Teaching English in Thailand

[ritchyp]

Hi,

 

I am living in Thailand, in Pattaya. I am interested in becoming an English teacher. I have not spoken to anybody about the subject and don't know anything about it apart from the fact that I have an O level in English language and I would consider my English to be of an advanced standard. I have also been a college tutor so I have good experience in teaching and have a natural aptitude for it.

 

All advice and pointers, links etc. gratefully received thanks

 

 

Richard

[rijb]

You might want to try tutoring first, to get your feet wet.  Thai students are unique, to put it politely.

[jackdd]

Usually you need to be a native english speaker and need to have an university degree. Without this it gets more difficult, meaning you maybe have to stay somewhere in the sticks and get less salary

[transam]

You need a degree...

[jeab1980]

5 minutes ago, transam said:

You need a degree...

Or a " Teaching assistant role"

Or as said a school in the sticks.

What you dont want to do, but unfortunately you have already done it is ask on here.

[ozmeldo]

Even teaching with a degree is dicey enough. Without one and there are a mountain of perils, low wages and poor working conditions.

 

Don't, really.

[ELVIS123456]

3 hours ago, rijb said:

You might want to try tutoring first, to get your feet wet.  Thai students are unique, to put it politely.

Can you tell us a little more about tutoring. I assume you mean teaching a few Thai kids on weekends for an hour or two at a time. Wife and I thinking of maybe doing that when we get back to earn a little for beer/golf ball money.

[rijb]

53 minutes ago, ELVIS123456 said:

Can you tell us a little more about tutoring. I assume you mean teaching a few Thai kids on weekends for an hour or two at a time. Wife and I thinking of maybe doing that when we get back to earn a little for beer/golf ball money.

At the risk of the 'work permit' posse coming after me, I'll tell you.  :)

 

First, most of the kids don't care about learning English.  They just want 'help' with their school work.  However, parents think (expect!) you can make the kid fluent in a few months.

 

There's usually a couple of reasons they need 'help'.  Their English teacher sucks.  The kid is lazy and/or stupid.  Boys are the worst.

 

The best way to teach/learn a language is 'speaking', first.  Unfortunately, the schools can not/will not teach the kids how to speak.  Instead, the curriculum mostly focuses on grammar.  Writing grammar, not speaking grammar.    

 

So, you have a choice.  Try to teach the kids the right way.  Or just help them get through their school work.  You'll get more kids (and money) if you give them what they want.

 

Whatever you decide, be aware of the following:

   - the kids like to work/play in groups (older kids like to be with the younger kids)

   -  they love games (you can be sneaky about the games to fool them into actually learning something)

   - the less you talk the better (make them work harder than you)

   - follow a routine, this is very important (worksheet first to get them quiet, then something new, and then a game before they go home)

   - never assume they know anything or understand anything (assess, repeat, assess, repeat, etc.)

   - try to get to know them (it's a great way to learn the Thai language/culture, and they can be funny as hell)

    - listen to them, try to put yourself in their place (it's not about you)

 

If you're lucky, you'll might find a kid who is highly motivated.  And you can make a real difference in their life.

[jeab1980]

35 minutes ago, rijb said:

At the risk of the 'work permit' posse coming after me, I'll tell you.  :)

 

First, most of the kids don't care about learning English.  They just want 'help' with their school work.  However, parents think (expect!) you can make the kid fluent in a few months.

 

There's usually a couple of reasons they need 'help'.  Their English teacher sucks.  The kid is lazy and/or stupid.  Boys are the worst.

 

The best way to teach/learn a language is 'speaking', first.  Unfortunately, the schools can not/will not teach the kids how to speak.  Instead, the curriculum mostly focuses on grammar.  Writing grammar, not speaking grammar.    

 

So, you have a choice.  Try to teach the kids the right way.  Or just help them get through their school work.  You'll get more kids (and money) if you give them what they want.

 

Whatever you decide, be aware of the following:

   - the kids like to work/play in groups (older kids like to be with the younger kids)

   -  they love games (you can be sneaky about the games to fool them into actually learning something)

   - the less you talk the better (make them work harder than you)

   - follow a routine, this is very important (worksheet first to get them quiet, then something new, and then a game before they go home)

   - never assume they know anything or understand anything (assess, repeat, assess, repeat, etc.)

   - try to get to know them (it's a great way to learn the Thai language/culture, and they can be funny as hell)

    - listen to them, try to put yourself in their place (it's not about you)

 

If you're lucky, you'll might find a kid who is highly motivated.  And you can make a real difference in their life.

Excellent post. 

[delphioracle]

Quote

I am living in Thailand, in Pattaya. I am interested in becoming an English teacher. I have not spoken to anybody about the subject and don't know anything about it apart from the fact that I have an O level in English language and I would consider my English to be of an advanced standard. I have also been a college tutor so I have good experience in teaching and have a natural aptitude for it.

 

All advice and pointers, links etc. gratefully received thanks

An O level in English language and I would consider my English to be of an advanced standard. I have also been a college tutor so I have good experience in teaching and have a natural aptitude for it.

 

Whilst not wishing to denigrate your ''O level in English'' when was that completed ? Also you state you have been a ''college tutor'['  now was that in the U K or elsewhere?

Educational institutions within the U K   do have strict guidelines and rules.

Of course if it was a language school  the rules then tend to be like those here, ''open to interpretation.''  Sadly your advanced English unless you were teaching in one of the top three or four international school would in the main be lost upon your students. 

 

You've been  given sage advice here,  read and inwardly digest and then tread carefully. 

 

The adage concerning a barge pole springs readily to mind concerning your aims and  your  possible chosen career path.

[Kwasaki]

11 hours ago, rijb said:

However, parents think (expect!) you can make the kid fluent in a few months.

Q...." How are you "  Ans..."  I'm fine ".

Job done. 

[transam]

Just now, Kwasaki said:

Q...." How are you "  Ans..."  I'm fine ".

Job done. 

Fink it is.."How old are you".......or...."What football team do like"....

[ELVIS123456]

12 hours ago, rijb said:

At the risk of the 'work permit' posse coming after me, I'll tell you.  :)

 

First, most of the kids don't care about learning English.  They just want 'help' with their school work.  However, parents think (expect!) you can make the kid fluent in a few months.

 

There's usually a couple of reasons they need 'help'.  Their English teacher sucks.  The kid is lazy and/or stupid.  Boys are the worst.

 

The best way to teach/learn a language is 'speaking', first.  Unfortunately, the schools can not/will not teach the kids how to speak.  Instead, the curriculum mostly focuses on grammar.  Writing grammar, not speaking grammar.    

 

So, you have a choice.  Try to teach the kids the right way.  Or just help them get through their school work.  You'll get more kids (and money) if you give them what they want.

 

Whatever you decide, be aware of the following:

   - the kids like to work/play in groups (older kids like to be with the younger kids)

   -  they love games (you can be sneaky about the games to fool them into actually learning something)

   - the less you talk the better (make them work harder than you)

   - follow a routine, this is very important (worksheet first to get them quiet, then something new, and then a game before they go home)

   - never assume they know anything or understand anything (assess, repeat, assess, repeat, etc.)

   - try to get to know them (it's a great way to learn the Thai language/culture, and they can be funny as hell)

    - listen to them, try to put yourself in their place (it's not about you)

 

If you're lucky, you'll might find a kid who is highly motivated.  And you can make a real difference in their life.

Extremely well written - clear and concise. 

Clearly you know English and the teaching English situation in Thailand well.

Thanks mate - great advice - and very much appreciated. 

 

 

[Kwasaki]

1 hour ago, transam said:

Fink it is.."How old are you".......or...."What football team do like"....

That's advanced English. 

[transam]

1 hour ago, Kwasaki said:

That's advanced English. 

Ahhhh, GCE "A" level....

[ritchyp]

All sensible advice and cautionary comments are gratefully received and special thanks to rijb for the insight.

 

O levels, Maths , English, History and Human Biology were taken in 1983.

I taught Music Technology national certificate at a technical college in Hampshire, England. To get the position, I had 2 interviews, I presented my professional credentials in Music production and I took a test. I very much enjoyed teaching and these were mostly all 16+ school leavers with bad or no GCSE grades thinking that they could choose an easy and maybe fun subject. I really connected with them and it was a rewarding experience. 

 

I also have a BTEC HND which is an undergraduate / BSC equivalent.

 

Anyway...all I did was ask the question, if you need information, you have to start somewhere.

 

Thanks

[delphioracle]

With that background you should be able to find a  decent school with a reasonable background, lower level self claimed  '' international schools'' 50,000 K salary level and possibly top end E P's.

 

However the pupil interest is one that you may well find challenging. 

[Slip]

Considering your background, if I were you I would be looking at playing to your musical strengths.  The lack of a degree may still be problematic, but you might find that the powers that be show more flexibility if you are considered to be a specialist. Regulations in this country are often a moveable feast.  You might also find you can target the 'international schools' mentioned by Delphioracle more effectively. They do not fall within the OBEC rules.

[Loaded]

Try language schools as your visa/wp won't need TCT involvement. The 'degree equivalent' is more likely to be accepted outside of the TCT.

[Rhys]

 Private all the way, you're not in the groove with MOE...

[ozmeldo]

You have no degree. You cannot get a provisional license. You cannot obtain a work permit except in the most rare and fortunate circumstance and even if that were to happen there is no guarantee they would renew yoy.

 

Really want to work here? Get off your ass and complete your degree instead of yammering on about some petty courses many of us completed decades ago.

 

The only chance you have of being employed legally here is working at a crap language school or if you have a serious background in Music - you can read sheet music and can play wind or string instruments OR can organize marching band formations. Forget it.

 

But don't mind me, go get yourself a job!

[pearciderman]

On 9/17/2017 at 5:04 PM, ritchyp said:

I also have a BTEC HND which is an undergraduate / BSC equivalent

 

Really?

 

"A Higher National Diploma (HND) is a work-related course provided by higher and further education colleges in the UK. A full-time HND takes two years to complete, or three to four years part-time. Generally an HND is the equivalent to two years at university. "

 

 

[jeab1980]

13 hours ago, ozmeldo said:

You have no degree. You cannot get a provisional license. You cannot obtain a work permit except in the most rare and fortunate circumstance and even if that were to happen there is no guarantee they would renew yoy.

 

Really want to work here? Get off your ass and complete your degree instead of yammering on about some petty courses many of us completed decades ago.

 

The only chance you have of being employed legally here is working at a crap language school or if you have a serious background in Music - you can read sheet music and can play wind or string instruments OR can organize marching band formations. Forget it.

 

But don't mind me, go get yourself a job!

He will get a WP dont have to have a degree. 

So stop blustering.

[tonray]

1 minute ago, jeab1980 said:

He will get a WP dont have to have a degree. 

So stop blustering.

How will that happen ? Magic ?

[jeab1980]

So narrow minded some people are. There are legal ways round everything i stress legal. No i wont go into it as i have no wish to upset the apple cart which has been steady here for many years. I will let the ive got a degree so im better than you, so you need to do one  posters argue the toss.

I've seen people teaching who have a degree and they were not worth the paper the degree is written on yes there are also those without who havent got a clue as well.

There is no better degree anywhere in the world than a degree in life and common sense and that takes more than a 2 or 4 year course at a University.

 

 

[tonray]

3 minutes ago, jeab1980 said:

So narrow minded some people are. There are legal ways round everything i stress legal. No i wont go into it as i have no wish to upset the apple cart which has been steady here for many years. I will let the ive got a degree so im better than you, so you need to do one  posters argue the toss.

I've seen people teaching who have a degree and they were not worth the paper the degree is written on yes there are also those without who havent got a clue as well.

There is no better degree anywhere in the world than a degree in life and common sense and that takes more than a 2 or 4 year course at a University.

 

 

How about experience in life + a college education to open up opportunities for the future. For a young person today to try find success without a degree will take much more time and effort than actually putting in the time and effort to get a degree, and likely have a much lower chance of success in life. Can it be done ? Sure...but advising someone against education is foolish.

[Pilotman]

On 16/09/2017 at 4:17 PM, ritchyp said:

Hi,

 

I am living in Thailand, in Pattaya. I am interested in becoming an English teacher. I have not spoken to anybody about the subject and don't know anything about it apart from the fact that I have an O level in English language and I would consider my English to be of an advanced standard. I have also been a college tutor so I have good experience in teaching and have a natural aptitude for it.

 

All advice and pointers, links etc. gratefully received thanks

 

 

Richard

Maybe I'm being too pedantic here, but unless you have a good qualification in teaching English to non native speakers, such as a TEFL, you shouldn't even be considering it.  Think of the kids.  You may deprive them of a qualified teacher who can actually help them learn a language that could have a major, positive impact on their lives.  Sure. maybe some is better than none  and you may,  just may, cover up the inadequacies in their school teaching, but is that sufficient reason to do it?  Even in the sticks, you may turn  them off learning English for life. Ask yourself if you are doing this for the right reasons. and not just for pin money, or for something to do.  Get your self properly qualified, then think again, twice.  You have been a tutor, so you know that there is much more to teaching than just knowing the subject yourself.  

[stubuzz]

8 hours ago, Pilotman said:

Maybe I'm being too pedantic here, but unless you have a good qualification in teaching English to non native speakers, such as a TEFL, you shouldn't even be considering it.

Agreed.

[jeab1980]

8 hours ago, Pilotman said:

Maybe I'm being too pedantic here, but unless you have a good qualification in teaching English to non native speakers, such as a TEFL, you shouldn't even be considering it

Disagree

[stubuzz]

2 hours ago, jeab1980 said:

11 hours ago, Pilotman said:

Maybe I'm being too pedantic here, but unless you have a good qualification in teaching English to non native speakers, such as a TEFL, you shouldn't even be considering it

Disagree

Please explain why you think untrained language teachers should be allowed near a class of young children.