aridion

Thanks for the response tahann. What was the process for getting licensed in Thailand? Did it take long?

The question:

Susy has 400 oranges. Of these oranges, 7% (go/goes) bad. How many oranges are good?

The Answer:

Susy has 400 oranges. Of these oranges, 7% goes bad. How many oranges are good?

Explanation:

The relevant verb ("to go" ) relates to "7%", which becomes, by its definition, a singular entity ('viz. 7% is . . .') hence: "goes" is correct.

The tense "goes" would refer to a plural entity and the use of this in the particular sentence wold be in-correct.

PN: Susy, is normally spelled "Suzy", unless the lass hails from some exotic place where her name is actually spelled that way.

7 per cent is same as 7 per 100. I would say that it is plural as the object of the sentence (oranges) is countable as is the answer (How many).

check - http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/singular-vs-plural/subject-and-verb-agreement-with-collective-nouns/

I am considering getting a motorcycle license in the UK. The main reason being that I intend to move back to Thailand within the next 18 months and plan to use a bike as my mode of transport..

Has anyone any experience with this? Or do you guys think that I could wait to do it in Thailand instead? Are there a lot of hoops to go through by getting licensed in Thailand?

Thanks in Advance.

Aridion.

Always knew the Irish were a generous lot. Even though they have gone through a wide scale economic crash.

You have anything helpful to add Hedonist?

Thanks Mate. I might tell my firned about that.

This is a picture of the dog when it was younger.

This is a picture of the dog when it was younger.

Hi all,

I have been informed from my friend who lives at Pink Lao in Bangkok that he has lost his Pet Husky. The dog is called Gapow and is 3 years old. He is desperate to get it back and has even mentioned a reward for the finder.

It would be greta if anyone can locate the dog, although I know tht it is a slim chance.

Thanks,

Aridion.

P.S. I have also posted this on the pets forum. I don't know if this against forum rules. If so, feel free to delete.

Hi all,

I have been informed from my friend who lives at Pink Lao in Bangkok that he has lost his Pet Husky. The dog is called Gapow and is 3 years old. He is desperate to get it back and has even mentioned a reward for the finder.

It would be greta if anyone can locate the dog, although I know tht it is a slim chance.

Thanks,

Aridion.

Thanks for the great Info. Paully and Mezzy. It does seem that a few years experience in the UK goes a long way.

However, even after a few years teahcing in England, is it still difficult to get into the top international schools. I have heard that there are loads of applications for each position and it is highly competitive.

Depending also on how much teaching experience you have you could get more, but to get the good package you really need to attend a Job Fair. CIS runs one in late January in London, Search Associates also does too they have many all over the world they do have some conditions if you have less than five years experience, of which I have no idea because when I started working overseas I already had 6 years.

Your position on the payscale can take into account whether you have a Masters and how many years you've been teaching, but some British schools don't appear to bump you up the scale for having a Masters, the American ones certainly do.

So I am a teacher with 11 years experience and currently get around 116,000 baht a month, before tax of course. But all my of teaching experience has been with a teaching degree, they don't normally take into account ESL teaching when calculating where you sit on a payscale.

To the OP get a couple of years teaching experience in either the UK or MIddle East, attend a Job Fair to get into a Middle Eastern school, or apply directly to schools, but be very careful because some can be very dodgy. The international market is not very keen on inexperienced teachers, even if you have ESL experience. The competition to get into international schools in Thailand is pretty tough, I am a Humanities teacher around 90 people applied for the job that I got.

Your other option is to go to China, again use Job Fairs, do not even consider the Chinese 'private schools', but there are heaps of international schools in China and they pay you very very well, better than I am getting here in Thailand and I am at what would be considered a top tier school. China is a great place to get the experience.

When applying for schools check out International Schools Review, it costs $US25 a year and will give you lots of information on heaps of international schools, reviewed by teachers working there. If the school does not appear on their lists, I would be cautious as to whether it really is an international school in the first place.

Applying directly to schools and being in the country can also mean you don't get the benefits that other teachers do, that is why some schools could be keen, because you are cheaper for them, but really they are using you. At my school the starting salary for a teacher per month is 80,0000 baht, so I assume many schools are similar. But you are much better off getting some experience first. Like I said go to China, I lived there for five years and I still miss it.

Thank you so much for your helpful and detailed response.

Just a few questions.

Would a few years in the Middle East directly after my PGCE enable me to apply to these top tier schools. Or would I still need a few years in the UK?

Could i get a decent job at a Chinese international school just after my PGCE, or would I have to also do a few UK years?

Aridion.

aussiebebe, thank you for the info. I have heard about the deal teachers can get in the ME. It would certainly be worthwhile for a year or 2 to bulk up your bank account.

I also know that a few years experience in the UK is the way to go to have a shot at the top international school. However, I also know that even with 2 or 3 years experience in the UK it is still very difficult to get into these schools. I have been told that at some schools like Harrow and Pattana there may up to 300 applicants for the 1 job.

That is why I am thinking of returning to Thailand and find a job in the 70,000 baht a month range. Could make another 10 - 20,000 if i did some privates.

Thanks for all the pointers. However I was more thinking that with a PGCE i could earn around the 70,000 mark at a second tier international. Not so sure if this is true or not.

Anyone have done anything like this?

Yes that's possible. Good english programs in Thai schools will pay 50-70K, so 70K in a mid tier is possible (but they often pay lower too). Just check the teaching load though - I'm on 22 periods x 50 mins but get paid for extra periods. What's a typical British school? 30 periods a week? For the better jobs, pick them up in the UK at a Job fair and get hired on an expat package (includes flights, accomodation, etc). Don't come here and look for a job, as you will lose benefits.

Thanks for the info. Culicine. I know that the better jobs are to be got at job fairs in the UK, however they are very competitive. I may wait around for 2 years in the UK and then apply through one of these job fairs only to be up against 100 other teachers for the same position. So I hear.

30-35 k Bht a month. and you better get here soon , because school terms are starting late in Bangkok and surrounding areas.

You must be joking. I was on 45,000 even before I had a PGCE. I intend on finishing my PGCE, then return to Los.

Aridion, 45,000 Thai baht a month? A week? Every two weeks? Please clarify.

Good man for pursuing your education and having the vision to make it back to LOS. Your input would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Of course a month. I was replying to your post that said I could get 30,000 - 35,000 baht a month with my PGCE. Misleading.

Thanks for all the pointers. However I was more thinking that with a PGCE i could earn around the 70,000 mark at a second tier international. Not so sure if this is true or not.

Anyone have done anything like this?

30-35 k Bht a month. and you better get here soon , because school terms are starting late in Bangkok and surrounding areas.

You must be joking. I was on 45,000 even before I had a PGCE. I intend on finishing my PGCE, then return to Los.

Is it all about finding the cheapest beer ? surely the atmosphere of the bar and the quality of the beer is more important than saving a few baht. I would rather spend up to 300 thb on a pint of draught Kilkenny than a bottle of the local pss

Kilkenny is piss poor. We don't drink it in Ireland. Only for gullible foreigners. I'd rather a cold leo any day. You have more money than sense mate!

I am currently in the UK doing my PGCE primary. I I don't know if there will be enough available teaching positions for next year in the UK. Thus I am thinking about returning to Thailand. To be honest, even if I did get a job in the UK, I may still return to Thailand. I miss it.

Does anyone on here have any ideas of my chances of getting a decent position e.g. salary etc. Has anyone returned after completing a PGCE? Does anyone know of any schools that may be worth a try?

With thanks,

Aridion.

Is there also a time requirement?

The Holidays usually co-relate to what holidays you get in your home country. For example, A british International School will have the same holidays as Schools in the UK.

Probationary periods tend to last for 3 months. However as I never had a Probationary period, I cant vouch for this. The best thing is to e mail a few schools and find out.

The salary figures I mentioned are thai baht per month.

In my experience, you do have prep time, whenever your class are doing another subject that you do not have to be there for. e.g. Thai lessons.

However, it is certainly true that detailed lesson plans are required at international schools.

I agree with Justwannateach. Check out the school websites.

However I do have experience of the International school circuit.

1) From my experience, 8 - 4 pm. Some schools differ.

2) Pay can range anywhere from 60,000 - 130,000 for a classroom teacher. Being hired from abroad is generally the way to the higher paying position.

3) Full-time positions mean you are a classroom teacher. Thus is just like back home. Class size in International schools are nearly always smaller than in Thai schools. Roughly around 25 children.

4) Prep period? Do you mean a time for teachers to prepare their lessons, mark etc. Or do you mean as in a prep. school.

5) Enjoyable if you like a challenge and are prepared to apply yourself. Most International schools use a curriculum from outside Thailand eg. British, American, ib etc. Knowledge in these curriculums are an advantage and in some cases compulsory.

This gives a good indication of where not to buy property in Bangkok.

Thank you for the replies guys. I might take Crossys advice and go through royal mail.

Although Meatboy's idea, although strange could also work. Definitely confuse them.