Never Give Up And Say No To Job Offers That Are Not Acceptable...

[sirchai]

Hello and Sawasdee khrap,

I just wanted to point out some issues I just recently had/have. Teaching is this wonderful country for more than nine years and getting peanuts as a salary that doesn't feed a family, nor y car's tank for three and a half years.

I finally made the most important step, went for an interview, where they offered me to the salary I was on last year, which was 27.5 K, 750 bat deducted for social security.

I can call myself happy that I bought a car, when I still had savings I brought to Thailand many moons ago. So here's how the interview went, but you have to consider that they phoned me and want me to teach for them, set u an EP, etc...

I show up with my resume, all the certificates and all of them hold my resume and act like they read it. Takes a minute for me to realize that most of them didn't understand any of my coverage.

Then the "salary" part. The offer me 2.5 K less what I already made, awaiting a pay raise, which they knew.

I stand up, want to take my bag and my wife and just leave the place, but the director "agrees" to pay me 27 K. ( 500 baht less)

Okay, after the usual small talk, I agreed, as I can sleep at home and don't have to deal with some strange people at my (now) former school.

Then on the way home the first problem. What if I don't get another provisional TL? Okay, I call them let them know that I'm not interested anymore. They beg me to help them to find a teacher, I agree.

Then a SMS two minutes later, offering me between 32 and 33 K. No problems with TCT, as the director's brother works there.

Again a big headache, as we never know if spoken words mean anything. Especially in this country, also called Land of Smiles. (Sorry, but when I say yes, it's yes)

Then I have to drive to my now ex- school on a Sunday, as the parents come to sign in their kids for grade six. I realize that I was already made to a homeroom teacher. Holy shit would some people think.

So the appointment to discuss any issues with the new school is on the same day. Can't leave school before 4 pm and they have to wait a few hours for me.

Okay, seems to be a nice chat, but then I think I misunderstood something. The contract is for 12 months, but they only pay 11, as the school is closed the whole October, midterm. And other utter nonsense, nobody wants to listen to.

So, I didn't understand that part, when my wife tells me about it when stepping into the car, the guys who have some say are already gone.

Okay, one document wasn't signed by the director, so come back the next day, which was today. It was clear to me to let them know it they want to give me a 12 months contract, but only pay 11 of them, I'd have said that they'll have to find the right teacher, willing to sign that.

We arrive at ten in the morning, as it was the appointment we'd made, nobody there. After an hour the lovely assistant director shows up, excuses her quite a few times for being late. Indeed an honest person. Straightforward. The director is on his way..................

Another hour waiting and the director shows up. Then we walk into his office, all smile, 11 months is not even a topic. Would you like to have a coffee, Sir? sks the assistant director. I agree and we discuss some details without any lies, bullshit and all goes well.

My heart starts beating faster when I hear that I'll have my own classroom, air conditioned, with a projector and other helpful stuff in it.

Then some other really shocking news. There's also a sort of a restroom, to make me feel comfortable, also air conditioned.

Finally I sign the contract, making 5.5. K more a month what I made before. Got all documents, resigned my teaching position an hour ago and will go to Laos soon to get my new visa.

Sorry for my long post. I'm certain, if more foreigners would say no to a low salary, slutty circumstances, etc, many schools would have to change their behavior regarding foreigners.

And it would finally create huge problems for all the fishy agencies (I love fish) especially those who promise to send "experienced" teachers, but all they got is backpackers.

I really believe that we foreigners should start to stand together, fight abuse through schools that give a damn and finally make it happen that many things will change to the better.

Would we foreigners have an organization, let's call it “Foreigner’s Council of English teachers in Thailand", or anything similar, we could be very strong? But only if all agree and we'd have a word what they change here.

We should stop to criticizing each other, as it just doesn't matter where somebody’s coming from. It won’t work, when we’re racist in a racist country.

What I’m trying to say is, we could achieve a lot. No more foreigners on overstay, as those schools who’re used to rip foreigners off, pay them little money and let them work on tourist visas, would have a problem, once we’re organized.

That would only be successful, if people stop to complain about each other. Life’s too short to make it more complicated as it already is.

I had a dream.

Cheers-

[Scott]

Best of luck, Sirchai.

[likewise]

Well done mate

[schondie]

I'm glad you're a happy man again after the worries about the third teaching licence and maybe having to leave your family.

[marcusd]

I have said before in other threads.... Paying bribes, going with the flow when it is clearly wrong, makes it hard on all of us

Marcusd. Via tapatalk

[aidenai]

Good on you, sirchai. I hope everything will work out well with your third waiver.

[scooterboy]

Great! Hope it all goes smoothly for you - and not too much BS from your new school.

Cheers

[Sydebolle]

Well, it explains it all. And now we wonder why the kiddies have learnt less than their parents in the English class rooms?
How can you motivate a native professional (I assume you are a teacher by profession) with that little money? While job satisfaction should rank highest you have to give the staff the money so they can a) come by and concentrate on work and less on the pay check

[dotpoom]

Great you got what you wanted by persevering. I had some problems following the Post and wondered what some of the abbreviations meant. Why do people use abbreviations when the full word is almost as simple to write. If we are not in the profession or from the same country as yourself, abbreviations are not always understandable.

But good luck to you for posting it here and hopefully it will encourage others when applying for work.

[zeichen]

so far there are about 4 different posts commenting on people's writing ability. Can we please delete this garbage.

On an open forum people are just typing as they would talk and are not trying to publish something.

Way to stand your ground Sirichai. Keep up the fight. I often have to take long breaks in my teaching before I find jobs that keep current with pay scales, treatment of staff and properly equiping the classrooms.

[Scott]

Numerous off-topic posts and replies have been deleted.

This is the teaching forum and it is moderated strictly. It is against the rules to comment on grammar, spelling and writing ability unless the OP is asking for advice. To do so is inflammatory and off-topic.

The majority of foreign teachers are probably not English teachers, they are subject teachers who teach in English. Our Chinese teacher used to post on this forum.

This is an internet discussion forum. It's not a publication. Not everyone has a good internet connection, or a lot of time. Some posters are using mobile devices, which are not conducive to providing the most eloquent of posts.

Please stick to the topic.

[Camilo Diaz]

We had being trying to do the same with the filming industry regarding the extra jobs, but there is alwasy some farang willing to work for less....

[SlyAnimal]

Good to hear that you've negotiated a better deal SirChai, as from what you'd said in other posts you weren't very happy at your old school, and so it's good to see that you've stuck to your guns and gotten a new job with a better salary and from the sounds, better facilities as well.

[kirstymelb101]

Good luck, Mike ! I wish you all the best

[JO1973]

'Would we foreigners have an organization, let's call it “Foreigner’s Council of English teachers in Thailand"'

Don't stop with just teachers. There are so many of us supporting Thailand's economy and bringing in substantial business and investment, not just schools or restaurants but a heck of a lot else.

[ChrisB87]

Good on you. I couldn't agree more. The only way we will see better contracts is by sticking together, like the schools do.

[roguewo]

You make a teachers group to set a higher standard, I'll make a website, free! Time we banded together!

[Ulic]

Two things everyone has to understand.

1/ You don't get what you deserve or what you are worth, you get what you negotiate.

2/ Their is a special place in hell for those who charge to little for a product or service as it

sets the standard and undervalues the product or service. Those who accept the amount

have no right to complain as that is what is negotiated. Always be prepared to walk away

if the deal is not right for both parties.

Congratulations and best of luck in your new job.

[Brevity]

We had being trying to do the same with the filming industry regarding the extra jobs, but there is alwasy some farang willing to work for less....

I really can't tell if this is a serious post.

I've never though as movie extras as being skilled workers, but perhaps I'm wrong.

[lostinisaan]

'Would we foreigners have an organization, let's call it “Foreigner’s Council of English teachers in Thailand"'

Don't stop with just teachers. There are so many of us supporting Thailand's economy and bringing in substantial business and investment, not just schools or restaurants but a heck of a lot else.

Just trying to do the math. I'd spent almost seven million baht in 12 years living here.But I had three million +, when I came to this country.

I'd certainly agree to sign up for a ro Thailand, but against Rippy Rip off's, schools that let people work on tourist visas, schools that pay not enough money for a living and unfortunately fight against all the agencies who bribe school directors to sign a contract with them.

The four schools I know, who offer " Native English speaking teachers with experience" from agencies, have so many guys coming from non English speaking countries, no degree, no work permit, no future.

But as long as British people aren't keen with people who also hold a British passport and hate each other for the fact that they're from another country in the UK is scary to me and such an Association, will never happen.

Why do some of them have to hate Americans, some hate Germans, the French are the frogs, etc???

Aren't we all a sort of in the same boat that seems to be sinking soon?

Isn't there already enough racism in this country that people should stand together as one group, doesn't matter where they come from?

“Animals don't hate, and we're supposed to be better than them.” And that's from Elvis Presley, who wasn't a poet at all......................

I had just said no to a 25 K teaching position and will rather go back were i came from than signing up for a position I couldn't even feed my family with.

But they found an older American who couldn't get another position on the same day when they wanted me to sign a contract.

Life can be so short and it should be fun, don't you guys agree? Hate it, or leave it. Or love it. Your life, your enemies and your friends.

Edited May 9, 2014 by lostinisaan

[stubuzz]

Okay, seems to be a nice chat, but then I think I misunderstood something. The contract is for 12 months, but they only pay 11, as the school is closed the whole October, midterm. And other utter nonsense, nobody wants to listen to.

We arrive at ten in the morning, as it was the appointment we'd made, nobody there. After an hour the lovely assistant director shows up, excuses her quite a few times for being late. Indeed an honest person. Straightforward. The director is on his way..................

Your last job must have been awful if you let them treat you like this and then signed an 11 month contract! Are you a native speaker?

Are there any other foreign teachers at the school, or are you the first one?

How many contact hours a week?

Are the school policies written in English, or do they expect you to write them?

Is there a syllabus? Are there any course outlines/ objectives?

How can you set up an EP with only 1 teacher?

I hope you have the answers for these questions because i think you are going to be put on big time!

[somchaismith]

Sirchai said "No problems with TCT, as the director's brother works there."

Tell us how this goes. In my experience people who believe this disneyland stuff, usually end up the proverbial crap creek with no paddle.

Supply the director's name and we'll check his brother out at the TCT.

[Scott]

Some inappropriate and off-topic posts have been deleted. Since the OP is not able to answer on his own behalf, I will close this topic.