Are They Honest People, Or Just BSing Their Employees?

[sirchai]

Hello and Sawasdee Khrap,

I'm in the middle of something to "upgrade" my existing degree into a BA in Education/ English at a local Rajaghat, or maybe going for a Master's.

I've got an appointment next week at a Rajabhat and a confirmed e-mail from Kurusapa, that it would qualify myself for a teacher's license to do so. ( Not the waiver!)

Now here's the joke. A well-known agency that sends "qualified Native English speaking teachers" to too many schools in this country, had informed their employees that such an development wouldn't be recognized by the Teachers' Council of Thailand.

Looking into their fancy looking brochures, they promise to send only qualified guys to schools, but reality always differs from theory. They don't even supply their- sometimes just- backpacking employees with a good curriculum and the fluctuation is enormous..

Those who'd like to keep their jobs, working for this "fantastic" agency by doing a BA on weekend courses, had received this unbelievable message that it wouldn't qualify them anymore in Thailand,saying that it's coming from TCT..(Laughing out loud) ( But were hired as qualified teachers before....)

Please don't get me wrong, as it doesn't affect my own personal situation, it just makes me wonder if they wanna get rid off some guys by telling them some usual lies.

It's not my intention to badmouth agencies, but i do know how they make their money.I'd made up my mind already many moons ago.

And after all, it's just business.

To get back to my question. Are they honest guys, or not? I mean the agencies. Guess we already know the answer.

Any input would be deeply appreciated and might help many people sitting on an atomic bomb, without even knowing it, to continue doing something that makes sense.

Many had made plans, settled down, got married and gave all up back in their home country.Good weekend.-

[Scott]

I've never worked for an agency and we have never used one, but the reviews from people I have met who worked with them is very mixed. A few people have had good experiences and enjoy working for the agency. Some people like to get a lot of exposure to Thailand and different schools (so someone reported). So for them an agency has been positive.

Others, and we have seen a number of them on the forum, have had horrible experiences with agencies. Bad placements, no support and big issues with pay. I assume there are two sides to the story, though.

In Thailand misinformation is all too common.

[SlyAnimal]

I would say that the agency is being honest but that they're talking about a different situation to you.

As from what I understand some universities/Rajabhats offer graduate diplomas to people who have an existing bachelor degree and who are currently teachers. I believe that these students are allowed waivers, and are granted full teaching licenses at the conclusion of their course (I have a Thai friend doing exactly this at present, or so I understand from him anyway).

However if you are studying for a bachelor's degree, you don't qualify for a teacher's license, regardless of the subject. Although this didn't used to be the case, as people without a bachelor degree could previously get a teaching license waiver provided they were studying in order to become qualified (I believe the change happened in 2011?). The agency may have been notifying people of this rule change, particularly as it's possible that if they are a large agency they may have been allowed to delay the application of their rules until recently.

That's my 2c

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[sirchai]

I would say that the agency is being honest but that they're talking about a different situation to you.

As from what I understand some universities/Rajabhats offer graduate diplomas to people who have an existing bachelor degree and who are currently teachers. I believe that these students are allowed waivers, and are granted full teaching licenses at the conclusion of their course (I have a Thai friend doing exactly this at present, or so I understand from him anyway).

However if you are studying for a bachelor's degree, you don't qualify for a teacher's license, regardless of the subject. Although this didn't used to be the case, as people without a bachelor degree could previously get a teaching license waiver provided they were studying in order to become qualified (I believe the change happened in 2011?). The agency may have been notifying people of this rule change, particularly as it's possible that if they are a large agency they may have been allowed to delay the application of their rules until recently.

That's my 2c

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Thanks a lot, Sly,

Would be funny if a BA made at a local Rajabhat in Thailand would "disqualify" you.Nothing is impossible

.And a"lifetime" degree would do the trick.-

Edited February 28, 2014 by sirchai

[thepool]

I have no knowledge of "Thai" agencies but in the UK it would be necessary to prove possession of an appropriate degree, teaching licence , a clear criminal record check and decent references before an agency would consider placing an applicant on the "books"

[sirchai]

I have no knowledge of "Thai" agencies but in the UK it would be necessary to prove possession of an appropriate degree, teaching licence , a clear criminal record check and decent references before an agency would consider placing an applicant on the "books"

It's very different in Thailand. Sometimes being young seems to be enough,when they need teachers. I know of a guy from your country who had "changed" his own pretty much negative record

A homeless guy, who's out of everything, when a van of this agency pulled up, asked him where he was from. Alaska was enough. He's hired and the first question he was asking me after his first lesson was "How do you spell Wednesday"?

The kids corrected him, but he insisted in being right. He'd spelled it: Wedsday. ( Dude, please forgive me)-

A guy who'd made the "curriculum" for them a few moons ago said to many employees that they wouldn't need a work permit." If they show up, just pay your fine and go back to work" Doesn't work that way..

Edited February 28, 2014 by sirchai

[thepool]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

I have no knowledge of "Thai" agencies but in the UK it would be necessary to prove possession of an appropriate degree, teaching licence , a clear criminal record check and decent references before an agency would consider placing an applicant on the "books"

It's very different in Thailand. Sometimes being young seems to be enough,when they need teachers. I know of a guy from your country who had "changed" his own pretty much negative record

A homeless guy, who's out of everything, when a van of this agency pulled up, asked him where he was from. Alaska was enough. He's hired and the first question he was asking me after his first lesson was "How do you spell Wednesday"?

The kids corrected him, but he insisted in being right. He'd spelled it: Wedsday. ( Dude, please forgive me)- alt=biggrin.png width=20 height=20>

A guy who'd made the "curriculum" for them a few moons ago said to many employees that they wouldn't need a work permit." If they show up, just pay your fine and go back to work" Doesn't work that way..

Sad -------Its the children who are the suffers of this alleged despicable "practice"

[sirchai]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

I have no knowledge of "Thai" agencies but in the UK it would be necessary to prove possession of an appropriate degree, teaching licence , a clear criminal record check and decent references before an agency would consider placing an applicant on the "books"

It's very different in Thailand. Sometimes being young seems to be enough,when they need teachers. I know of a guy from your country who had "changed" his own pretty much negative record

A homeless guy, who's out of everything, when a van of this agency pulled up, asked him where he was from. Alaska was enough. He's hired and the first question he was asking me after his first lesson was "How do you spell Wednesday"?

The kids corrected him, but he insisted in being right. He'd spelled it: Wedsday. ( Dude, please forgive me)- alt=biggrin.png width=20 height=20>

A guy who'd made the "curriculum" for them a few moons ago said to many employees that they wouldn't need a work permit." If they show up, just pay your fine and go back to work" Doesn't work that way..

Sad -------Its the children who are the suffers of this alleged despicable "practice"

Plus the incredible "nobody fails" strategy, which is an "unwritten law" by the MoE. No student from grade one up to grade 12 is allowed to ask a question to Thai teachers.

They could lose face, by not knowing the answer? ( My kids are asking me questions about almost everything.)

All students pass, even those with a huge learning. listening, speaking difficulty,or other disorders. And they hit the kids in primary school with bamboo sticks.

My hobby, since 2005 is to destroy them, while watching the kids looking at me. They seem to think I'll get hit too.. Goes on and on.

I always prepare my tests, then let them do the assignment, keep record, then deliver it to my Thai colleagues.

But they're also doing their tests and they finally get the grades from their Thai English teachers.

Does that make sense to put so much effort in doing a great job? I didn't mean teaching in general, but the "testing part"...

So having also some questionable foreigners as educators in the English language, it's sometimes all like a big circus..

And your position varies from being the director of a big zoo, to the guy who has to deal with the buffaloes' excremental outcome. - .

Edited February 28, 2014 by sirchai

[thepool]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

I have no knowledge of "Thai" agencies but in the UK it would be necessary to prove possession of an appropriate degree, teaching licence , a clear criminal record check and decent references before an agency would consider placing an applicant on the "books"

It's very different in Thailand. Sometimes being young seems to be enough,when they need teachers. I know of a guy from your country who had "changed" his own pretty much negative record

A homeless guy, who's out of everything, when a van of this agency pulled up, asked him where he was from. Alaska was enough. He's hired and the first question he was asking me after his first lesson was "How do you spell Wednesday"?

The kids corrected him, but he insisted in being right. He'd spelled it: Wedsday. ( Dude, please forgive me)- alt=biggrin.png width=20 height=20>

A guy who'd made the "curriculum" for them a few moons ago said to many employees that they wouldn't need a work permit." If they show up, just pay your fine and go back to work" Doesn't work that way..

Sad -------Its the children who are the suffers of this alleged despicable "practice"

Plus the incredible "nobody fails" strategy, which is an "unwritten law" by the MoE. No student from grade one up to grade 12 is allowed to ask a question to Thai teachers.

They could lose face, by not knowing the answer? ( My kids are asking me questions about almost everything.)

All students pass, even those with a huge learning. listening, speaking difficulty,or other disorders. And they hit the kids in primary school with bamboo sticks.

My hobby, since 2005 is to destroy them, while watching the kids looking at me. They seem to think I'll get hit too.. Goes on and on.

I always prepare my tests, then let them do the assignment, keep record, then deliver it to my Thai colleagues.

But they're also doing their tests and they finally get the grades from their Thai English teachers.

Does that make sense to put so much effort in doing a great job? I didn't mean teaching in general, but the "testing part"...

So having also some questionable foreigners as educators in the English language, it's sometimes all like a big circus..

And your position varies from being the director of a big zoo, to the guy who has to deal with the buffaloes' excremental outcome. - alt=wai2.gif width=20 height=20> .

I suppose it all depends on ones ethical standpoint.

Lack of education and knowledge inevitably leads to an acceptance of poor standards .

[sirchai]

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. Nelson Mandela.

Edited February 28, 2014 by sirchai

[Ruin]

So much is wrong with the education in Thailand. It would take a lot of fixing, but nobody seems to want to do it.

Is an English native speaker who has no qualifications an addition to the teacher pool? Maybe.

Possibly better than short time teachers who only want to be in Thailand and use the idea of working in a school for 6 months as a way to pay for it.

[casualbiker]

Sirchai.. The Rajhabhat Uni course is in English or Thai?

i was led to believe that they are in Thai only! can you confirm.. also pricing for the course. Thanks.

[sirchai]

Sirchai.. The Rajhabhat Uni course is in English or Thai?

i was led to believe that they are in Thai only! can you confirm.. also pricing for the course. Thanks.

How could you have a BA, or a Master's degree in English, when taught in Thai? Was a rhetorical question.

All I know now is that they "sell" their application forms on 1st of April. ( Fool's Day...) That's what I understood on the phone......

It's not that all Rajabhats in the Kingdom are doing such courses on weekends. You'll have to get in touch with somebody from the English department to find it out, if they do so. Best is to go there in person.

Don't know yet, as I'll meet them on Wednesday, with all my documentation. Will let you know, what they'd told me.-

[casualbiker]

" How could you have a BA, or a Master's degree in English, when taught in Thai? Was a rhetorical question."

​TIT, that's how!

English lessons are taught in Thai so why not a BA in English!

[kirstymelb101]

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. Nelson Mandela.

Education is the golden which unlocks the door of freedom.

Credit - My coffee mug 5555+