Best Teaching Options

[sara1]

I would like to know the best teaching options I have to work in Thailand. I have a MA in Applied Linguistics and TESOL and a TESOL teaching cert. I do not hold a qualified teaching licence from the UK but I have taught as a cover teacher in the UK. I also have CRB clearance and I have worked in private language schools in the UK as well as teaching in Thailand for over 5 years in government and private language schools. I have taught not just English as a second language but also taught Business studies and Literature. Also, in my work as a cover teacher, I have worked in English language and Literature classes in the UK.

It seems that most International schools require you to have qualified teaching status but I do know of some teachers working in such schools who don't. Do you think it is worth me applying to international schools or will it be a waste of time to do so?

I would really like to have the experience of working in a more international setting. I am really keen in professional development and would be happy to train whilst in a teaching position for any qualification that is needed.

Any help would be gratefully accepted.

[Scott]

Welcome to the forum. Hopefully some posters will be along to give you some guidance as to what options are best for you.

There are international schools and then there are real international schools. The 'real' international schools might not find you acceptable without a teaching license from your home country, but if you have done cover teaching you may have a temporary license from your home country. If so that will help.

You certainly meet the qualifications for teaching as they presently stand and my guess would be that you can find something reasonably close to what you want.

It might help to know where you are located or in what area you are looking for work.

[PeaceBlondie]

The professional MA in Applied Linguistics and TESOL may compensate for lack of professional certification - for a TESOL position. And I know real intl. schools have such positions for remedial students.

[Phatcharanan]

The professional MA in Applied Linguistics and TESOL may compensate for lack of professional certification - for a TESOL position. And I know real intl. schools have such positions for remedial students.

Agreed.

The MA (is that from Leicester Uni by any chance?) will give you the required qualification to teach EFL/TESOL in 'real' International Schools.

You already have the CRB so that is another hurdle crossed.

I am personally aware of a true blue International in Pattaya that pays the TESOL staff (with same quals) 95k baht per month plus benefits.

If you are still in the UK then try to attend the Council of International Schools (CIS) Job Fairs late January and May.

You will have to complete an online application at the CIS website as these fairs are by invite only.

[sara1]

Thanks for the info, it is very useful and insighful. As for the area I am looking, it is flexible. Finding the right position is the most important factor rather than location. The job fair sounds a great idea and I will be registering for that.

[tonititan]

The professional MA in Applied Linguistics and TESOL may compensate for lack of professional certification - for a TESOL position. And I know real intl. schools have such positions for remedial students.

Agreed.

The MA (is that from Leicester Uni by any chance?) will give you the required qualification to teach EFL/TESOL in 'real' International Schools.

You already have the CRB so that is another hurdle crossed.

I am personally aware of a true blue International in Pattaya that pays the TESOL staff (with same quals) 95k baht per month plus benefits.

If you are still in the UK then try to attend the Council of International Schools (CIS) Job Fairs late January and May.

You will have to complete an online application at the CIS website as these fairs are by invite only.

I have to respectfully disagree. I work in a "real" international school (as others have labeled them), and we require ALL teachers, including ESL, to be certified teachers. I have researched many other international schools in Bangkok when trying to find a new job for my partner, and it appeared to be the same situation - they clearly stated on their websites that they required a certified teacher. I'm sure that given your experience and background, you are qualified (as in, capable) of teaching ESL/TESOL, but I'm not sure if you'll be considered "qualified" in the eyes of many of the international schools. Like others have said, though, there are different types of international schools offering different teaching experiences and benefits packages, so hopefully you can find a school to suit your needs. I would spend some time on the websites of various international schools to see what they are looking for. You might also want to contact CIS immediately. I don't know about this organization in particular, but I know that other organizations that hold international teacher job fairs won't accept someone as a candidate unless they have teacher certification. Good luck!