KhunLing

Hi there fellas

Out of curiosity, how much of your weekly teaching hours would you say are directly ‘grammar’ related?

How many jobs involve no grammar teaching at all? How many are predominantly grammar related?

Does anyone know of a decent / well regarded intensive Thai language course in Bangkok or Chiang Mai?

I speak 'some' Thai. ie, my wife is Thai and I've learnt various words / sentences / sayings / done an introductory course. (Basic, ie I can count in Thai, order food, tell people where I am going, barter etc)

However, there's been no 'structure' to my learning and I'm kind of all over the place in what I know (well, what I don't know )

I'd like to just take a month / a few months and do an intensive full time course. (I don't mind if it's full time, every day etc. )

Any help appreciated

I don't mean to offend anyone here but I have been married to a Chinese Thai girl for 5 years (I am 27, she is 25) and she is the best wife ever. She comes from a good family (Mum works for Thai Government, Dad is Architect) and she's definitely not in it for the money as she earns twice as much as me and even bought us a superb house in Bangkok.

Having Chinese genes, she is very focused on business and self-improvement and works very hard (we both live in London).

However, when we go back to Thailand every year is astounds me the difference in work ethic between the Chinese Thai population and the original thais or Issan people. These people are almost exclusively the ones you find in the bar trade etc. When in thailand my wife and her family deliberately avoid these areas, and I can see the shame on the face of my Wife and her family. Indeed, in the UK when asked her nationality she will often refer to herself as 'Singaporean' instead of Thai because of the tw*ts who will make silly remarks, and in any case even in Thailand most people think she is foreign.

The thing I want to know is in reality is there this massive gap between the Chinese Thais and the original Thais, and if so why is this the case?

Any thoughtful replies welcomed, no flaming please

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Of course there's a difference between Chinese Thai's and Isaan Thai's. Same with BKK Thai's and Chiang Mai (Lanna) Thai's. Same with southern thai's.

Personally, I find the CM Thai's the friendliest. Chinese Thai's can be very 'elitist'...as your wife seems to be. That's just stupid calling herself 'Singaporean' and avoiding area's with 'other' Thai's.

My wife is extremely well educated from Chiang Mai...and she'd have to be tortured to call herself a Singaporean!!!

She'd also never be ashamed of other Thai's.

Your wife sounds like a snob mate! Sorry, but that's just elitist BS.

Sadly, Khunling probably has the right idea for a money spinner... you're going to have high turnover and perpetually inexperienced airhead teachers, though!

"Steven"

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Think the Thai's will notice though?

The "qualifications vs experience" debate rages on everywhere people are employed as teachers.  My question is:

If qualifications are bogus, then if YOU were to open a school in Thailand how would YOU decide out of the dozens of applications who to hire and who to not?

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Well, as this is now my school and the goal is to make money...

I'd pick the teachers who most resemble boyzone and David Beckham.

Why? Every single Thai I've spoken to seems to remember / like the "lor maag" ajarn and recommend their girlfriends to that school regardless of teaching ability.

The 45 year old who has a masters in Education but a gut the size of Texas and smells...could be the best teacher on the planet, those Thai's aren't enrolling again in his courses. Sad, but very true.

Hey, you said it's my school...

Can I just ask when people refer to qualified or unqualified teachers here in the LOS are we talking legally qualified to work or highly qualified in the field of education?

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I e-mailed Stick a week back and asked him this. He replied that a qualified teacher, in his eyes, is someone who can teach in the west. Ie, "real" teaching qualifications. That means a Dip. Ed.

Out of curiousity, how many of you have those qualifications?

BKK Phil, Ken etc...you are all qualified to teach in the west also?

I am 'guessing' there's not a high percentage of Ajarns in Thailand who are actually qualified to teach in the west?

As I've mentioned in the Qualifications thread above, where people seem consistently to refuse to post...    ...  in Thailand TEFL jobs are offered AS-IS.  It doesn't matter with respect to the salary/benefits package what your qualifications are.  Your qualifications only increase your chance of GETTING any particular job.  Unfortunately, in Thailand with the backpacker-perverted market, the salaries for any level of work follow a flatline- only some of the BEST jobs which require lots and lots of experience and qualifications AND connections, rise above this floor.

Good luck!

"Steven"

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Thanks fella's. I guess I left out one consideration, that being what course would best prepare me to be a decent ajarn.

I've looked at the Uni. course and it does have a fair amount of depth to it. Prac teaching in actual schools, three months on teaching methods etc. That appeals.

I'd actually like to do the job well long term. I've had a lot of experience tutoring and have done some volunteer teaching courses. I realise that doesn't prepare me for a classroom environment, but it's a nice 'first step' so to speak.

My wife is Thai born and has several job offers at some International Hospitals. Thus, we will stay long term eventually and I'd like to do the job as best I can...as opposed to just collecting a paycheck etc.

I have an opportunity next year to do a Post Grad. Certificate in TESOL at University.

I was wondering what people thought of such a certificate, as opposed to a private language school one -month course? (TESOL / CELTA)

I know Universities carry more ‘prestige’ etc. However, the Uni. Course takes an entire year part time. I guess I am asking, for the time involved, are Post Grad. Certificates considered significantly better / open up more opportunities etc?

Any advice appreciated!

I'd say it's the opposite, more work than teachers IMO!

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Hi Ken

Yes, that's the impression I got a year ago.

I wonder what angle Stick is coming from? Seems strange, as he's always been pretty much 'on the mark' re teaching matters.

I noticed that Stickmans article this week suggests that there's too many ajarns and that people are 'fighting' for the 30 000 baht jobs.

This is certainly "different" than my own experience 12 months ago. However, I've been out of Thailand since. I intend to return soon, so his article is slightly concerning. What are the opinions of the board members here?

ARTICLE BELOW

Saturation Point?

For some it is merely a way to get a foot into Thailand and for others it is their career, their Thailand career, the only way they know to be able to stay in Thailand. But there is a growing number of people who now look at it as a rather embarrassing way to make a living. I am of course talking about teaching English.

What has surprised me is the number of people who apply for teaching jobs. At my place of employment, I am the one who places the job ads online and I am the one who fields the inquiries. Two jobs advertised in the last year have had an absolutely phenomenal response. The most recent, which was somewhat unique in its requirement, had over 60 applicants! And about 2/3 of the applicants met the necessary criteria, on paper at least. The previous position advertised received a similar number of applicants and again, the quality of people who applied was breathtaking. We even received applications from guys with a doctorate from such prestigious universities Oxford and Cambridge. I kid you not! I was flabbergasted at the quality of some of the people applying.

If there is a school out there which requires an English teacher aged 30 - 35, who can also teach drama and is happy to knock out a course in poetry, must be from Australia or New Zealand, preferably have had a few years experience in Thailand, can coach the school soccer team, has no convictions, can pass an AIDs test, is well presented, is blonde haired and blue eyed, is married, is a staunch Christian, has all of his or her teeth, is clean cut, knows that a Pratunam tie just doesn't cut it, doesn't carry a Nike sports bag to work, shaves every day, smiles and never complains then have no fear, because I am sure there are suitable candidates out there right now!

The big growth area in the last few years has been placing native English speaking teachers into Thai high schools where their role is anything from being little more than a walking radio, a point of contact for students they teach once a week, to being the students' core English teacher, i.e. the only person they study English with. So, the biggest demand for English teachers would appear to be in Thai schools, both junior school and high school, teaching English as part of their general school education.

But the funny thing is that there aren't that many native English teachers teaching in Thailand who are actually properly qualified to teach these kids. Those "qualified teachers" teaching here are invariably qualified to teach either one or other subject, be it maths, science, social studies or the whole bunch. They are not trained as teachers of English as a foreign language! And those teachers who say that they have a TEFL qualification, an RSA, a Trinity or whatever often conveniently forget that most of these English teaching qualifications are courses in which the teacher was trained TO TEACH ENGLISH TO ADULTS! It seems to be a very small minority who are actually trained and qualified to teach foreign kids (as opposed to adults,) English.

This week I did an experiment. I had a think about the ideal candidate for an English teaching position and based on that knocked up what I considered would be the perfect CV. Age had to be mid 30s, young enough still to have their looks intact but old enough to be taken seriously. 5 years experience in Thailand which suggests at least some understanding of the nuances of Thailand and its unique culture. Married, which shows, or at least suggests, that one will not be out in the naughty bars every night. Oh, and qualifications - a degree in education and an RSA. On paper at least, a damned good candidate.

I sent the CV and a kick ass application letter to 10 different organisations advertising teaching positions in Bangkok. I amended the CV in a couple of instances so that it met all criteria listed in the ad. I thought replies would be coming in thick and fast but no, NOT ONE SCHOOL REPLIED! An ideally qualified candidate and not one response? It could be that responses have yet to come back as they weigh up the various applications, or it could be that the CV intimidated the person reading it and he threw it into the bin, something which is a very real problem in the industry...or it could be that SO many people are applying for jobs and competition is so intense, that even an ideal candidate might not even get an interview!

English teaching has been a backup plan for many Westerners moving to or even living in Thailand. If things go bad I can always teach English seems to be many folks' thinking. But things are changing. True, there are stacks of jobs out there, but many of these jobs still pay less than 30,000 baht a month and worst of all, there seem to be stacks of people not just applying for them but fighting for such positions! Has the English teaching industry in Thailand reached saturation point?

Would you want this individual to teach your children Ken?

Is teaching so simple that anyone can be a teacher? I really wonder whether it would be in the interest of Thailand that you're trying to help this person.

Dutchy

PS your mother was right, my mother used to say the same. I should have listened better huh!

Dutchy

The guy has made a spelling mistake, on an INTERNET CHAT BOARD.

Give him a break.

Seriously, the nature of your replies are probably the most stupid things I have read on this or any other forum.

Why do I just know your the middle aged, bald guy, sitting in the staff room alone...unpopular with all other staff...with a tonne of insecurities...and hardly a friend in the world.

Lighten up.

But if you read the item pinned at the top of Thai visas, residence and work permits you will find a new announcement that 'could' be read to cover your case in the future. Time will tell.

Which article is that? There are many.

A link if possible?

England welcomed my Thai wife with open arms. She could stay as long as she liked. Could get a job. When she got pregnant she got free dental charges, free prescriptions, even a free eye test. She had no holdups in the English airports as she came and went. Didn't have to check in with immigration every 90 days, didn't have to leave the country every 90 days. Héll she could even buy her own house/land if she had the money.

Thai authorities just do not want long term 'visitors', they want the foreigners who come for 2-3 weeks spend all their money and go home. Very soon they will have their wicked way as they make it almost impossible for anyone to stay on a long term basis and these people will find other destinations like Vietnam and Cambodia that are like Thailand used to be.

Agreed totally. My wife could do all that in Australia.

The only 'inconvenience' we had was her degree wasn't recognised. Even that was minor, as she could do a 'bridging' course...

Conversely, I have no rights in Thailand. Our house, my visa status, everything is ridiculous.

We choose to live in Thailand as we love the country.

It's time the Thai officials realised this.........

Thank you very much for that. Greatly appreciated.

I guess the 200 000 scheme is too late for me. As you said, I could extend immediately...and I'll consider that...

Doing my finances off the top of my head, if we were both to fly to Thailand pretty soon and the costs associated with that...i'd then have less than 200 000 baht and thus it would be self deteating

I'll have to think what to do quickly as the 'old scheme' is much better.

Hi fella's

Would really appreciate anyones advice regarding obtaining a non immingrant O visa (marriage visa) for the first time for someone NOT living in Thailand.

I have been married to a Thai woman for about 5 years and we currently live in Australia. We have done everything, ie she is a PR here, our marriage is registered in both countries, we have a baan in Thailand, both currently in Australia.

I spoke to the Thai consulate recently and they said I had to apply from Australia for a marriage visa, said no need for bank balances or anything...just a copy of our marriage certificate, passports etc.

What I'd really like to know...and they didn't seem to be able to tell me...is the following:

1. If granted the 'non imm O' visa, does that allow me to spend one year in Thailand at a time?

2. Do I need to use this visa within 3 months? Or can I use it anytime within a year? (ie, I really don't know exactly when we can return at the moment)

3. Do I really not need to show any finances? Does the finance part only come into play when you are 'extending' etc?

4. Does getting this visa right now allow me to enter "the old system", ie to renew my VISA yearly with 200 000 baht in the bank ?

There's plenty of posts here re extensions, which are very informative, but I am keen to find out about applying for the first time outside of Thailand.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.