sutyot

It won’t end and we can expect guerilla war and insurgency for the foreseeable future. They will go away for a while, but I don't expect them to keep silent.

T-G-I-F vs. S-H-I-T

A business man got on an elevator.

When he entered, there was a blonde already inside who greeted him with a bright,

"T-G-I-F."

He smiled at her and replied,

"S-H-I-T.."

She looked puzzled and repeated,

"T-G-I-F," more slowly.

He again answered,

"S-H-I-T."

The blonde was trying to keep it friendly, so she smiled her biggest smile, and said as sweetly as possibly,

"T-G-I-F."

The man smiled back to her and once again,

"S-H-I-T."

The exasperated blonde finally decided to explain.

'T-G-I-F' means 'Thank God, It's Friday.' Get it, duuhhh?"

The man answered,

"'S-H-I-T' means 'Sorry, Honey, It's Thursday'-- duuhhh.

Sweet Tea - (A Guy Joke?)

A woman goes to the doctor, beaten black and blue.

Doctor: "What happened?"

Woman: "Doctor, I don't know what to do. Every time my husband comes

home drunk he beats me to a pulp."

Doctor: "I have a real good medicine for that. When your husband comes

home drunk, just take a glass of sweet tea and start swishing it in

your mouth. Just swish and swish but don't swallow the tea until

he goes to bed and is asleep."

Two weeks later the woman comes back to the doctor looking fresh and reborn.

Woman: "Doctor, that was a brilliant idea! Every time my husband came

home drunk, I swished with sweet tea. I swished and swished,

and he didn't touch me!"

Doctor: "You see how much keeping your mouth shut helps?"

The high school program begins 11 May with 18 hour week. It should be okay. The taxes and SSI will be discussed. Thai universities in the area will start up programs in June so I look forward to those programs also.

Sutyot

Spray the Reds with an itchy powder that will have them running for a shower.

Founded in 1890, Tilleke & Gibbins

Thai Social Security.

Now I have taught one week for the Summer school program and all seems to be okay. The contract for Full Time is coming up. Negotiate the SS and taxes.

Hope all goes well.

The evening university programs would be a bonus.

Sutyot

and stay far far FAR away from anything involving Ramkanghaeng.

Ramkhamhaeng Institute of Languages Bangkok (Thailand) At least 40,000 Baht/month

Send ResumeFull Time English TeachersThe Ramkhamhaeng Nonthaburi English Teachers' Project invites applications from foreign teachers of English listening and speaking skills for frill-time positions in Nonthaburi government schools.

• There will be walk-interviews at Ramkhamhaeng University on Sunday 18th April 2010 from 08:30 to 17:00.

• On arrival, applicants will be given a number. This will determine the order of the interviews.

• Passports as well as original diplomas and transcripts must be shown to the legal officer in Room 405 Sukothai Building, Ramkhamhaeng University.

• Once these documents have been checked, applicants will be interviewed in Room 406 Sukothai Building Rarnkhamhaeng University on the same day. A current resume as well as copies of the passport picture page, diplomas and transcripts must be given to the interviewing officer.

• Successful applicants will be invited to participate in a 3-day orientation training program in Room 416 Sukothai Building Rarnkhamhaeng University from Monday l9thto Wednesday 21g April 2010.

• Payment of 2,500 Baht to cover the costs of the training must be paid before 17:00 on Sunday 18th April 2010. Applicants will be ranked for speech quality and methodology.

• Applicants with the highest rankings will have first choice of the available vacancies.

• Teaching duties will commence on 1~ May 2010.

We recognize all major full-time TESOL/TEFL courses including: Chiang Mai University TEFL

Chichester College TESOL (TEFL/TESL)

Khon Kaen University TEFL

Prince Songkla University TEFL

SEE TEFL

I just saw this on Ajarn , I would never pay money up front for a job lol, would you? lol thats probably why

DragonQuest,

Thanks for the message. I also saw this posting on AJARN DOT COM. This website has never provided me with much luck. It seems a few jobs are marketed to several hundred or thousand applicants.

Anyway I have applied for a Nonthaburi Project, but through another university. They don't require any training payment, but a Cultural Class which costs several thousand baht. I was short listed and will probably be called at the last minute.

The full time teaching position that I just landed doesn't require any payments and seems to be a better program. Only the tax and SSI issues that I need to solve.

What I am looking for are some weekend English programs at a university or language school that continue for extended periods. My experience is extensive at university levels, but it has been several years and my contacts have either retired or moved on.

Some contacts at Sripatum University, Kirk University, Dhurakijpundit University, Kasetsart University, Rajaphat University Laksi and The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce would be helpful for some weekend and weeknight work.

PM me if there are any openings.

Sutyot

Thanks for the university lead for weeknight and weekend work glaitong. I just opened the email.

Start Summer School on Monday for the remainder of the month.

Sutyot

"But the Education dept. does not accept online TEFL courses."

There is no requirement, other than perhaps by an individual employer, to have a TEFL certification.

As I understand the TEFL must be 120 hours min. and not online. There are many programs available in Bangkok.

Boatabike, I'm no expert or nothing, but I can't see this funky exam for "teachers" being directly tied to your work permit or your visa. Those are each administered by separate Thai agencies. And traditionally in Thailand, flunking an 'exam' doesn't mean much, if anything.

If the school needs you and considers your services valuable, they will bend over backwards, Thai style, to keep you. They may never give you an exam. They may not grade the exam (or know how to). Ajarn Nachacannotteachalot probably will just sign some document and give it to Director Wainotwaimeforabaht, and you'll keep teaching - especially if the school is getting extra funds because you're teaching Engrit.

Our Thai Culture test was amazing like the whole country. A real professor told us secrets about Papaya salad and other useful nonsense. We all passed, like students sometimes do.

I applied for my license about 4 years ago, the laws suddenly changed and I never heard something again. Even my 500 baht were gone. Okay, it was a Tamboon. Good for my soul, bad for my wallet.

I started to work 2005, so about one year too late, why do people who started earlier don't need to do anything to obtain their license?

But the truth is, if you're doing a good job and the colleagues and students like you, there'll be never a real problem regarding work permit and visa.

I was also hired to teach conversational English, but it's very easy to understand that you'll also have to have some Grammar knowledge. All languages do have four skills, and foreigners doing this job should at least know most of them…………..

Many people think that Thais are better in teaching Grammar, but how can you learn Grammar, if you don't have the needed vocabulary and the right pronunciation? I've met Thai colleagues at my former school- English teachers-, who couldn't say one sentence in a way that somebody else could understand what she/he was trying to say.

How did they teach Grammar? And the whole explanation is mostly in Thai.

A student at our school made this statement: "Thai students have to learn so much Grammar, but they don't know many English words." Indeed, it makes perfect sense to me.

If you're doing a good job and the director likes you, they only have to inform the TCT and they'll issue a license without making a test, even if you're a gardener helper…………

I guess Ajarn Ghinnsomthammlaosmennmaak needs to see director Mr. Nonevertakeundatablemanee to clarify that you're a qualified –conversational Angkritt teaching farlang.

Very interesting post.

I would like to get the Thai Culture Class out of the way over a plate of Somtum. Plus get the TL based on my performance instead of all the red tape.

Sutyot

Many Thais don't answer emails.

PeaceBlondie,

So true!

Probably doesn't have the answers either.

Sutyot.

I have been looking all over the net for answers to questions about the teacher License without much success. Then I sent a message to TC without reply.

Professional Knowledge Testing for Foreign Teachers

Friday, March 19, 2010 11:40 AMFrom: "Sutyot" To: ksp.or.th

Sawasdee Krup Ajarn Suwatchai, I would greatly appreciate your kind assistance on the following points. - Does the applicant need to have current employment with a Thai school?- Will a diploma be accepted along withT EFL in place of a degree? - Is the testing a 2 day period? - Will copies of educational records, not originals be sufficient? - Will all records like work history, education records be checked in my home country? If so, how long will this process take? - Are there sample tests for the applicant to prepare? - Can the Teacher's License be used for all schools in Thailand? or is it limited? - How long is it valid? What is the address of your office? Many kind thanks for your attention and consideration. If anyone can help, I would greatly appreciate the assistance.

Sutyot

Nontaburi project...... *shudder*....

Hello ijustwannateach,

I agree with you about the Nonthaburi Project. Not many have survived the duration of the contract.

Too many issues with the administration on this program.

Looks like I will go for the government program in Bangkhen. Then try to pickup some extra hours at the universities in the area.

Sutyot

I am also seeking a fare school or company to teach at.

I have a couple of years teaching experience in Thailand.

Last year I taught English to Mathayom level students in a school on the outskirts Bangkok.

The hours were (I thought) a little to high. 25 teaching hours and I received a salary of 34,000 baht un-taxed. I didn't pay tax.

We had to be at school at 7.30 each day and generally finished most school days around 4pm.

I was the only teacher to attend the morning gate duties, one day a week (7.15 am start). However that duty was deemed unnecessary by the head teacher around half way through the school term.

The school had few air-conditioned rooms, however I never taught in any. I actually taught in several rooms with no fans!! This made for many sweaty days at school and I actually think I had heat stroke a couple of times.

The school itself was ok, but many facilities either not working or too hard to find someone to operate. No Video/ bad sound equipment. I also had to buy some materials myself.

I do have a TESOL certificate and a Bachelor Degree, but that has never seemed to have made much difference. The school I last taught at had 2 other native- speaking teachers and neither had degrees. I believe I was being paid only 2,000 baht more.

I myself have decided to seek a school with air-conditioning and will only teach Elementary Level students. (Age 6-12 yrs) Mainly because the stress of teaching Secondary students in the Thai Government schools is just not worth it. I don't want to go home to my wife and 2 month old baby with a head ache every day!!

Good luck to you Sutyot. I'm sure once you find a good school and settle in, you will be fine.

Hello MisterBeetle,

Thanks for the post. I understand about the air-conditioning and student behavior.

The classes I have starting on 19 April are in non air-conditioned rooms and are M.4 and M.6 students. I will see what happens. Probably the same as your last school.

You should be able to get a job like you want being you have TEFL, degree and experience. Should I hear about an opening then I will let you know.

Now, I am trying to establish a database of the universities that I listed in my previous post so that I can try to get the weekend and weeknight work.

Take care and Happy Songkhran!

Sutyot

He should wait for the reds to get more violent

and stay far far FAR away from anything involving Ramkanghaeng.

Ramkhamhaeng Institute of Languages Bangkok (Thailand) At least 40,000 Baht/month

Send ResumeFull Time English TeachersThe Ramkhamhaeng Nonthaburi English Teachers’ Project invites applications from foreign teachers of English listening and speaking skills for frill-time positions in Nonthaburi government schools.

• There will be walk-interviews at Ramkhamhaeng University on Sunday 18th April 2010 from 08:30 to 17:00.

• On arrival, applicants will be given a number. This will determine the order of the interviews.

• Passports as well as original diplomas and transcripts must be shown to the legal officer in Room 405 Sukothai Building, Ramkhamhaeng University.

• Once these documents have been checked, applicants will be interviewed in Room 406 Sukothai Building Rarnkhamhaeng University on the same day. A current resume as well as copies of the passport picture page, diplomas and transcripts must be given to the interviewing officer.

• Successful applicants will be invited to participate in a 3-day orientation training program in Room 416 Sukothai Building Rarnkhamhaeng University from Monday l9thto Wednesday 21g April 2010.

• Payment of 2,500 Baht to cover the costs of the training must be paid before 17:00 on Sunday 18th April 2010. Applicants will be ranked for speech quality and methodology.

• Applicants with the highest rankings will have first choice of the available vacancies.

• Teaching duties will commence on 1~ May 2010.

We recognize all major full-time TESOL/TEFL courses including: Chiang Mai University TEFL

Chichester College TESOL (TEFL/TESL)

Khon Kaen University TEFL

Prince Songkla University TEFL

SEE TEFL

I just saw this on Ajarn , I would never pay money up front for a job lol, would you? lol thats probably why

DragonQuest,

Thanks for the message. I also saw this posting on AJARN DOT COM. This website has never provided me with much luck. It seems a few jobs are marketed to several hundred or thousand applicants.

Anyway I have applied for a Nonthaburi Project, but through another university. They don't require any training payment, but a Cultural Class which costs several thousand baht. I was short listed and will probably be called at the last minute.

The full time teaching position that I just landed doesn't require any payments and seems to be a better program. Only the tax and SSI issues that I need to solve.

What I am looking for are some weekend English programs at a university or language school that continue for extended periods. My experience is extensive at university levels, but it has been several years and my contacts have either retired or moved on.

Some contacts at Sripatum University, Kirk University, Dhurakijpundit University, Kasetsart University, Rajaphat University Laksi and The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce would be helpful for some weekend and weeknight work.

PM me if there are any openings.

Sutyot

The school has called and we start some Summer classes just after Songkhran. Still no idea on the taxes or SSI. Topic of discussion during the Summer program. More to come on those issues.

Looking for some weekend work at local universities and language schools in the Northern Bangkok area. PM if you have any leads.

Sutyot

Great...

I was just in the area. loads of Red Shirts racing around on motorcycles and waving big red flags. No way to see if the building was protected, closed. Across the street are the red berets though and I am not sure the reds will blend well.

Sutyot

A little clip from a web page.

<H3 class=dynamic>Teaching in Thailand Without a Degree</H3>All is not lost. There are exceptions to the rule, after all, 'this is Thailand', TIT! Any teacher wanting to teach without a degree should make sure they have a recognized TEFL teaching certificate and a high school diploma. Whilst there is certainly no guarantee, the Ministry of Education does make exceptions, especially for the teaching of young children, teaching in rural areas (where there is a greater shortage of teachers) or for teaching in some language, rather than government schools.

However, without a degree, the MOE will not usually consider a license application for teaching in high schools or international schools as an undergraduate qualification and a teaching certificate is the minimum criteria.

Read more at Suite101: Teaching in Thailand: No Degree: No Degree or Fake Degree – the English Teacher's Dilemma? http://teaching-abroad.suite101.com/article.cfm/teaching_in_thailand_no_degree#ixzz0iW3uS7R1

Also, I did a search for these TEFL schools offering employment and have found hundreds of offers for such "Pay to Teach" programs. Some were as much as $3,000 for the TEFL programs and training plus they did not include hotac and airfare.

Guess they have an audience.

Sutyot

You do NOT need a uni degree to teach school in Thailand. Nor to get a work permit, in many provinces.

PeaceBlondie, That is correct. It is the desire of the schools for the teacher to have a degree, but not needed if the the director writes a letter approving the instructor. Then the school will sign a contract with the teacher which will be the basis for the WP.

Sutyot

Many years ago, I was in a bar in Pattaya. The "owner" was a Thai lady. Her husband was the defacto owner. It was the middle of the afternoon and the wife and gone in the back with their baby. Someone came in and ordered a drink. The husband stepped behind the bar and got the drink.

Outside, watching and waiting, were the police (immigration maybe), who promptly came in and arrested him. At that time, it was just an on-the-spot fine.

Years ago, I saw a foreign bar owner grab a beer out of the fridge and serve it to a buddy and the cops were just outside waiting for the working girls to walk away from the counter. When they did, he was asked to pay up. A regular shakedown when they need some extra cash.

It is law and widely known for foreigners to stay out from behind the counter without the WP. No excuses

for the Briton.

Sutyot

You may find many of the job links on this page of our website useful:

http://seetefl.com/tefl-job-guarantee/

John

SEE TEFL

Forum Sponsor

http://seetefl.com

I'd like to deeply apologize, AYC's website is: http://www.aycthailand.com/

I accidentally wrote ayc without Thailand. AYC is an agency located in Bangkok and as far as I know they're always looking for teachers. I'm sorry for any inconvienence. Happy New Year. I've got nothing to do with a yacht club......

AYC pay rate is one of the lowest in Thailand.

Go for the big boys you see on here, since they seem to be fair on the pay scale and benefits.

Agree with you about AYC. I've not seen lower pay at any other agent.

My major issue is a degree. The schools seem not to have a problem as long as you have experience and are able to teach, but the agents demand degrees, TEFL, culture programs, etc...

sutyot

The school is supposed to do the check. Of course an on-line degree is fine as long as it is from an accredited school. I don't think there is any difference between an on-line degree and a 'regular' degree.

I hope your context is teaching in Thailand. Most real employers would never accept an "online degree" as a college degree. The "college experience" does have meaning and value to a lot of employers. This will never be substituted for online stuff.

I see that an online degree is also valuable. Just a new concept that has not been accepted by some.

Online Degree vs. Traditional Degree

Is an online degree as well accepted as a traditional degree? This is the question almost everyone asks about distance degree programs, and the answer isn't simple.

The acceptance of online degrees varies depending on many factors: the company, the industry, the level and type of degree, the degree-granting institution, and, of course, the individual reviewer. Let's look at some of the factors that can affect how well received the distance degree will be:

Degree-granting entity. Employers may worry about the legitimacy of a degree from a school they aren't familiar with. They are right to be cautious, as many "degree mills" exist - they have names that sound like legitimate universities, but grant degrees based on "life experience" for little more than a fee. Your best bet is a degree from the distance learning arm of a well-recogized traditional university, or at least of a well-established and accredited distance learning school.

Level of Degree. The online bachelors degree seems to have the most skeptics. In a 2001 survey of human resources professionals by Vault.com, 26% of respondents found an online degree as credible as a traditional one. 61% considered the online degree acceptable but less credible, while 13% found the online-earned degree unacceptable. Online graduate degrees were found to be as credible as traditional ones by 37% of the respondents.

Field of Study. Legitimate online degrees seem to be better accepted for majors that tend to be knowledge-based, such as information technology areas, accounting, etc.

Industry. Some industries are more accepting of online degrees than others. Predictably, the best numbers from the Vault study were logged in Internet/New Media (70% projected acceptance), Technology (46%), High Tech (44%), and Marketing/Media(29%). Areas like Medicine and Law were described as the least likely to accept online credentials.

Individual Hiring Manager. As with every hiring situation, a lot comes down to the personal preferences of the hiring manager (and those of key influencers). Some individuals emphasize work experience far more than academics, while others weight academic history and accomplishments more heavily. Naturally, individuals just beginning their career will see more emphasis on academics.

Other Qualities of the Degree Holder. The rest of the candidate's resume may well influence the credibility of the degree - if she has been employed in a related field with excellent accomplishments, and chose an online degree to allow full-time work, the degree may be viewed as a mark of a self-motivated learner. The same degree without the work experience or without an apparent reason to choose distance learning may be less credible.

Online Degree vs. Traditional - Summary. Online degrees from quality institutions are reasonably well accepted in some areas, though less so in others. They are most likely to be accepted in technology or other knowledge-based fields. Relevant work experience may augment the credibility of the online degree.

See also: Pros & Cons of an Online Degree

Sutyot

Before I return to discuss with the school about the taxes and SSI, I will prepare some details for their reference. I just don't see how a Visa and WP can be provided without the taxes and Labor Dept. will be concerned about the SSI. Unless they will make me pay them myself.

Sutyot

The police checks were started after John Mark Carr. We were verifying degrees prior to that, at the request of the MOE. The Immigration tightened up on everything after Mr. Carr.

Degrees are public information. Often the list of graduates is printed in the paper. A check of year books can tell you who graduated (or came really, really close). Your transcript and your grades are private information and they aren't released.

Depending on country, I write a letter (or send an email) to the school. The USA is very easy, they have a national clearinghouse that does it. The UK is sometimes more difficult. They throw out the Information Act. I told one University that there are a lot of people that will be pleased to know that a fake degree from their university would never get sprung. They then verified--or in two cases--verified the persons did not ever attend their school. In a 3rd case they verified the person attended, but didn't graduate!

Scott,

Very interesting information.

So the a graduate is Public Domain and the transcripts are protected by the Information Act?

Is the MOE doing the checks or Immigration?

Will an online degree work? These can be verified from what I understand.

Sutyot