I have a question for people with experience in the field of Teaching English in BKK...Thx

[Mascot]

Hello to all members of the Thai Visa forum,

Thanks for taking the time to read my post and I do hope I am not beating a completely dead horse with this one, but I did search for an answer in the related forums and just couldn't find an exact answer to my situation so I was hoping to resort to some of the more experience folks out there for help.

My name is Matt. I'm a 34yr old Canadian with plans to relocate to BKK around Feb 2014 to begin teaching English. I'm currently in my last semester of my BS degree in ECE/Education and I have done 2 online TEFL courses (Chiang Mai U & Serious Tefl) and no I don't fully believe that just because I'm may be qualified on paper it will guarantee that I will be a great teacher, but from what I gather it consists of time, effort, patience and learning from the more experienced peers as well....among many other aspects.

My main question is this. Like I previously stated, I will have a BS degree, but I will not be able to obtain an actual copy of it until I pay off the tuition in full. However, the school, which is accredited, does provide a clear and concise document stating that I have completed all 40 courses/120 credit hours along with a transcript of my grades throughout the program. Does anyone know if this is accepted by the Thai Ministry or schools ect in BKK?

I have a few other quick questions, but i just thought to get this one answered first and if there happens to be someone kind enough to answer a few more newbie questions I'd appreciate it very much.

Hopefully I explained myself clearly, and hope I didn't say anything out of line, but if anyone has any questions for me pls just ask....oh, one last thing is, like most of us on here I do have a great sense of humor so if someone is going to make fun of this post, could you do us all a favor and at least make it funny so we can all have a good laugh....hahahhaha...j/k

But seriously, thanks everyone for reading my post and helping a newbie out as most of us have been at there starting line at some point eh and I appreciate any help I can get from people with first-hand knowledge & experience. It’s been a long road of school and work (as most of you obviously already know) and I'm looking forward to finishing up and moving to BKK in Feb 2014

Thanks again and I hope you have all been safe during the protests over there.

[Colabamumbai]

It may suffice although they usually ask for a copy of diploma or degree or TEFL as you have.

I do not want to disappoint you but a word of advice.

You cannot fail a Thai student, they all pass.

They are not really interested in learning English, but they will put up with you.

You will live on visas/extensions that are dependent on contract dates, contract over, get out.

You will deal with schools who have no clue in how to obtain a Non B visa or a Work Permit, who do not know what paperwork is necessary, and at your expense, Visa 2,000 Baht, W.P. 3,100 Baht per year.

I know you are young and excited at the opportunity. A year teaching here will surely change that.

[templedog]

Hello Matt,

Colabamumbai must have had a bad experience. Yeah, there is an unwritten rule that you do not fail Thai students, but that depends on the school and at what level. I've taught at schools where they allow failing. I taught for 6 months at Wimol Vocational School in Bang Sue, Bangkok, a type of Trade College, they provided me with visas, permits, accommodation, and salary was always on time...in cash! Since then, I've been working for Wall Street English in their corporate division for 6 years. It's good pay, a bit dull, but steady work. As for your questions, it is my understanding that you WILL need an original diploma, original and sealed transcripts, police record check from your current state, vaccination records, and...I've never heard of anyone getting into a good school with an online TEFL course. A good school will demand that you attend a "live" TEFL course with teacher classroom time. However, I've heard countless stories about non-qualified people getting jobs at "schools", private Institutes, but then you might have the same problems that Colabamumbai had, or had heard about.

To teach in Thailand successfully, you need a charismatic personality, you should be fun, creative, and have lots of energy. As most of your success will depend on whether the students like you or not. Then you will have their trust and attention. It's a different place here....I love it. I've been here 8 years, I'm married to a Thai, and don't plan to live anywhere else for the rest of my life. You may contact me at *email edited out* if you have more questions. Good luck, Joe

Edited December 10, 2013 by Scott

[wayned]

Most of the time they require the original diploma but you might be able to work around that with the documentation and possibly a letter stating that from the university stating that you have graduated but that you will not get your diploma until your student loan is paid in full.

I taught Mathematics and English in a EP program in a government school for 6 years. And I agree with some of the above post.

Where I worked no one could fail, you just had to give them extra work and retest them until they passed. They writing was on the wall so everybody passed.

Some were not interested in English, or math, because their parents pushed them into the program. But some were and actively tried to better themselves in both Math and English. Although I retired, I am still tutoring some of them.

Yes, if you are single and get a Non-B visa and extensions it is tied into your employment and, by law, the day the your employment ends you must leave the country. It can only be extended for 30 days,to "clear out", cost 1900 baht. I'm married to a Thai and my permission to stay was not tied to my working.

You will deal with schools that don't have a clue and you should insure that your contact specifically states that the school pays for the visa and work permit. Beware of working for agencies, some are Okay, but some are "warm body suppliers" and will tell you anything to get you to work for them.

I take exception to the last statement! Life is what you make of it and teaching here is the same. We all have different goals in life. Granted, it will be nothing like what you experienced while you were in school, but if you go in with an open mind you can make it what you want it to be.

[templedog]

Matt,

If you haven't already, go to ajarn, it's the Thai website for teaching.

Edited December 10, 2013 by SlyAnimal
removed commercial link

[ubonjoe]

Moved to teaching forum.

[Scott]

I do the hiring for my school. You do not need to have a copy of the actual degree, but you will need to have a certified copy of your transcript and it needs to show that you have acquired a Bachelor's Degree. The school will usually try to verify the degree, especially if there is no certificate. In the US, it's rather easy using the National Clearinghouse, but in Canada it might be more difficult. You might want to check with the University as to the division that does it and if there is a specific person. Usually it is the Registrar's office.

You do not need a TEFL.

There are lots of differences between your country and Thailand. You will get used to most of them.

Best of luck.

[Scott]

I do the hiring for my school. You do not need to have a copy of the actual degree, but you will need to have a certified copy of your transcript and it needs to show that you have acquired a Bachelor's Degree. The school will usually try to verify the degree, especially if there is no certificate. In the US, it's rather easy using the National Clearinghouse, but in Canada it might be more difficult. You might want to check with the University as to the division that does it and if there is a specific person. Usually it is the Registrar's office.

You do not need a TEFL.

There are lots of differences between your country and Thailand. You will get used to most of them.

Best of luck.

[SlyAnimal]

Matt, that's great that you've decided to teach in Thailand, I hope that you'll really enjoy your time here.

The letter etc which your university is willing to provide you with might be enough, but it depends on the format. You might be able to obtain a copy of your transcript from them, even an unofficial one, as that might also assist if the letter by itself isn't enough. Although in general I think that most schools will be fine with the letter you have, it'll only be the TCT which might have a problem (Which effects your ability to get a work permit etc).

Also please also take all posters comments with a grain of salt, as every school in Thailand is different:

It may suffice although they usually ask for a copy of diploma or degree or TEFL as you have.

I do not want to disappoint you but a word of advice.

You cannot fail a Thai student, they all pass.

They are not really interested in learning English, but they will put up with you.

You will live on visas/extensions that are dependent on contract dates, contract over, get out.

You will deal with schools who have no clue in how to obtain a Non B visa or a Work Permit, who do not know what paperwork is necessary, and at your expense, Visa 2,000 Baht, W.P. 3,100 Baht per year.

I know you are young and excited at the opportunity. A year teaching here will surely change that.

The above post being an example, some schools in Thailand are exactly as the poster here has mentioned. And others exhibit some, but not all, of the characteristics described, but every school is different and the most important thing in Thailand is to adopt the mantra of "Mai Pen Rai" (Whatever, don't worry, no problem, it's ok). As generally things are very different compared to the western education system, and it's best to just go with the flow and swim with the river, rather than against it.

(And as a quick note, you can fail students. I regularly do so, however if you fail students it should be for lack of attendance or incomplete work rather than ability, as there should be parity between the Thai teacher's grades and farang teacher's grades. Since the Thai teachers' grades often include large portion's based on attendance/participation and also include easy multiple choice exams).

[Scott]

We have not been able to obtain the necessary letter from the MOE for the non-immigrant B visa without a copy of the transcript. Even a photocopy and a verification that you completed your Bachelor's degree is sufficient.

[JeremyBowskill]

I do the hiring for my school. You do not need to have a copy of the actual degree, but you will need to have a certified copy of your transcript and it needs to show that you have acquired a Bachelor's Degree. The school will usually try to verify the degree, especially if there is no certificate. In the US, it's rather easy using the National Clearinghouse, but in Canada it might be more difficult. You might want to check with the University as to the division that does it and if there is a specific person. Usually it is the Registrar's office.

You do not need a TEFL.

There are lots of differences between your country and Thailand. You will get used to most of them.

Best of luck.

I liked this post so much, I read it 3 times. Thanks

[Scott]

A post containing a link to another forum has been deleted. It's against the rules. A troll post has also been removed.

[Mascot]

Well I just wanted to say thanks for all the replies and apologize for my late reply. I do understand that there is going to be a lot of positive and negative aspects of this whole thing and I don't mind hearing the negative replies as well because like a few of you said (and I'm a firm believer in it as well).....Thailand (or anywhere for that matter) is what you make of it. Of course there’s going to be tough times, but I'm sure there are great ones too. I have been to BKK a few times in the last few years and I am aware that starting a life there is going to be much different than just a month or two out of the year, but I am heading into this whole thing with an open-mind and positive attitude....

To fill in some of the blanks from the responses, I did just want to mention a few things too. I understand that having TELF courses is not a huge asset, but I mainly did them as a helpful and motivational tool for myself and I figured it can't possible hinder me in anyway to have it, so I had seen it as a beneficial thing to do at the time.

Scott, you mentioned a website that is of great help to me and I thank you for that. As it turns out although I am a Canadian, I chose an American school to get my degree so your suggestion of National Clearinghouse is great!

So as it stands I will have an official document for my school stating that I have 100% completed my BS degree, but I am still paying off my student loan and cannot obtain a copy of it until the loan is paid in full.

- I will also have a document from the National Clearinghouse to verify that I have in fact completed the BS degree program and hold a valid degree.

- And finally, I will have a copy of my transcripts from an accredited US school

I sure do hope this is going to be good enough to get my foot in the door and begin my new position teaching in BKK….like I said before everyone has to start their first day at some point, I just hope to get the chance to do so. Also, I just wanted to be as prepared as possible to show I’m taking this seriously and it’s not just an extended vacation for me….but at the same time enjoy it the best I can!

If anyone ever thinks of something else that would be beneficial to me or to other newbies out there, I'd greatly appreciate it as I have appreciated all the help thus far. After all the people replying with their help and advice generally are the people that know there stuff first-hand eh!

One other thing I was wondering was this. If I were to fly from Canada in Feb 2014 to BKK with a one way ticket, but have another flight purchased and scheduled out 30 days later to exit the country and return (ie 30 days after initial arrival, fly AirAsia to Vietnam for a day or two and return for as a visa renewal) does that sound right?...or?

Thanks again for everyone’s help, advice and opinions and look forward to talking more soon.

Matt