No Degree - No Teacher Licence!

[Moonhunteruk]

Hi all

I am an English teacher here in the south and have been for the last 9 1/2 years!! I have a TESOL cert and Thai Language and Culture cert. On submission of my documents for a teacher licence to Kru Sapa in Bkk this year, I received an email back explaining that if I couldn't prove i was enrolled into a university to obtain a Bachelors degree I would not get my teachers licence. I work at a private school and this will be my 8th year (at this school) I sent a letter with my docs to Kru Sapa and a letter from the director explaining that when i was hired 8 years ago, a degree was not necessary to become a teacher and considering my experience could this requirement be changed. Well the simple reply from Kru Sapa was no university enrollment no teacher licence!! There are two universities in Bkk where i could study for a bachelor degree part time but living 820KM from Bkk would be impossible to travel up every weekend.

I have been looking online to see if there are any online bachelor programs but they all seem to be "Life Experience" which I know won't be accepted.

If anyone has any info It would be most appreciated.

[Scott]

This has come up quite a few times on the forum and so I believe there are threads with information that is relevant to your concerns. Check this thread out:

I know on the last page there is a link to this site:

http://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/education/search

I know Canada has on-line programs and I believe both the UK and Great Britain have them.

If you have trouble finding something, perhaps some of our more tech savvy members can assist!

[puchooay]

OP...... Do you mean teacher licence or waiver letter?

Thanks

[Moonhunteruk]

OP...... Do you mean teacher licence or waiver letter?

Thanks

I would like the original licence but if not a waiver until I can find an appropriate online uni to enroll.

[Scott]

A post suggesting illegal activity has been deleted. This is against forum rules and further such posts will result in a suspension of posting ability.

[justaphase]

Try the University of Southern Queensland for their online or distance programs.

Also being enrolled in a degree course doesn't mean you get the waiver.

[Moonhunteruk]

Try the University of Southern Queensland for their online or distance programs.

Also being enrolled in a degree course doesn't mean you get the waiver.

Email I received from them (Kru Sapa) yesterday confirmed that if I can show them proof that I have enrolled into a uni for a bachelor degree then they will issue me with a temporary licence.

[justaphase]

Try the University of Southern Queensland for their online or distance programs.

Also being enrolled in a degree course doesn't mean you get the waiver.

Email I received from them (Kru Sapa) yesterday confirmed that if I can show them proof that I have enrolled into a uni for a bachelor degree then they will issue me with a temporary licence.

"They" being one person who answered your e-mail. Lets hope it's the same person who deals with your application because when I enquired, they would not accept just being enrolled. (at Ramkhamhaeng university)

[culicine]

Also do an EDUCATION degree, like a BEd. The current rule is that you must have a teaching degree, such as a BEd, or a degree + post grad diploma / PGCE, or pass their series of 4 exams. If you are serious about 'only teaching' for the rest of your career, then do a BEd if possible. Otherwise, do a degree in science / mathe / english or whatever, then do a 1 year post grad course. I took this route and did a Post Grad Diploma from the University of new England, NSW, Australia, part time between 2004-2008. That got me the proper teaching licence. Note that the course I took allowed me to do my observed teaching in my current school (under my head of department), but had to return for two residential schools, so it was quite expensive!!

[aidenai]

"They" being one person who answered your e-mail. Lets hope it's the same person who deals with your application because when I enquired, they would not accept just being enrolled. (at Ramkhamhaeng university)

I think you're right as the current rules don't state that enrollment in a university qualifies for a provisional teaching permit.

http://www.ksp.or.th... permit (1).pdf

[smacko]

Try the University of Southern Queensland for their online or distance programs.

Also being enrolled in a degree course doesn't mean you get the waiver.

There are a number of online degrees available in Australia, however they are not cheap. Lockup seek online and open university.

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

Edited April 19, 2012 by smacko

[Scott]

I believe that to get the waiver, you are required to have a Bachelor's Degree. The waiver gives you time to upgrade it to an education. I hope the information they gave you is correct.

[Moonhunteruk]

I believe that to get the waiver, you are required to have a Bachelor's Degree. The waiver gives you time to upgrade it to an education. I hope the information they gave you is correct.

I hope so to. I now have the number of the person's boss as my director would like to speak to them and get a clear answer and what is actually needed. I know many teachers here in the south that have degrees and 90% of them are not educational degrees. Could be a lot of vacancies after the end of April!!

[Yooyung]

My understanding is that you need to have a degree in the first place in order to even go for the waiver. They are trying to get all teachers in line with this, even the Thai's. I remember a while back a guy that got his work permit/teachers licence etc because he could prove he was working toward a degree (it was not in education). I think that leniancy has gone.What they are trying to do is to get all the foriegn teachers to convert their Bachelors of.... whatever that are not in education by either A) doing a diploma of education from thier home country or getting them to sit for the TCT tests/ doing a Diploma from a university within Thailand. I am presently back in Australia and almost finished a degree. I am thinking that when I get back there I will take the tests for a while and then if all else fails do the Thai Dip of Teaching.

Its going to be interesting to see how all this pans out. If Thailand wants all its foriegn teachers to have BA's in education then salaries will go up a lot wont they.....NOT!

[Scott]

As a previous poster mentioned, if you have a Bachelor's degree and are signed up for the courses to make it equivalent to an education degree, that is permitted. In the past, you could not get a waiver without a Bachelor's degree. You also cannot sit for the TCT exams without a degree. ....At least in theory.

But please let us know what you find out.

[justaphase]

It all seems to tie together these days. I also heard a degree will be needed for the Thai culture course.

Bet there's lots of schools operating under the rader though soon.

All a bit like taxing and insuring the car back home. You need everything really, or your screwed.

[strollling]

Thank them (all parties involved), and inform them that you'll be moving on. Then leave.

[LucidLucifer]

Its going to be interesting to see how all this pans out. If Thailand wants all its foriegn teachers to have BA's in education then salaries will go up a lot wont they.....NOT!

They'll need to if they actually want teachers, although I agree that they won't. Who in there right mind will accept TEFLers money if they are a western qualified teacher with a B.ed or equivalent?

This is just another short-sighted policy from the MOE that will never, ever work.

[culicine]

Its going to be interesting to see how all this pans out. If Thailand wants all its foriegn teachers to have BA's in education then salaries will go up a lot wont they.....NOT!

They'll need to if they actually want teachers, although I agree that they won't. Who in there right mind will accept TEFLers money if they are a western qualified teacher with a B.ed or equivalent?

This is just another short-sighted policy from the MOE that will never, ever work.

No salaries won't go up, they will (and are) employing Philippinos with BEd's, though they are also supposed to have a sufficient TOEIC score along with that. The work for 15K or less, so schools use often use the excuse that they can't get native speaker BEd's - they would cost too much (no, private schools, especially, don't want to pay, and will use the cheapest labour possible that is acceptable to parents). My salary didn't change once I got a teaching qualification, though I was already at the top of the pay scale. Other teachers would benefit though.

[Yooyung]

The thing is, wheres the happy medium? I taught over there without a degree for quite a while and never felt secure or good about it. Thats why I am back here doing one now. Why would I go the extra yards to study a further diploma of education over here when I am quite happy to go back and work at Thai private schools + weekend/evening language school work? I just doesnt make sense. Yes I would be willing to do a further qualification in Thailand that is relevent to teaching in Thailand as long as the cost wasnt totally insane, I will even do some tests...impassable as they sound. The thing is we cant ALL work at international schools...uh there aint enough to go around and I dont even want to. The Thai private schools are not going to budge much over 40 to 50 thousand a month, are they?

[Yooyung]

I guess the point is that if you only want to teach in Thaiand like me due to family etc then just stick with whatever the Thais throw at you. There is no point in spending huge amounts of money on an overseas qualification that is going to be HARD and of western standard if you are going to be staying at your 35,000 per month Prathom 4 teaching job. If you want to work at an international school then go for it.....does that make sense?

[LucidLucifer]

Your point about there not being enough international school jobs is a perfectly valid one, but why aim so low when you can be aiming so much higher? Surely for your family's future financial security it would make sense?

Each to their own I suppose.

[Yooyung]

Thats fair enough Lucidlucifer. The idea of undertaking such further quals is not a bad thing at all. The point still remains however that expecting all foreign teachers to comply with graduate diplomas in education from their home country is a rather dramatic case of overkill. If salaries were all going to go up to suit then all well and good. They wont. My point is that there are 2 ways you can comply. Study an overseas qualification online while living there or try to comply by using Thai tests/unis. If the second option is easier and cheaper and you are still going to, in the end be working within the Thai private school system then...?

[Scott]

I don't think the degree has to come from your home country.

[LucidLucifer]

I don't think the degree has to come from your home country.

Bit ironic really. Someone with excellent a-levels would be refused a teachers license, yet someone with a degree from Nakhon Nowhere Rajabhat would be given one. Out of these two, I know which is the most academically rigorous.

Edited April 19, 2012 by LucidLucifer

[Loaded]

I know teachers without degrees who recently obtained waivers by registering for online degree courses.

The TCT on their website states: "Copy of educational background or degrees..." as one of the requirements to obtain provisional teaching permits. IE there doesn't need to be a degree certificate.

It's also important to mention teacher licences and waivers only need to be considered if someone is planning to extend their teaching experience in Thailand beyond one year. A teacher licence or waiver isn't required to obtain Initial non-imm B visas and work permits

Edited April 19, 2012 by Loaded

[Scott]

Thanks very much Loaded for that clarification. At least it gives some hope for the people who are pursuing their degrees.

[justaphase]

I know teachers without degrees who recently obtained waivers by registering for online degree courses.

The TCT on their website states: "Copy of educational background or degrees..." as one of the requirements to obtain provisional teaching permits. IE there doesn't need to be a degree certificate.

It's also important to mention teacher licences and waivers only need to be considered if someone is planning to extend their teaching experience in Thailand beyond one year. A teacher licence or waiver isn't required to obtain Initial non-imm B visas and work permits

Good post. I hope it's true. What province was this?

You realize this information could change everything for many teachers?

[strollling]

^ You think the Thais in charge are going to listen?!?

[aidenai]

I know teachers without degrees who recently obtained waivers by registering for online degree courses.

The TCT on their website states: "Copy of educational background or degrees..." as one of the requirements to obtain provisional teaching permits. IE there doesn't need to be a degree certificate.

I posted a link in a previous post.

PROVISIONAL teaching premit

Announcement Being in Force on 1^st February 2012

Requirement for Issuance of a Teaching Permit to Foreign Educators

Without the License

------------------------------------

Requirements

1. Must not be less than 20 years of age.
   
2. Hold a Bachelor’s degree and benefits education which certified by either the Teachers’ Council of Thailand (TCT) or the Teacher Civil Service and Educational Personnel Commission (TEPC) or the Civil Service Commission (CSC) or shown in the list at The World of ALMANAC (the applicant may check your degree certification at www.ksp.or.th by selecting “professional license section, foreign teacher’s qualification check” or at the website of TEPC or CSC).
   
3. Having specific skills, abilities and knowledge needed for foreign teachers in the teaching and learning of foreign language curriculum.
   
4. Verification of a passing score on the Test of TOEIC (except those who come from 5 countries: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The United States of America, Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand and Canada) or passing score on the other foreign language proficiency test.
   

Required Documentation

1. A cover letter from the educational institution.
   
2. The Teaching Permit without the License Form (KS 10) (download at www.ksp.or.th - selecting menu “Form Download”).
   
3. Copy of all pages of the applicant’s passport, the present Non- B Visa in particular. (The applicant shall submit all documents before the Non- B Visa expiration at least 30 days).
   
4. Copy of educational background or degrees along with transcripts, including the degree certification check from the website of TCT/ TEPC/ CSC – as stated in item 2. of the requirements.
   
5. Copy of passing TOEIC scores.
   
6. The employment certification of the employment contract.
   
7. In case of the second round of permit
   

7.1 Copy of the expired teaching permit

7.2 Copy of documents relating to self-development provided by the Teachers’ Council of Thailand such as the certification of Thai language, Thai Culture and Professional Ethics or evidence of passing the Professional Knowledge Test.

http://www.ksp.or.th...up.php?newid=35