Teaching Private

[sadako]

Hello all ,

This is my first post in this subject . I hope in the future to be able to teach part time in Thailand privately . I hold a TEFL certificate and diploma , and am a native speaker . Will I be able to get some work do you think ? And more importantly , I want to be legal . Private teaching means I wont be able to get a work permit . Any ideas how I can get around this ?

Cheers ,

Sadako ( She never sleeps )

[kenkannif]

Unless you set up your own school (with a Thai as the principal) to help you obtain a WP it will be impossible to be a 100% legal unfortunately.

There is no legal way around it, although chances are you'll be okay (although TV does not condone in any way shape or form working without one etc.).

Edited May 13, 2005 by kenkannif

[Dah fahrang]

Hmmm. A similar predicament.

UK national, living upcountry, in small village, with government school with 100 primary kids and four teachers plus a head.

I have Thai Wife one year visa, just renewed to May 2006. I am an early-retired College Head of Department from a UK F E College.

I have freely offered (and been willingly accepted) to teach English conversation at this small rural school for two half days, for free - yep: no pay!

I told Headmaster of my findings on this and Ajarn web sites, of the need for him as my employer to get a work permit for me. He checked with Labour Department in local changwat, (Ratchaburi) clearly telling them I was to work for free. The manager's reply was that they wouldn't check on this case, but if I insisted on a WP it would cost the school (or me) 3000 baht per year. Remener, I'm working for free!!!

I'm inclined to take this at face value; its voluntary work, no pay being made, and any funds the school can procure for having native speaker on their part time staff remains in the hands of the school to buy books or computers. I think the Labour Dept are really trying to show understanding and commonsense to an 'unbendable' rule in what they see as an honest situation.

I just don't want to fall foul of Labour Law, be deported, of fined from money I am not receiving for doing honest voluntary work in a rural community!!!

Any helpful comments, or similar situations to share, please?

[qwertyuiop]

Helpful comments?

Sorry, none. No work permit and you are working illegally. No exceptions according to the law but in practice lots. A substantial number of teachers working in Thailand AND being paid do not have work permits.

After the recent Tsunami many holiday makers on Phuket turned into volunteers to help in the aid work, many others came to help. This didnot stop the Governor of Phuket announcing earlier this year that such volunteers were 'working' unlawfully and that if they did not rectify their situation quickly they would be arrested. I am unaware of anyone having actually being arrested for volunteer work but that is not the point.

Working without a work permit will always be a risk however small. Like many situations here in Thailand it will end up being the call of the particular official handling your case should it get to that.

It is your risk to take. I do not see any way of minimising this risk.

Just my opinion for what it is worth

[mbkudu]

Nobody gives a darn if teachers are doing it; a bar owner with a jealous rival, or a guy selling real estate on the sly, that's where you run into problems. How many ex-teachers here on this forum telling their tale of getting busted and deported for teaching without a work permit: 0. It is not the ideal situation being without a work permit and I think everyone would like to accommadate the law, but most of the time it doesn't work that way. Even teachers who are fully legal with work permits,

licenses, ect, will find themselves breaking a law sooner or later by teaching privates on the side. Most of the naysayers and fearmongers here are not teachers and never have been teachers.

Edited May 14, 2005 by mbkudu

[sriracha john]

I volunteered as a teacher for 4 years, but quit last year out of concern over this issue. Even if they are not currently and actively pursuing such evil-doings, who wants to be the first to get into trouble over it... do you, Dah Fahrang?

[Rhys]

Hmmmm..Private teaching.. One to one ..that type of thing.. between you and your student or the parent.. under the the table..

with an organization as consultant.. Hmmm.. depends on the whim of the supervisor .

Providing a workshp.... depend on the organization..

This is based on your long term goals.. Taxes from the standpoint of the Govt are a concern and also your Visa Status.

Also this depends on what you are pulling in.

As you continue to do this.. keep your eyes open for your WORK PERMIT, kosher teaching position.. Cheers Mate.. Drive on

[chownah]

I don't know if this would work but there is a community college in Nong Khai that is mostly staffed with volunteers (unpaid) but with a few barely paid staff and they teach all subjects in English. This school is an unusual one in that it does not fit into the standard types of schools recognized by the Thai gov't. They are not a private school and they are not a public school....they call themselves a 'community college' because they are doing their best to create a school which provides the education that the people in the community want. They give priority to students who are from Nong Khai and who intend to stay in Nong Khai after graduating. The reason I'm telling you about them is that they are different....and they are always looking for better ways to serve. You might be able to convince them that making a position for you where you are almost completely autonomous to tutor one on one under their auspices would be mutually beneficial. If so then they might be able to get you a work permit.

Again I don't know if this is even remotely possible but it is a school that is willing to at least consider different approaches. Their name is First Global Community College. I'm sure you can find it on the net but you might have to look for awhile. It used to get written up on a website called 'travel to teach'.

[kenkannif]

^ Still wouldn't cover him most likely as WPs are location specific (generally).

[Thaiboxer]

Private teaching and the legality of it have always been and will always be an issue to any foreign teacher in Thailand. Without setting up a proper, registered school with a Thai headmaster, going the private route as a full-time occupation is not an easy task. This is simply due to the nature of the business; last minute cancellations, fluctuations in students based on when they're in school, and the constant need to advertise and go find new students. Location is another issue as well...if your school is in the back corner of a tiny soi in your moobaan (neighborhood) you may have a hard time finding students. Evenings and weekends will be your bread and butter so if you're a night owl or you want Saturday and Sunday off you will find yourself in a tight spot. On the positive side, you can set your own hours and charge as much or as little as you like. Most teachers I know who teach privately will charge by course and have the students pay in advance; this will make it easier for you to make money even if they cancel at the last minute. Of course, if you get to know them and possibly their families it may be hard to not give them a refund even if you feel their excuse for not continuing is total BS.

Being that private teaching is so difficult as a full-time occupation, most teachers I know only do it as "icing on the cake." It's far easier to have another full-time or even just a part-time job with a guaranteed income each week/month and then teach on the side to supplement your income. Depending on how you do as a private teacher, your location and the reliability of your students, you can pull in some decent cash. As for being caught without a work permit/getting in trouble, I think the chances are pretty slim but there is always a risk because it is illegal afterall. Once you find your way around Thailand you will soon learn that many laws are not strictly enforced here and this is one of them.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck!

Edited May 15, 2005 by Thaiboxer

[Dah fahrang]

Thanks, all.

Variety of viewpoints, clearly its a case of "buyer beware"!

Still in a quandary - will talk it over with the head of school in question tomorrow when term opens.

A Government School, receiving unpaid native tongue voluntary help, being told to cough up 3000 baht for the privilege.

Catch 22!

[sriracha john]

Thanks, all.

Variety of viewpoints, clearly its a case of "buyer beware"!

Still in a quandary - will talk it over with the head of school in question tomorrow when term opens.

A Government School, receiving unpaid native tongue voluntary help, being told to cough up 3000 baht for the privilege.

Catch 22!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, it is ridiculous... but also be aware of all the paperwork ballet they will have to perform in addition to the fees. The Ministry of Education was telling my school about all the approvals it was going to require, even requiring the Governor of my Province to sign off on it.

If you do decide to go that other route... and avoid the WP... then good luck to you, you're braver than I was.