New Regulations For Teachers?

[soreia]

I am a German national teaching english in Thailand for 3 years now. I am not holding a BA, as at the time I went to school there was no such thing as BA in Germany, but I am sure I have an equivalent .

Last year I hear people without BA had problems to get a visa extension than many teachers without BA I know got their visas extended. And now appearantly, it has changed back again.

My question now.

How or where can I verify, that my diplomas are equal to a BA?

I also heard the BA has to be education related, Is that true?

Another thing I was told is, that now TCT requires that non-native speakers have a TOEIC certificate and appearantly you can make this at the ministry of education in BKK in an hour.

Has anyone heard about these new regulations and has further confirmed informations?

It would be great to get some info from you

Thanks in advance

[lopburi3]

Believe as this is teacher specific you may have a better chance of knowledge in that forum so will move there.

[Scott]

First a non-native English speaker, or someone from a country where English is not the first language, must take the Toeic. I believe if you Google it, you can find out how/where to take the exam.

Secondly, you should have a Bachelor's (or it's equivalent), although I don't know how that works in Germany. I do know people from Germany who work here and have received a Teacher's License/Waiver. Perhaps, some German nationals can help with this, or you might want to check with the German Embassy or a German affiliated organization that can give you more precise information. Ultimately, once your transcript is translated, it is up to the Ministry of Education--at least in the past--to decide whether you meet the minimum qualifications for working as a Teacher.

This information may have changed with the Teacher's Council now involved in the matter.

If you meet the qualifications, you will need a waiver of the Teacher's License. During the time you have waivers you will need to 'upgrade' your qualification to an education degree.

[jaiyenyen]

It might be possible for you to make a 'Statutory Declaration' at the German Embassy.

I made one at the British Embassy, which stated that the college where I studied for four years is now part of a university, (True). Also, that my four years of study, plus two years teaching experience were in my opinion, the equivalent to a modern day masters degree.

The embassy signed it and stamped it with their seal.

I used this paper, plus my certificates to obtain a WP.

[sirchai]

Hello,

All degrees plus transcripts in other than the English language have to be translated into Thai. The Kurusapa (teacher's Council of Thailand) issues a so called waiver letter to obtain a work permit.

When applying for the second waiver you should also have the Thai cultural awareness test. But regulations will always be changed, so please try to be updated.

This letter gives you two years time to work legally, but you should go for a degree in education. You could for example go for an online degree in ed.

Here's a link in German what a BA actually is for your kindest consideration.

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bachelor

Edited March 30, 2012 by sirchai

[Luce]

I've recently had this come to my attention as well, being South African. I had a Thai friend translate the work permit cover letter for me. It basically says that as of the 1st Feb 2012, all teachers that are not from the UK, Rep. of Ireland, Iceland (?), U.S.A, Canada, Australia or New Zealand are not considered native English speakers and have to prove otherwise with a TOEIC. I find this highly insulting as I am a first language speaker, studied English Literature and Linguistics and my accent is closer to that of colonial England than most Brits I know.

Nevertheless, no choice in the matter. You can take the Written and Speaking part of the test once a month at a centre in BBK or Chaing Mai, the listening and reading section daily. The former 3500bht, latter 1500bht. Phillipino assistants informed me that they do the latter as it is easier to book on short notice and cheaper. The cover letter did not specify which one, however I would double check this yourself.

If you google TOEIC Bangkok, you'll find a link to the main test centre.

Best of luck.

[sirchai]

Here's what you need to know what the test will look like.

Also Thai English teachers should make that test!

Please see attached file.

attachment.pdf

Edited March 30, 2012 by sirchai

[aidenai]

I had a Thai friend translate the work permit cover letter for me. It basically says that as of the 1st Feb 2012, all teachers that are not from the UK, Rep. of Ireland, Iceland (?), U.S.A, Canada, Australia or New Zealand are not considered native English speakers and have to prove otherwise with a TOEIC.

Are you sure about this? Haven't heard until now about a TOEIC test being mandatory for a work permit.

Perhaps you're mistaken it with the provisional teaching permit requirements issued by The Teachers' Council of Thailand.

Edited March 31, 2012 by aidenai

[BigJohnnyBKK]

The actual enforcement and implementation details varies depending on your employer and their relationship with officials at the ministries concerned.

With any decent employer, if you meet their standards and get hired, they will take care of all this for you. If they miscalculated something, many will be allowed to have a certain number of foreign staff on the books as "consultants" or such and get around the teaching requirements that way.

The vast majority of commercial TEFL schools accept sub-standard qualifications and somehow find a way, none of this should really be your problem but theirs.

[Scott]

Non-native speakers have been 'required' to take an English Language Proficiency exam, such as the TOEIC for many years. It pre-dates the TCT. How strictly it was enforced years ago, I am not sure, but I do know that years ago, Asian English teachers, such as Filipinos, had to take the exam. I don't recall if Europeans had to take it or not.

[Firelily]

Non-native speakers have been 'required' to take an English Language Proficiency exam, such as the TOEIC for many years. It pre-dates the TCT. How strictly it was enforced years ago, I am not sure, but I do know that years ago, Asian English teachers, such as Filipinos, had to take the exam. I don't recall if Europeans had to take it or not.

I am a European with an MA in teaching English as a foreign language. I was required to take the IELTS back in 2006 as part of the package for the work permit application. I was told I need a band score of 6.5 or higher.

As I had to fork out something like 6500 baht, I hope I don't need to do it again if I happen to change schools. (Usually IELTS is only accepted for 2 years by universities in English-speaking countries - they argue that 2 years is well enough to forget all your English.....) TOEIC is cheaper, but still.... how many hoops are there to jump?

[Ijustwannateach]

Since even the 'mostest mostest mostest specially super qualified' teachers who work for international schools had to do the idiotic 'culture course', I'm guessing that new bits of paper will be required as long as different parties are allowed to make money from forcing us to have them.

[Scott]

The TOEIC is only good for 2 years as well. In the past, you only took it once and as long as you were continuously working, you did not have to retake it.

I know of a school where the non-native speakers were required to take it again--I don't know if it was a gov't regulation or a school decision, however. Perhaps someone has some experience with this.