alex88 Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 I am planning to go to Thailand to look for work with a Bachelor degree and a TEFL certificate. I would prefer to teach somewhere in isan than in Bangkok. What are the chances of finding work if I base myself in a city like Korat or Udon Thani and approach schools in those regions looking for work as opposed to doing so in Bangkok? Is it better for a beginner to start in Bangkok or are the odds similar in isan? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamieP Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 If you arrive in any larger town in Issan and go round the schools smartly dressed and with a pile of CVs/resumes you'll find work fairly easily. Best time now would be the end of March and April because it's the end of the school year and the schools will be planning for the new semester in May. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angsta Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 In my experience Korat is the easiest place to find work and Udon the hardest with Khon Kaen somewhere in the middle. Buriram and Surin seem to advertise quite a lot. There are one or two 'decent' agencies that operate in these areas, Sine and BIFTS offer 11 month contracts with a bonus at the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeichen Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 (edited) You will find work definitely. Don't use an agency and don't accept an 11 month contract unless you are only going to stay in Thailand for 1 year. 11 month contracts suck if you are going to return to the job and not get paid during your holiday. Edited January 23, 2014 by zeichen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrjlh Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Some one just posted an urgent job ad for a teacher in the Issan area but I'm not exactly sure of the location. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tesolguru Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 You will get a job easily in Korat, but getting a work permit and visa will depend on whether or not you have the required number of credits in education or not. Here in Korat the requirements are being strictly enforced at the moment, and several teachers have had to resort to a tourist visa run every 2 weeks until they can complete the required number of education credits. (they are already holding B.A. degrees) The schools will gladly hire you without the requirements, but I just wanted to let you know about the possible complications. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirstymelb101 Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 As mentioned, the bigger cities in Isaan are relatively easy to find work. Large scale Government schools offer anywhere between 30-35k bht monthly. Look presentable and wear the appropriate attire when on the job hunt of course. School directors always look for young, enthusiastic & energetic teachers from abroad.You will find work guarantee 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirchai Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 (edited) Best time to look, as others had already mentioned will be middle/end of March, as the schools are aware how many teachers they'll need in May. New school years usually starts in middle of May. Google preferable places, also look in Ubon Ratchathani, Sisaket, etc....go to school in person with your complete resume and you'll find it pretty much easy to get an interview, as ASEAN will pop in 2015. Don't be surprised when you find out that neither primary, nor high school students are good at English. ( As well as their Thai English teachers) Be well dressed, well mannered, show them who you are and you'll easily find employment. Most schools want you to give a short demonstration lesson. Go for a 12 months contract and forget about agencies, when you're planning to stay/.live/work here longer. Wish you best of luck.- P. S. And never pay a so called "agent" any money to get you a job!!! Edited January 23, 2014 by sirchai Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celticabdullah Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 hi,can anyone give advise on the possibility of teaching construction trades in Thailand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
socksy01 Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 <deleted> me don't come to Udon overqualified otherwise you may end up as the director of education for the region, and I'm not including ex-pat English teachers here. My daughter's teacher at the International school she attends can hardly string together a basic sentence in English. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KruJA Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 (edited) If you look neat, are well dressed and speak clearly you will get lots of offers. I'm assuming you are Caucasian from one of the main English speaking countries. For Isan region expect 25 - 40 K baht a month for full time. 25K B at a poor small rural school, but they can be the most rewarding to teach at and often have very small class size. The cost of accommodation will be low as well. You will also find them more flexible with taking your non teaching hours off. Always ask how many contact hours per week (20 is normal), the class size ( you don't want 50 - 60) and daily start and finish times. Don't use an agent, most of them will rip you off, take a look at the major ESL web sites (ajarn.com, daves esl cafe, *Direct link to Craigslist deleted* and this thaivisa site) - you should be able to tee up a job before you come, though there are many hundreds of schools that never advertise. If you just rock up before March when this school year ends and do the rounds of schools in the district you want to live you WILL get a job. Cheers JA Edited January 23, 2014 by Scott Link edited out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trav111 Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 You will get a job easily in Korat, but getting a work permit and visa will depend on whether or not you have the required number of credits in education or not. Here in Korat the requirements are being strictly enforced at the moment, and several teachers have had to resort to a tourist visa run every 2 weeks until they can complete the required number of education credits. (they are already holding B.A. degrees) The schools will gladly hire you without the requirements, but I just wanted to let you know about the possible complications. You will get a job easily in Korat, but getting a work permit and visa will depend on whether or not you have the required number of credits in education or not. Here in Korat the requirements are being strictly enforced at the moment, and several teachers have had to resort to a tourist visa run every 2 weeks until they can complete the required number of education credits. (they are already holding B.A. degrees) The schools will gladly hire you without the requirements, but I just wanted to let you know about the possible complications. tesolguru, the credits you are referring to is that stipulated by Immigration or the department of Labour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex88 Posted January 23, 2014 Author Share Posted January 23, 2014 You will get a job easily in Korat, but getting a work permit and visa will depend on whether or not you have the required number of credits in education or not. Here in Korat the requirements are being strictly enforced at the moment, and several teachers have had to resort to a tourist visa run every 2 weeks until they can complete the required number of education credits. (they are already holding B.A. degrees) The schools will gladly hire you without the requirements, but I just wanted to let you know about the possible complications. You will get a job easily in Korat, but getting a work permit and visa will depend on whether or not you have the required number of credits in education or not. Here in Korat the requirements are being strictly enforced at the moment, and several teachers have had to resort to a tourist visa run every 2 weeks until they can complete the required number of education credits. (they are already holding B.A. degrees) The schools will gladly hire you without the requirements, but I just wanted to let you know about the possible complications. tesolguru, the credits you are referring to is that stipulated by Immigration or the department of Labour What do you guys mean by credits? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamieP Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 You haven't said what subject your BA is in. If the degree doesn't contain a sufficient number of Education related credits then you will have to undertake further study to obtain a full permit to teach. Right now you would appear to qualify for a provionsal teaching permit or "waiver." Up until now you could sit a series of difficult but not impossible exams to meet the requirements of the licensing authority in Thailand. It is however currently unclear if these tests will be offered again. They are likely to be replaced with courses taken in semester breaks and weekends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex88 Posted January 23, 2014 Author Share Posted January 23, 2014 You haven't said what subject your BA is in. If the degree doesn't contain a sufficient number of Education related credits then you will have to undertake further study to obtain a full permit to teach. Right now you would appear to qualify for a provionsal teaching permit or "waiver." Up until now you could sit a series of difficult but not impossible exams to meet the requirements of the licensing authority in Thailand. It is however currently unclear if these tests will be offered again. They are likely to be replaced with courses taken in semester breaks and weekends. I have a Bachelor of Behavioural Studies. I believe I can get a waiver while I study for the education units? If I show up in Korat applying for jobs with my degree and a TEFL or CELTA then I can take a job on a waiver while I continue my studies right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamieP Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 You haven't said what subject your BA is in. If the degree doesn't contain a sufficient number of Education related credits then you will have to undertake further study to obtain a full permit to teach. Right now you would appear to qualify for a provionsal teaching permit or "waiver." Up until now you could sit a series of difficult but not impossible exams to meet the requirements of the licensing authority in Thailand. It is however currently unclear if these tests will be offered again. They are likely to be replaced with courses taken in semester breaks and weekends. I have a Bachelor of Behavioural Studies. I believe I can get a waiver while I study for the education units? If I show up in Korat applying for jobs with my degree and a TEFL or CELTA then I can take a job on a waiver while I continue my studies right? Yes, you will probably have up to 4 years to satisfy the additional requirements. There are a number of threads on here. There are websites dedicated to THAILAND and TEACHING and a quick google should lead you to one that has up to date and accurate information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trav111 Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 Hi all, Sorry forgive me but I don't understand about this points/credit system, could someone please explain, because I raised a topic in the work permits forum, asking whether I would qualify for a work permit at a private school even though I don't have any degree or experience. It was indicated in the responses that I would as long as I am a NES and my college diploma(actually a NVQ) would be sufficent. Would it be because this is a private school or are the regulations the same? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 There are different methods and systems used, however, a student usually receives 1 credit for each hour of study per week. If a course is 3 times a week for 1 hour it is equivalent to 3 credit hours. It takes a certain number of credits (as well as specific classes in a subject) to obtain a major or a minor in a particular field. If it is a science class, however, there may be a laboratory portion that does not figure in the overall time. Also a practical portion of some classes may be calculated differently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tesolguru Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 I will double check on which department is the problem, but I think it's the Labor Dept will not give work permits, and therefore immigration will not renew the visas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tesolguru Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 Hi all, Sorry forgive me but I don't understand about this points/credit system, could someone please explain, because I raised a topic in the work permits forum, asking whether I would qualify for a work permit at a private school even though I don't have any degree or experience. It was indicated in the responses that I would as long as I am a NES and my college diploma(actually a NVQ) would be sufficent. Would it be because this is a private school or are the regulations the same? On your degree transcript there should be a list of courses studied and the number of credits given for each course. The requirements are the same for all schools, but the problems are not with the schools. I know of one teacher that was just hired without any ID. The problems arise when you apply for a work permit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trav111 Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 Hi all, Sorry forgive me but I don't understand about this points/credit system, could someone please explain, because I raised a topic in the work permits forum, asking whether I would qualify for a work permit at a private school even though I don't have any degree or experience. It was indicated in the responses that I would as long as I am a NES and my college diploma(actually a NVQ) would be sufficent. Would it be because this is a private school or are the regulations the same? On your degree transcript there should be a list of courses studied and the number of credits given for each course. The requirements are the same for all schools, but the problems are not with the schools. I know of one teacher that was just hired without any ID. The problems arise when you apply for a work permit. I dont have a degree, only a NVQ, it's just a certificate, no transcript Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirstymelb101 Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 Unfortunately the transcript is more important than the actual certificate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trav111 Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 (edited) Are you talking about qualifying for a teachers license, because when I raised a topic regarding a work permit I got these replies http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696069-work-permit/ Edited January 24, 2014 by trav111 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlycw Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 You will find work definitely. Don't use an agency and don't accept an 11 month contract unless you are only going to stay in Thailand for 1 year. 11 month contracts suck if you are going to return to the job and not get paid during your holiday. Hear, hear! the semester will end in March, but at my school, the foreign teachers' contracts will end in February. This sucks big time! Thailand has many places, be open and see the ads on Ajarn.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sapson Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 In my experience Korat is the easiest place to find work and Udon the hardest with Khon Kaen somewhere in the middle. Buriram and Surin seem to advertise quite a lot. There are one or two 'decent' agencies that operate in these areas, Sine and BIFTS offer 11 month contracts with a bonus at the end. Sine is a 10 month contract with just the first week of March paid for!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fifthcolumn Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 Not to hijack, is matriculating thru a few schools ever an issue? I have transcripts for all (open, sealed, photo copies)? Also diploma of course. Education credits? How are these qualified? Not unit/credit but courses? So, as it stands those only with a BA are no longer qualifed to teach under the (proposal) press release speculation a few weeks ago. To the op, good luck persuing your Ed MA in rural Issan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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