Teaching English In Cm

[Delphis]

I wondered if someone can offer me a reality check, up to date, on how easy (or hard) it will be to find a job teaching english in Chiang Mai?

My situation is as follows. I have a masters degree in English (literature) from an American University, and three years experience teaching English composition to American undergraduates. I will be taking a TEFL or CELTA qualification in Chiang Mai if I move there.

For reference, I also have bachelors’ degrees in biology and computer science, if this might in any way expand my teaching prospects.

I would probably prefer teaching adults or older teens to young children, but if need be, of course, I would take what I can get.

What are my prospects with this plan?

I have also heard that a lot of foreign English teachers are supplementing their pay with extra hours private tutoring of kids, even though this is strictly speaking illegal. In other words, I have heard it is a common practice. If almost everyone was doing it, then I guess I would consider it. But I certainly wouldn’t want to risk getting the boot from Thailand. Any comments?

[Drew Aitch]

You'd probably be better off asking your questions on the Ajarn forum because it's specifically focused around the teaching game in CM and the rest of Thailand.

Good luck

Aitch

[Yelly]

You'll be fine. It may take up to a month to find full-time work, but you'd be a shining star out here with a masters. I work in kindergarten and my husband is out hitting the pavement every day. He has a Bachelor's but everyone keeps asking him for a Masters.

Go for Prince Royal College or Dara Academy. They both pay much better than most schools and they pretty much require a masters.

Any reason you chose Thailand? With a masters, I'd imagine you could make way more elsewhere.

[Delphis]

<br />You'll be fine. It may take up to a month to find full-time work, but you'd be a shining star out here with a masters. I work in kindergarten and my husband is out hitting the pavement every day. He has a Bachelor's but everyone keeps asking him for a Masters.<br /><br />Go for Prince Royal College or Dara Academy. They both pay much better than most schools and they pretty much require a masters. <br /><br />Any reason you chose Thailand? With a masters, I'd imagine you could make way more elsewhere.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

I should emphasize that I don't have a teaching certificate. The masters is in english lit and creative writing.

Thailand, I would like to retire into for its cost of living, but I'm late forties so can still work there before contemplating that option, and also see if I really like it there.

[NancyL]

If you get a Tefla and have a masters degree (in whatever subject) you're OK.. You won't earn big baht, but you'll be able to find a job. Hubby has a masters degree in engineering and has all sorts of encouragement to get a Tefla so he could teach at the university level here in CM.

Edited May 31, 2011 by NancyL

[Delphis]

<br />If  you get a Tefla and have a masters degree (in whatever subject)  you're OK..  You won't earn big baht, but you'll be able to find a job.  Hubby has a masters degree in engineering and has all sorts of encouragement to get a Tefla so he could teach at the university level here in CM.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

How does one earn "Big Baht" in this game?

[thaimiller]

<br />If  you get a Tefla and have a masters degree (in whatever subject)  you're OK..  You won't earn big baht, but you'll be able to find a job.  Hubby has a masters degree in engineering and has all sorts of encouragement to get a Tefla so he could teach at the university level here in CM.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

How does one earn "Big Baht" in this game?

Dont teach in Thailand, go to Korea or Japan, but then your costs are alot higher.

[keo]

<br />If  you get a Tefla and have a masters degree (in whatever subject)  you're OK..  You won't earn big baht, but you'll be able to find a job.  Hubby has a masters degree in engineering and has all sorts of encouragement to get a Tefla so he could teach at the university level here in CM.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

How does one earn "Big Baht" in this game?

Degree in teaching (or PGC) + experience teaching at primary or secondary level >>> job at international school = big baht.

[Thighlander]

Just keep in mind that sex tourists command more respect than foreign teachers, who would be sex tourists, but they don't have them money. Even IF the work is doable for the semi-long term, the paperwork is a goddamn nightmare--like way worse than the IRS in the US. TEFL course providers are dodgy, at best.

Work in Korea.....

[PlanetX]

Just keep in mind that sex tourists command more respect than foreign teachers, who would be sex tourists, but they don't have them money. Even IF the work is doable for the semi-long term, the paperwork is a goddamn nightmare--like way worse than the IRS in the US. TEFL course providers are dodgy, at best.

Work in Korea.....

I hope things get better for you :jap:

[jdinasia]

Just keep in mind that sex tourists command more respect than foreign teachers, who would be sex tourists, but they don't have them money. Even IF the work is doable for the semi-long term, the paperwork is a goddamn nightmare--like way worse than the IRS in the US. TEFL course providers are dodgy, at best.

Work in Korea.....

I hope things get better for you :jap:

I think he means sex-pats get more respect from other sex-pats

[newbie001]

Yelly "

Go for Prince Royal College or Dara Academy. They both pay much better than most schools and they pretty much require a masters."

This is an absolute wrong statement on every level. Fact one, none of their teachers have masters degrees. Dara pays all new hires 30K regardless of qualification or experience. Prince Royal pays less than that. Perhaps they have increased but 2 years ago they were offering 24K a month.

Without a teacher's license in your own country and experience in your own country International schools are off limits.

Don't waste time on a TEFL or CELTA. This doesn't help you with primary schools because the MOE requires a teachers license. You will be only able to work for 2 years on a temporary license. If you were willing to stay home for a few months get your teacher's license. Depending on what country you are from, but in the US you can get a license by taking the praxis 1 and 2 tests.

If you are going teach college students, universities don't require any TEFL or CELTA. Since you already have a masters in Lit. CMU and Payap will hire you on the spot if they had an opening and they are not the worst places to work howeve. CMU only hires a maximum of 3 full time a year for their English department. They already have positions this year. If you look in Oct. They might have openings because of cancellations. The pay for the local universities is between 24k-30K a year. The good thing is that you will have a lot less hours than teaching in primary schools.

This is not the time to look for any jobs the schools have just started and unless they have a huge problem most schools don't lose teachers until end of first semester.

Most of the above comments are less than accurate also. Foreign teachers have a lot of respect from students and you would have a lot less problems in the classroom here than other countries.

If money is the object the middle east would be best. Korea isn't the best because of the new regulations and requirements to get a visa. Takes up to 3 months to get the FBI check and apostilled degrees. The good thing about KOrea is that you save almost all of your salary. They pay for airfare and room. In the long run you save a lot more than what you earn here.

An unrelated degree and a tefl/celta does not give you an opportunity to teach at the University level in chiang mai. The few universities that are here can be very picky. Anyone with a degree, even unrelated. can get part time at the university level but full time is reserved for the three related masters (English, linguistics, education.)

Good luck. This is not the best time for looking for work though.

[Loaded]

Yelly "

Go for Prince Royal College or Dara Academy. They both pay much better than most schools and they pretty much require a masters."

This is an absolute wrong statement on every level. Fact one, none of their teachers have masters degrees. Dara pays all new hires 30K regardless of qualification or experience. Prince Royal pays less than that. Perhaps they have increased but 2 years ago they were offering 24K a month.

Without a teacher's license in your own country and experience in your own country International schools are off limits.

1. Don't waste time on a TEFL or CELTA. This doesn't help you with primary schools because the MOE requires a teachers license. You will be only able to work for 2 years on a temporary license. 2. If you were willing to stay home for a few months get your teacher's license. Depending on what country you are from, but in the US you can get a license by taking the praxis 1 and 2 tests.

If you are going teach college students, universities don't require any TEFL or CELTA. Since you already have a masters in Lit. CMU and Payap will hire you on the spot if they had an opening and they are not the worst places to work howeve. CMU only hires a maximum of 3 full time a year for their English department. They already have positions this year. If you look in Oct. They might have openings because of cancellations. 3. The pay for the local universities is between 24k-30K a year. The good thing is that you will have a lot less hours than teaching in primary schools.

This is not the time to look for any jobs the schools have just started and unless they have a huge problem most schools don't lose teachers until end of first semester.

Most of the above comments are less than accurate also. Foreign teachers have a lot of respect from students and you would have a lot less problems in the classroom here than other countries.

If money is the object the middle east would be best. Korea isn't the best because of the new regulations and requirements to get a visa. Takes up to 3 months to get the FBI check and apostilled degrees. The good thing about KOrea is that you save almost all of your salary. They pay for airfare and room. In the long run you save a lot more than what you earn here.

An unrelated degree and a tefl/celta does not give you an opportunity to teach at the University level in chiang mai. 4. The few universities that are here can be very picky. Anyone with a degree, even unrelated. can get part time at the university level but full time is reserved for the three related masters (English, linguistics, education.)

Good luck. This is not the best time for looking for work though.

1. A temporary Teacher Licence is renewable. Some teachers are already on their third since the implementation of the TCT's requirements started around 5 years ago.

2. Click Foreign Teachers at the TCT's website to see the full requirements.

http://www.ksp.or.th/Khurusapha/en/

You can actually obtain a 2-year renewable Teacher Licence without a degree (route 3)

Regardless, you need to take a 20-hour Culture and Ethics course. This course was suspended a few months ago. Welcome to Thailand.

3. I have always been told that CMU pays around 18K baht per month plus a housing allowance.

4. Few universities? I know:

Chiang Mai University

Maejo University

Payap University

Far Eastern University

North Chiang Mai University

Rajabaht University

Rajmankla University

This isn't bad for a city the size of Chiang Mai.

Edited June 1, 2011 by Loaded

[Delphis]

Ok, now I'm more confused than when I started the thread

[Drew Aitch]

Ok, now I'm more confused than when I started the thread

That's why i suggested you go and get your information from Ajarn.com It's 'teaching specific to Thailand' so it makes sense talking to those already in the game.

Here, you're likely to get every Tom, Dick, and Harry having their say, and what's more, you can almost guarantee that when the TV tangent-post creeps in, and it will, the middle and end of this thread will bare little to no relation to your opening post

Aitch

Edited June 1, 2011 by Drew Aitch

[newbie001]

Chiang Mai University

Maejo University

Payap University

Far Eastern University

North Chiang Mai University

Rajabaht University

Rajmankla University (not sure where this one is)

Those four are the only ones in the city. Chiang Mai is a big province and no one is going to drive 30-45 minutes from center of the city to Mae Jo for 24K a month. CMU pays 24K for masters and 30k a month for PhD. They currently have two full time with PhD's. They also have a few part time with PhD's hoping to be full time at some point.

The above universities only hire few full time native speakers. Payap has the most, but since you have to scan in and out like a factory worker it deters a lot of teachers.

CMU has 3, Rajabat had 2 but might have 4 now as they were recruiting a while ago, Far Eastern only had one full time a few years ago but probably has at least 3 by now. Most of these places get by hiring lots of part time. Same work load/ half pay.

Rajabat and Far Eastern are very sub par for quality and student standards. Payap isn't much better but is making improvements. Open admissions from these places is what keeps the standard low.

My point was that even if you think that there are a lot of universities for the size of CM province, there are not a lot of full time jobs available. Especially for one looking outside of the season. Payap still would be his best bet for a job though. They hired 7 new teachers this year. So they are usually looking for qualified people like the OP, just the pay sucks.

Yes, you can renew your temporary license but it is getting harder every time. I know of several people who were denied. If one doesn't show that they are making an effort towards qualifications, they get rejected. Taking the exams is a pain in the ass. Also when you leave your job you have to re-apply. The temporary license doesn't follow you. If one is going to teach young learners outside of language schools, it is best to get a teacher's license in your home country first.

Your statement about getting a license without a degree is misleading also, because that only applies to government schools and not private schools. Unless one is a glutton for punishment, they do not want to work for a government primary school. 50 plus kids who don't want to be there from the poorest and least educated populace. The OP has a masters in Literature let him put it to use where it would be utilized.

As for the comment about getting high salaries at international schools, wake up this is CM. If you think 40-50K baht is high salary you need to reevaluate wealth. Unless you are hired at a job fair abroad you get local pay. Some international schools don't even hire in country. Besides since every TOM Dick and harry has a BED and 2-3 years experience in their own country the number of openings and international schools is even more limited that full time at universities.

EP programs at the top private schools here would probably be best for the OP. Montfort pays the best at the moment, but still is only 33k a month. You will have to teach subjects and not EFL so a TEFL doesn't really help in that situation.

Search for jobs and make some inquireies yourself. As stated above at the ajarn website they have a good list of jobs unfortunately only a few for CM. But if you post on their forums you might get some replies from people who work at certain schools and they might give you contact numbers.

Good luck. You have good qualifications so you should find a job relatively easy but have to look during Oct or in Feb.

[Ulysses G.]

How does one earn "Big Baht" in this game?

It has been a while but Vietnam used to pay much more than Thailand and living expences were about the same.

Beer is much cheaper too and a lot more different types.

Edited June 1, 2011 by Ulysses G.

[Yelly]

I will simply say this: a TEFL course taken in the country you intend to teach in can be VERY useful. You will be teaching students from a culture very different from your home country. It's important to understand the little things to succeed in the big picture.

I took a TEFL course and they helped me find work, IN Chiang Mai. I would have been very lost without it. Yes, schools don't REQUIRE it, but it's VERY useful training.

Simply put: you have a Masters. You'll be top of the list of other applicants, no matter. Don't be discouraged. I had the same reactions online when I said I intended to move to CM to teach. Negativity should be taken with a grain of salt. If you apply yourself, you will find work.

[jdinasia]

I will simply say this: a TEFL course taken in the country you intend to teach in can be VERY useful. You will be teaching students from a culture very different from your home country. It's important to understand the little things to succeed in the big picture.

I took a TEFL course and they helped me find work, IN Chiang Mai. I would have been very lost without it. Yes, schools don't REQUIRE it, but it's VERY useful training.

Simply put: you have a Masters. You'll be top of the list of other applicants, no matter. Don't be discouraged. I had the same reactions online when I said I intended to move to CM to teach. Negativity should be taken with a grain of salt. If you apply yourself, you will find work.

I would agree with all the above points. The questions will be how much will you earn (enough for you and the lifestyle you want?) and will you enjoy it?

[Yelly]

I would agree with all the above points. The questions will be how much will you earn (enough for you and the lifestyle you want?) and will you enjoy it?<br />

Yes - in fact, I'm saving money. My lifestyle is not flamboyant. I do not go out drinking in bars very often; rather, I'll have a nice beer or cocktail at home. I don't spend much on meals, and I cook a lot, as well. I don't buy expensive clothes - in fact, I've found some EXCELLENT secondhand shops here. I'm not a hermit by any means, but I don't have hobbies that are expensive.

To be honest, my lifestyle here is MORE comfortable than my lifestyle was back home. I work less, relax more, and have a job that provides me with a rewarding experience. I teach kindergarten and it gives me a really good feeling when my students see me on school grounds and run up to wai me and greet me. (I should note that I was living in an expensive part of the USA before I moved here. I worked my butt off and could barely survive, much less save a dime.) I don't know how long I intend to stay here, but I am very comfortable right now.

[hehehoho]

<br />

<br />If you get a Tefla and have a masters degree (in whatever subject) you're OK.. You won't earn big baht, but you'll be able to find a job. Hubby has a masters degree in engineering and has all sorts of encouragement to get a Tefla so he could teach at the university level here in CM.<br />

How does one earn in this game? '

Get an actual teaching qualification that qualifies you as a real teacher with real schools.

Not a 4 week tefl course then off to the local tefl factory for hangman.

Edited June 2, 2011 by hehehoho

[jdinasia]

I would agree with all the above points. The questions will be how much will you earn (enough for you and the lifestyle you want?) and will you enjoy it?<br />

Yes - in fact, I'm saving money. My lifestyle is not flamboyant. I do not go out drinking in bars very often; rather, I'll have a nice beer or cocktail at home. I don't spend much on meals, and I cook a lot, as well. I don't buy expensive clothes - in fact, I've found some EXCELLENT secondhand shops here. I'm not a hermit by any means, but I don't have hobbies that are expensive.

To be honest, my lifestyle here is MORE comfortable than my lifestyle was back home. I work less, relax more, and have a job that provides me with a rewarding experience. I teach kindergarten and it gives me a really good feeling when my students see me on school grounds and run up to wai me and greet me. (I should note that I was living in an expensive part of the USA before I moved here. I worked my butt off and could barely survive, much less save a dime.) I don't know how long I intend to stay here, but I am very comfortable right now.

The questions were meant for the OP .. the agreement was with your previous post about working.

[Yelly]

Ah, gotcha. My apologies.Well, that's up to the OP to decide, then.

[Delphis]

<br />

<br />

I would agree with all the above points. The questions will be how much will you earn (enough for you and the lifestyle you want?) and will you enjoy it?<br />

<br /><br />Yes - in fact, I'm saving money. My lifestyle is not flamboyant. I do not go out drinking in bars very often; rather, I'll have a nice beer or cocktail at home. I don't spend much on meals, and I cook a lot, as well. I don't buy expensive clothes - in fact, I've found some EXCELLENT secondhand shops here. I'm not a hermit by any means, but I don't have hobbies that are expensive. <br /><br />To be honest, my lifestyle here is MORE comfortable than my lifestyle was back home. I work less, relax more, and have a job that provides me with a rewarding experience. I teach kindergarten and it gives me a really good feeling when my students see me on school grounds and run up to wai me and greet me. (I should note that I was living in an expensive part of the USA before I moved here. I worked my butt off and could barely survive, much less save a dime.) I don't know how long I intend to stay here, but I am very comfortable right now.<br />

<br /><br />The questions were meant for the OP .. the agreement was with your previous post about working.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Well, I would probably like to maximize my chances. The main downside would be sinking a LOT more time or a LOT more money into the US systems before I could even move. How long would it take (under my circumstances) to obtain a teaching qualification from scratch in the States? By the way, I'm not sure if I could do that. It might have to be in the UK (my home country). F1 visa in the US is for the English masters and now PhD.

[GUANO]

have sent pm

[hehehoho]

<br />

&lt;br /&gt;

&lt;br /&gt;

I would agree with all the above points. The questions will be how much will you earn (enough for you and the lifestyle you want?) and will you enjoy it?&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;

&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Yes - in fact, I'm saving money. My lifestyle is not flamboyant. I do not go out drinking in bars very often; rather, I'll have a nice beer or cocktail at home. I don't spend much on meals, and I cook a lot, as well. I don't buy expensive clothes - in fact, I've found some EXCELLENT secondhand shops here. I'm not a hermit by any means, but I don't have hobbies that are expensive. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;To be honest, my lifestyle here is MORE comfortable than my lifestyle was back home. I work less, relax more, and have a job that provides me with a rewarding experience. I teach kindergarten and it gives me a really good feeling when my students see me on school grounds and run up to wai me and greet me. (I should note that I was living in an expensive part of the USA before I moved here. I worked my butt off and could barely survive, much less save a dime.) I don't know how long I intend to stay here, but I am very comfortable right now.&lt;br /&gt;

&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The questions were meant for the OP .. the agreement was with your previous post about working.&lt;br /&gt;

&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;<br /><br />Well, I would probably like to maximize my chances. The main downside would be sinking a LOT more time or a LOT more money into the US systems before I could even move. How long would it take (under my circumstances) to obtain a teaching qualification from scratch in the States? By the way, I'm not sure if I could do that. It might have to be in the UK (my home country). F1 visa in the US is for the English masters and now PhD.<br />

<br /><br /><br /> You're British with a B.A.... 9 months and you'd have a PGCE and QTS, and likely find a 100,000thb+ p/m with flights/housing etc and 3 months off a year fully paid, with an international school.<br /><br />Or do a 1 month TEFL cert and earn 250b an hour. Edited June 3, 2011 by hehehoho

[a99az]

<br />If you get a Tefla and have a masters degree (in whatever subject) you're OK.. You won't earn big baht, but you'll be able to find a job. Hubby has a masters degree in engineering and has all sorts of encouragement to get a Tefla so he could teach at the university level here in CM.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

How does one earn "Big Baht" in this game?

I have signed a contract to start teaching 2nd Sept this year for 135,000 baht per month with free new housing (with air con) and no house bills. Plus free flights home for all my family every year. Holidays, 46 days for the summer hols and local days off. Not big bucks but ok.

[Delphis]

<br />

<br />

<br />If  you get a Tefla and have a masters degree (in whatever subject)  you're OK..  You won't earn big baht, but you'll be able to find a job.  Hubby has a masters degree in engineering and has all sorts of encouragement to get a Tefla so he could teach at the university level here in CM.<br />

<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />How does one earn "Big Baht" in this game?   <img src='http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /><br />

<br />I have signed a contract to start teaching 2nd Sept this year for 135,000 baht per month with free new housing (with air con) and no house bills. Plus free flights home for all my  family every year. Holidays, 46 days for the summer hols and local days off.  Not big bucks but ok.<img src="http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/jap.gif" /><br /><br /><br /><br />

<br /><br /><br />

a99, what are your Quals, if you don't mind me asking?

[NancyL]

<br />

<br />

<br />If you get a Tefla and have a masters degree (in whatever subject) you're OK.. You won't earn big baht, but you'll be able to find a job. Hubby has a masters degree in engineering and has all sorts of encouragement to get a Tefla so he could teach at the university level here in CM.<br />

<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />How does one earn "Big Baht" in this game? <img src='http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /><br />

<br />I have signed a contract to start teaching 2nd Sept this year for 135,000 baht per month with free new housing (with air con) and no house bills. Plus free flights home for all my family every year. Holidays, 46 days for the summer hols and local days off. Not big bucks but ok.<img src="http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/jap.gif" /><br /><br /><br /><br />

<br /><br /><br />

a99, what are your Quals, if you don't mind me asking?

And, a99, where is the teaching position located? I'm not asking you to disclose the specific school, just where it's located. What subject will you be teaching and how many students/classes?

[Thighlander]

And, a99, where is the teaching position located? I'm not asking you to disclose the specific school, just where it's located. What subject will you be teaching and how many students/classes?

Nancy,

The teaching profession is filled with pure con-artist and an abundance of well intentioned, enthusiastic ignoramuses. This guy is obviously the former. They're not paying that much in Japan, nor Korea. Subtract the airline tickets and 100,000 per month, and that is pay at The Prem School.

Edited June 4, 2011 by Thighlander