completed a four year apprentiship, and gained two City&Guilds certificates. During this time I studied at a College of Further Education, which is now part of the University of Kent.

I now teach in Thailand, and wanted to get a work permit.

I went to the British Embassy with my two original certificates, and signed a statutory declaration, saying that I had studied for four years at a college that was now part of a university, and I believed that my four years of study, plus my three years teaching experience, was the equivalent to a modern day masters degree.

The declaration was signed by me and a member of the embassy staff, then embossed with the embassy seal. I took it along to the MOE, and collected my work permit seven days later.

I am very interested in what you say as to some extent it mirrors my experience! I studied for 3 years at Princeton College of FE to get a Fellowship Cert and then at the City of London Poly, (now London Metropolitan University) for 1 year to get my CPE in Law.I have letters from the university etc stating my exam passes are equivalent to an LL.B i.e. BA.

I recently went to the British Consul to sign a Declaration to th effect that they were authentic professional docs and that they were equivalent to a BA. This has not been submitted to the TCT yet.

Prior to presenting the sealed Declaration to the MOE, to get a work permit, please confirm that you obtained permission to teach from the Teachers Council for Thailand. If so did the docs you submitted include the aforeesaid Declaration? Did you make a personal Appearance?

Do you think I should Complete another Declaration, along similar lines to yours, before appearing before the TCT?

I've been teaching for 3 years and i am desperate to have my qualifications recognised, so I can start living again. Any help you can provide wil be wecomed.

Rediculouspom

Can anyone provide me with the name of an organization which conducts accreditations of UK professional qualifications?This body will need to meet with the approval of the Thai Teaching Council.

Despite being a qualified legal executive/solicitor in England, the TTC have shown a marked reluctance to accept that my professional qualifications are equivalent to a BA? They were dismissive of the National Qualifications Framework (UK) as this did not have a university seal on it. This document is universally accessible on-line.

Forgive, me for asking, but am I correct in thinking that when seeking permission to teach from the TTC you must have a BA or the equivalent?

Is it possible to get the TTC to do an accreditation, prior to finding a teaching post?

Please don't suggest The British Consul.

Thank you for your indulgence.

You can bring a horse to the water but you can't make it drink!

Let's face it, in any class there are some students who are not interested in learning English.

Gee, what do i do? You can begin by laying down some class rules from the kick off. Feedback can be sought from the class to ensure fairness.

There is little point in shouting/making idle threats. You'll only succeed in making yourself look a prat and getting a sore throat too boot.

Try chilling. Musical chairs can sometimes be effective,i.e moving the deviant student up to the front of the class, or getting them to sit next to a geek.

Don't let the issue become personal; speak to the Student(s) after class. Try and find out what makes them tick. What their interests are and try and incorporate this in your lessons.

With talkative individuals it can be effective to call their bluff, by getting them involved in role-play

or reading to the class. After all idle hands...............!Sometimes the results can be surprising.I guess some students just need some extra TLC, which is difficult when managing big classes.

A good sedative is to provide the miscreants with therapy in the form of word puzzles or crosswords. This will enable you to concentrate on the students who want to learn English.

Finally,as a last resort, you can inform the Student that such antisociable behaviour will result in them getting little or no brownie points for attitude at the end of term.

Whilst writing to the parents may seem a good idea, this inevitably will involve the school admin becoming involved.You may be seen as a complainer or teacher who is incapable of managing his class.Beware of crying Wolf! Remember, face is more important than substance in Neverland and for God's sake keep smiling.

Hi,

Have you ever thought you were going bananas or Alice in Wonderland! Then stick around.

My quest is to discover what is the equivalent to a BA in the eyes of the Thai Education Council.

On route to taking the Law Society's Finals UK, I first qualified as a Legal Executive, passing the Fellowship exam. Then I passed the Common Professional Examination in Law prior to sitting the Final exam.

To be eligible to take this exam you either had to have a BA or CPE.

In support of my application to the Council I have submitted letters from the London Metropolitan University and the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives in which they state that my Fellowship and CPE passes are equivalent to a Bachelor of Law, being level 6, on the National Qualifications Framework, UK. This level being the same as that for a BA.

I have produced a letter from a Thai lawyer, presenting my case and strong evidence in support. Incidentally, the letter had to be drafted by me. Money well spent! What do you think.

I sought the assistance of the British Consul. However, they are about as useful as a chocolate tea pot.

In addition to the above I have a Graduate Diploma in TESOL and 3 years teaching experience in Thailand.

DOES anyone have a solution? Surely I can't be the only farang to have encountered this problem!