aussiestyle1983

I know that there is a lot of confusion about what is occurring at the moment, but there does seem to be some change coming for those wishing to teach in Thailand. I think that this will likely mean that some teachers may need to leave the profession or work illegally. This will mean a loss to students in many cases.

On the other hand, this may mean that ESl teaching gains a bit more respectability. It will not just be viewed as an avenue for unqualified backpackers and sex-tourists to extend their holiday (I know that these views of teachers are wrong but that is what many think). Gaining more qualifications would seem to indicate a commitment to the profession.

What do you think?

I don't think this will change the numbers of teachers. You will just see less foreign teachers on record and there will be more illegal teachers off record. Whatever Thailand does, it will never be able to fill the number of legal foreign teachers that it wants, but more importantly, native speaking foreign teachers; the ones that are required by most places that most places can't seem to get.

I just think more people will chose to go down the illegal path, so the same person who might once have been legal, might choose to go illegal. This will have no effect on the students becuase if teacher X was once legal and is now illegal because of this silly new law, well, teacher X is still in fact teacher X, so the students havent really lost their teacher. The only way the students will lose is when teacher X doesn't become illegal and leaves or teacher X gets caught and gets raped in Thai prison.

Either way, nothing will change. There will still be the same number of teachers, you might just find more illegals now. But there is no way the ESL teaching profession in Thailand will gain more credibility or respectability, because lets face it, if a country can not get the number of foreign qualified teachers that it needs, even because it wants the best, there is something wrong with the system in that country and it does not deserve any respect. Thailand needs a major paradigm shift in order to gain any credibility in anything it does, and that will never happen until saving face and other of the poorer aspects of Thai culture are dropped. The ESL profession in Thailand will always be a joke. Hahaha!

"- A candidate who holds the other fields of a bachelor degree or higher but do not hold the Teacher Profession Certificate from abroad and do not hold an educational certificate but already has 1 year teaching experience can participate in this training course."

Does mean that a person with any bachelors degree, for instance, a bachelor of arts with a sociology (unrelated) major, could be accepted into this course if they have 1 year of teaching experience?

Are the requirements for getting a WP and TL the same as to get into this course?

I ask because when I possibly return to teach there in 25 years, I want to make sure I am prepared, even though things will change by then. I have letters and references for 24 months of teaching, so as long I only need 1 year of teaching experience to go with my unrelated degree, it seems to meet the above criteria. But as I have been away for a while, I am not sure what is required to get the other things like WP and TL to be legal. Since I have decades to prepare, I figure I can even manage a few master degrees by then doing only one class at a time, possibly even a PHD or two (as long as it's not to costly and time wasting). Anyway, are the requirements to get a TL and WP the same as to get into that course, if so, I guess an unrelated bachelors degree and a year of experience will do.

If your looking at open and distance courses and your a UK citizen the Open University does an MA Education (Applied Linguistics) where you get the major through a course in TESOL

http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses/bin/p12.dll?Q01F01

that knocks over most skittles on your list and its cheap for an MA

Doesn't the UK open uni accept international students?

Even if the fees for Intl students are higher which is always the case, a degree from OU would most likely always work out cheaper anyway.

Just a query, when you graduate from the UK open uni system, who actually issues the degree? I mean, it the Open Uni there made up of a number of different Uni's that offer degrees and the OU just acts as admin (like in Oz), or, is the Open Uni the actual Uni that will be listed on your transcript?

University of Wollongong (UOW) offers masters degrees in Education (MEd TESOL) via correspondance or online. They had the highest rated education faculty in Australia not too long ago. Their fees aren't that high as well and the entire course can be completed via distance. Anyway, check it out, as far are Australian universities offering distance programs in education are concerned, UOW has a good reputation and aren't as expensive as others.

http://coursefinder.uow.edu.au/coursefinde...AreaDetail.aspx

posted in error

The school might be in Silom? Or Kalisin...................................

You already said you can't afford western costs.....................

Good luck finding some decent to do the job for slightly less.

BTW, what type of massage course are you learning? You know the Thai soapy massage with happy ending is very popular throughout Thailand

Teacher required to accompany warm, vibrant british family to (probably) Samui from April-end July. Responsibilities would include teaching one 10 year old (little git and a handful, so any academic progress unexpected and welcomed!) and preparing a 14 year old for forthcoming GCSEs (maths, science, English etc). Remuneration will include all travel and normal living expenses, along with a very good cash wage . You will be joining us on an extended holiday in a large, luxury house/apartment with a maid. Only expect 25-30 hours teaching per week, and mucking-in elsewhere. Would prefer someone with science/maths experience/degree. A personality would also be an attractive asset and a sporty nature would help you jell with the lads, as well as with mum-n-dad. The lads will resume their normal academic timetable in September. Please send a CV to: Kath Parsons.

What about the maid......she could be a mass murderer!!!!! Anyway the tutor will never be on his/her own with the kids. Ever!!

Aren't you aware that most Thai females are more mentally unstable and more likely to be mass murderers than maids from other cultures?

You had also better increase the teachers hourly rate even more now; not all teachers like being kept under constant watch whilst teaching. You need to allow for an aditional 1500 - 2500 THB per teaching hour if you intend to supervise your qualified teacher

Ha Ha!........ Argh!!! If you only knew me Aussiestyle1983........We were only looking for tutor to keep the lads uptodate with their school work for a few hours each day. We'll bring most of the material we need and have the support of their teachers only an email away. I've got my hands full with an 18month old girl so I won't have the time or desire to spy!! Now stop teasing me!! Anyway, it looks as though we've found the person. You better watch your back, your married to a thai girl arent you??

Dis aussiestylz thai wife. Aussiestylz not samart. He go work, stay log in thaivias. hahah. I find post say thai girl carzy. anyhow, aussiestylz meet knife when cum home today. no man call me crazy thai girl. thanku for making me aware how he think me crazy. he dead now! farang bah!

Teacher required to accompany warm, vibrant british family to (probably) Samui from April-end July. Responsibilities would include teaching one 10 year old (little git and a handful, so any academic progress unexpected and welcomed!) and preparing a 14 year old for forthcoming GCSEs (maths, science, English etc). Remuneration will include all travel and normal living expenses, along with a very good cash wage . You will be joining us on an extended holiday in a large, luxury house/apartment with a maid. Only expect 25-30 hours teaching per week, and mucking-in elsewhere. Would prefer someone with science/maths experience/degree. A personality would also be an attractive asset and a sporty nature would help you jell with the lads, as well as with mum-n-dad. The lads will resume their normal academic timetable in September. Please send a CV to: Kath Parsons.

What about the maid......she could be a mass murderer!!!!! Anyway the tutor will never be on his/her own with the kids. Ever!!

Aren't you aware that most Thai females are more mentally unstable and more likely to be mass murderers than maids from other cultures?

You had also better increase the teachers hourly rate even more now; not all teachers like being kept under constant watch whilst teaching. You need to allow for an aditional 1500 - 2500 THB per teaching hour if you intend to supervise your qualified teacher

Good luck to the OP and her family.

Good luck to anyone looking for an education in Thailand

Ski-Goong,

We live in the Province of Singburi, amphur Inburi. Anywhere near you? Thanks for the information and if you don't mind I might PM you with some questions as I am trying to do the same thing - make a difference, especially in a rural area of Thailand where students don't have the same access to good English teachers like those who live in the cities.

Makyai

I live about 30 KM South of Korat.(in Sung Nern)...so that puts you about 130 KM from me. Anyhow, feel free to PM me. I will do my best to help you get set up.

To those who believes it's the PASSPORT that determines the pay, I think you are wrong. I applied to several schools and none of them cared that I have a U.S passport. All the saw was a Thai guy sitting in their office and that's not what they or the parents want to see.

Why pay a Thai looking person (who speaks with an American accent) a "Farang" wage when the parents can't see the ability or qualifications. All they see is the skin color as they walk pass. Here's a perfect example, have a Thai lady who wants my "Farang" friend to teach her English. Problem is, he speaks DUTCH! and broken English. But to this Thai lady, a "Farang" is better than any Thai teacher.

I understand that most Thai English teachers are not very capable (at least the ones I've met weren't). But to pick a "Farang" just for the sake of learning from a "Farang" is not a very good choice. So Makyai, if you decide to teach ,you will have to develop really thick skin and be very patient.

Most importantly....get your ID card (like I did last year). It will make everything you do in Thailand....ummm...easier.

Ajarnski

Whgat I meant was at least by using a farang passport you will have more chances of getting an interview.

If you are luckily enough to get an interview without the need to send documents first, then of course it wouldn't matter what passport once you are face to face. But, a lot of places want to see a resume and a photo and sometimes even a copy of your proof of nationality and maybe even your visa beofre you get to that stage. If you need to send a copy of your passport to your potential employer, I would think they would have less concerns about your english teaching abilities and your accent if you used a farang passport (not that anyones abilities are better, but Thai's want farang, like it or not).

I have a mate, he had more than one PHD, qualified teacher in Oz, years of experience, perfect english and he was only 40. He was half chinese/ half malaysian and looked it as well. Many times he lost an oportunity to work to an un-qualified teacher, in some cases, even a backpacker who was only prepared to work for 3 months. As you can see, Thais want looks just as much as they want qualifications. Like it or not, the parents want to see white meat as well. Thats why, at the school I worked at, farangs HAD to stand at the enterance everyday and the filipions HAD to stay in the office during times they wern't teaching and parents were around. It's sad, I know.

The same mate above applied for a job at my school, over the phone interview they accepted that he was an Ozzie. When he attended the face to face interview, the interviewer said that he was lying, he was an Asian, and she wanted to see his Ozzie passport to proove it. He showed her the passport, she then said, well you might have Ozzie citizenship, but if you want a job you will get paid Asian rates, since you were born in KL and look Asian.

Regardless of what others say, you need to be prepared for a racial battle........

There certainly is discrimination, but I know where I work, it's the passport you carry that determines your value. So, even if you look Asia, you would be hired at the same salary as any other Australian.

It's take the school administration some time to figure out that it's the ability, not the race that is the key factor in teaching. Fortunately, we have a large enough school that there always enough white faces around.

Best of luck to you.

Scott is spot on. The nationality you apply for the job with is what will be determined to assess whether you meet the criteria for a job. A native English speaker applying for a job that is looking for a native english speaker but uses a Thai passport, would eliminate you from the job. Anyway, Australia allows dual citizenship, does Thailand? I've never looked into that because I don't want Thai citizenship, especially since it's practically hard to get; you on the other hand have a Thai parent??? You could get Thai citizenship as well if possible to be able to start your own business and get the advantages of a Thai, but when applying for a teaching job , always use your farang passport. Native english speaking farangs should get a farang wage, a thai will get a thai wage, a native speaking farang that looks like a thai......... who knows. I hope you get the salary you deserve.

Whata bunch of 'know it all's' and we are better and deserve <deleted> loads more than that.

You know what, any backpacker that happens to be a teacher would probably jump at the chance.

Work permit, yeah good one.

Go put this ad up on lonely planet or some such other websites that is not full of up em self people. If you were in Bkk for some time prior to samui, you could probably place ads in Kao san rd area and get heaps of people wanting it.

Learn to read you wanna be 'know it all' before you write something stupid like that. The OP wants a qualified teacher, qualified to teach several subjects, not any old backpacker that can teach. That's why we were saying the salary is way too low. But you are right, any backpacker who can teach would most likely jump at that offer, but a backpacker and a qualified teacher who can teach several subjects are two different things. Putting an ad up at Khao San for a qualified teacher who will accept that offer LOL. Go back to sleep...............

"backpacker who happens to be a teacher....well I don't know about who thinks they can read but that would imply qualified to me?

...same as in...

"happens to be a doctor

happens to be an engineer

happens to be an illiterate....

So then are you claiming that all teachers are qualified teachers? Is the sky red? If you are suggesting that if someone happens to be X then they are also a qualified X, you obviosuly lack life experience. I'm sure if you went into many of the schools around Thailand and checked teachers credentials that you would find many illegal teachers and people who are unqualified to teach. A lot of the backpackers from Khao San apply for teaching jobs without any qualifications, but once they get the job, does that make them qualified? I don't think so. According to you it dose................. Why bother studying to get qualifications to be a teacher if I will automatically become a qualified teacher once I land a teaching job? See you all tomorrow, I'm returning to Thailand to teach whith the knowledge that being a teacher also makes me a qualified teacher.

In so far as the purposes of this ad...yes......within norms of recruitment all Doctors are qualified etc are you suggesting that only fraudulent people will reply? actually what ARE you talking about?????

I will speak slowly for you. There are many teachers teaching in Thailand. There are many un-qualified teachers teaching in Thailand. Therefore, not all teachers that are teaching in Thailand are qualified. Just because you are or claim to be a teacher, doesn't mean that you're a qualified teacher. The OP wants a qualified teacher. A backpackpacker who can teach and claims to be a teacher doesn't necessarily mean that they are a qualified teacher. Thats all. A lot of fraudsters in Thailand, which is the norm there anyway

Whata bunch of 'know it all's' and we are better and deserve <deleted> loads more than that.

You know what, any backpacker that happens to be a teacher would probably jump at the chance.

Work permit, yeah good one.

Go put this ad up on lonely planet or some such other websites that is not full of up em self people. If you were in Bkk for some time prior to samui, you could probably place ads in Kao san rd area and get heaps of people wanting it.

Learn to read you wanna be 'know it all' before you write something stupid like that. The OP wants a qualified teacher, qualified to teach several subjects, not any old backpacker that can teach. That's why we were saying the salary is way too low. But you are right, any backpacker who can teach would most likely jump at that offer, but a backpacker and a qualified teacher who can teach several subjects are two different things. Putting an ad up at Khao San for a qualified teacher who will accept that offer LOL. Go back to sleep...............

"backpacker who happens to be a teacher....well I don't know about who thinks they can read but that would imply qualified to me?

...same as in...

"happens to be a doctor

happens to be an engineer

happens to be an illiterate....

So then are you claiming that all teachers are qualified teachers? Is the sky red? If you are suggesting that if someone happens to be X then they are also a qualified X, you obviosuly lack life experience. I'm sure if you went into many of the schools around Thailand and checked teachers credentials that you would find many illegal teachers and people who are unqualified to teach. A lot of the backpackers from Khao San apply for teaching jobs without any qualifications, but once they get the job, does that make them qualified? I don't think so. According to you it dose................. Why bother studying to get qualifications to be a teacher if I will automatically become a qualified teacher once I land a teaching job? See you all tomorrow, I'm returning to Thailand to teach whith the knowledge that being a teacher also makes me a qualified teacher.

Whata bunch of 'know it all's' and we are better and deserve <deleted> loads more than that.

You know what, any backpacker that happens to be a teacher would probably jump at the chance.

Work permit, yeah good one.

Go put this ad up on lonely planet or some such other websites that is not full of up em self people. If you were in Bkk for some time prior to samui, you could probably place ads in Kao san rd area and get heaps of people wanting it.

Learn to read you wanna be 'know it all' before you write something stupid like that. The OP wants a qualified teacher, qualified to teach several subjects, not any old backpacker that can teach. That's why we were saying the salary is way too low. But you are right, any backpacker who can teach would most likely jump at that offer, but a backpacker and a qualified teacher who can teach several subjects are two different things. Putting an ad up at Khao San for a qualified teacher who will accept that offer LOL. Go back to sleep...............

2. I didn't realize you could go direct to the Embassy with your application.

Would appreciate any advice or experiences on this?

From my experience and knowledge, I believe that this is ONLY possible when lodging a migration visa, such as a partner migration visa.

Aussestyle, could you clarify if you specifically mean a spouse visa only or can you lodge a prospective marraige visa directly with the embassy as well? The prospective marraige visa is not a migration but I would imagine there would be less applications than tourist visas.

Sorry mate, I aint 100% sure. Ours was a spouse visa, but I read somewhere beofre we lodged that all partner migration visas, eg: spouse, de-facto, prospective marriage (fiance) visas could be lodged there. I thought the prospective marriage visa was a migration visa? Doesn't it eventually entire the visa holder to eventually live in australia permenently?

Even if the pay was a lot better, I doubt a qualified teacher would be interested. You'd possible need to find a teacher considering moving to Samui, then this would give them a crusiy job for a few months until the time was up (that would have given them time to find a real job there). Or, someone just arriving in Thailand looking to teach there; this job could be a nice introduction to teaching there in a nice location. Either way, I doubt a qualified teacher would be interested. You might find an unqualified teacher whose real interest is backpacking and diving and then this would appeal to them. You might need to approach a language school or school in Samui and offer one of the teachers there extra work. That could work out a lot easier and cheaper for you. Just pay them a decent hourly rate and you wouldn't need to be stuck with them all the time. After all, you are loking for a teacher, not a teacher/ part time babysitter, right? I'd check with the language schools, or other schools there. Put an ad in the paper. I'm sure you'll find someone that way. But yeah, good luck.

All this info will be able to help you come up with a better offer, I guess. I'm glad you took my adive and posted the job benifits in here, or you may never have gotten a reply...................

I never needed to speak to a supervisor at the embassy. The embassy staff were all professional. However, the information I was given several times when I called the VFS was wrong and I needed to speak to a supervisor, who was still wrong, so I wouldn't have anything to do with the VFS if possible. Question any info the VFS tells you, they even told me we couldn't lodge at the embassy. Do as much as you can through the embassy.

In regards to a turn around time for the medicals, I believe it can only be a matter of days. My wifes medical was done the day before we lodged the visa, and the visa was approved the following day. So in our case, either the medical was not even considered or the medical was sent to the embassy very quickly. We used the hospital accross the road from the embassy, I think it was BNH hospital.

aussiestyle 1983:

When was this application? sorry if I missed it in one of your earlier posts.

So I take it, you fronted without an appointment and just handed in the goods?

I think we lodged some time in Dec 06? Well, it was late 06.

We made an appointment about 2 weeks before we were able to lodge, I think we picked a quiet time to call because we had to change the date and they said we were lucky because it usually take 4 weeks to get an appointment. Whatever you do, speak to the visa section, don't let anybody tell you that you can't lodge at the embassy. If you have to, because a lazy un-informed prick answers the phone, tell them you had a bad experience at the VFS, something like that, tell them you know you can lodge a spouse visa at the embassy and you would really like an appointment.

BTW, The goods were carried in 2 milk crates. Securtiy jokingly asked if I was the milk man! then they scanned and went through and plastic bagged the goods for about 10 mins; the milk crates never made it into the embassy. I took some pics of our application, if I find them, I'll post them up.

dam_n that sucks, makes me wonder if it is even worth it. I think I'll just try to get a job from here first, on paper I probably look alright - got 2 bachelor degrees and I'm going to do a tefl.

If I can't find something reasonable, probably a good sign to not go over there and look for jobs.

You're right. You are exactally what schools would be looking for in regards to qualifications, but they will discriminate against looks, especially Asian looks (since asians look like locals). It would help your case to appy from abroad before getting to Thailand, then they would think you are a real native speaker or foreigner, but you still might have to send a pic, at least you'd know where you stand, hopefully you could score a paid airfare. I'd go to Japan, Koran, Taiwan, etc. once you get your TEFL. Better pay and slightly more common sense and fairness. I honestly feel for you dude, the racism and discrimination is out of control in Thailand and the laws are there to protect it. Imagine if you got refused (and you were told word for word) from a job because of your looks in Australia? You would be able to take the <deleted> to court. Good luck in Thailand...............................

Well, I am a native english speaker. I was born in australia and have australian citizenship but my parents are ethnically thai/chinese. However, I can't speak Thai and I don't consider myself anything but Australian.

The australia part will work against you. Thais have heard about the inbreeding and criminal past plus you can't even say 'hello' (gooddaaaay)

Good one mate! Sounds like something Shane Warne would say about the poms

You too would inbreed if you had a sister as hot as most aussies have, luckily for me I don't have one (well I did until I married her).......................

2. I didn't realize you could go direct to the Embassy with your application.

Would appreciate any advice or experiences on this?

From my experience and knowledge, I believe that this is ONLY possible when lodging a migration visa, such as a partner migration visa. From what I recall, I being an Aussie citizen had to be there at the time otherwise my wife would have had to lodge the application at the VFS. I don't know how true that part is, but maybe the embassy offers this service to help Aussie citizens only, not sure. But yes, migration visas can be lodged anywhere, only cheap visas such as tourist visas that are handed out by the dozen and other visas like that need to be done at the VFS.

I wonder if the Thai spouse could make an appointment to lodge at the embassy alone without being accompanied by the kangaroo?

Put in the effort, make sure everything is complete, go to the embassy together, look in love, dress well but don't overdress; make a good impression in front of your case officer when you hand them your complete application. That should impress them enough for a decision quicker than the 9 or so months waiting time on the letter they give you. I hope everyone's visa could be approved within 28 hours like ours........

Has anyone out there beaten our record? Maybe an on the spot approval? I was just so shocked to recieve the phone call from the case officer whilst working the next day. When I saw the embassy number on my phone I thought I had forgotten something. The lady said your wife's visa had been approved. I said bullshit, with joy. She said, do you want it or not? I said see you tomorrow. End of story and six months of prepeartion ond over 5 x 3" thick folders full of doccumentation and evidence.

You will be discriminated against by most employers. It will take a lot of hard work to find an employer who won't discriminate against you, because let's face it, it's all about face. The school wants the kids parents to see white European looking people, that's how the school attracts more students and profit. Regardless of how good you are, and like I said, you will eventually be rewarded because you are a native speaker, but it will be hard because the school knows they can find someone else with different looks that can bring in more money for the school. You will most likely be offered the same job but with a lower salary to a euro looking farang, but it will be hard and almost impossible for you in Thailand to be treated as equal. Having said that, an ex african american co-worker of mine was employed on the same salary and had the same benefits, but he was racially discriminated against until he quit anyway, but he didn't look asian, he looked different, that's why he thought he got the job. He had to listen to comments like 'you come in the back door after the parents leave', racist stuff like that. Having an Asian look will make most parents think you're Thai of Filipino, and most, not all, schools don't want that look. I know, it's sad. Back here in Aussieland the dicrimination isn't as bad LOL. But yeah, sorry mate, regardless of the hopes you might have or what others say, you will be judged by your looks. My advice is to apply for jobs over the phone and use your accent as a marketing tool. Attend the interview wearing the baggy green. Bring a case of VB with you. Whatever you do, don't send your picture. Man oh man, I miss having to deal with these discrimination issues on a daily basis..............................

I thought I'd add in this post. I was at McDonalds last night and I participated in a long awaited act of revenge on some of the rude Thais here. The Thai people ordering in front of me said something bad in Thai with the word farang to the (Aussie farang) bloke behind the counter serving them, poor young kid just trying to earn a few dollars. I understood and since I was on the drink, I tapped the Thai guy on his shoulder who had the biggest smirk on his face and said "Sorry mate, this is Australia, you are the farang now" He swore at me in Thai and I told him in Thai to come and get me with his " Khee Nok Thai" relatives. He then laughed at me but it looked like he lost face, I said 'No worries mate, you can't lose face in a country that is not face conscious". I'm sure I would have been gunned down if this happened in Thailand, but then again it wouldn't have, because I wouldn't have called a Thai a farang in Thailand! Anyway, the look on his face was pricless! I wish I had a camera with me!

I wish I had a picture of the look on his face, priceless!

Very good advice.

My wife's spouse visa was approved 28 hours after it was lodged. Based on our experience, although it was a year ago now, here are some more tips.

1- Make sure you lodge a complete application. As the OP said, get the police and medical checks completed before you lodge, then, if you have a good application, the case officer will most likely want to get it approved quicker and start on the next. Not having a complete application means that your application will most likely be moved down to the bottom of the pile.

2- Don't lodge your application at the VFS, only lodge it at the embassy (together with your partner if possible). This will put you at an advantage from the start, because the staff there are more knowledgeable and will be able to answer your questions better; you don't have to wait for the application to be sent there from the VFS; more importantly, you get to meet your case officer face to face. If your relationship is genuine, they will most likely see that, so impress them and then like us, you might not even need to be interviewed.

Those are just two easy tips I learnt from my experience.

Good luck.