Mid Life Crisis ??

[Melpomene]

Ok so the thread title is a tad over-dramatic !

 

I was hoping to get some advice from the members of this forum about making a career change into teaching. I’m particularly interested to hear from anyone who has moved into teaching in their forties from another field.  I have a degree and a few years back completed a CELTA in preparation for this.  My wife and I are moving back to Thailand later this year, so I’m considering my options.

 

My reasons for wanting to teach are :

 

1. Most importantly it’s something I’ve always wanted to try.  I absolutely loved the CELTA I completed.  I’ve considered going full steam ahead and looking to secure a place on a PGCE in UK before we move and aiming for an international school position in my degree specialism.  However, I’m in my mid-forties now, so am looking to slow down a little.  Whilst I’m not quite ready for the scrap heap, i’m not sure I want to take on quite so much.
2. I’m looking to improve my work/life balance, my first career has been extremely stressful and it’s starting to take its toll on my health.  I want to get out of the rat race in London before it’s too late.  We could probably just about afford to retire now.  However, I also feel I’ve got plenty left to give and an additional 40k+ per month would make a big difference to our living standard.  Therefore, a nice teaching position, without too much stress and plenty of holidays for a few years until my pensions kick in sounds like an attractive way to spend my last few years working.  I hope this doesn’t sound like I’m just looking for an easy ride as I’m not, I’m a very professional individual and would be extremely committed to whatever role I secured.  I’m just looking for a job that doesn’t involve 60 hour weeks and 3/4 nights in a hotel.

 

So I’m really interested to hear if anyone has faced a similar situation and made it work ? Am I dreaming to think that teaching jobs exist that would keep me mentally engaged and give me a reasonable level of autonomy without the stress attached.  Or would I just be replacing one rat race with another consisting of disinterested Thai teenagers and grumpy admin staff ?

 

Many thanks for reading - all comments/thoughts welcome.

[Preacher]

It is more that you are looking at a 30,000 baht a month job, not a 40,000 baht a month job.

 

A Celta etc is nice, but together with your degree will only get you a temporary waiver, which can give you up to 6 years of teaching. It is meant as time to get a degree in education. 

Teaching can be very stressful if you don't know how to handle a class and maintain discipline. A lot also depends on the school, some are supportive.  Many are not and leave you out to dry.  

 

Of course if you have a interesting degree and teach at a university things might be a bit different.

[brewsterbudgen]

I did a CELTA in Bangkok in 2005 and have been teaching here ever since. I was 46 when I did the CELTA and I had never taught before. At first I was pretty much living off my savings as I only earned 35,000 a month which doesn't go very far in Bangkok. But in time I was promoted, moved into corporate teaching and then exam preparation (IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, GMAT, IGCSE etc). Now I make around 80-100,000 a month if I include IELTS examining. I've only taught in language schools and businesses, so there is no requirement for teaching licenses etc - just a degree, CELTA, professionalism and an aptitude for the work.

Go for it and good luck.

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[Rhys]

4 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

I did a CELTA in Bangkok in 2005 and have been teaching here ever since. I was 46 when I did the CELTA and I had never taught before. At first I was pretty much living off my savings as I only earned 35,000 a month which doesn't go very far in Bangkok. But in time I was promoted, moved into corporate teaching and then exam preparation (IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, GMAT, IGCSE etc). Now I make around 80-100,000 a month if I include IELTS examining. I've only taught in language schools and businesses, so there is no requirement for teaching licenses etc - just a degree, CELTA, professionalism and an aptitude for the work.

Go for it and good luck.

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....one of the lucky one.... well deserved..

 

 You're just going to have dive in here with the rest..... yes you will find all that you expect and more... Aim low

[Big Guns]

I did the same in my early 30's and changed career from a marketing manager to a business teacher after doing a PGCE in the UK. You should be able to get a job at an international school relatively easily. However, some schools do ask for a minimum of 2 years experience. On the other hand some places like to hire NQT's (newly qualified teachers) as they are cheaper. It's hard work especially in the first few years when you are building up your teaching materials and learning how to do the job. Thankfully any issues from badly behaved students are very rare. Overall I'd say if you enjoy it then it can be an extremely satisfying job. Good luck.

[My Thai Life]

OP a few thoughts...

 

> you are in the age band for peak earnings. It could be very bad timing to ditch your career in the UK for teaching in Thailand

 

> if you come to Thailand at your age now, you could find it financially impossible to retire to your home country, and very difficult to do so in Thailand (depending on your current savings, investments, assets, expectations of inheritance, and willingness to be a pauper in your retirement)

 

> the teaching business in many counries is deep inside the rat-race that you want to escape (the UK being a prime example)

 

> most farang government school teachers in Thailand are driven to it through poverty, not love of education

 

> you can see from looking though the history of this forum that there is a huge amount of unhappiness in the farang teaching "community" in Thailand

 

> if you do decide to come, make sure that the PGCE you do gives you QTS - Qualified Teacher Status - this will help your career as a teacher enormously and open far more doors, in Thailand and around the world,  than a standard PGCE.

 

Good luck.

 

 

Edited September 19, 2018 by My Thai Life

[thequietman]

2 hours ago, My Thai Life said:

OP a few thoughts...

 

> you are in the age band for peak earnings. It could be very bad timing to ditch your career in the UK for teaching in Thailand

 

> if you come to Thailand at your age now, you could find it financially impossible to retire to your home country, and very difficult to do so in Thailand (depending on your current savings, investments, assets, expectations of inheritance, and willingness to be a pauper in your retirement)

 

> the teaching business in many counries is deep inside the rat-race that you want to escape (the UK being a prime example)

 

> most farang government school teachers in Thailand are driven to it through poverty, not love of education

 

> you can see from looking though the history of this forum that there is a huge amount of unhappiness in the farang teaching "community" in Thailand

 

> if you do decide to come, make sure that the PGCE you do gives you QTS - Qualified Teacher Status - this will help your career as a teacher enormously and open far more doors, in Thailand and around the world,  than a standard PGCE.

 

Good luck.

 

 

This is very good advice - heed it.

 

Remember to expect nothing and you won't be disappointed. International schools aside, it is the appearance that is important, not the substance. If you can roll with this and forget all ethics that you currently have, then you will move through the system fairly easily.

 

Start asking questions about methods or trying to make changes or improvements will land you in hot water and you will be regarded as a trouble maker.

 

For topping you up until retirement, I would say go for it but it is stressful if you let it affect you.  Good luck.

[1FinickyOne]

The stress level of most things in life is or can be an internal feature of you... something you bring to the table. 

 

Your biggest problem is always your biggest problem, no matter how big or small it might be...

 

Think of it this way - - back in the 50s and 60s, a 'mid life crisis' was called a 'second childhood'...

 

Relax, good luck and if it is something you always wanted to do, go for it... you seem like an analytical fellow. 

 

"You will still be here tomorrow but your dreams may not." Cat Stevens... 

 

When I met a friend from my youth, later in life - - [we had often talked about 'following our dreams as a life path'] and I asked him if he had done so... he told me he was surprised how many of his dreams were nightmares... 

 

So, you roll the dice and take your chances -- or you don't. 

[prakhonchai nick]

1 hour ago, kenk24 said:

The stress level of most things in life is or can be an internal feature of you... something you bring to the table. 

 

Your biggest problem is always your biggest problem, no matter how big or small it might be...

 

Think of it this way - - back in the 50s and 60s, a 'mid life crisis' was called a 'second childhood'...

 

Relax, good luck and if it is something you always wanted to do, go for it... you seem like an analytical fellow. 

 

"You will still be here tomorrow but your dreams may not." Cat Stevens... 

 

When I met a friend from my youth, later in life - - [we had often talked about 'following our dreams as a life path'] and I asked him if he had done so... he told me he was surprised how many of his dreams were nightmares... 

 

So, you roll the dice and take your chances -- or you don't. 

"You will still be here tomorrow but your dreams may not." Cat Stevens...    May be Cat's song, but I think the Rod Stewart rendition is far superior ?

[kingstonkid]

OP I came here in my 50's teaching jobs are plentiful.  The 35,00 is the average and is more than enough depending on your location and lifestyle.

 

The biggest stress that I found was that I had ideas of what I wanted to achieve.  In Thai culture right now is it more do what the book says don't worry about empowering their minds as much as keeping the other teachers happy.

 

Schools here, although they say that they put a great emphasis on English for the most part, are not that great.

 

If you are looking to teach try the pratom level of schools and stay away from the high schools.

 

The young kids that I see are eager to learn and to show you their abilities.  In the high schools they have already become jaded, have the teen attitudes and depending on the school have already given up on learning English for the most part.

 

 

[orchidfan]

You might be able to land a teaching job but a big day to day factor is where you will live and where the school is located. Commuting in and around Bangkok...and outer Bangkok IS a nightmare!.

The stress of the job may pale in comparison with getting to and from work in Bangkok traffic.

[MartinL]

Apart from the 'age' aspect, this mightn't be particularly relevant for you since the final outcome involves China rather than Thailand.

 

My brother did a CELTA course in Chiang Mai earlier this year after 30+ years as a chartered physiotherapist in UK, with an MSc. He is 58 and wanted a change. After completing CELTA, he passed a Yachtmaster course in Lanzarote.

 

As far as the teaching was concerned, he was certain that he didn't want to teach schoolkids - adults were his preference and he didn't even consider looking at schools in Thailand. 

 

He took a job for 2 months with the BKK branch of his CELTA school and during the course of that he applied for and was offered a position at a Chinese university, which he accepted and is now in-post. He loves it although it's early days yet - he seems to have taken to it like a duck to water. He certainly seems to have regained all his old enthusiasm for life, something that life in the UK had drained from him.

 

 

[phuketsub]

I am 55 and have been teaching here for 30 years, which I still find hard to believe.

 

Teaching here might be a good form of semi-retirement, but it can also be quite frustrating -- especially given the financial remuneration.

 

The Thai government education system is pretty much a disaster and many parents have unrealistic expectations for their kids, who tend to be spoiled.

 

I was recently asked to write something to the parents of some of my students, who are 7-9 years old. It might be a bit off topic, but might give a sense of the frustration I feel today. I will send you a pm if you want more info.

 

(note: this is in simplified English to ease the translation difficulties into Thai)

 

I have a new hobby.  It is called 'gardening'.

I am not very good at gardening, because I lack experience.

I am a bad gardener, but I am getting better.

I get better by trying to increase my knowledge and understanding every day. I learn by making mistakes.

Hopefully I won't make too many mistakes and my plants will bear fruit in the future.

But it can take a long time. My avocado plants are growing well, but they won't make fruit for eight years -- if they ever do.

That's how long it will take. I cannot change that. That is reality.

I will water them and take care of them every day.

I hope for the best.

But nobody knows what the future will bring.

I have been teaching Thai kids English for 30 years. I am not bored with it.

I see my students as like little plants.

Plants need sunlight to grow.

People need to listen to learn.

This is true of people at every age -- not just kids.

It is easy to say: "Don't teach vocabulary" , "Don't teach grammar" and "Just teach my kids how how to speak".

This is unrealistic.

Grammar and vocabulary are the building blocks of any language.

If you ask me to teach them my language without grammar and vocabulary, that is like asking me to grow plants without water and sunlight.

I am not a wizard. I don't have a magic wand.

All the best things in life come from hard work.

I am a bad gardener because I lack experience, but  I have 30 years of experience teaching in Thailand.

I am 100 percent  committed to teaching.

But it takes time. The kids must listen.

There are no magic wands, no magic apps.

Encourage your kids to listen; don't expect instant results.

Do the work and I will do my best to give you the result you want.

Thank you for your kind consideration.

 

 

 

[connda]

If you wish to make money, consider teaching in Japan, Korea, or Saudi Arabia.  If you don't care about the money, then teaching it Thailand is dandy.

[BobbyL]

If you can, then I would say without a doubt try and do a PGCE and come here fully qualified. The money is 3 or 4 times what TEFL teachers make plus benefits and the working environment is drastically better. 

[RyanWalker]

Not all stories are negative though. I came here when I was 29 years old. 8 years ago. Purely because my own country cannot cannot provide me with a decent worthy job. I also started on the 30k a month and took care of family too with that 30k. (Still managed to go out and explore the normal Bkk night life ? so needless to say I almost never had money. But here I am at age 37 now. Still doing the same, but working for 110k a month now, with no degree, CELTA or whatever. I am perfectly legal too. So thete are success stories and happy ones out there mate. If you want to make a change, go for it. Atleast you can say you gave it a shot if it is not working out. If it is working out, you won. GL

[NoshowJones]

The first post from Preacher was right, I was on 30 Bt per month with only a TEFL certificate and no degree, though that was up country and not in Bangkok.

As for stressful, that would depend on what type of person you are, I was never stressed out, and have never been in any job I have had, which includes a musician which was my main one, also a private investigator, bus and truck driver.

In my three semesters as an English teacher, I had three different Heads of the English Department, and they were all helpful and wonderful to me. It was all a good experience.

[brewsterbudgen]

If you can, then I would say without a doubt try and do a PGCE and come here fully qualified. The money is 3 or 4 times what TEFL teachers make plus benefits and the working environment is drastically better. 

Doing a PGCE in your 40s/50s is unnecessary as the last thing you probably want to do is teaching practice in your home country or make a 'career' as a teacher. As my earlier post shows, it's perfectly possible to make a decent income through TEFL by teaching adults and corporate, which is much better suited to new teachers in their middle-ages!

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[Melpomene]

Wow - I'm blown away by all the replies.  Thanks so much, there's some really great advice and plenty to think about.  In answer to some of the specific points raised :

 

• Stress - I come from a field where stress levels are very high.  My company provide technology consultancy to investment banks.  It's well paid, but boy do they take their pound of flesh.  A very typical career path with them ends with chronic burn out in your 40s.  I've always handled this stress fairly well, until the last few years where I've felt it starting to impact my overall health and my energy to pursue my out of work hobbies and interests.  BTW massive kudos to Kenk24 for spotting the analytical nature of my post - I've been in an very analytical job for a long time ?
• Money - everyone hates talking about this - myself included.  However, as My Thai Life pointed out, typically your 40s are the prime earning years of your life, so a bad move here and things can go wrong quickly with huge consequences.  I can understand why there's so much advice given that relates to this.  However, thanks to my first career we're financially secure, so no matter what happens over the next 10 years (barring some kind of Brexit Armageddon !) we'll have a very comfortable retirement.  As a result this move is about lifestyle rather than finances, but of course any extra income will always increase one's standard of living, so I'm not looking to work for nothing !
• PGCE - this had been my initial plan.  However, as Brewster points out, I'm not sure I can be arsed with the teaching practicum, ofsted etc etc that would need to go into building a career that will last me another 5 to 10 years at most.  If I was in my 30s and considering this move, then I'd say that that's a no-brainer.
• And finally everyones favourite - Thainess.  I've been married to my Thai wife for nearly 20 years and we've spent a lot of time in Bangkok.  I've also worked on projects with Thai banks, so have experience of living and working in Bangkok.  I'm under no illusions that I'm going to make any sort of real difference, but I'm hoping that as I'm doing something I want to do that I'll be able to just bite my lip, smile and let any frustrations fly over my head.

 

So from reading all the responses it does sound like some sort of language school work would suit me best.  Working 3 to 4 days per week with a variety of different learners in classroom or 1-2-1 settings is something I think I'd really enjoy and most closely matches what I did in my CELTA.  Which leads me to some further questions :

 

• Is there enough work out there to just work 3 or 4 days per week ?  If you're working a more part time schedule such as this what sort of earnings could you expect ?  Also is it possible to get a work permit for this ?  
• Presumably though for this kind of schedule you'd have to work at weekends - is this correct and would it be realistic to think I could limit this to say just one day per weekend and perhaps 2/3 afternoon/evenings per week ?
• Also if anyone has any language schools they recommend approaching or any to avoid then please feel free to PM me.

Thanks again for all the advice - this really, really has been helpful for me.

 

 

[Andrew108]

You could do the PGCEi which is mostly online and gets you a Thai teachers license. 

[BobbyL]

14 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Doing a PGCE in your 40s/50s is unnecessary as the last thing you probably want to do is teaching practice in your home country or make a 'career' as a teacher. As my earlier post shows, it's perfectly possible to make a decent income through TEFL by teaching adults and corporate, which is much better suited to new teachers in their middle-ages!

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They are good points you made, however I would say you are in the minority. On the flip side we all know the stories of people working in awful places earning 40k and struggling. 

[ozmeldo]

Do not do a PGCE. You haven't even spent a day in a classroom. The Celta is next to worthless. While knowing that information will potentially make you a better teacher in theory, you could go through any number of jobs and not use the skills or information.

 

Best to just give it a go and do a PGCE or similar after a few years here.

 

I've increased my salary 50% in five years. I'm near 60.

 

If you have a real job, stay put. I was made redundant and had adequate resources to cut it loose. Most teachers here have nothing, even the ones making 80k pm

[brewsterbudgen]

Do not do a PGCE. You haven't even spent a day in a classroom. The Celta is next to worthless. While knowing that information will potentially make you a better teacher in theory, you could go through any number of jobs and not use the skills or information.
 
Best to just give it a go and do a PGCE or similar after a few years here.
 
I've increased my salary 50% in five years. I'm near 60.
 
If you have a real job, stay put. I was made redundant and had adequate resources to cut it loose. Most teachers here have nothing, even the ones making 80k pm

A CELTA is invaluable if you plan to teach adults. If you plan to teach kids, it isn't much use, other than as confidence booster. You can do a Young Learners extension for CELTA.

Most teachers I know and those with whom I work, are doing nicely, but this is in Bangkok and none teach in regular schools or have PGCEs.

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[ozmeldo]

3 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

A CELTA is invaluable if you plan to teach adults. If you plan to teach kids, it isn't much use, other than as confidence booster. You can do a Young Learners extension for CELTA.

Most teachers I know and those with whom I work, are doing nicely, but this is in Bangkok and none teach in regular schools or have PGCEs.

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Yeah, I've done just fine without a Celta, Delta and TEFL. Taught at top schools, paid well, I've zero problem getting work +55yo. The system doesn't pay enough to front load your education and too many issues working against the teacher to stay in the system.

 

Sooner or later you'll need a proper license = grad diploma.

 

I could see how Celta/Delta would be valuable to language center instructors I presume they often could serve as tutors although I honestly doubt most can write worth a damn.

 

I've less than zero interest in teaching adults. Language centers instructor...no thanks. I love teaching 12-18yos.

 

Lovely kids, holidays, proper contracts, work permits, bonuses, free stuff and most of all not going to work at 2pm and returning at 10pm for b300-400hr.

 

95% of language school instructors can't teach in public schools. They don't have the skills, ability, temperament, personality, time management, minimal focus, inability to produce materials. The other 5% know exactly what they are doing and making bank.

 

Business English is just a scam unless its in-house which it never is. Even 600b hour, you create a lesson, review it, travel to site, put up with confusion, often mcguyver a classroom each visit, break it down, endless wasted time. B900 for a days work nope. Hope you need not bring anything back and assess it on your own time as well. Never comes with wp.

 

 

[simon43]

I'm 60 next year.  I recently resigned from my $3,000 a month in-class teaching job in Myanmar to teach 'full-time' online.  I can earn the same salary without having to prepare/mark homework, write exams, do continuous assessment charts etc, can set my own teaching hours etc etc.

 

Of course, I should comment that I'm not teaching online from a location in Thailand.  Now that might be illegal... ?

[davidst01]

On 9/19/2018 at 7:55 AM, Preacher said:

It is more that you are looking at a 30,000 baht a month job, not a 40,000 baht a month job.

 

A Celta etc is nice, but together with your degree will only get you a temporary waiver, which can give you up to 6 years of teaching. It is meant as time to get a degree in education. 

Teaching can be very stressful if you don't know how to handle a class and maintain discipline. A lot also depends on the school, some are supportive.  Many are not and leave you out to dry.  

 

Of course if you have a interesting degree and teach at a university things might be a bit different.

You're assuming he wants to work in a standard  school. If OP wants to work at a government university there is no requirement for a TL

[brewsterbudgen]

You're assuming he wants to work in a standard  school. If OP wants to work at a government university there is no requirement for a TL

Indeed. Many people seem to think all TEFL jobs in Thailand are in schools. University, language institutes and corporate are well paid and rewarding alternatives with generally motivated learners. Teaching in schools requires a different mind-set and many more classroom management skills.

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[ozmeldo]

8 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Indeed. Many people seem to think all TEFL jobs in Thailand are in schools. University, language institutes and corporate are well paid and rewarding alternatives with generally motivated learners. Teaching in schools requires a different mind-set and many more classroom management skills.

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The vast number of jobs are teaching in public schools. I see it as a real plus having worked in Korean hogwans a few years. I see no advantages in teaching at a language center given the low monthly pay. Being a quality examiner is different although I would imagine there's only so much work and IELTS is already online @ IDP.

 

I'd feel bad for kids paying b1000 an hour for my tutoring services because I know how slowly skills like reading and writing are aquired. It's largely self taught. A teacher can provide skills, guidance, review, reinforcement. Most of all a class of sullen, tired teens like Korea would do my head in.

 

University jobs, rarely pay well and almost always require a master's at a minimum despite just doing tefl. I personally would only work at the top 5-6. The ones outside BKK even hire Filipinos. Many have taken to pay hourly and only b4-600. Lessons need to be planned, assessments made and grades entered. I'm sure they pay only contact hours. Then I've heard there is endless amounts of things the department drags you into - gratis.

 

Once in a blue moon I'll see what looks like a really decent corporate job. It's almost always related to tourism, hospitality. I've heard though these types of jobs notorious for no wp.

 

Again, I would never teach business English. It's not the teaching tired, bored, busy adults thing. Rather it's the agency and  onsite drama and bs. So much so that I'd rather teach P4-6. Especially 5-6.

 

University and public school teaching is not for the giving it a go, keeping busy in retirement crowd. Especially the latter. The job requires effort, hardship, sacrifice and lots of time. While many teflrs can't be seen on campus after 2:45, the best of them are working 50 hours a week to improve their courses, themselves and indeed their students.

 

Simon mentions online teaching. From what I've seen on YT, that takes a special sort of personality. The remuneration is complicated as well. I enjoy getting out of the house, mixing it up with the kids. Guiding their aspirations.

 

To the OP:

1. Don't quit your job for this racket.

2. If you don't want to work in BKK, even f you are a competent teacher you will be grossly underpaid.

3. Perhaps a dozen outside BKK, all the best schools are in and around BKK.

 

Edited September 22, 2018 by ozmeldo

[brewsterbudgen]

The vast number of jobs are teaching in public schools. I see it as a real plus having worked in Korean hogwans a few years. I see no advantages in teaching at a language center given the low monthly pay. Being a quality examiner is different although I would imagine there's only so much work and IELTS is already online @ IDP.
 
I'd feel bad for kids paying b1000 an hour for my tutoring services because I know how slowly skills like reading and writing are aquired. It's largely self taught. A teacher can provide skills, guidance, review, reinforcement. Most of all a class of sullen, tired teens like Korea would do my head in.
 
University jobs, rarely pay well and almost always require a master's at a minimum despite just doing tefl. I personally would only work at the top 5-6. The ones outside BKK even hire Filipinos. Many have taken to pay hourly and only b4-600. Lessons need to be planned, assessments made and grades entered. I'm sure they pay only contact hours. Then I've heard there is endless amounts of things the department drags you into - gratis.
 
Once in a blue moon I'll see what looks like a really decent corporate job. It's almost always related to tourism, hospitality. I've heard though these types of jobs notorious for no wp.
 
Again, I would never teach business English. It's not the teaching tired, bored, busy adults thing. Rather it's the agency and  onsite drama and bs. So much so that I'd rather teach P4-6. Especially 5-6.
 
University and public school teaching is not for the giving it a go, keeping busy in retirement crowd. Especially the latter. The job requires effort, hardship, sacrifice and lots of time. While many teflrs can't be seen on campus after 2:45, the best of them are working 50 hours a week to improve their courses, themselves and indeed their students.
 
Simon mentions online teaching. From what I've seen on YT, that takes a special sort of personality. The remuneration is complicated as well. I enjoy getting out of the house, mixing it up with the kids. Guiding their aspirations.
 
To the OP:
1. Don't quit your job for this racket.
2. If you don't want to work in BKK, even f you are a competent teacher you will be grossly underpaid.
3. Perhaps a dozen outside BKK, all the best schools are in and around BKK.
 

All IELTS testing in Thailand is likely to be computer-based within a couple of years, but this will, and already has, increased hours for examiners as the Speaking test remains face-to-face. Tests will eventually be held daily, so lots of work!

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[My Thai Life]

Lots of interesting replies to this thread. It seems to have brought out a lot of the success stories.

 

But let me go back to the financial planning aspect. I've read one or two teachers saying they need 100k baht to live comfortably in Bkk. That's an annual salary of around 28,000 GBP or 36,000 USD. For those teachers that need to spend 100k Baht per month in Bkk there's going to no surplus at all from that salary. And no matter how you cut it that's not going to buy a 40 year old a secure comfortable future in his/her home country or in Thailand. So unless there are other assets or sources of income involved it's going to lead to hardship.

 

There often seems to be a certain amount of wishful thinking in financial planning. Even the the OP has gone from saying  "We could probably just about afford to retire now" to "However, thanks to my first career we're financially secure, so no matter what happens over the next 10 years we'll have a very comfortable retirement".  Well after 10 years he'll be in his early 50s, not so old.