Phuket Schools Relax Rules For Hiring English Teachers

[Id68]

A good start would be to raise the salaries offered. I've passed on every position advertised down there because they want to pay "backpacker" salaries. Also, adding insurance and housing allowances would help.

There you have it...All they have to do is 'UP' the salary.

I was asked to teach at a Thai school, full-time for a salary of 10,000 Baht...this was after I showed them proof of degree, CELTA and 3 and a half years business teaching experience in Bangkok.

To drag Thailand successfully into the modern age will require government funding, which can only come from taxation, and they are simply not prepared to tax those who can make a difference.

Beyond that what is there to discuss?!

[techboy]

For some reason, I don't think 3 years, 1 month, and 2 and a bit weeks is long enough to solve the English language problems!

You reap what you sow. This ASEAN AEC is going to cause big problems for Thailand.

I disagree. Over 3yrs? You will have Thais speaking better English than most expats. Not that that is setting the bar too high. Have you ever acually taken a few semesters of a foreign language as part of your curriculum at school? It is not like a 5 weeks of get acquainted expat classes.

[kanderson]

A lot of this has to do with the wages. I know a guy that teaches at Uni level and get less than 30K a month. But a lot of it has to do with location... we have an ELS and we're offering 60K a month... but when you say it's in Surin they're not interested. Still needing two TESOL teachers...

Doing a TESOL certificate is a lot of work and should prepare someone who wants to teach quite well.

I did a TESOL course some time ago and remember thinking that there would be no way to get a good score if I wasn't a native speaker.

How about permitting retired native speakers (with a TESOL qualification) to supliment their income by teaching English.

[ralphlsasser]

For some reason, I don't think 3 years, 1 month, and 2 and a bit weeks is long enough to solve the English language problems!

You reap what you sow. This ASEAN AEC is going to cause big problems for Thailand.

Thai's just never learn. They should have started 20 years ago. Them teaching English is why they can't speak proper English. A Thai teaching a Thai English. A complete circle jerk. But, one thing is for sure, they are experts at their culture. So sad.

[diehard60]

Also not mentioned is that Phuket is more expensive for all foreigners and rents are expensive too so i agree with others

pay more and you will get better teachers who will want to stay and teach also maybe make the visa a little bit easier to get for teachers,

if Thailand really wants the better teachers for their children they should at least look at these things for a start

Just paying more does not solve the problem. Yea know I know people who say they are teachers and get big money and still can not do the job. It is difficult finding people who are qualified and have the experience too. And even then are they good? who knows. work permits and visas are not that difficult to get. It just takes the correct paperwork. I know have been doing it for years now.

[ralphlsasser]

For some reason, I don't think 3 years, 1 month, and 2 and a bit weeks is long enough to solve the English language problems!

You reap what you sow. This ASEAN AEC is going to cause big problems for Thailand.

I disagree. Over 3yrs? You will have Thais speaking better English than most expats. Not that that is setting the bar too high. Have you ever acually taken a few semesters of a foreign language as part of your curriculum at school? It is not like a 5 weeks of get acquainted expat classes.

You were obviously educated in Thailand.

[brimacthai]

A lot of this has to do with the wages. I know a guy that teaches at Uni level and get less than 30K a month. But a lot of it has to do with location... we have an ELS and we're offering 60K a month... but when you say it's in Surin they're not interested. Still needing two TESOL teachers...

Where in Surin the only one I have seen is 30K

The correct answer would have been ...

Where in Surin? The only position, that I have seen, offered B30,000.

I'm guessing that you eliminated yourself from the candidature?

ROF LOL...

[brimacthai]

A lot of this has to do with the wages. I know a guy that teaches at Uni level and get less than 30K a month. But a lot of it has to do with location... we have an ELS and we're offering 60K a month... but when you say it's in Surin they're not interested. Still needing two TESOL teachers...

do you have the contact details of the school as im in thailand and have a diploma and tesol certificate...and like surin?

Sent you a PM...

[brimacthai]

A lot of this has to do with the wages. I know a guy that teaches at Uni level and get less than 30K a month. But a lot of it has to do with location... we have an ELS and we're offering 60K a month... but when you say it's in Surin they're not interested. Still needing two TESOL teachers...

Hi, I'm a highly qualified teacher, currently working at Singapore American School, and looking to transfer to Thailand. I'm interested in hearing more about this position..

Send me a PM with your contact details

[sfbandung]

I could be wrong on this, but I read somewhere that even the current Foreign Minister cannot speak English!

I'm afraid you are wrong on this, though the rest of your post was very interesting.

Dr Surapong has a masters and a doctorate from the United States and has taught at university level in the US. (Doesn't mean he's the right man for the job, of course.)

I think the previous Democrat Education Minister and the Deputy Minister of Education did not speak English. I heard both of them make a terrible mess of speeches written for them in English at a World Teachers' Day forum before an international gathering. On another occasion, at an English-medium (World Bank) seminar I attended the minister gave the introductory speech entirely in Thai. This is the same minister who said English could not be an official language for teaching purposes here because other countries would think Thailand had been colonized!

Thanks for the correction. As I said, I wasn't sure, as the article was some months back, so memory may have failed me a bit.

(Doesn't mean he's the right man for the job, of course.) Now, Thailand actually does have "the right man for the job" in many cases. Unfortunately, the "right man" is usually ignored and the position given to someone from the family, or a political crony, who knows nothing about the job.

I remember the comment the Minister made about how English could not be an official language as other countries would think Thailand had been colonized. That one had me laughing for a very long time. Made me wonder if anyone had ever pointed out to him that both Hong King and Singapore were once colonies, but look at how far ahead of Thailand they are in just about every area?

Your comparisons are based on pointless assumptions. Let's try listing the countries that had been or have been colonised and you soon discover how detrimental it has been to them. Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar,Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, all of Africa, Central and South America but to name a few. Did the people of HK have any rights? No! Do they now? Very few! Did Singapore? No! Does Singapore now, it's improving, but you still wouldn't want to live there.

The importance of English is declining as world language. It used to be French until they became overly self-indulgent, English is not far behind. If a country wants to be at the fore front of a modern advancing world,they would be better advised to instruct Chinese or Indian. These so called advanced western industrialised countries are swiftly becoming nobodies as they spend the next few centuries paying off debt due to greed and the costs of sustaining imperialism.

It's a myth that Thailand has not been colonised, they tend to overlook the Burmese, Chinese who own and run the country, Japanese and now the Americans. It helps if you understand a little more than 60 years of Thai history. There is another 7 centuries before the devastating effect of allowing the USA to colonise Thailand during the Vietnam massacre and US advancement of imperialism into South East Asia.

To this day American's are amazed that the Japanese attacked. Brainless fools. Might have something to do with the invasion of Japan by the USA in the 19th century solely for the purpose of gaining access to goods that they had squandered, whale oil for their industrialized growth.They had already killed off their own supplies. Ring any bells? Texas dry, let's meddle in the Middle East then. Prior to the US invasion, Japan was a peaceful insular country. Before the American invasion of Thailand, Pattaya was not the world's largest brothel. Am convinced syphilis has made Americans brain dead.

What the Thais learnt from these imperialist was that they were and still are an easy touch. Thailand made billions and continues to do so, yet the imperialists still believe they are a superior civilisation. The communists control their people for the greater good of all, while the Americans control their citizens for the greater good of a few. Walk outside of the tourist spots of the USA and you soon realise what a disgraceful state that country actually is in and has been for decades. All in the name of GOD.

What a complete and utter load of drivel.

From syphilis making Americans brain dead, to communists controlling their people for the greater good.

Marxism is dead. Not before it cost tens of millions of lives, but dead it is.

[brimacthai]

A lot of this has to do with the wages. I know a guy that teaches at Uni level and get less than 30K a month. But a lot of it has to do with location... we have an ELS and we're offering 60K a month... but when you say it's in Surin they're not interested. Still needing two TESOL teachers...

You're school is offering 60,000 baht a month in Surin and no one is interested? I would love to stay in contact with you if you are still offering that salary when I get my degree next May. I will graduate with an education degree and would like to have that position. Surin is actually a neat city in my opinion.

Thanks for the interest and I agree that Surin is a neat place. Just remember we're talking about Surin in Isaan. If you are interested then PM me with your contact details.

[Rumpole]

I did a TESOL course some time ago and remember thinking that there would be no way to get a good score if I wasn't a native speaker.

Sorry but I have worked with dozens of non-natives who got excellent scores on the CELTA and TRINITY. Certainly none of them were Thais though, and many of them also had teaching qualifications from their respective countries and several years experience, in addition to impeccable English.

Edited November 14, 2011 by Rumpole

[looping]

Great, we'll therefore see yet another bunch of cheap "English teachers" with no real teaching accreditation and who will not care about teaching properly (just have fun, fun, fun). Yeay.

Sorry but i do not agree that all non qualified teachers do not care, i am not qualified and would love to teach english to primary school kids, but how do i apply if i do not have formal qualifications?

Looks like your luck is in if your willing to work for a pittance.

[BWPattaya]

as far as I can see this has nothing to do with hiring foreigners to teach English, it is solely concerned with hiring Thai teachers?

Here is the very first sentence.

'The Phuket Primary Education Area Office has relaxed the requirements for foreigners to be hired as English-language teachers at government schools in Phuket.'

Surely that means that they are relaxing the requirement for schools to employ foreign teachers. I do not think that it means they are relaxing the requirements of foreign teachers'abilities and qualifications. Reading the rest of the article carefully it is clear that they are looking to use Thai teachers to fill these posts by getting them to learn English.

[saroq]

A lot of this has to do with the wages. I know a guy that teaches at Uni level and get less than 30K a month. But a lot of it has to do with location... we have an ELS and we're offering 60K a month... but when you say it's in Surin they're not interested. Still needing two TESOL teachers...

You're school is offering 60,000 baht a month in Surin and no one is interested? I would love to stay in contact with you if you are still offering that salary when I get my degree next May. I will graduate with an education degree and would like to have that position. Surin is actually a neat city in my opinion.

Thanks for the interest and I agree that Surin is a neat place. Just remember we're talking about Surin in Isaan. If you are interested then PM me with your contact details.

For most teachers who are qualified and have chosen this work as a career, not as a way of making money while traveling or as a way of scraping by in Thailand, THB60,000 a month just isn't going to cut it. You pay peanuts, you get monkeys.

[Id68]

I could be wrong on this, but I read somewhere that even the current Foreign Minister cannot speak English!

I'm afraid you are wrong on this, though the rest of your post was very interesting.

Dr Surapong has a masters and a doctorate from the United States and has taught at university level in the US. (Doesn't mean he's the right man for the job, of course.)

I think the previous Democrat Education Minister and the Deputy Minister of Education did not speak English. I heard both of them make a terrible mess of speeches written for them in English at a World Teachers' Day forum before an international gathering. On another occasion, at an English-medium (World Bank) seminar I attended the minister gave the introductory speech entirely in Thai. This is the same minister who said English could not be an official language for teaching purposes here because other countries would think Thailand had been colonized!

Thanks for the correction. As I said, I wasn't sure, as the article was some months back, so memory may have failed me a bit.

(Doesn't mean he's the right man for the job, of course.) Now, Thailand actually does have "the right man for the job" in many cases. Unfortunately, the "right man" is usually ignored and the position given to someone from the family, or a political crony, who knows nothing about the job.

I remember the comment the Minister made about how English could not be an official language as other countries would think Thailand had been colonized. That one had me laughing for a very long time. Made me wonder if anyone had ever pointed out to him that both Hong King and Singapore were once colonies, but look at how far ahead of Thailand they are in just about every area?

Your comparisons are based on pointless assumptions. Let's try listing the countries that had been or have been colonised and you soon discover how detrimental it has been to them. Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar,Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, all of Africa, Central and South America but to name a few. Did the people of HK have any rights? No! Do they now? Very few! Did Singapore? No! Does Singapore now, it's improving, but you still wouldn't want to live there.

The importance of English is declining as world language. It used to be French until they became overly self-indulgent, English is not far behind. If a country wants to be at the fore front of a modern advancing world,they would be better advised to instruct Chinese or Indian. These so called advanced western industrialised countries are swiftly becoming nobodies as they spend the next few centuries paying off debt due to greed and the costs of sustaining imperialism.

It's a myth that Thailand has not been colonised, they tend to overlook the Burmese, Chinese who own and run the country, Japanese and now the Americans. It helps if you understand a little more than 60 years of Thai history. There is another 7 centuries before the devastating effect of allowing the USA to colonise Thailand during the Vietnam massacre and US advancement of imperialism into South East Asia.

To this day American's are amazed that the Japanese attacked. Brainless fools. Might have something to do with the invasion of Japan by the USA in the 19th century solely for the purpose of gaining access to goods that they had squandered, whale oil for their industrialized growth.They had already killed off their own supplies. Ring any bells? Texas dry, let's meddle in the Middle East then. Prior to the US invasion, Japan was a peaceful insular country. Before the American invasion of Thailand, Pattaya was not the world's largest brothel. Am convinced syphilis has made Americans brain dead.

What the Thais learnt from these imperialist was that they were and still are an easy touch. Thailand made billions and continues to do so, yet the imperialists still believe they are a superior civilisation. The communists control their people for the greater good of all, while the Americans control their citizens for the greater good of a few. Walk outside of the tourist spots of the USA and you soon realise what a disgraceful state that country actually is in and has been for decades. All in the name of GOD.

It is estimated that under Stalin 20,000,000 people were murdered, under Mao Tse-Tung 40 and 70,000,000 people died...They never even created a successful socialist state, so as for communism...forget about it!

Although there are some exceptions, most countries have organically moved towards democracy, including many previously socialist countries. This would indicate that people prefer democracy i.e. the empowerment of the individual.

You certainly have the right to question the delusional 'democracy' we have under 'leaders' like Bush, Reagan etc., but even these idiots pale in comparison to the socialist dictators of Stalin, Mao, Ho Chi Minh, Jong-Il, Mobutu, Kabila, Sekou Toure, Gaddafi etc. And lets not forget Hitler and his National Socialists...In the immortal words of George Orwell "Absolute power corrupts absolutely."

PS Japan had been at war with China well before any debacle between Japan and America: The first Sino Japanese War started in 1894 over Korea. As far as I know Japan signed trading treaties with US and most western colonizers as far back as 1850 but this involved no "invasion for whale oil"

[stevenl]

If Thailand cannot overcome their "superiority" attitude, and fear of "loss of face" by asking a foreigner to help, and are willing to pay for it, they are never going to get good, qualified English Teachers here.

But isn't that just what they did? They offered you a job and were willing to pay for it. In stead you choose to moan here about the lack of quality of the school and that they are not willing to hire foreigners.

Do something about it, you had the chance but refused.

You're totally missing the point, which is that their so-called "education system" is not educating at all, and no one can change that. Even the head of the English Department said they HAVE to do things the way the SCHOOL tells them. I refuse to be a part of a system that does not actually TEACH, but only forces rote memorization. Nor did I say THAT particular school was unwilling to hire foreigners, but speaking of the Thai education system as a whole. By your comments, I can see that reading comprehension is not one of your stronger skills. Not unlike quite a few Thai I know who can read English, but have no idea of what the words actually mean.

:jap:

I understood you perfectly well.

You had the chance to change something, in stead you choose to moan about it. You had an offer, in stead you choose to complain they're not hiring foreigners. You received a normal reply to your post, in stead you start flaming.

[darhut]

as far as I can see this has nothing to do with hiring foreigners to teach English, it is solely concerned with hiring Thai teachers?

Here is the very first sentence.

'The Phuket Primary Education Area Office has relaxed the requirements for foreigners to be hired as English-language teachers at government schools in Phuket.'

Take the time to read all the article, understand what is written, "comprehension and clear thinking" you will quickly discover that the person you are being critical of is actually correct. The education department has decided to relax the requirements on foreigners because they are unable to source enough locally qualified teachers for the reasons stated.

Let's hope you are not intending on applying for a job until 6th. grade English has been attained. It is safe to assume that Phuket will be sourcing teachers that comprehend the English language.

Thanks for the entertainment.

Reading yours and other posts it amazes how self important so many are. Why would they assume that the only people capable of speaking and teaching the English language come from western countries.

I imagine there would be thousands of of teachers out there that do not expect to received over inflated salaries to teach in a foreign country. If they the westerners were competent enough as teachers they would still be teaching in their country of origin. As many western education departments now expect results from teacher, it is safe to assume that the majority of western teachers teaching in Thailand are doing so because they cannot gain suitable employment elsewhere.

TT69

I would suggest you reread your post and correct your errors. It would seem we have a clear case of the pot calling the kettle black.

If you cannot find 6 errors in your post please sit in the corner for the remainder of the day.

[kanderson]

Presentation is EVERYTHING. Have something to provide to teach the children. Or just simply, show a degree, have fun and hahahahaha, and enjoy. Happy travels(let me guess dreds?) Yes, I just judged.

I thought at first you were saying presentation - as in teachers looks (shoes, trowsers, shirt and tie). That may be true.

Most lessons might have presentation as about one third of the lesson (PPP lesson plan). Present, Practice and Produce.

[kanderson]

"Walk outside of the tourist spots of the USA and you soon realise what a disgraceful state that country actually is in and has been for decades. All in the name of GOD. "

I was born in Seattle and live in Hawaii now (not a tourist spot) and it's not 'disgraceful" at all.

Some places better than others - as usual.

[kanderson]

I did a TESOL course some time ago and remember thinking that there would be no way to get a good score if I wasn't a native speaker.

Sorry but I have worked with dozens of non-natives who got excellent scores on the CELTA and TRINITY. Certainly none of them were Thais though, and many of them also had teaching qualifications from their respective countries and several years experience, in addition to impeccable English.

Nothing to be sorry about. Maybe I should have said that the grammar section of the course was a bit over the top from what I expected.

Many native English speakers don't particularly like reviewing English grammar in such detail ( I was having flash backs to the 6th grade - not happy ones - but still funny now).

I can't imagine what it would be like for a non Native speaker.

[kanderson]

I don't understand why they want native born English speakers when many Indians, Sri Lankans and Malays speak better English than the average English person., especially those with provincial accents.

There are always going to be acceptions but most educators agree that in Gereral ( for example ) if you want to learn Thai - get a teacher whos first language is Thai (L1).

English is the same.

[Markaew]

Great, we'll therefore see yet another bunch of cheap "English teachers" with no real teaching accreditation and who will not care about teaching properly (just have fun, fun, fun). Yeay.

Sorry but i do not agree that all non qualified teachers do not care, i am not qualified and would love to teach english to primary school kids, but how do i apply if i do not have formal qualifications?

Then you can't teach. Why the average English-speaking Joe, despite his best will, would be allowed to teach English without a certification? Teaching is no small feat and is a job like any other.

Especially when the thai staff treats you so poorly.

[Markaew]

as far as I can see this has nothing to do with hiring foreigners to teach English, it is solely concerned with hiring Thai teachers?

Here is the very first sentence.

'The Phuket Primary Education Area Office has relaxed the requirements for foreigners to be hired as English-language teachers at government schools in Phuket.'

..didn't see that....but the rest doesn't make sense

e.g.: - "Among the reasons for the staff shortage were that many English teachers had moved from primary to middle schools, and teachers were applying for early retirement, the director said."

I'm thinking that this isn't about hiring foreign teachers, maybe the repeater has made an assumption?

again have I missed something?

What changes are being made?

How can Phuket make changes on its own....surely the requirements are national?

The initial line talks about foreigners but the remaining part of the article talks non-foreigners.

Also, foreigners don't have the "skills" to teach because they have a difficulty swallowing the no-fail policy that is throughout the country. But what I understand that is throughout Asia. (minus Japan)

[Markaew]

If the schools down there are only offering 'backpacker' salaries as someone stated, then that's surely all that they can hope to attract in the way of quality teaching...Who and where does the funding come from for the teaching positions anyway?Is it at an individual school admin' level or is the funding fom the local education authority?If the schools aren't serious they can not hope to fill positions with quality teachers going down this path!!

are you suggesting backpackers don't make good teachers?

They usually have or will have degrees and come form an educated background.....more than you can say for the comments on both the article and this thread.

They will accept less money.

[Markaew]

The most useful move that the education system could make would be to Romanise the Thai alphabet, this is the biggest obstacle to learning English, and conversely for foreigners learning Thai. Just look at how Turkey emerged from the Middle Ages when it converted from Arabic to Roman.

As to unqualified but native speakers, these can do an adequate job if the department also contains enough qualified and experienced teachers to provide guidance. At the moment it is often the one eyed leading the blind.

I'm not a fan of the romanization at all. Even though it occurred for several south-east asian languages (Vietnamese and Malay come to mind), I believe it permanently alters and distort the language. It also smells vaguely colonial...

At least, Thais are fortunate enough to have an alphabet, unlike Chinese.

I believe any non-thai can see the logic in changing the alphabet. You are an example of how thais want to be isolated from the world because they think they are special yet don't want to be left out of anything.,

[backtonormal]

Burma was an English colony.

It has millions of English speakers train by the British (the real McCoy).

Why not just hire Burmese English Teachers. Cheap and good.

Great idea but 'the loss of face' just imagine.. our poor neighbours teaching us.how dare they. Truth is they dont really want the masses talking English

[kevinbac]

This article is about hiring Thai teachers to teach English and not native English speakers.]

[Markaew]

TEFL and all that; been there done that. Anyone who says teaching your own mother tongue is difficult or requires some form of 'special' expertise is pulling the wool. Teaching in Thailand is probably the most demotivating job I have ever done. Do Thais really want to learn about the outside world?

I suspect this statement reflects just about every foreign teacher's attitude in this country.

[Markaew]

I could be wrong on this, but I read somewhere that even the current Foreign Minister cannot speak English!

I'm afraid you are wrong on this, though the rest of your post was very interesting.

Dr Surapong has a masters and a doctorate from the United States and has taught at university level in the US. (Doesn't mean he's the right man for the job, of course.)

I think the previous Democrat Education Minister and the Deputy Minister of Education did not speak English. I heard both of them make a terrible mess of speeches written for them in English at a World Teachers' Day forum before an international gathering. On another occasion, at an English-medium (World Bank) seminar I attended the minister gave the introductory speech entirely in Thai. This is the same minister who said English could not be an official language for teaching purposes here because other countries would think Thailand had been colonized!

What is this thai paranoia with colonization? Thais just refuse to integrate with their asian neighbors.