International Schools - Questions For Friend Coming To Thailand In Jan/feb

[SlyAnimal]

Hi,
I've got a friend who's a qualified primary school teacher in NZ, with about 3-4 years work experience there.

She's thinking about coming to Thailand next year, likely sometime after the NZ academic year finishes (Which is in Dec, so she'll probably come in January).

I don't know much about international schools, just general details from what I've occasionally heard online + seen advertised. Can you please give me an idea on the following, so that I can pass the details onto her:

1/ Are there any international schools in Isaan? As she'd ideally like to live closeish to where I live, although she's open to living just about anywhere (Hat Yai etc excluded of course lol).

2/ What is an estimated salary range for an international school? And I've heard that they often include flights back to/from your home country?

3/ What are the contact hours like for an international school?

4/ What are the chances of her picking up a job at an international school?

5/ I've seen on advertisements that they often want people to be familiar with the British or American curriculum, would this make being from NZ a disadvantage?

6/ Is she best to approach a school directly via e-mail, or are there agencies which she should go through?

7/ When do the terms run usually from in international schools?

8/ Do any of you work in an international school which might be recruiting for Jan/Feb?

[culicine]

The best bet is that she attends one of the recruitment fairs. Not sure if they are held in NZ, but certainly there will be some held in Australia. I think they are held in january or thereabouts. To increase her chances at the fair, she should be flexible about where she can work at first. I'd do some background research and see which the desirable schools are too. The salaries can vary from 20K to 150K baht a month, though I'd say the lower paying ones would be about 50/60K up to 100K or so. Definitely get employed from the fair rather than just coming here and hoping for the best - there are more benefits of you are an international hire, compared to a local hire.

[Big Guns]

The only International school I know in Issan is St Stepken's in Khao Yai and I think there is one called St Mary's In Saraburi. St Stephen's very small with about 100 kids and its a boarding school. There are only a couple of primary teachers. I taught there about 7 years ago, pay was about 66K up to about 86K THB gross. Most International schools use the British school year which is lat August until December (then Christmas hols for 3 weeks), January until April (then Easter hols for 2 weeks) April until June (then summer hols for 7 weeks) plus half term hols. A typical day is 8 am until 3.20 pm. Most jobs start in August but recruitment if December until about Feb/March.

Most international schools are in Bangkok but there are some in Pattaya/Rayong, Chiang Mai and Phuket.

[DaBloodyMess]

The best bet is that she attends one of the recruitment fairs. Not sure if they are held in NZ, but certainly there will be some held in Australia. I think they are held in january or thereabouts. To increase her chances at the fair, she should be flexible about where she can work at first. I'd do some background research and see which the desirable schools are too. The salaries can vary from 20K to 150K baht a month, though I'd say the lower paying ones would be about 50/60K up to 100K or so. Definitely get employed from the fair rather than just coming here and hoping for the best - there are more benefits of you are an international hire, compared to a local hire.

It is quite common to still get the same terms as an international hire when employed from in country. If she can afford to be without a job for a while then coming over and 'hoping for the best' (I like to call it looking for a job ) is actually a valid strategy.... it worked well enough for me. If she definitely cant afford a gap in employment then as you suggest, the fairs are good, but I doubt many Issan based schools go to the big fairs!

[SlyAnimal]

Awesome cheers, are there any websites which specialise in international school recruitment or similar?

e.g. like a company which organises the recruitment fairs etc, so I could maybe just get in touch with them directly, rather than having to wait for a fair itself. Alternatively of course, is there a particular website for international school recruitment, as I assume they don't just use ajarn.com

[DaBloodyMess]

Awesome cheers, are there any websites which specialise in international school recruitment or similar?

e.g. like a company which organises the recruitment fairs etc, so I could maybe just get in touch with them directly, rather than having to wait for a fair itself. Alternatively of course, is there a particular website for international school recruitment, as I assume they don't just use ajarn.com

The ISS fairs are probably the most frequented - https://www.iss.edu/.

For a job in Thailand, I would say the Bangkok fair would be her best bet.

If she wants to target a school in Issan though, she should consider contacting them directly. Whilst some schools exclusively recruit at the fairs, many more seek to avoid them at all costs. The smaller schools in particular are more than happy to recruit via their own websites, or to choose from a pool of CV's that have been sent in by teachers who have expressed an interest in working at the school.

Edited April 27, 2013 by DaBloodyMess

[gjoo888]

It's best to contact the schools before coming to Thailand. I know a lot of international school teachers who live in my complex and my daughter also attends an international school. The vast majority of international school hiring's are done by contacting the schools when overseas, in many cases not only will you get a higher rate of pay, but return airfare and other perks as well.

Almost all international schools have their own HR departments and list job and career openings on their websites, you can find links to most international schools from the ISAT website: http://www.isat.or.th/ Look for links to jobs or careers on each school's website, most all of them recruit teachers from their websites.

Most international school years run from late August to June, although not all. The rate of pay is around 100,000 Baht per month and up at the better schools, and typically 80-85,000 Baht or so at some of the less prestigious schools. If she is well qualified with experience, she should have no problem getting a job at an international school here, the turnover rate is high, even at the better schools.

[ozyjon]

Hello, i have (English) friends who are teachers in Laos at the moment simply because they can't get a job in Thailand,, after asking some questions i discovered that they had come to South East Asia many years ago and worked as teachers turn the clock forward to today and the rules have changed,, teachers being employed for any teaching in Thailand must produce teaching certificates and as there are so many teachers wanting positions in Thailand the competition is fierce,, so the jobs go to the top acedemics but you being an English speaking person have a better chance than many coming from Africa or India, i took my friend to many schools in Issan and he left his resume at the schools, he didn't get a job, my girlfriend who knows the headmaster asked in private why my friend could not get a job and she was told that they don't have positions and that they give priority to Thai people who have studied overseas and got their teaching certificate there, usually in Australia or the UK. I went to an exebition for International Schools in Bangkok and was surprised to see how many Australian companies have set up new schools there, you would have a better chance to get work there, also of everyone i know who is teaching they only get $10 USD per hour while they are teaching, you would be very lucky to get about $500 per week, i don't think you would, and for airfares, accommodation, call it perks then i have never herd of this either after all this is Thailand. I hope this helps, just my personal observation.

[Dorkers]

Hello, i have (English) friends who are teachers in Laos at the moment simply because they can't get a job in Thailand,, after asking some questions i discovered that they had come to South East Asia many years ago and worked as teachers turn the clock forward to today and the rules have changed,, teachers being employed for any teaching in Thailand must produce teaching certificates and as there are so many teachers wanting positions in Thailand the competition is fierce,, so the jobs go to the top acedemics but you being an English speaking person have a better chance than many coming from Africa or India, i took my friend to many schools in Issan and he left his resume at the schools, he didn't get a job, my girlfriend who knows the headmaster asked in private why my friend could not get a job and she was told that they don't have positions and that they give priority to Thai people who have studied overseas and got their teaching certificate there, usually in Australia or the UK. I went to an exebition for International Schools in Bangkok and was surprised to see how many Australian companies have set up new schools there, you would have a better chance to get work there, also of everyone i know who is teaching they only get $10 USD per hour while they are teaching, you would be very lucky to get about $500 per week, i don't think you would, and for airfares, accommodation, call it perks then i have never herd of this either after all this is Thailand. I hope this helps, just my personal observation.

If it is a Mid range or High range International School you will receive flights, accommodation allowance and also relocation expenses.

As your Teacher friend is a fully credited teacher with an Education Degree she would be eligible to work in the International school system here in Thailand. I would recommend looking at the ISAT website and then going through each schools website to look for vacancies and send them her resume. Lots of the top end International Schools need at least 5 years experience and also have preference for those teachers with recent UK teaching experience.

Sure all the schools have a mixture of staff - Canada, Aust, South African, Brits = but some schools are biased towards recruiting more Brits than other nationalities.

Oh, most of the jobs start in August, and the large portion of the recruitment takes place in December and January. TES.Co.Uk is popular for teaching job vacancies in Asia. The job fairs held in BKK are largely for overseas teaching jobs - Korea, Russia, Europe, Middle East as well as some Thai schools. But most don't.

Edited April 28, 2013 by Dorkers

[Ian Curtis]

Maybe NZ has the equivalent of the "Times Educational Supplement" in the UK. Here you will find all job vacancies. If not, there must be something similar.

I worked in an International school for a while (I got the job came my way while living in Thailand). However, most of the teachers were recruited and interviewd abroad. At least that was true at my school. That's how I got the job; the appointed teacher didn't show!!!

There were 3 school terms following the UK system - which of course meant having to go back and forth during Songkran!!!

I don't know if there is any help here? Good luck

[ivan96822]

It's best to contact the schools before coming to Thailand. I know a lot of international school teachers who live in my complex and my daughter also attends an international school. The vast majority of international school hiring's are done by contacting the schools when overseas, in many cases not only will you get a higher rate of pay, but return airfare and other perks as well.

Almost all international schools have their own HR departments and list job and career openings on their websites, you can find links to most international schools from the ISAT website: http://www.isat.or.th/ Look for links to jobs or careers on each school's website, most all of them recruit teachers from their websites.

Most international school years run from late August to June, although not all. The rate of pay is around 100,000 Baht per month and up at the better schools, and typically 80-85,000 Baht or so at some of the less prestigious schools. If she is well qualified with experience, she should have no problem getting a job at an international school here, the turnover rate is high, even at the better schools.

You mention a salary of 80,000 to 100,000 baht per month if hired at an international school.

Is this before or after taxes?

[LucidLucifer]

1/ Are there any international schools in Isaan? As she'd ideally like to live closeish to where I live, although she's open to living just about anywhere (Hat Yai etc excluded of course lol).

The majority are in Bangkok, and that is where the better money generally is.

2/ What is an estimated salary range for an international school? And I've heard that they often include flights back to/from your home country?

I've seen the salary scales for a good number of the better schools in Bangkok, and pay starts at around 80k per month and upwards. Add on housing, medical, flights and relocation allowance to that. At the best paying schools you would be earning well, well in excess of 80k.

3/ What are the contact hours like for an international school?

Depends on the school, and what you teach. At my school a few are only teaching around 16-18 50 minutes periods per week. Contract wise it says up to 25. I would say the average is around 22.

4/ What are the chances of her picking up a job at an international school?

If she is good at what she does, and can make herself stand out, quite reasonable. Competition is fierce though. If she is able to offer quality extra curricular activities, something the school is looking for, it really can improve your chances.

5/ I've seen on advertisements that they often want people to be familiar with the British or American curriculum, would this make being from NZ a disadvantage?

Yes, but see answer above.

6/ Is she best to approach a school directly via e-mail, or are there agencies which she should go through?

Look on the school's own websites and look at the TES international jobs section. As has been already stated, job fairs are another route.

7/ When do the terms run usually from in international schools?

As answered by a different poster above. They are approximate to the curriculum system they are following.

8/ Do any of you work in an international school which might be recruiting for Jan/Feb?

Our recruitment for the 2013-14 academic year (August 2013-June 2014) was completed about two months ago. The early bird gets the worm as they say!

Hope that helps.....wish her good luck!!

[LucidLucifer]

It's best to contact the schools before coming to Thailand. I know a lot of international school teachers who live in my complex and my daughter also attends an international school. The vast majority of international school hiring's are done by contacting the schools when overseas, in many cases not only will you get a higher rate of pay, but return airfare and other perks as well.

Almost all international schools have their own HR departments and list job and career openings on their websites, you can find links to most international schools from the ISAT website: http://www.isat.or.th/ Look for links to jobs or careers on each school's website, most all of them recruit teachers from their websites.

Most international school years run from late August to June, although not all. The rate of pay is around 100,000 Baht per month and up at the better schools, and typically 80-85,000 Baht or so at some of the less prestigious schools. If she is well qualified with experience, she should have no problem getting a job at an international school here, the turnover rate is high, even at the better schools.

You mention a salary of 80,000 to 100,000 baht per month if hired at an international school.

Is this before or after taxes?

Depends on the school. My net salary is well in excess of 100k per month, and I have a yearly bonus on top.

[ivan96822]

It's best to contact the schools before coming to Thailand. I know a lot of international school teachers who live in my complex and my daughter also attends an international school. The vast majority of international school hiring's are done by contacting the schools when overseas, in many cases not only will you get a higher rate of pay, but return airfare and other perks as well.

Almost all international schools have their own HR departments and list job and career openings on their websites, you can find links to most international schools from the ISAT website: http://www.isat.or.th/ Look for links to jobs or careers on each school's website, most all of them recruit teachers from their websites.

Most international school years run from late August to June, although not all. The rate of pay is around 100,000 Baht per month and up at the better schools, and typically 80-85,000 Baht or so at some of the less prestigious schools. If she is well qualified with experience, she should have no problem getting a job at an international school here, the turnover rate is high, even at the better schools.

You mention a salary of 80,000 to 100,000 baht per month if hired at an international school.

Is this before or after taxes?

Depends on the school. My net salary is well in excess of 100k per month, and I have a yearly bonus on top.

[ivan96822]

^^^^^^^^

Okay...is that your salary per month BEFORE or AFTER taxes?

Were you hired in Thailand or abroad?

[LucidLucifer]

^^^^^^^^

Okay...is that your salary per month BEFORE or AFTER taxes?

Were you hired in Thailand or abroad?

I've told you already....it's NET, so after all deductions.

I was hired from abroad, but that doesn't usually make any difference to salary, schools operate from a fixed salary scale based on years of experience. What local hires generally loose is the benefits package, such as flights, relocation allowance, and in some schools, the housing allowance.

[culicine]

^^^^^^^^

Okay...is that your salary per month BEFORE or AFTER taxes?

Were you hired in Thailand or abroad?

I've told you already....it's NET, so after all deductions.

I was hired from abroad, but that doesn't usually make any difference to salary, schools operate from a fixed salary scale based on years of experience. What local hires generally loose is the benefits package, such as flights, relocation allowance, and in some schools, the housing allowance.

Before or after tax doesn't make a huge difference as it does in the West....it's something like 1-15% here, compared to 40% or more back home. As long as the OP doesn't have a big mortgage and other expenses back home, then the salary should be adequate...the housing allowance is the big one to lose, especially if one lives in BKK.

[LucidLucifer]

^^^^^^^^

Okay...is that your salary per month BEFORE or AFTER taxes?

Were you hired in Thailand or abroad?

I've told you already....it's NET, so after all deductions.

I was hired from abroad, but that doesn't usually make any difference to salary, schools operate from a fixed salary scale based on years of experience. What local hires generally loose is the benefits package, such as flights, relocation allowance, and in some schools, the housing allowance.

Before or after tax doesn't make a huge difference as it does in the West....it's something like 1-15% here, compared to 40% or more back home. As long as the OP doesn't have a big mortgage and other expenses back home, then the salary should be adequate...the housing allowance is the big one to lose, especially if one lives in BKK.

I agree totally about the housing allowance; it is almost like a pair of golden handcuffs that keep me tied into my current job. It would take a sizable increase in basic pay to cover the loss of it if I wanted to change jobs here in LoS (not that I want to change).

However, Mr. Taxman still takes a sizable chunk of my monthly salary, and my housing allowance, which is also taxed. Admittedly, it is not as big as it would be at home, but then I have lost my pension scheme by being here. It's all swings and roundabouts really.