WapiJohn

I work, actually I am the English Language Director, for a school near Bangkok. We've now had several months of dealing with the new regulations. This is what I've encountered and I would appreciate the feedback of others about what, if anything his happening where they are. I am wondering how uniform these regulations are being applied.

All new teachers we hire must have a Bachelor's Degree. We were told not even to bother submitting any paperwork to the Ministry of Education unless they have a degree. They will not take TEFL/CELTA etc (although these are a plus if you have a degree).

I might add that all the existing teachers at are school are OK for continuing based on their previous qualifications, of which some don't have degrees. The change is only affecting NEW Teachers.

If the degree holder is from a non-English speaking country (as a first language), They must have a TOEFL or IESLs test. I can't remember the required scores off the top of my head. The MOE in Bangkok has said TOIEC is fine, but the province where our school is located has said no to TOIEC.

They must have police clearance. An exception seems to be if they have been working in Thailand already. They just waived this on a new teacher coming from another province.

Any new teachers that we hire, even if they have been employed in another school start the process from square one. They have to cancel their work permit, Non-immigrant B visa, leave the country and start from scratch. This seems to mean that already employed teachers who don't meet the minimum qualifications, can't leave the school.

How does it work elsewhere or is it about the same?

My school in North East Thailand has been told that the requirements are, Degree OR TEFL ( or similar ) OR Native speaker.

" Up to the school " several teachers at this school do not have a degree ( one has no qualifications and no previous teaching experience whatsoever) All have " B visas " and work permits etc. But no question of police checks so far.

These appear to be the new requirements " Thai Style "

So there is no hard and fast rule.

I am planning to come to Thailand to obtain my TEFL certificate, and then to teach. My question is, has anyone here used Text-And-Talk Academy for their training,and can you give me any feedback on that experience? Good, Bad? Worth the effort and expense?

When I wanted to do my TEFL / TESOL I checked out several Training schools, and decided the best two were Text-and-Talk,

and TEFL International at Ban Phe. I chose Ban Phe because I felt there were less distractions than at Pattaya.

I can recommend TEFL Int. from experience, but I have only heard positive things about T & T. But for both schools you have to study hard and there is no time for playtime until after the course.

I do not know about Text-and-Talk Academy. But TEFL Int. Have a very good free placement service for TEFL Int. trained teachers. I have been told this is completly free and is a lifetime service. They found me my first job ( well paid ) and keep in touch regarding any new teaching posts that become available.

It depends on wether you are interested in teaching or making money. The two do not go together in Thailand.

The best teachers are the ones who consider the students ( not the schools !) first and not the money.

Hello,

My sig. other and I recently accepted jobs teaching in Nakhon Sri Thammarat province. We were told that for our work permits and 'teacher books' we are required to have professional-looking photographs taken. I was instructed that I could not wear any makeup or jewelry, and had to have my hair tied back. My boyfriend was instructed that he must wear a shirt and tie. We each paid 350B for the photos, and assumed that was taken care of.

3 weeks later, we are now being told that my boyfriend's photos are "unacceptable" by the Thai government as he has a goatee, and in the photo must be clean-shaven. Now, it's a small well-groomed goatee. He's 30 years old and looks completely professional. Our school has also hired dozens of foreigners before and, if this is the case, we think they should have known.

It sounds like he'll have to pay for new photos and pay some sort of 400B fee for having the previous photos rejected.

Can anyone confirm if this is the way things are?

Thanks.

Regarding facial hair, your own common sense should tell you to shave it off, regardless of what any school might say.

Think of your students not your own male ( or female ) vanity.

When Thai students are trying to learn English they watch every facial expression you use. They do not want to watch any silly tufts of hair bobbing about all over the place. " Completely professional " ? Perhaps for working in a Bank or

Mc Donalds, but NOT in a school where every inch of you is under scrutiny by Thai students trying to understand English, and FULL facial expressions are very important for the students.

I think before you start teaching you should learn a little bit about Thai students, and what THEY find acceptable.

To keep it really simple,

you don't NEED a Bachelor degree to teach in Thailand.

The thing is, it makes a big difference between having a WP

and staying inland for upto a year at a time rather than doing the monthly VOA.

This inconvenience will no doubt, get to you at some point of time.

School-wise, some maybe strict and ask for qualifications whereas some will hire you regardless.

Depends on your luck.

Whatever you do, stay away from the bullshit life experience degrees and/or worse, fake degrees.

Having no degree at all is way better than having a fake one.

Lying and forging definitely don't go down well w/ the immigration here.

You'll face possible fine / deportation or even imprisonment.

My school has just hired 2 native speakers neither of them has a degree and one does not even have a TEFL etc.

Both now have their B visas and work permits.

So NO you do not have to have a degree to teach in a government school in Thailand, but you do need a good Thai to challenge the system and do all the paperwork for you.

If you are completely honest with the school regarding your qualifications ( or lack of them ), they will go out of their way to help you.

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“Danny sounds like a right pr.....!! The type of person that gives filipinos a bad name!

We have 2 new filipino teachers at my school. You will never see them at weekends at the school, and they only work their contracted hours. Whereas the Western teachers come in UNPAID to get on with their lesson planning etc, because they care about their students not how many hours they work.

I have yet to see any original lesson material used by the Filipino teachers, everything has been copied from me so far.

I know the filipinos are only here for their contract to gain experience, so they can move on to higher paid jobs in Bangkok later.

So cut the cr.. most Westerners care more about their students and school than the filipinos.

I agree ! All the filipinos I have met are only in it for the money and most I have met are so full of their own self importance they rarely even notice their students ( My name is MR. ...... and you WILL call me MR )

I know there are some good ones around, but I haven't met one yet !

Yesterday I had to sit in on an interview for a new English teacher who was Filipino.

Young but very well qualified ( more than me ! )

I am paid 35 K a month he was offered 25 K a month ( Same job description ) which he quickly accepted.

I am a White Englishman, he is a dark brown well spoken Filipino, very polite, and someone I am looking forward to working with.

The fact that his salary was offered to him in front of me, amazed me.

Discrimination ?? what do you think?

When I hired on in Thailand (at one of the better private government schools mind you), they were more interested in my modeling and acting career in Asia than my university degrees.

Back on topic....Geet, for you're own sake, learn about Thailand. It has wonderful things about it, I love it, but the culture is different. Not a better or worse thing, just different. Racism exists big time.

You alone will not change it.

The school I work at has me stand at the front gate once a week just to show they have a white Farang working there. Often when the school has visitors or parents around I am expected to show my presence here.

I work in North East Thailand where most of the students come from farming backgrounds and are therefore dark skinned Thais, so racism is not a problem here, but most Thais want to be white

( god knows why !). One of the biggest money earners here are Whitening creams, which are supposed to make your skin white ( some people will believe anything! )

If you want to see examples of racial " preferences " look at any Thai advertising ( magazines, products etc. ) or TV programs and adverts. You will never see a dark skinned Thai used to advertise any product, Which is crazy because the dark skinned Thai is in the majority!

( my father in law is as black as the ace of spades )

Twendee, Thirdee, Fordee, Fifdee, Sixdee, Sevendee, Eighdee, Ninedee

I've never met a Brit yet who wasn't aware that English has many different accents, yet some assume all Americans speak the same. I've never said budder in my life.

I tell my students that there are many different English accents, both in America and in The British Isles.

I also tell them that I have difficulty understanding many British Accents particulary Northern ones, as well as many American, South African, Australian etc. accents.

A few years ago when i taught in LOS. I had a little girl(6 or 7 years old) ask me why Americans say Z(ZEE) and English(ZED). This girl was Thai and her parents are Thai but she was born in New York and spoke English with and American accent. She was/is a very smart girl. My answer was that "Neither was wrong. But since i teach English and i am British then Z(ZED ) is what i will continue to teach. She seemed happy enough with my response.

I wondered about this too. I never heard of it until my children came home saying zed when they said the alphabet. They pronounced it more like sat though. I told them it is a Zeeeebra not a Satbra or Zedbra in your case. Now they have the thai teacher using Zee instead.

I'm American and have always taught it as 'zee' and not 'zed', however it makes more sense to teach it as

'zed' because 'zee' is often confused with the letter 'C' or 'cee' or should I say 'see'.

If you pronounce the ZZZEEEEE correctly as in hard on th ZZZZ part then it should be very difficult to mistake it for cee which is soft on the c part.

Try explaining that to a Thai student !

Hi all im just wondering about should i correct the spelling mistakes that the students make when writing ie color, and tire (on a wheel ) or am i just beating my head against the wall ?, they seem to be used alot over here by major retail outlets ,,, so spell as it sounds or the queens english ?

it will be intresting to hear what everybody thinks , il go with the majority

ta very much

Spelling is not really a problem, the differences can be easily explained.

But American pronunciation is very hard to explain. In particular the Americans inability to pronounce the letter " T "

The Thai's have a problem with " L " and " R " and the Americans have a problem with " T " and " D "

I have to tell my students that words like " Butter, Better, British etc. " should be spoken using the letter " T "

NOT the American way " Budder, Bedder, Bridish etc. " as there is no letter " D " in any of these words.

A few years ago when i taught in LOS. I had a little girl(6 or 7 years old) ask me why Americans say Z(ZEE) and English(ZED). This girl was Thai and her parents are Thai but she was born in New York and spoke English with and American accent. She was/is a very smart girl. My answer was that "Neither was wrong. But since i teach English and i am British then Z(ZED ) is what i will continue to teach. She seemed happy enough with my response.

I wondered about this too. I never heard of it until my children came home saying zed when they said the alphabet. They pronounced it more like sat though. I told them it is a Zeeeebra not a Satbra or Zedbra in your case. Now they have the thai teacher using Zee instead.

I'm American and have always taught it as 'zee' and not 'zed', however it makes more sense to teach it as

'zed' because 'zee' is often confused with the letter 'C' or 'cee' or should I say 'see'.

Aha ! A wise American. A very valid point, something I hadn't considered. ( A good American friend of mine also has the ability to look at things objectively, a rare gift for both British and American )

Hi all im just wondering about should i correct the spelling mistakes that the students make when writing ie color, and tire (on a wheel ) or am i just beating my head against the wall ?, they seem to be used alot over here by major retail outlets ,,, so spell as it sounds or the queens english ?

it will be intresting to hear what everybody thinks , il go with the majority

ta very much

I am British, and teach British English to my students ( 1000+) However when I am faced with the " Lazy English " words like labor, color etc. I simply tell my students that that is the American spelling and this ( labour, colour etc ) is the British spelling. No big deal.

It is very difficult for the students because they are being taught from both British and American Text books and they get very confused. I hate the American corruption of our beautiful language, but I put my personal feelings to one side and tell my students that is is important to learn both British and American English, because most of the Internet is in American English.

My school is aware of the differences and last year the mid term exam for M5 students was the differences between British and American English. No problem !

I do have a bit of fun with American terms when teaching my students " You never ask a British man if he is wearing suspenders. You would probably get a punch in the mouth! " This always gets a laugh, when I explain why. Also Brits wear their pants under their trousers.

I had a student come to me the other day and he wanted to go to the toilet I said to him do you want the rest room? He replied " I just want to go to the toilet I don't want to rest!

Another term I cannot tell my students is the word " fanny " it has different meanings in British and American English. If you used that term to an English woman you would probably get a slap in the face or worse !

Don't make such a big deal about the differences go with the flow.

After all, we know we have the best language in the world

Is it really possible at age (approx) 60, without a degree or teaching

experience, (''O'' level English 40 years ago!) to just do a TEFL course

and get work as a teacher?

Obviously nothing is guaranteed, and employers would give preference to experienced applicants, but does it happen?

Sorry if I caused confusion by posting this in the wrong place yesterday.

I know of a job going in the North East of Thailand, in a medium sized school 3,000 students in a small Non falang town ( no bars no falangs and no western style shops, but Tesco Lotus only 50 k away ) It is a lovely town and the people are really friendly, but no Westerners want to go there to teach mainly because they are about 500 k from the nearest beach.

It is a hard but very rewarding life if you really want to teach.

I didn't start teaching until I was 57. I now teach 1,000 kids a week and it's great!

But I would recommend getting your TEFL first, choose a TEFL course in Thailand that will give you some hands on teaching as part of your training.

The school I mentioned are so desperate that they would take someone on and sort out a TEFL later.

Could the school obtain a WP for someone if they didn't have a degree, TEFL or the necessary qualifications, or would they be prepaired to let the new teacher take a risk by working there without the paperwork?

Anything is possible !

Is it really possible at age (approx) 60, without a degree or teaching

experience, (''O'' level English 40 years ago!) to just do a TEFL course

and get work as a teacher?

Obviously nothing is guaranteed, and employers would give preference to experienced applicants, but does it happen?

Sorry if I caused confusion by posting this in the wrong place yesterday.

I know of a job going in the North East of Thailand, in a medium sized school 3,000 students in a small Non falang town ( no bars no falangs and no western style shops, but Tesco Lotus only 50 k away ) It is a lovely town and the people are really friendly, but no Westerners want to go there to teach mainly because they are about 500 k from the nearest beach.

It is a hard but very rewarding life if you really want to teach.

I didn't start teaching until I was 57. I now teach 1,000 kids a week and it's great!

But I would recommend getting your TEFL first, choose a TEFL course in Thailand that will give you some hands on teaching as part of your training.

The school I mentioned are so desperate that they would take someone on and sort out a TEFL later.

Quick question WapiJohn: Did you have to have your wife's signature on the photocopy of her ID card and household registration?

Quick answer No.

Detailed answer, I emailed the Consulate and asked what documents were required.

The Consulate General told me all that was required was a copy of my Thai marriage papers.

No mention was made regarding ID or house Registration. But I made copies ' just in case '. I must admit though I didn,t give a thought about asking my wife to sign the photocopies.

The Consulate didn't ask for the copies to be signed. I don't think they really needed the ID and House Registration, as I had the original marriage papers with my wifes signature and ID details. But I should have known better as EVERYTHING in Thailand is photocopied AND SIGNED ( Jobs for the boys ! ).

If you are considering Australia as a Visa Run option, email the Consulate they will be very helpful and fill you in on all the requirements, as the laws are always changing.

I believe all Thai Consulates in Australia adopt the same policy,

EXCEPT SYDNEY, where you will need bank statements, and the visa application will take a minimum of 2 days.

Regarding Taxi travel, check out my recent post in this forum regarding Taxi Touts Morchit.

I recently travelled in and out of the new airport for the first time.

I found the 'Duty free' shops a bit of a joke ! Most of the shops are very expensive and exclusive

' Rich Mans shops '. They do not cater for the average Farang, they only cater for the very wealthy tourist.

So do not go looking for bargains at airport duty free shops, do your shoping before you come to the airport!

The cost of eating and drinking at the new airport seems a lot higher than the old one.

So if you fancy a few beers before boarding your flight, bring plenty of money or bring your own beer with you!

The bar girls in Pattaya & Bangkok charge less for the drinks than the Airport bars !!

( and their service is better !! )

Also there are not very many eating places before passport control.

Seating at the new airport is worse than the old one, so expect your your luggage trolly to be your seat.

Passport Control and Customs are definately better than the old.

Luggage/ baggage claim is about the same.

I flew Thai, and the walk from the aircraft to passport control felt like 10 kilometres, but I am sure it was probably nearer 2 kilometres! Worse than Don Muang and Heathrow!!

The aircrafts ground run from the runway to the terminal building, seemed to take forever, and I am sure that was nearer 10 kilometres !!

The left luggage has also increased from 90 to 100 Baht per day.

I felt the new airport was OK ! NOT great, but OK.

Check up on new security measures !

As of 31st March 2007 Regarding Flights into and out of Australia. No liquids (Water, alchohol, etc.)

No aerosols, and NO Gels ( Toothpaste, etc. )

I had all mine confiscated at the boarding security gate, this included unopened and sealed Water, can of Coke, Toothpaste, Deodourant.

I am not sure if this is a new general rule regarding all flights.

Recently, I arrived at Morchit bus terminal, and was immediately hounded by taxi touts as I got off my bus.

They asked where are you going? The airport I replied, how much for a taxi?

Between 500 and 600 Baht was the reply! I did smile whilst I gave them the finger, and laughed as I told them to F..... Off.

The touts asked my Thai wife why I was not happy with them. She told them I knew the approximate price of a taxi to the airport, because I had checked on the Internet ( This Forum ).

They laughed and said I would not get a taxi for less than 500 Baht !

I went to the normal Taxi stand to get a metre cab, and I laughed when I paid 240 Baht plus tolls.

Another useful tip I nearly always used when I arrived at the old airport, was never get a taxi from the arrivals area.

Always go to the departures drop off point. There are NO Queues and the fare is normally cheaper.

I paid 210 Baht for my return taxi to Morchit.

Also if you wear the yellow shirt and wristband to show your respect for the King, most of the Touts will not bother you, and you will nearly always get a fair price ! ( nearly Thai price ).

This also seemed to work at passport control, as I definately went through very quickly this time.

Following some good advice from members of this forum and the Consulate in Brisbane, I have just returned from Australia complete with a multi entry Type 'O' visa.

I am a British passport holder, so I was a little unsure if the Thai consulate in Brisbane could help me.

Before I left Thailand, I emailed the Consulate in Brisbane, and recieved a very polite and helpful email in return personally from Mr. Dunn, the Consulate General.

I arrived at the Brisbane consulate soon after they opened on a Monday morning, I was 2nd in line in the small reception office. I was asked for my Thai marriage papers, and a copy of my wifes ID and House registration.

I had already photocopied the necessary papers, and filled in the visa application form.

Despite the queue increasing to about 20 people in this very small reception area, the Thai lady handling the various visas and enqiries, remained calm, and very helpful to everyone.

When I was handed back my passport, despite being under a lot of pressure, the Thai lady took the time to explain all the conditions attached to my new visa, and answered all my queries fully in a friendly manner.

From walking into the consulate, to walking out again. The whole visa process took just 20 MINUTES.

I only had to provide proof that I was married to a Thai national, and I did not have to provide any proof of earnings.

I found the service at the Brisbane Thai Consulate excellent, and would recommend their services to anyone!

So long as the rules remain the same, I intend making this my annual visa run/holiday.

Try BBC British council or the BBC World service. Loads of quizzes ( great time fillers ) and free audio

dialogues I get a terrific amount of my material from there, and I just modify and improve it to suit my students. ALL the material is FREE and of course as you would expect from the BBC, Top quality!

Many thanks all !

Yes I think 300 Baht is a small price to pay for relative peace of mind.

It was just that I didn't have any idea of the cost of a taxi to the new airport.

I may come back on the bus when I return 10 days later. As I am going on a visa run I expect to travel light going out of Thailand. Coming back could be a different story ( things I cannot buy in Thailand )

I haven't been to the new Airport yet, ( Lucky or Unlucky ?? ) I am not even sure where it is, having spent the last 12 months up North.

I am looking for options, time and cost between Morchit and the new Airport. Probably late afternoon for a late night flight to Oz, on a Saturday afternoon.

I expect there is already an answer in this forum, but my computer link is a little slow to go through over 30 pages !

Anyone know of a Travel agent or " Office " in the Khon Kean area that can arrange an Electronic Travel Authority ( ETA ) for me. For my forthcoming visa trip to Australia. I know I can obtain one on line, but my credit card has other ideas ! !

Any links would be appreciated, as I do not want to travel to Bangkok just yet, as it,s full of foreigners.

A useful tip from a falang friend of mine living in Bangkok. Wear your yellow shirt, you wont get hassled or ripped off as much, because the Thais will know you are not a tourist !

Absolutely correct seadoo,the legendary Thun William Dunn, who, I'm extremely privileged to have as a personal friend will be always at your service with any info regarding anything to do with his adopted Thailand,any Aussie on the East Coast of OZ. would be well advised to get in touch with any Visa Query,infact any Query about the L. O. S . Tip--( Have a couple of jokes to tell, That's usually worth a little more info.) His email is, [email protected]

He has a new email addy now :- [email protected] All other contact details are the same.

I have been in touch with the Thai consulate in Brisbane to ask them if they will issue a Non O Type multi entry visa on a British passport.

I recieved a very friendly reply from Mr.Dunn saying that they could, and all I needed was a copy of my Thai marriage certificate,and for this visa it was not necessary to provide bank satements Also the visa would be issued while I wait.

Why can't all Government offices be that helpful and cut out the un-necessary red tape?