Need Advice On Teaching In Thailand

[threelittlebirds]

This is my first post so forgive me if it is less than perfect. I am currently residing in Thailand and looking for a job teaching either English or Social Studies. I am from the Caribbean being a mix of British and Amerindian, so I look somewhat Thai to many locals until I speak and my British accent gets them curious. The fact is even though I have a Master's in Education (Secondary) and 17years teaching and school administration experience, the definition of native English speaker means being European or an American of European descent. How can I secure viable employment as a teacher in Thailand? Or am I being too pessimistic this early in the game and discounting institutions that are a bit more open-minded? I have grown to love Thailand after holidaying here for several years and really want to experience living here on a full-time basis. At 39 years old I feel it is the right time, but I need viable employment opportunities as well. Any advice or support you may offer will be greatly appreciated.

[Scott]

If you are from a country that is not considered to have English as the native language--and the Ministry of Education has a list of them, but may not cover smaller countries, then you may need to take a TOIEC or some other English Language proficiency exam.

If English is your mother tongue, then you will have no trouble passing it. The exams are offered several times per month. Most Europeans and Filipinos have to take the exam.

With a degree in education you should have few problems in finding a job, although the market may be a little tight right now. In October there will likely be more openings when the semester break occurs.

Best of luck and keep us informed.

[threelittlebirds]

Thanks, Scott. Yes, English is my mother tongue. I did take the IELTS (scored extremely well) late last year when still in the USA for another reason at that time.

Will use October as my target month to make the rounds and look out for advertised vacancies.

Of course, I will continue chasing down whatever few opportunities may exist at this time.

[jdinasia]

Thanks, Scott. Yes, English is my mother tongue. I did take the IELTS (scored extremely well) late last year when still in the USA for another reason at that time.

Will use October as my target month to make the rounds and look out for advertised vacancies.

Of course, I will continue chasing down whatever few opportunities may exist at this time.

If you have a US birth certificate/passport then you should have ample opportunities to find work, though not being white will cost you in Thailand in many ways. (Possibly lower pay, and more limited options.) There are currently positions available all over the country but it takes leg-work to find them.

Feel free to PM me for an email address and you can drop me a CV. I am not an agency (or associated with any agency) but I do get regular calls from schools looking for teachers in the Chiang Mai area as well as hiring a few directly every year throughout the year.

[thunder30101]

You should have no problems finding a good job with your qualifications, just remember three little things - see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil about the system and you will be fine.

[KKvampire]

You should have no problems finding a good job with your qualifications, just remember three little things - see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil about the system and you will be fine.

maybe true because there's plenty wrong about "the system" from top to bottom, To the OP maybe you'll find out . If I had your Teaching /Education qualifications Thailand wouldnt be on my list.

Edited August 22, 2011 by KKvampire

[cajunpete]

You should have no problems finding a good job with your qualifications, just remember three little things - see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil about the system and you will be fine.

maybe true because there's plenty wrong about "the system" from top to bottom, To the OP maybe you'll find out . If I had your Teaching /Education qualifications Thailand wouldnt be on my list.

Hi,

Mini hijack here perhaps but, I have similar qualifications: Where would you be looking to teach if international teaching were your goal?

Thanks,

Pete

[quandow]

You should have no problems finding a good job with your qualifications, just remember three little things - see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil about the system and you will be fine.

No truer words were ever spoken (or written!), and this comes from a personal "oops" on my part that left my rear end still smoking from getting burned so bad.

[quandow]

I've been working in the Thai school system for over two years now and, having worked in both private schools loosely labeled "International Schools" and REAL International Schools; I can't recommend highly enough to stay away from the former. They have head-spinning teacher turnover rates, going from bad-to-worse working conditions, and the starting pay has dropped almost 20% and is most likely going down further. Real International Schools will parallel the U.S. school schedule, having summer vacation from June-ish to late August/early September. Best of luck to you!

[threelittlebirds]

Thanks for all the advice and words of support. I have received a job offer from an international school in the community where I currently reside and accepted to start in October. I will receive full salary and benefits as a native English speaker. My academic qualifications and many years of teaching and administration experience in the end sealed the deal. This is way better than I could ever have hoped for when I first started looking for employment opportunities here, so I am quite happy to say the least. The next phase of my new life in Thailand begins.

[cajunpete]

Thanks for all the advice and words of support. I have received a job offer from an international school in the community where I currently reside and accepted to start in October. I will receive full salary and benefits as a native English speaker. My academic qualifications and many years of teaching and administration experience in the end sealed the deal. This is way better than I could ever have hoped for when I first started looking for employment opportunities here, so I am quite happy to say the least. The next phase of my new life in Thailand begins.

That is great...congratulations!!!

If I may be so bold...Would you mind giving details of job duties, salary, benefits, etc. I have asking such personal information, but please give any information you would feel comfortable disclosing...thank you very much, and again,

Congratulations,

Pete