Is it mandatory to have ESL teacher's hours in the contract?

[Starfish And Coffee]

Hi all. 

 

Prior to the last 12 months, the ESL teachers at my school always had the monthly hours (20) in the contract. 

It seems (alongside the school not renewing teachers contracts or replacing them) they have taken anything to do with 'teaching hours per month' out of other teachers contracts.

 

I'm due to get a new contract soon and I'm wondering if it's legal / mandatory for  schools in Thailand to put the set amount of working hours per month in foreign teachers contracts?

 

 

[KhaoHom]

The only things that must be in the contract are hours and pay. If they are not - do not sign the contract.

[Equatorial]

1 hour ago, KhaoHom said:

The only things that must be in the contract are hours and pay.

 

Is it hours worked, or contact hours, or both? 

[KhaoHom]

17 minutes ago, Equatorial said:

 

Is it hours worked, or contact hours, or both? 

 

It's always contact hours although they may additionally specify additional courses or EC's, meetings... You need to ask loads of specific questions about additional work if that's an issue with you.

 

I'd advise you to be very careful with the questions otherwise they might get a bad vibe. Asking about weekend work is legit. Asking about additional work during the typical work day is not legit. Remember you are a salary employee and that very different from being an hourly employee

 

If you are beginning teacher and the school is otherwise ok I'd advise to suffer it. Learn how to run activities, how summer school works, national exam prep, etc.

 

You want to become a master teacher that can be dropped into anything and have confidence, excel at most everything. The confidence it will bring will get you hired anywhere you are remotely qualifed.

 

Schools have a multitude of individuals that won't (can't) do the job. Be the teacher that can.

 

Be the teacher that helps students academically and with activities and projects. This gets back to the school quickly and positively. You'll become a favorite of Ss because you are competent, helpful not because of games and being funny. So, do the extra and learn from it.

 

If the school is ok and you are unhappy finish the year and jump jobs. Begin TCT licencing modules asap.

 

*Reading Writing is serious. L/S is bullshi+

[SlyAnimal]

Generally if you're going to get screwed, it'll be when a new director arrives and wants to start making changes.

If you've got a good relationship with your head of department, then they'll insulate you from most of the changes and will fight for you against the director.  Although this does require a bit of political capital on behalf of your department head, so if they're young, new to the job or just generally not well respected, then they might not be that effective.  If the English department is successful, then they'll have a fair amount of respect and can stand up to the director.

If they do make changes, then you've got to either accept them, negotiate or walk.  Good relations with your department head will make negotiating easier, and what's particularly important is keeping your cool during negotiations.  I remember a new director asking me to take a pay cut because the school didn't have enough money, with a smile and a grin I politely told him that I could find another school if the school needed to save money I could find another school so they could find a cheaper teacher.  The director then decided that they had enough to pay for my salary after all, if I'd lost my cool then that reaction might have been different.

Similarly, if you do end up leaving your school because you can't negotiate, having a good relationship with them is really important because a lot of the schools talk to each other.  Even if you don't include the contact details of someone at your old school, if they're on your CV then the school will probably find a way to contact them.  I took a break from teaching during covid, and then when I next applied for a couple of jobs, I heard from Thai teachers at my old school that they'd been contacted by the school I applied to, asking about my temperament etc.

So moral of the story, regardless of all else, try and maintain a good relationship with your school.