kenkannif

Might want to give more info...why do you want one? Do you have a job offer? Married to a Thai? Etc.

A tourist Visa is not a Non-imm Visa but can be convered to a Non-imm B (possibly others), although like a lot of things here easier said than done.

^ American spelling mate (checked before I posted yesterday):

http://www.freesearch.co.uk/dictionary/realize

realize, UK USUALLY realise

verb {I or T}

to understand a situation, sometimes suddenly:

- They didn't realize the danger they were in.

- {+ (that)} "Do you realize (that) this is the third time you've forgotten?" she said angrily.

- {+ question word} I realize how difficult it's going to be, but we must try.

- As he watched the TV drama, he suddenly realized (that) he'd seen it before.

- "You're standing on my foot." "Sorry, I didn't realize."

See also realize at real (NOT IMAGINARY).

realization, UK USUALLY realisation

noun {C usually singular}

- {+ that} The realization was dawning (= They were starting to realize) that this was a major disaster.

And:

criticize, UK USUALLY criticise

verb

1 {I; T often passive} to express disapproval of someone or something:

- The government is being widely criticized in the press for failing to limit air pollution.

- We'll get nowhere if all you can do is criticize.

2 {T} to give an opinion or judgement about a book, film, etc:

- We're a group of artists who meet to discuss things and criticize

FYI Brits tend not to use a z in words like this, rather an s mate

Yeah a TEFL is a TESOL, but that doesn't mean all TESOL courses are TEFL courses some are TESL. The CELTA used to be a TEFL, but now is more of a TESL and obviously is also a TESOL.

Yes, I think they do sometimes to be honest mate, myself included

Still not heard anything at all about them. Don't even know if any one has attended.

Ask them for e-mail addresses of a whole class would be my advice (rather than letting them cherry pick) and then ask them.

Most the people here have put me well of teaching anyway, for starts most of them lookk down their noses at people trying to come to Thailand and teach, just for the fact that they don't have degrees. In my eyes that's f#cking stupid to think in this way.

Its even more stupid to think you can teach others when you weren't taught yourself. Take a good look at you grammar and spelling, ITS HORRID.

When I was in school we used to get French lessons by some Frenchgirl that was about 18, theres no way she had a degree, it's jus tthe same as English speaking people coming to Thailand and teaching English. Deal with it instead of whining like bitches.

Sounds to me like you're the Whiner. You asked people for advice but can't take the advice / criticism given?. Why bother posting if you don't want to know the truth?

People CAN do it and WILL do it, i'm not going to one of them but I could if I wanted to.

In Thailand and with this ATTITUDE?, I seriously doubt it. Stay in the UK, Its better for the Thai people

I dunno if Cornflakes is still around, but whatever..........

The guy was looking for advice as to what IS in Thailand not what folk think SHOULD be or wish for. Sure, an ideal English Teacher would be someone fully trained and experienced (with or without bits of paper coming out of their ears) but, you know what?, in Thailand this is not a requirement at present. It may be a bad thing, but it's how it IS.

Offer piss poor salaries TO FARANG then teaching English will only be attractive to those passing through for a couple of years, are using it as a stepping stone, or who have already made a few quid back in Farangland so are NOT looking to finance their old age from B30k (or even B90k) a month.

FWIW the Thais should accept that non Farang CAN do as good a job if not better than a Farang (with or without a degree) and are of course much cheaper - whether it be "Native" speakers or even Thais. But this is probably a seperate thread about short sighted stupidity in the "LOSSS"

The guy could have got himself a job in Thailand (and already realised this), but he was clearly smart enough to also be thinking about his future prospects and that B30K is NOT a future, it's a working holiday / something to do to keep the brain cells alive / pay the rent whilst trying to do a bit of good / a paid hobby.

I think I suggested that at 22 he should get a skill / profession / trade / knowledge that can be used to make money in Farangland to at least fall back on - I managed to make this suggestion as constructively as possible without being rude / insulting or having my head stuck up my rear end - and whether he takes my advice is neither here nor there for me, I was just happy to help / give him a bit of encoragement. I may not have worked in Thailand or been an English Teacher, but I have been around the block a bit, including in Thailand - so can at least talk things through with someone constructively rather than seeing folk as a challenge.

Its better for the Thai people

You'd need a heart of stone............not to laugh at a comment like that

I am not going to criticise YOUR spelling or grammar - it's the Internet

More spelling errors, but lets not count them

Both realised and criticise are correctly spelled (spelt?) mate (albeit English spelling). So if you're going to correct people maybe ch ch ch check yourself first

###### and I might want to ch ch ch check to make sure someone hasn't already posted what I just did

Individual schools it seems (when they actually get them).

Tom from one of your teachers:

Hi I'm one of the teachers in the Nonthaburi Government Project, from Chulallongkorn University. Our work permits was just issued to us this week and we have been working since July this year. we paid a lot for this and we will be using it for two months only. our Visas will expire on Feb 2006 also but we paid for one year extension of Visa. Does it mean if get a job again after February we have to renew our Visas which I think should not be the case. We feel that we have been cheated on. We paid 6,000 all in all for extension and work permit. please help us. Thanks and Merry Christmas to you.

Yeah don't let them push her into the other one.

All the best!

TEFL in Thailand is pretty much screwed up, with improper selections, unexplainable cancellations of good programs and contracts of good teachers, nearly impossible working conditions, etc. It's no place for a Western professional, and barely-qualified folks like Ken and I were lucky to get half-decent jobs or better. Ken has a good job, and I don't need to work (though I'd prefer to).

I was very lucky indeed. And you're right....no rhyme, no reason. I know so so teachers on good money, and good on teachers on so so money.

What are the odds that a guy without a degree, without a TEFL cert, and without teaching experience, could make 300,000 baht in his first year in Thailand? Less than one chance out of ten. I still haven't made 300,000 baht in any twelve months in Thailand, never had a WP or a TL, never got my visa extended....and I was a darn good teacher!

No disrespect but in Bangers it's a doddle and also to be fair (and again no disrespect intended) PB I think if you didn't have a pension coming in and had more of a dire need to work....you'd have got that 300,000 Baht in twelve months. What do you think? A lot of our lot pull in 40-50K a month (with no degree just a TEFL) with extra work in the evening/weekend (although not 12 months a year).

Mate I think that's what he's saying (i.e. did you buy a PS2 version by mistake instead of a PC version).

Give me a shout when you're over, I might be able to help...possibly...maybe!

Also there a chance your Spanish friend will be shunted onto their Intro course first of all mate. So do check with them.

Certs are post grad quals generally. So as long as it complies to the international standard (100 plus hours class time, 6 plus hours OTP) it will be accepted worldwide (it's the degree that gets you the job). I know people using TEFL Int. and T&T certs worldwide (UK, America, Aus included).

Problem is as PB says there's no real refresher courses (although some providers offer them if you've studied with them), rather only short introductory course or prepatory (sp?) courses.....which aren't really what you want.

I wasn't saying anything about that, I was just researching and trying to find info on wether or not I could come to Thailand- no degree, and earn more than 30,000 baht, now I know the answer is probably no.

Mate if you work in Bangkok you'll easily earn over 30K, easily.

Yeah the money is there, but you gotta work for it and put yourself about.

Marmers pushes 70K a month I think

Saying that though PB is right....the more paperwork you have the easier it SHOULD be to get WPed up etc. (although not always).

Green Street is appallingly bad.

Football Factory is decent but The Firm with Gary Oldman has to be the best flick about the subject. The director of that, Alan Clarke, also did Scum and Made in Britain - absolute quality.

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I preferred GS to FF (better fighting IMO), but you're right The Firm is superbio!

I know people with degrees earning 30-40K a month, I know people without earning 40K plus!!!

Got to work it mate!

If it's anything to do with OLA it's a SCAM SCAM SCAM!!!!

Very new and I don't know, or haven't heard of anyone attending it. Some set up and close within a few months.

Highly recommend the TEFL 4-week courses offered by an outfit that holds classes both in Bangkok and Phnom Penh, sponsored and accredited by a college in the U.K.  (an easy Google search should identify the institution for you). 

I have a bachelor's and master's degree in education, but took a 25-year business detour since getting those degrees.  When coming to Thailand to teach, I took one of these TEFL courses as a refresher.  It was something like getting the basics of my bachelor's program condensed into one week, with heavy emphasis on practical instruction methods and techniques.

It was conveniently held on weekends, so I could come down from my upcountry teaching job to attend the classes, and be back in the classroom on Monday morning. 

I was impressed with the caliber of teaching, the motivated students, good teacher-to-student ratio, and a good place to get one's foot in the door for teaching in Thailand.  There was ample in-class practice opportunities, and a two-week extension to the course allowed actual in-local-school practice teaching with Thai students to see if you could handle a classroom situation. 

In addition, it was one of the less expensive TEFL programs, and I felt I got my every baht's worth. 

Lastly, I'm getting no commission from this post!

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How many hours class time and how much OTP? As to be of international standard you need at least 100 hours class time, 6 plus hours OTP, otherwise it's more of an introductory course than a 'proper' TEFL course per se. Still enough for Thailand though.

Only applies if you're here for more than 90 days at a time. As you're not ('cos you run every 90 days) you don't have to, your TM card that you fill in is classed as a report.

However your landlord I think should let Imm (I think) know you live there.

No!

No you'll generally only get 7-14 days (sometimes less from what I can gather) depending on who hands in your WP.

Though Mr-Goodness is obviously a very loathsome character one cannot help wondering how many people actually feel the same way about why they are here but are just too polite to admit to the world or themselves for that matter?

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Thing is mate he doesn't actually feel like that at all, he's just posting here to try and troll and to be honest doing a pee poor job of it.