Teaching In Thailand And My Future

[FredTheButcher]

Hello. I have been offered a job as a science teacher in an EP government school in Thailand. I am currently on the NET programme in Hong Kong.

<No need for that kind of flaming thanks....KK>

I will not stay in Thailand forever, but would like to stay for three or four years if I enjoy the job. I am a qualified science teacher in the UK (PGCE) and in the future I would like to settle down teaching science in the UK, or an international school somewhere overseas. I cannot see myself settling down on a Thai Government School salary.

My question is: how are non-English-teaching-teachers viewed in Thailand? Are they seen as more qualified than your standard four-week-TEFL-certificate-teachers? Will a few years teaching science in a Thai school look good on my resume, or will it hurt me?

Thanks for reading. Sorry if I offended anyone with my negative view of English teaching overseas.

Edited January 9, 2006 by kenkannif

[PeaceBlondie]

First, I would be wary or cautious about what the Thai government school is telling you. Over 90% of them can't tell you accurate truth about the job. Over 90% of the teaching positions are not professional. With your quals, maybe you could get a job at one or both of the truly, truly international schools in Bangkok.

I would just guess that once you have a job teaching science in a foreign country that's professional, going to Thailand might look like you failed in the professional country and just came here for the sex and the fun and games. But I'm often wrong.

[Sporting Dog]

Unless I've misread your post - I don't see why you would even consider working in a govt EP. With your qualifications you should be looking at an International School - I should imagine the salary you'd get would be at least three or four times what you'll make at a Govt. school.

AND an International School may place ACADEMIC and EDUCATIONAL imperatives ahead of .....well, the irrelevant and wasteful &lt;deleted&gt; that the Govt Schools are so keen on.

[Ijustwannateach]

Teaching in EP programs in Thailand is more like real teaching than a JET or NET kind of thing, IMHO. You are typically responsible for everything- subject teaching, grading, planning, classroom management, etc., etc.- not just a living speaker for the local native teacher to control. Or perhaps I'm not too informed about the NET- it's an English-conversation-teaching gig, right?

As far as I'm aware, schools which are highly concerned with official certs (for example, the government schools in your home country) will be more worried about your cert and relevant teaching experience (i.e., science) than the kind of schools you have taught English in abroad. Presumably, teaching in a foreign school does not invalidate your qualification. You may be losing chances for seniority in the long run, and I'm not sure what the rules are about renewal or continuance of your PGCE cert.

I have never received disrespect for any kind of teaching I do in Thailand, English or otherwise; however, I am educated and do know what I am doing. I am aware that certain backpacking elements have a bad reputation as teachers; presumably if you do not associate with them, you will not be tarred with the same brush. Personally, I have very little time for those with nothing to do for their egos but sneer at TEFL teachers.

I long ago stopped worrying about what people who are in my own country thought about my decision to live and work abroad. I do know of at least one friend who went home and taught again back in Australia, though it took him a while to get set up again (as it did here). If this is too much uncertainty, then perhaps a "safe" career at home would be a better decision for you.

It is true that you could probably manage to get into one of the "real" schools here, assuming they had an opening at the right time. For that reason, you might want to take the EP job and network while you wait for an appropriate opening.

"Steven"