My Way Out Of Teaching

[Neeranam]

I was an English teacher in Thailand for 12 years. The last few years, I really had lost all motivation and longed to get out.

I wasn't a 'real' teacher, although I had a degree, proper TEFL(Trinity)- none of this text and talk or other cowboy nonsense.

All my old mates from Bangkok years ago have managed to get out and found [other] jobs.

Believe me, even if you love it after a few years, you'll be sick of it after 10.

There are so many opportunities if you look for them and of course learn Thai.

For example, I've made $3500 this month already doing what I do.

So, don't take it seriously and don't work your ass off teaching - leave it to the newcomers who know no better.

[Scott]

I hope you are wrong and I hope some people will post experiences which are positive. Teaching is hard work and at times it's frustrating. The trick with teaching, as with many other professions, is to prevent 'burnout.' Burning out on the job is a serious problem.

[PeaceBlondie]

I think the trick here is to find a good school in your first few years.

[Scott]

Burnout is something that most people bring on themselves. Employees--and not just teachers--tend to find fault in everything, have to high of expectations either for themselves or for their employer. They tend to be wound a little too tight. You need to have a good support system around you and you need to have people you can vent too about what's going on. People need some help to get their priorities right--and that requires some assistance from supervisors and co-workers.

Thai's are good at making demands and expecting that you produce immediately. It has to do with the "pee-nong' sort of thing.

You need to go with the flow.

It also doesn't help if people are in the wrong profession. In Thailand there are a lot of people that end up teaching by default rather than by design/desire. Teaching is stressful and it's easy to burnout; easier if it's not your chosen profession.

[Ijustwannateach]

Well, I do love teaching and after a few more than 10 years, still love it- and the money isn't so bad. Anyway, this thread isn't going to become a defense of teaching. Neeranam, good luck to you for getting to a place that suits you better, but teaching is not something to 'escape from' for many of us, and money isn't the only goal.

Further bashing of teaching will earn warnings, penalties, etc., etc.

[Ijustwannateach]

Thread closed, as it is attracting too much attention from off-topic posting, posts against the rules, and trolls.