How do Uni teachers survive on their salaries?

[stupidfarang]

Check out Vietnam, I hear teachers in schools get paid very well compared to Thailand. University's may be good pay? Can explore the region from Vietnam

[Mama Noodle]

I know quite a few Uni Teachers in Bangkok that make quite nice expat salaries with benefits, but you wont hear about them on ThaiVisa. 

[Ombra]

15 hours ago, BritManToo said:

University salaries are generally lower than High school salaries all over the world.

It's perfectly normal.

 

 

You are clearly not talking from experience

[1FinickyOne]

15 hours ago, Hanaguma said:

I am honestly at a loss. 

what makes you think that retirees live well... both here and at home, most/many barely have enough income to survive... that, and that teachers are not know to be well compensated, - - how come you are not aware of this?  

[Hanaguma]

1 hour ago, Mama Noodle said:

I know quite a few Uni Teachers in Bangkok that make quite nice expat salaries with benefits, but you wont hear about them on ThaiVisa. 

That's interesting... the school I contacted was actually a private university, not public.   Maybe I just have to shake the tree a little harder, maybe just contact schools directly and see what develops.  I mean, life here is fine, just getting a bit bored with it. 

 

Being an adjunct in Japan is actually a pretty good gig. Yearly contracts, but schools are loathe to change teachers unless something radical happens and they are forced to make a move.  The schedule is almost the same as Thailand- two semesters of 15 weeks' duration each, so lots of down time. Classes are generally 90 minutes, once a week. Salary is paid monthly per class, usually from 8000 to 10000 baht per class/month. So if you do 10 classes a month (an easy schedule I think), you are somewhere around 100,000 baht level. Most places also pay full salary 12 months of the year, which is a nice perk.

Edited June 1, 2020 by Hanaguma

[nervona81732]

80% of school teachers owe over 2 million baht in loans to get by and keeping up with the Jone's. Gov keeps ok'ing loans for them and they sink deeper in debt. I don't know about Thai Uni but imagine same program.

[kevin612]

Don’t worry, people would find a way to survive. Many Thai people survive under 10000 baht.

[newnative]

16 hours ago, BritManToo said:

University salaries are generally lower than High school salaries all over the world.

It's perfectly normal.

 

 

Not in America, except perhaps for part-time professors teaching only one or two classes. 

[DUNROAMIN]

With the level of education after leaving Uni in Thailand, pay rates seem about right.

[alien365]

21 minutes ago, Hanaguma said:

That's interesting... the school I contacted was actually a private university, not public.   Maybe I just have to shake the tree a little harder, maybe just contact schools directly and see what develops.  I mean, life here is fine, just getting a bit bored with it. 

Some universities say they are governmental when they want to be and private when not and this will always work against you. They then complain that they can't get or keep any NES. Go figure.

[recom273]

I have a mate who works in a big provincial uni, 25k + accommodation. He took the job at 55 because he was worried that he was becoming increasingly undesirable to schools as every birthday passed and wanted to sure up his future here.
 

I don’t think it’s much of a life, living in one room, the university has lots of Asian-International students and he proof reads (medical) papers to make beer money. Online? His contact hours are low but he needs to be onsite, you need to be in control of the variables to teach online, a quiet environment and a reliable connection, I think he would be fined more than he could make.

 

[Harveyboy]

16 hours ago, BritManToo said:

University salaries are generally lower than High school salaries all over the world.

It's perfectly normal.

 

 

if you are single ..have no credit to pay each  month  40.000 is more than enough here   forget US or European cost of living  ..lots of other bonuses apart from the cash as you said looking for a change .. adventure  ..if it just earning a huge salery id just  stay home    

[Caldera]

I'd PAY for getting a job at a Thai university, just for the eye candy. Then again, I don't need the money and could use something to do in the mornings, so I might not be their typical potential candidate.

[AgMech Cowboy]

18 hours ago, BritManToo said:

University salaries are generally lower than High school salaries all over the world.

It's perfectly normal.

And you know this how? Compared to which country?

[flinc2020]

18 hours ago, Why Me said:

You're right. But not as much fun as you might think. Years ago I taught for a semester at a Bkk uni. It was an international program and we had students from Europe (particularly, France, some kind of dual degree deal) and a bunch of well-to-do Thais.

 

The cute factor was off the charts. But it was like that Seinfeld joke about lap dances, chocolate all over your face but you can't stick your tongue out for a lick. Not at least if you didn't want to be hauled before VP Academic. Given that the school owns your WP it's smart for expat profs to steer clear of any and all risky business.

Move to China then. I taught at a College and a Uni in China and in both places it was widely known that Chinese tutors were involved with their students. (At the college one of my female students admitted privately that she had slept with one of her tutors to improve her grade. Apparently it was a common practice where he was concerned.) When I left the Uni an ex student of mine invited me out with a few other ex students for a farewell drink where I was introduced to a 2nd year student and her boyfriend who she lived with in his university campus apartment. He was her (Chinese) English teacher!

[Pilotman]

3 minutes ago, flinc2020 said:

Move to China then. I taught at a College and a Uni in China and in both places it was widely known that Chinese tutors were involved with their students. (At the college one of my female students admitted privately that she had slept with one of her tutors to improve her grade. Apparently it was a common practice where he was concerned.) When I left the Uni an ex student of mine invited me out with a few other ex students for a farewell drink where I was introduced to a 2nd year student and her boyfriend who she lived with in his university campus apartment. He was her (Chinese) English teacher!

Can I have the contact details please. I feel a desperate need to teach Chinese girls coming on.  

[stouricks]

3 hours ago, kenk24 said:

what makes you think that retirees live well... both here and at home, most/many barely have enough income to survive

What an absolute load of tosh. The majority of retirees I know live reasonably well, but within their means, both here and in UK.

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, Caldera said:

I'd PAY for getting a job at a Thai university, just for the eye candy. Then again, I don't need the money and could use something to do in the mornings, so I might not be their typical potential candidate.

University canteen and coffee shops are open to everyone with money.

[CrunchWrapSupreme]

I was offered a position at a famous BKK uni. At least a Master's or PhD preferred. Only 40k. I really couldn't understand it, with the cost of BKK living, and what such degrees cost me to get.

 

There is another famous BKK uni, with a private secondary school they run inside for their student teachers, offering 70k. I applied, but am sure their doors were beat down.

 

Ah, when I first got to Thailand I hit the dating sites and tried some 20-something uni students. I soon found they lack development comparable to Western levels, both mentally and physically.

[1FinickyOne]

4 hours ago, stouricks said:

What an absolute load of tosh.

Yeah, it is not just about your friends... I have friends who have major fortunes, but in USA I don't recall the figure, but something near 90% of all people outlive their funds... many many cant afford their meds and have to choose between meds and food... their SS benefits don't raise them above poverty levels... 

 

poke your head out from your own load of "tosh" and see what is going on for the other 90%... 

 

I am fine, most of my friends are doing ok - - but it doesn't mean that others are too... 

Edited June 1, 2020 by kenk24

[rickudon]

Pay in UK Universities fluctuates a lot. There are different pay scales, but an unqualified lecturer can earn as little as 1700 GBP per month - if you are qualified, up to about 3,000 GBP a month. There are of course, higher rates for different specialists so you CAN earn a lot more with the right experience.

So some lecturers do earn less than teachers, But on average earn slightly more. But about 75% of lecturers do not have tenure these days.

[mommysboy]

The pay in Thailand is atrocious. These days you might also be required to stay on campus 8-4.30.  

[Number 6]

I was offered up to 104k to take four classes which is twelve hours a week at that famous Bangkok uni named after a favorite king. Passed the grammar and writing. Was into second round of interviews but pulled out. I'm pretty much making that now. I'm doing 18 hours a week but I'm tired of jumping schools. Don't fancy huge classes again although the possibility of teaching so many of my former students was appealing. 6Didn't want to proofread theses for free. BTW I was 58 when they contacted me so all this rubbish about schools not wanting older teachers. It's not the age - it's you. I'm renewing again this year.

 

Srinkarinwirot just posted a job for 65k unfortunately 24 hours and a bunch of vague unpaid assistance to department.

 

I think there's snob appeal teaching at universities but I'd much rather teach at a top secondary than some laff rajabhat. There's only about twenty five unis I'd even consider. After that I'd be embarrassed because we all know how <deleted> the pay is. These lazy teachers often counter it by not doing much of anything. It's Thailand no surprise. Always truly amazes me teachers that can't work a full day, say 700-330 or whatever. What else do you have going on living in a foreign country that is so important except running home to teach online. How pathetic.

Edited June 2, 2020 by Number 6

[Hanuman2547]

I taught at a Rajabhat back in the very early 90's when the pay was terrible.  Salary of 13,5xx and a housing allowance of 8,000 per month.  In 1994 or 95 a government issued raise increased the salary to 17,5xx plus the 8,000 for a grand total of 25,5xx per month.  In 1996 I left and went to a very good government uni in northern BKK.  The pay was exactly the same but the conditions were much better.  A/C in classrooms and office and the students were a bit better academically speaking.  Teaching classes in the evening for an extra 700 baht an hour at the uni.  Costs were lower back then but I feel the salaries have not kept up with inflation.  I wouldn't suggest teaching in Thailand unless you were a certified retired teacher from the west and could teach at one of the big three international schools in BKK that cater to western expat families and follow British, American, or Aussie  curriculums. 

[ukrules]

They have special exemptions in the laws to make sure foreign teachers can be paid much less than a normal job.

 

Pay peanuts, get monkeys.....simple.

[Hanuman2547]

Earlier it was mentioned about pay of teachers in the west and how low it was.  In the US it depends on the area you are teaching in.  It does vary widely by State and school district.  I know of a number of school districts in the outlying suburbs of Seattle where a teacher with a master's degree and 15 years of experience can be paid between $115,000 to $124,000 a year plus all of the usual benefits such as medical, retirement, vacation, holidays, etc.  There's also extra pay for other assignments including coaching sports.  Retirement is based on 2% for each year served.  Standard retirement is 30 years at 2% per year.  That equals 60% of your salary based upon your five highest consecutive years.  At $124,000 that works out to $74,400 a year.  Let's say you started work as a teacher at age 25.  You could then retire at age 55 on $74,400 a year.  You could even wait until age 60 and retire on $86,800 a year.  This doesn't even take into consideration social security which you become eligible for at age 62.  This is why I said in my earlier post retire first and then come to teach in Thailand at a bigger international school.  

[FritsSikkink]

On ‎5‎/‎31‎/‎2020 at 5:30 PM, BritManToo said:

University salaries are generally lower than High school salaries all over the world.

It's perfectly normal.

 

 

What a joke, where did you teach?

[otherstuff1957]

11 hours ago, ukrules said:

They have special exemptions in the laws to make sure foreign teachers can be paid much less than a normal job.

 

Pay peanuts, get monkeys.....simple.

Actually the University jobs pay the same for Thai and Foreign teachers. 

 

At Primary and Secondary schools Foreign teachers have much higher salaries than the Thai teachers.  When you compare teachers with comparable experience the Foreigners usually start at at least 30K, often 40K, while new Thai teachers usually start at 15K.  As a Foreign department head, I earn more than twice as much as a Thai department head (I accidentally saw the salary list once).

[DavisH]

On 6/3/2020 at 11:52 AM, otherstuff1957 said:

Actually the University jobs pay the same for Thai and Foreign teachers. 

 

At Primary and Secondary schools Foreign teachers have much higher salaries than the Thai teachers.  When you compare teachers with comparable experience the Foreigners usually start at at least 30K, often 40K, while new Thai teachers usually start at 15K.  As a Foreign department head, I earn more than twice as much as a Thai department head (I accidentally saw the salary list once).

Thai government civil servants (in universities) are on a pay scale with salaries increasing every 6 months and also with their ranking. Most senior civil servants are earning a lot more than the foreign English teacher that is employed by their departments (let's say 25-35K or whatever it may be these days.)