How To Get Started Preparing For Best Jobs 2012

[cajunpete]

Hi,

I am very new here and hope everyone will humor me. I have several questions and I wish to thank the forum in advance for any and all help you are willing to provide.

I am beginning the process to teach overseas for the 2012-2013 school year. And I would like some advice as to how to begin preparing myself to be able to get the best possible teaching assignments in Thailand (or possibly elsewhere is SE Asia).

A little bit about me:

I am a 47 year old male. I have been teaching for 13 years. I am certified in Special Education and highly qualifies to teach English, math, science, social studies, to SPED students. I have a BA in History and Master's degrees in Special Education and Educational Leadership (administration). I am also considered highly qualified in regular education (social studies). I can get additional certifications in PE and Health simply by paying approximately 100 dollars and taking each test.

My questions are:

1) What do I need to do to begin preparing to teach in August 2012

2) What do I need to do to give myself the best chance to get one of the better teaching positions for the best pay?

3) If preparation involve getting an ESL certification, where would be the easiest/most cost effective way to do this?

4) Would it be possible to begin teaching and get an administrative position within a few years?

5) Once i have taken care of the paperwork/visa/certification preparation, what would be the process for applying for the best jobs?

6) I am beginning to tentatively plan to take a vacation to Koh Samui for the months of June and July 2012, and was wondering if there might be a good way to incorporate a job search into these plans?

7) What are the chances of getting a teaching assignment that would allow me to take my 12 year old son with me...or if that is not possible to have him come and see me during a school break?

8) Any other suggestions you might have for me...

If anyone can think of some issues I haven't thought of...please feel free to make any suggestions...

Thanks,

Cajun Pete

[Scott]

Welcome to the forum. Your in a good position to get a well paying job. If you are interested in Koh Samui, then when you visit, be sure and make contact with schools on the island and take a look around.

I am sure we will have other posters who will come along and give you more specifics about the job search.

[cajunpete]

Welcome to the forum. Your in a good position to get a well paying job. If you are interested in Koh Samui, then when you visit, be sure and make contact with schools on the island and take a look around.

I am sure we will have other posters who will come along and give you more specifics about the job search.

Thanks Scott...I look forward to getting as much input as possible.

Peter

[RickThai]

Hi, Cajun Pete.

I'm too thinking about going over to Thailand to teach. You seem to be well -qualified, but as I understand a TEFL or TESL is often required. I've seen on-line classes and in-person classes that generally last about 4-6 weeks and cost around $2000.00 USD or so.

There are books available (check with your library) that explain what each certification is required on a country-by-country basis (i.e. Taiwan requires something other than a TEFL/TESL).

Good luck.

RickThai

[cajunpete]

Hi, Cajun Pete.

I'm too thinking about going over to Thailand to teach. You seem to be well -qualified, but as I understand a TEFL or TESL is often required. I've seen on-line classes and in-person classes that generally last about 4-6 weeks and cost around $2000.00 USD or so.

There are books available (check with your library) that explain what each certification is required on a country-by-country basis (i.e. Taiwan requires something other than a TEFL/TESL).

Good luck.

RickThai

Hi Rick,

Thanks for the reply.

I know that you are correct if I am trying to get a job teaching at an English language school. I would plan on doing this as well to make myself more marketable; but I am really hoping to get a job at an international school. It seems that my qualifications might be helpful in this instance. It seems, from what I have read,that they might also be a disadvantage in other parts of SE Asia. Viet Nam, from what I have read/researched would be a place where my age and experience might be a detrimite to getting a job at an international school.

Is there anyone that might be able to address this specific issue as well as the others I brought up in the orginal post?

Thanks,

Peter

[Scott]

In your 40's you should be OK. Age discrimination is common, but it has more to do with how old you look rather than how old you are. If you are looking at international schools, then you will most likely be a subject teacher (Math, science, social studies etc.) rather than a conversational English teacher. For that you will not need a TEFL. A TEFL will not hurt, however.

The true international schools hire you from your home country. The Quasi-international schools will hire locally. You will be able to bring your son with you and will either get free or reduced tuition--this should be discussed during the interview.

Locally hired teachers usually get the paperwork done after securing the job. If you get an offer, they can provide you with the paperwork for getting the non-immigrant visa ahead of time.

Thailand is a bit of crap-shoot. A lot of jobs sounds good, but aren't all that great. Others that don't sound so good turn out to be pretty good.

Administrative positions? That's a difficult question to answer. It's possible, but the system of moving upwards is often different than in Western countries.