No degree needed for workpermit in language schools?

[IsacHunt]

Nothing is etched in stone;

Necessity is the mother of invention in that, if the school desires to hire you, and you demand to remain legal, a way can or will be found.

The question is will the schools desire to hire you outweigh the "hoops they will have to jump through" to secure the proper documents.

Spot on answer. I work in a government school in Isaan with no degree, just a TEFL certificate. I have been given a WP and visa ext with no prolems. Fact is my school have been trying to hire a native speaker for years but nobody wants to work here for the money the school can afford to pay. Im the only native speaker for miles around here and just happen to live 100 yards from the school. Not sure what loophole the school has used but im 100% legal without a degree.

[casualbiker]

Nothing is etched in stone;

Necessity is the mother of invention in that, if the school desires to hire you, and you demand to remain legal, a way can or will be found.

The question is will the schools desire to hire you outweigh the "hoops they will have to jump through" to secure the proper documents.

Spot on answer. I work in a government school in Isaan with no degree, just a TEFL certificate. I have been given a WP and visa ext with no prolems. Fact is my school have been trying to hire a native speaker for years but nobody wants to work here for the money the school can afford to pay. Im the only native speaker for miles around here and just happen to live 100 yards from the school. Not sure what loophole the school has used but im 100% legal without a degree.

Government school principals can write a letter detailing why they need a non degree holder.. eg can't find anyone for the money etc.

[duanebigsby]

My nephew is an English Language teacher. He has at least 10 years experience teaching at all levels in China. He has now expressed a wish to join me in Thailand and teach here. Unfortunately he has no degree but he does have many years experience. I feel it would be remiss of Thailand to refuse him a WP particularly with the shortage of native speakers teaching English and schools being desperate to find teachers. For example one state school here has employed a Filipino waiter simply because he can speak English (all be it Pigeon) and has a WP.

I understand that Thailand wants to weed out all the deadbeats and fake teachers but they should not reject serious qualified and experienced teachers. If they do not have a degree then 10 years of experience with appropriate references should be considered favourably.

I agree that Thailand could really use a person with your nephew's experience, and it is a shame that experience can't trump degree.

The rules are being looked at and revamped at the moment and maybe things will change.

In the meantime, the degree requirement remains.

[mikecat]

This is Thailand and nothing is straightforward. My understanding is that the new laws state that only informal schools and universities are exempt from the degree requirement.

This is to bring the visa extension into line with the Teachers Council requirement for a degree to obtain a waiver or licence. In the past the Teachers Council has given waivers to people without a degree depending on type of school and locality etc. This is not to be the case anymore, so they told me.

Both the Department of Labour and immigration have told me that they are prepared to give a work permit and extension without a degree as long as you have the waiver or licence and at least a TEFL ( not very likely by the sounds of it). But this seems to depend on which province you apply in.

Finally applications for an extension for employment in a school other than teaching are now being vetted at the local immigration and then sent to Bangkok for approval ( I am not sure if this is all applications or ones they think are dodgy or dont fit into a specified catagory)

Clear as mud.

[lucifer666]

Personally nave both a degree and a tefl/tesol certificate but i do know many teachers that have taught here for years and have only ther tefl/tesol certs. So, unless the rules have changed recently, i would surmise that you don't need a degree for a valid work permit to teach.

[casualbiker]

Personally nave both a degree and a tefl/tesol certificate but i do know many teachers that have taught here for years and have only ther tefl/tesol certs. So, unless the rules have changed recently, i would surmise that you don't need a degree for a valid work permit to teach.

So you must have a TCT waiver as well then!

If you work in a traditional school under the MOE.

You need a degree to get a 2 year teachers licence waiver. You need a Bachelors in Education to get a teaching license (some were grandfathered in 2003-4 after the new rules started)

Both Labour department and Immigration require this!

[Deacon Bell]

Personally nave both a degree and a tefl/tesol certificate but i do know many teachers that have taught here for years and have only ther tefl/tesol certs. So, unless the rules have changed recently, i would surmise that you don't need a degree for a valid work permit to teach.

There's certainly no teachers teaching without a WP, Lord no.