Thinking Of Moving To Udon

[jdrags]

I realize my situation is somewhat different than others. I have a degree and I am in my 50's. I have been married to a Thai lady from Udon for 25 years. We (she, they) own a nice home in Udon. I've been thinking about retiring there in the next few years. Teaching English has interested me for sometime and I read this forum occasionally. Couple of general questions - can I find work in Udon? What pay should I expect in the Northeast? Should I get a TESL Certificate before moving there? I'm in California now. Can I teach on a retiree visa or will I need a different visa with work permit. Any and all advice is appreciated. I have been in Thailand on 40 different occasions over the last 26 years so I feel i have a pretty good feel for the culture etc.

[Bluffer]

First things first.

You will need to decide what visa you want. You either retire or work. You cant do both in the eyes of the thai government. If you get a retiree visa you cant work. if you get a O visa you can work.

I would imagine that there are jobs up there but maybe not too many well paying ones ie 30k plus a month. if money isnt a problem then maybe a rajabhat ( college ) would be better.

try some volunteer teaching where you are to see if you like it. then decide if you want to teach. If you do, think about doing a course as it will help you in your first few weeks on the job. Which course is a whole other question !!

have a read at the specialist teachers site ajarn.com or daves esl cafe

[kenkannif]

Hey we're quite 'specialised' here as well mate In fact I think we probably get as much traffic if not more than on Dave's bit.

Yeah get an O 'spousal' Visa rather than an O/A (you don't have to show as much money and it enables you to be able to obtain a WP).

Don't get a TESL you want a TEFL or TESOL (although a TESL is a TESOL ).

I think there is a fair amount of work in Udon. Had a mate that went up there a while ago and he said even the Filipinos were earning 25,000 Baht plus a month (which ain't bad).

Good luck though.

[Neeranam]

Yeah get an O 'spousal' Visa rather than an O/A (you don't have to show as much money and it enables you to be able to obtain a WP).

Don't get a TESL you want a TEFL or TESOL (although a TESL is a TESOL  ).

I think there is a fair amount of work in Udon. Had a mate that went up there a while ago and he said even the Filipinos were earning 25,000 Baht plus a month (which ain't bad).

Great advice Ken!

I know someone who went to work in Udon. He had no experience and got a job at Rajaphat straight away. He had a degree. No "tesol". I would say don't waste your money on a tefl, but I know others would disagree.

In the sticks(Udon) this is not needed.

There is an increasing number of Filipinos working in Isaarn.

Good for them. I only found out recently that they come here to earn the big bucks! They get paid peanuts in their country, even well qualified teachers.

I know of some who left their families to work here, similar to farangs working in the middle east.

There are many institutions in Isaarn that only want to give you a job for show. If you look respectable and have a degree and are white, no problems.

I have seen many qualified teachers fail up here in Isarn. Also, it helps if you are married to a native.

[ray23]

Yeah get an O 'spousal' Visa rather than an O/A (you don't have to show as much money and it enables you to be able to obtain a WP).

Don't get a TESL you want a TEFL or TESOL (although a TESL is a TESOL  ).

I think there is a fair amount of work in Udon. Had a mate that went up there a while ago and he said even the Filipinos were earning 25,000 Baht plus a month (which ain't bad).

Great advice Ken!

I know someone who went to work in Udon. He had no experience and got a job at Rajaphat straight away. He had a degree. No "tesol". I would say don't waste your money on a tefl, but I know others would disagree.

In the sticks(Udon) this is not needed.

There is an increasing number of Filipinos working in Isaarn.

Good for them. I only found out recently that they come here to earn the big bucks! They get paid peanuts in their country, even well qualified teachers.

I know of some who left their families to work here, similar to farangs working in the middle east.

There are many institutions in Isaarn that only want to give you a job for show. If you look respectable and have a degree and are white, no problems.

I have seen many qualified teachers fail up here in Isarn. Also, it helps if you are married to a native.

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There are several farrangs here he have devolped privat lessons ans eem to earn beter then those teaching at the schools. If you want to feel like your accomplishing something then Ratchabat is the way to go. Great school serious students. Money private lessons, nver did it buy it would seem you would have much more control of your time and the end product.

I vounteered at AEK Udon Hosital, it was OK, a private school, didn't like it all, And the Univsersity was great. I didn't get paid, so maney wise I have no idea, good luck.