Dual Nationality Teachers

[Neeranam]

I'm going to be getting Thai citizenship within a few years. One reason is that it will help me when I am older. I was wondering if, when 60, I got a job as an English teacher at a government school, they would give me the native teacher salary or the Thai teacher salary. Any experience?

[Scott]

There is no way to answer that question. First of all, a lot could change between now and then. Second, where I work, Thai nationals who were either born overseas or spent most of their lives overseas almost get a farang wage--it's usually about 30,000 instead of 35,000. But the pivotal factor where I work is skin color--White and non-Asian--gets you the full package.

[aidenai]

I'm going to be getting Thai citizenship within a few years.

Best of luck with acquiring Thai citizenship. Not an easy track.

I was wondering if, when 60, I got a job as an English teacher at a government school, they would give me the native teacher salary or the Thai teacher salary.

The retirement age for Thai teachers in government schools is 60. However, you were born a foreigner and have the teaching capabilities of a foreigner. I think that if you would get a teaching job, the conditions will be the same irrespective of holding the Thai nationality or not. On a side note, for both Thai and foreign nationals, the teacher license requirements from The Teachers' Council of Thailand apply.

[culicine]

We have a number of Thai - Americans in my school - they always use English with the students; never use Thai. They teach various subjects and I believe they get a farang salary, or very close to it. To me, if they are educated in the West, they should get full salary along with the other Western teachers.

Edited March 9, 2013 by culicine

[Scott]

There are a number of problems that seem to come up whenever people of Thai ancestry/nationality are employed. First, if they don't look Farang, then the parents don't consider them native speakers. That, by the way, goes for almost all Asian teachers.

Second, those that actually have Thai nationality are usually (not always) paid significantly less and paying them more causes a problem with other Thai nationals.

As a very general rule, in my experience, if you have spent significant time overseas or have a foreign passport, you will be paid considerably better than the local staff, but you may earn less than the full expat salary.

[culicine]

There are a number of problems that seem to come up whenever people of Thai ancestry/nationality are employed. First, if they don't look Farang, then the parents don't consider them native speakers. That, by the way, goes for almost all Asian teachers.

Second, those that actually have Thai nationality are usually (not always) paid significantly less and paying them more causes a problem with other Thai nationals.

As a very general rule, in my experience, if you have spent significant time overseas or have a foreign passport, you will be paid considerably better than the local staff, but you may earn less than the full expat salary.

I guess it depends on the 'maturity' of the school and that of the parents. I sense no jealousy from regular Thai teachers because their english language skills are simply nowhere near that of those with dual citizenship. These teachers also use english with the parents at parent-teacher meetings. In one instance, the students didn't even realise the teacher spoke Thai, until he quit from the school. So we have regular Thai teachers teaching Thai social/language etc, and Philipinos teaching a variety of subjects on a modest salary (but still of by their countries standards), and western teachers (and their dual citizen colleagues) on a higher salary.

However, at other schools I've heard of Thai teachers in english programs using Thai for most of their lessons, despite the fact that it supposed to be an english program.

I'd like to hear other's experiences of this situation.

[kirstymelb101]

I have dual nationally. I'm both Thai and Oz. My colleagues and co-workers view me as native. Despite having an Asian appearance I'm paid full salary plus benefits. My skin is 'WHITER' than the average Thai. Not like it matters, but it does help my case. It's my third year teaching English in Thailand and my dual nationality has not yet been an issue for me. In fact, I use it to my advantage when I need to. If you get along with all the teachers and students at the school, it will not matter what passport you have or use. The greatest reward for a teacher comes from seeing students make progress; you get days when you really believe you are the best teacher in the world

Edited March 10, 2013 by kirstymelb101

[Scott]

If you are female you have certain advantages, dual nationality aside. Native speaking female teachers are hard to come by.

[doontp]

Schools vary. I am Thai-American with dual nationality. I have heard of schools who would not consider a dark-skinned person such as me or someone over 50. My school could care less about one’s appearance or age. I get the full salary package. I have been teaching at my school for five years.
None of the Thai teachers are jealous of me. All of the parents know I am a NES and they respect me as such, despite my Asian appearance. The only farang looking thing about me is my
height. I am tall.