kenkannif

When people are making such a big step it's best for them to know the proper info mate....be it pedantic or otherwise.

Sorry!

No worries. I am giving proper info. The 'crackdown' took the form of:

1. More difficulty in getting the non-immigrant B in Laos and Cambodia in part due to the volume of Eastern-European ladies of easier virtues applying for them there. There's been lots of people refused the non-B who were given it before. This is 100% true.

Mate this is where you show your ignorance I'm afraid. Has nowt to do with the Eastern European ladies as they weren't/aren't applying for Non-imm Bs on the strength of teaching here (the main change in Laos is the need for a TL or a Sor Chor (I forget the number but can get it) which shows a TL will eventually be obtained, or is in the process of being obtained.....something they wouldn't be doing.

Laos has always been difficult, although the changes only really affected Vientienne NOT Savankhet (sp?) as fas as I know.

Nothing at all has changed in Cambodia mate, it has always been VERY difficult to obtain any Visa from there, especially Non-imm Bs.

Penang's requirement for a WP3 came from the MFA (or so they said) as they were tired of people getting Non-imm Bs for people that were not going to be getting a WP. KL and KB are pretty much the same as is Singapore, Hong Kong etc. No change at all!

Other than that it's business as usual.

2. As I mentioned, increased difficulty in getting the work permit in the Dept. of Labour in Thailand due to stricter qualification checks. Also true. Call it whatever you like, crackdown, tightening-up, etc. but it's true. Maybe it was the wrong word. I'm not trying to scare anyone. I think you can also see that from the tone of my posts. It's been a massive pain-in-the-rear-end for myself and my fellow teachers of late.

LoL mate Labour HAS NOTHING to do with checking qualifications (did you not get the mail out last year from the MoE???) and nowadays neither does the MoE. It's down to the individual schools to verify the degree (or say they have) I'm afraid. So again your information is very wrong indeed! If anything IME it's gotten easier.

Again mate you show that you don't really know what you're talking about. Once you have the TL from the MoE you're good to go....Labour has nowt to do with it other than issuing the WP which is pretty much definite once you have the TL (the MoE has said this in the past).

Sorry mate I think we're going to have to agree to disagree on this one or we'll be here forever.

When people are making such a big step it's best for them to know the proper info mate....be it pedantic or otherwise.

Sorry!

Fair enough!

Great avatar btw mate! Got some of the comics on my PC and the dolls at home.

I think this rule kind of covers it (although slightly ambigious (sp?)):

7) Spam, flooding, commercial or for-profit advertisements, chain letters, pyramid schemes, and similar solicitations are also inappropriate and not allowed on thaivisa.com. Any member who might violate this prohibition will be banned from these forums and this site. Membership is at the will of thaivisa.com. Our contracts with our advertisers prohibit comments with regard to advertisements which appear on our forums. Such comments should not be posted and will be removed. Please don't drop promotional urls, signature files, or specifics that would lead people to your site.

Members spamming other forum members via PM or emails will be banned and reported to their ISP's and to Spamcop. We will also take legal action against spamming site owners. Be warned!

Although the bold bit could probably be worded a bit better to take into account sites that aren't yours per se.

I think it's okay to say go to Ajarn, or look on Dave's....just direct links or URLs aren't allowed.

What do you want some one to do mate???

I know people coming over from the UK if that's what you mean???

Please be a little clearer as to what you're requesting???

Yeah always something about to be honest.

Early May is when most start up again...but often they lose or Jack teachers after a few months. End of October/early November is also another good time.

Basically you're not allowed to put URLs on here for competing or potentially competing sites mate.

It is indeed in the rules.

Fact: People I know who where given work permits last year were turned down this year on the basis of their qualifications not being good enough.

Actually this does kind of make sense in some ways. The MoE will never check up (and they've actually stopped doing so) if it's in the system. What most likely has happened is the employing school wanted to get rid of them....and used their quals as an excuse....this happens quite a lot to be honest.

They had kosher quals??? Or dodgy ones???

You'd be lucky. There's thousands of Farangs getting work permits done every month. Some who previously got work permits were turned down for new ones this year after a big crack down on fake degrees, dodgy qualifications, etc.

Completely untrue

Although people without degrees and qualifications have been given work permits, they're just few and far between.

Well not as few and far between as those mentioned above.

I wish people wouldn't use untrue scare tactics on here.

Fact: Thousands of Farangs both apply for and get work permits every month.

Yes, I agree!

Fact: People I know who where given work permits last year were turned down this year on the basis of their qualifications not being good enough.

I'm actually getting reports it's a lot easier. I an I'm hearing more and more people are getting them without a degree. And with the MoE not verifying the degrees anymore it's also making life easier for the naughty people!

So no not a fact although it might apply to some of your mates

Fact: It was easier to get a work permit last year than it is this year due to more thorough checking of applications, demanding college transcripts, contacting universities, etc.

Actually as per above it's getting easier and schools are just okaying them. So again not a fact.

Fact: The vast majority of work permits given to teachers are to those with third level qualifications.

Well I don't really think you can be sure of that mate 100%. But yes I'd tend to agree with that, although you've not really covered everything I pulled you up on. But at least you tried.

Scare tactics?

Yeah the so called 'crackdown' you mentioned which never actually happened.

Yes, the 100 hours and 6 plus hours OTP is correct. By all means check with the BC or someone similar. Worldwide this is certainly the case.

Thailand though will accept most qualifications. Although the better schools will often not accept online/distance certs (as I mentioned before even AUA which is a so so school at best....now specifically say it must contain 100 hour class time and the OTP).

You'll get work with an online one, but probably not the better jobs and you won't be as well prepared to teach.

It makes sense really...if online or distance learning was the way to go....there'd be no need for us (i.e. we don't teach English online/distance...so how can we be expected to learn to teach by those means).

Do a search on here mate and you'll see most experiences teachers are none to enamoured (did I spell that right???) with online/distance learning.

But all the best!!! You'll get some work here with it.

You'd be lucky. There's thousands of Farangs getting work permits done every month. Some who previously got work permits were turned down for new ones this year after a big crack down on fake degrees, dodgy qualifications, etc.

Completely untrue

Although people without degrees and qualifications have been given work permits, they're just few and far between.

Well not as few and far between as those mentioned above.

I wish people wouldn't use untrue scare tactics on here.

The biggest problem is your visa. You won't be able to get a work permit and you'll have to leave the country once a month to get a new visa.

Good luck though, go for it.

Not really true as it is possible and seems to be happening more and more for teachers to get a work permit without a degree.

Also you don't have to do a run every 30 days if you don't have a WP, you just need to be a tad clued up is all.

As far as I'm aware, ECC in Siam Square is the only place that offers the official Cambridge CELTA course. That is the only qualification you can get here which is 'internationally recognised'.

I'm not saying that other courses are inferior as such, but the ECC one is official, with the certificate being issued by UCLES (The University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate) in the UK. Some of the other certificates you can get here may be okay for teaching in Thailand, but only good as toilet paper elsewhere.

The ECC website is here.

Well International House also offer it in Bangkok now as do Elite (who've been doing so for the last few years).

It's pretty much the same as most TEFL courses when you really look at it to be honest, and if anything with it's lack of specificness and lack of teaching kids.....not quite the be all or end all as some people may imply.

Most certs will be accepted worldwide if they have the 100 hours plus class time and the 6 hours plus OTP.

Okay you shouldn't need a lawyer I don't think.

Contact the Labor Dept. if you were totally legal (although the off location work you did was probably not covered)...they're very pro-empoyee so have a chat with them.

Alternatively you can complain to the MoE abuot his school (again if your legal) I've seen this help in the past.

It's not quite as bad (if you're in the right) as the other posters are saying to be honest.

Good luck!!!

Yep as long as (generally) you get the 100 plus hours class time, and at least 6 plus hours OTP....you should be okay!!!

So... to sum it up: Definitely yes, or possibly no, depending on who or where you are. ;-)

Yep...depends on who, what and where you're teaching basically

The joys!!!

^ Agree 110%.....an utter, utter waste of time and money. You don't teach English via the internet so how they can expect you to learn to teach through the internet is beyond me. Actually goes against most of the principles you learn on a proper/real TEFL course.

To be of international standard you need at least 100 hours class time (i.e. the time you're in class) and at least 6 plus hours of observed teaching practice.....something which an online course cannot offer I'm afraid. They should actually be called 'introductory' or 'prepatory' TEFL courses over a 'proper' TEFL course as the more discerning schools and countries wouldn't touch them with a bargepole....even AUA a so so school here won't accept courses without the above in them.

JB,

1. Not knowing the language is not really a problem at all in regards to teaching. Although being able to speak Thai would be an advantage (not so much in the classroom, but certainly in looking for and finding work), not being able to is no real disadvantage (if you get what I mean?).

2. Often yes that is the case.

3. Okay I understand.

Contact some of the better ones and see what they say. Alternatively come on over and spend time in each and pick the one that's best for you.

Any idea as to who, what and where you wish to teach???

Your age?

Background?

Experiences?

^ I'm guessing he means those using a fake degree???

If you have a TL you're basically a teacher here in Thailand.

Actually as you're over 50 you should easily be able to get a retirement Visa....but then just use it as a Non-imm O so you can obtain a WP on it. This will give you the same amount of cover as a multi Non-imm B (if they won't help you).

PM me and I'll point you in the right direction mate!!!

Do a search on here, plenty of info about the various courses here.

What are you after exactly???

Yep with the schools backing (100%) then it's possible with minimal quals. Not the norm though.

Just gotta persuade the MoE to issue the TL and then you're pretty much good to go.

Multi Non-imm B is your best bet and they can easily help you with it.

"I don't have a degree; can I teach in Thailand?"

"I have a B.A. in French and a TEFL. What kind of salary can I expect?"

"If I want to work for the Hoity Toity High School, what sort of paper do I have to have?"

"Can I get a work permit teaching English in a public school even though my degree is in accounting?"

"Are any private schools looking for someone with a background in swimming instruction?"

Feel like asking one of these questions or something similar? Ask it here!

This is the place for folks new to Thailand or new to teaching to post their degree qualifications, TEFL certifications, and experience to see what kind of jobs they should expect- OR, on the other hand, the place to ask what kinds of qualifications would be necessary for specific teaching jobs. Of course, I'd like the TEFL/teaching masters responding to be gentle and kind, considering that these are NEW folks. The focus should be on delivering information, not on slagging anyone for their stated qualifications (or lack thereof). Specifically, this is NOT the thread for judging people based on the presence or lack of a TEFL certificate or a degree.

Hope all posters here will find something useful to them!

I'll start it out- what kind of salary can a person with a SUBJECT degree (not English/TEFL and not a Ed. degree) hope to find in Bangkok teaching his subject (at Prathom or Matthayom)?

well iam planing to move to thailand with my uk boyfriend and iam planning to teach but the problem is i don't have a degree teaching that's why iam asking what should i need to work as an english teacher there if iam holding a degree in BS Chemical Engineering

Well you'll get work, but will you know what you're doing? That's the problem. Even if you get a job teaching a specific subject you're generally still using (or should be) EFL techniques to get your point across etc.

Thanks so much to Peaceblondie, Ijustwannateach and Elkanqorito for your sound advice in your replies. Will go out looking hard for job now that I know can get work permit and teachers license just with science degree and multiple entry B visa. thanks will keep you posted

Depends on who, what and where you're teaching in regards to you being able to getting a TL and WP with just a degree mate. I'd say though you've got more chance than you haven't, but it's in no way definite (as PB said probably).