Thai Language, Culture And Ethics Course - Problem

[gosompoi]

First off, I have been teaching legally in Issan for the prior six years. My first problem, I could not renew my work permit mid school year in September because I needed a teacher's license. Okay, I set out to get a teacher's license. First finding the required the courses or test dates is not an easy process. The dates and locations should be published on the Teachers Council of Thailand's website. Second the tests are only twice a year and take a few of months to get your results. It is a major annoyance not working for a year and not receiving any income.

Problem 2 & 3, I signed up for the first courses I found being offered, but only 30 farang allowed to apply. I am in the lucky 30, but today I was emailed with new requirements from TCT to take the course. The email said in brief below,

The program has been notified from the Teachers Council of Thailand requiring the following documents:

1. A certified letter from your school signed by your school director to certify that you are serving at present as a teacher in that school.

2. A copy of your passport (xerox copy only the page that has these details)

3. A copy of your work permit

4. A copy of your diploma

5. A photograph in color size

6. Money in cash (6,000 Baht)

Since I do not have number 3 a work permit, I am not working as teacher right now. And without working I do not have number 1 a school letter to say I am presently a teacher.

The loop...

Lets see, to teacher you need a teachers license and work permit, to get a work permit you need a teacher's license. To take the required learning, the TCT wants you to have a work permit and be working as a teacher.

Also another odd twist, teacher license application for TCT itself lists the required documents to apply for a license. number 3 on that list says “A copy of work permit or evidence identified permanent residence in Thailand.”

All the problems together lead to loop of frustration.

So I can not teach without a work permit and teachers license. I can get a work permit without a teacher's license. I can not take the required courses without a work permit and a teaching job. I can not get permanent residence without a means of support.

My solution I called the director at Suan Dusit Rajabhat University in Bangkok. I told him have I problem and could he help me. I explained I am not teaching because I need a teacher's license. I do not have a work permit because I do not have job because I need teacher's license. His words to me, the TCT is making difficult on them and those trying to get a license. They wanted to have the course with larger groups and more often but TCT would not allow it. His solution for me was to bring my 6,000 baht, bring my paper work I have, anything from my past school and take the course. He would try to get an exception for not being current teacher and not having a work permit.

What next? If I succeed in breaking the loop, can I study to ensure I pass the tests the first time?

[Scott]

That is interesting. I am hoping other posters can shed some light on it because in the past we had teachers (especially Filipinos) who took the Culture course before getting a job.

The course is approved by the TCT. but I think it is the Rajabhat University that actually issues the certificate. So, if you show up with the money and attend, you should get a certificate.

In the past the Culture Course was reasonably simple and attendance and cooperation ensured a certificate. I don't believe there is an exam.

Now over to others....

[Ijustwannateach]

I'm guessing that the organisers are thinking 'we need to get the people who are already working legally up to speed' because otherwise the schools will be breathing down their necks and so they are prioritising this way- otherwise, as OP points out, it's yet another bureaucratic Catch-22 preventing teachers from being hired legally. To be fair, there is a serious backlog (because of the TCT's own issues) of people legitimately in the system already who are doing their best to comply with regulations despite the agency itself. Perhaps if OP can call the person in charge and get a level or two over the head of the person who answers the phone he might find someone sensible to talk to about it.

[gosompoi]

I was told that officials from TCT will be there monitoring course and students. I was also told that this now is the only institution officially authorized to teach the course but that the University can not issue the certificates that they are not allowed to do that themselves. But I sure feels like Thailand is backing themselves into a corner demanding schools include more English in the teaching curriculum. But no foreign teachers without a license, no license without courses and tests, no tests without work permit and job. I can read between the lines, I get it now, NO FOREIGNERS! Foreigners are a bad thing.

Edited January 27, 2012 by gosompoi

[aidenai]

It's interesting to see that you've been a teacher in Thailand for six year and have been posting on ThaiVisa since 2007. So many threads and posts regarding this subject are available in this forum. Yet, you seem to know so little about the requirements of The Teachers'Council of Thailand and the processes related to the teacher license or provisional teaching permit. It might be good to spend some time reading documents. http://www.thaivisa....re-testing-tct/. And here's the link to the TCT's website. http://www.ksp.or.th/Khurusapha/en/

[gosompoi]

Yes you are right, ignorant but not stupid. I am reading and learning but I am also reaching out for helpful hints and guidance. My ignorance comes from living in the middle of the rice paddies and teaching in a farming village. I only ever see other farang every two months on my trips to Tesco to buy peanut butter. Where I live I am surrounded by dirt roads and 12 years ago we did not have electricity. The unseen Thailand, my only sources of information are Thai that know less than zero about anything farang related. The bright side is it is quiet, peaceful and my views of stars at night are wonderful. Thanks for the links!

Edited January 27, 2012 by gosompoi

[Scott]

Aidenai, thanks for the answer and the links.

There are quite a few teachers who have gone merrily along paying little attention to the TCT. Years ago, many thought it was just another Thai idea and it would go away. In many cases the first two waivers were given with little indication that people were going to have to comply. The Culture course took some time to get up and going, so some people didn't take it until they were on their second waiver. Now time is running out.

[thequietman]

Aidenai, thanks for the answer and the links.

There are quite a few teachers who have gone merrily along paying little attention to the TCT. Years ago, many thought it was just another Thai idea and it would go away. In many cases the first two waivers were given with little indication that people were going to have to comply. The Culture course took some time to get up and going, so some people didn't take it until they were on their second waiver. Now time is running out.

hi, is it true if you have a non-o marriage visa that you dont necessarily need a TL. you can get a WP due to said non-o. ideally a school can put your job title as foreign advisor and so no TL needed. Correct ?

also if a 'teacher' doesnt have a degree but a good standard of education up to degree level (with certs. and transcripts to show this with relevant TEFL,s, can he/she get additional credits doing the TCT tests in order to meet the basic requirements. or is it the case, no degree then no hope ?

[Scott]

This being Thailand, all things are possible. Having a non-immigrant O, does not necessarily help with working as a teacher. In theory, you still need a TL to be a teacher (with some exceptions).

Quite a few years back, there were some teachers I knew of who were given a TL based on less than a Bachelor's Degree. They had a slew of courses from a vocational type school and were able to get the people at the MOE to accept this as equivalent to a Bachelor's degree. The process was not an easy one and in the more recent years, I've not heard of it again.