How Has The Teaching Scene Changed, And Your Teaching Job, In The Last 5 To 10 Years?

[PeaceBlondie]

Some of our posters have mentioned recently that after years of climbing up the ladder in Thai schools, they have advanced to far better situations.

I think of the guy who sued his last employer and then created his own language center and TEFL course. Or the guy who taught EFL in another Asian country and is now very well placed and compensated by his employer and with private lessons. Or some of our university lecturers who have a good gig.

Those who have recently arrived, who are still struggling in the crummy schools, need encouragement. How about some success stories?

And if you are too modest, it can begin, "I know a good teacher who...."

[mrtoad]

Some of our posters have mentioned recently that after years of climbing up the ladder in Thai schools, they have advanced to far better situations.

I think of the guy who sued his last employer and then created his own language center and TEFL course. Or the guy who taught EFL in another Asian country and is now very well placed and compensated by his employer and with private lessons. Or some of our university lecturers who have a good gig.

Those who have recently arrived, who are still struggling in the crummy schools, need encouragement. How about some success stories?

And if you are too modest, it can begin, "I know a good teacher who...."

PB, whilst I am still teaching after two and a half years, I am slowly moving up the ladder so to speak. My main bread and buttter is through teaching, and I can't complain about the pay as I do pretty well. What I have found in the last couple of months though, is that I have been taking on more consultancy work in my previous profession, which is now starting to open a few more doors ,and I'm hoping that at some point in the future to go back to it full time. I certainly would never say that I've wasted several years,as I think as a person it has made me appreciate a lot more things and revaluate myself as a person . Success in the end can only be judged on personal happiness and being comfortable about the decisions that one makes, it's not all about the size of the pay check. So, I'm not sure if I'm a success, but at least I'm happy and settled.

Edited June 14, 2008 by mrtoad

[otherstuff1957]

I've been teaching here for 4 years and 8 months. I'm teaching about the same number of hours as when I started, but I'm earning more than double my original salary. I also have over a month paid vacation per year.

Improvement - year by year - can happen here.

[Loaded]

I arrived in Chiang Mai nearly 10 years ago. In those days most work was in language schools mainly because schools, both government and private, employed few foreigners. In Chiang Mai the teaching community was small and everyone either knew everyone else or were just one friend away from knowing them.I believe it was a change in the law around 6 years ago that now allows schools to employ pretty much as many teachers as they want.

Many schools now compete for customers (students and their parents) and one important consideration for these customers is the number of foreign teachers employed and the number of teaching hours students will have with these foreign teachers. Hence, an explosion of available jobs.

10 years ago it was slow and difficult to obtain a work permit and become legal and nothing seems to have changed. Over the years I have heard of crackdowns, raids, tightening of rules, visa changes and police checks but like waves on a beach these stories appear, make a splash and then disappear leaving very little evidence of an affect. No doubt as this academic year draws to an end, there will be a new scare and many new 'experts' on internet teaching forums. Teachers will always be the last to know what's happening, so probably the least informed to comment on 'changes' as well.

It's still possible to obtain a work permit if you don't have a degree but work in a government school. I know a degree-less teacher who works at a government school and who obtained his blue book this week. It depends on how much the school wants or needs you though. However, most degree-less teachers work, as they have since I arrived, without a work permit without a problem.

I've done OK over the years. In my opinion the key to obtaining any sort of success here is being able to work with Thais; that means understanding the basics of their culture and bending towards their way of doing things rather than enforce or expect a western perspective on work.

Remember This Is Thailand and it will change you or break you but rarely bore you.

Edited June 15, 2008 by Loaded

[seykota]

I think Loaded has expressed the requirements for success here very well.

When I conduct the "orientation" session for new lecturers I say basically the same as Loaded;

In my opinion the key to obtaining any sort of success here is being able to work with Thais; that means understanding the basics of their culture and bending towards their way of doing things rather than enforce or expect a western perspective on work.

Remember This Is Thailand and it will change you or break you but rarely bore you.

Do not try to change the world or think that you are entitled to anything different than your colleagues (Thai or farang), just go with the flow at the institution where you are working and enjoy it. Be realistic with your expectations and you have less chance of being disappointed.

[PeaceBlondie]

I heard some good news this morning. The last govt. school, which I left in 2005 after having to very nicely insist they pay me for the entire contract, let my replacement go last March. He had been on salary of 25K, eleven months every year. They advertised on ajarn.com at 23K, probably getting no qualified applicants, out in the province. They finally hired two "Englishmen" at 30K. Meanwhile, my first school (where new teachers lasted for weeks or months before quitting, and it is also a very reputable old school) has had some success in keeping teachers for a year or more.

I am doing fine, thank you. And yes, of course you must behave yourself in Thailand, accept the Thai ways of doing things, etc., to get ahead. So, it is good to hear success stories.

[culicine]

In any job, I think the longer you are at it, the easier it gets. The huge paperwork seems so insignificant now (it's still there but you find more efficient ways of doing things). Lesson planning is easier. I know my students very well now - some of my m6's Ive taught since they were in P5. The salary hasn't changed much (but it's double what I got in my first job); but substitute classes don't seem to find their way to me now, and the workload generally "feels" lighter, and I'm generally left alone to do my own thing. I know if I want more money, I'll have to chage jobs at some stage; but it will be hard to leave after so many years here (7th year now).

[Scott]

Overall, I am doing OK, started at 15,000 per month (over 10 years ago) and now am at 60,000 per month. The increases were particularly heavy in the first couple of years. Started at 15,000, two weeks later it was raised to 18,000 and by pay day had gone to 25,000--and that was even with a contract signed at 15,000!! Of course, I didn't really plan to stay, but at the time it was going to be OK.

Seen a lot of teachers where I work that are now doing OK both work-wise and pay-wise. Some still complain a bit, but realize they won't get much better anywhere else.

[Unfaithful]

I do much better now.Eight years ago, lucky to find crappy job at govt. school in the mountains.I networked, worked, schmoozed, and got better jobs each year.Then I started tutoring international school students who are not Thai.Bingo.I make more money now, more easily.My friends often make 40 to 90, Chiang Mai to Bakkok.You have to ignore the bullshit.

[garro]

I taught in BKK six years ago, and I was getting about 30,000 a month. I spent the next few years working for free in a village school while I improved my qualifications. I returned to full-time teaching this year for 30,000 THB (although I do now work outside BKK). So financially I am not much better, but I do believe that I'm a better teacher. Maybe the big money is in my future.

[way2muchcoffee]

I started at 35k about six years ago in BKK. I've changed schools since then. Now I am making more than double that amount. My teaching load is lighter, I teach only the subjects I'm competent to teach (mathematics and physics) at the level I enjoy (M4 to M6). My present school is well-funded, well-supplied, and has forward thinking management. I am satisfied with the changes that have taken place in my career here over the last 6 years.

Edited June 19, 2008 by way2muchcoffee

[ianh68h]

I started at 35k about six years ago in BKK. I've changed schools since then. Now I am making more than double that amount. My teaching load is lighter, I teach only the subjects I'm competent to teach (mathematics and physics) at the level I enjoy (M4 to M6). My present school is well-funded, well-supplied, and has forward thinking management. I am satisfied with the changes that have taken place in my career here over the last 6 years.

I'm a retired UK maths teacher trying to help my Thai stepdaughter with her maths homework. Language is a bit of a barrier and there are so many alternative Thai words for what I want to say I am a bit confused. Can you tell me which Thai words you use for: add, subtract, multiply, divide, decimal, decimal point, fraction, numerator, denominator, separate, together, answer, together with a few examples if possible, or else refer me to an online source I could use?

Thanks for your time.