Qualifications

[BamaNug]

Hello all! I am from Alabama and will be moving to Chiang Mai in late March/nearly April and, at least for the first year, hope to teach English. I am 27, have a bachelors in Philosophy from a US school, a law degree from a US school, and have been working as a lawyer in America for 2+ years (hence why I'm leaving). I also plan on enrollment in a TEFL course immediately upon arrival before job-hunting. I have done quite a bit of research, but still have some questions I was hoping some could help with:

-Am I correct that the order of preference/desirability of schools is:

1) International school

2) private school

3) Government school??

-is an International school out of the question for me as I have no teaching experience? I like to think my qualifications/education will help me out, but at the same time won't have any teaching exp. Will a professional American degree + 2 years work experience + TEFL or CELTA certificate help me stand out? If not, where should I aim?

-other than teaching English, are there any other teaching opportunities for farangs? Probably a crazy long-shot, but what about teaching law? I've spoken to a few ex-lawyers who were able to teach law in Bangkok, but I imagine they're the exception rather than the norm.

Thanks in advance, I. Sure I'll have some follow-up questions

[zeichen]

"-is an International school out of the question for me as I have no teaching experience? I like to think my qualifications/education will help me out, but at the same time won't have any teaching exp. Will a professional American degree + 2 years work experience + TEFL or CELTA certificate help me stand out? If not, where should I aim?"

International schools are the same as schools from your own country. Are you qualified/certified to teach? TEFL has no bearing on these jobs as you would be teaching subjects not specifically conversation EFL. TEFL certificates are not a teaching qualification, they are just a minimal introduction to conversation teaching.

I do know of a few US lawyers working here as lawyers but not sure of exactly who they work for. My guess is that they are working for multinational companies.

Teaching law would probably be a long shot as you are not really qualified.

Universities pay relatively low but usually have less hours. Lots of hidden politics to be careful of though.

Private schools often have English Programs where you teach subjects in English. That might be your best bet.

However because you lack qualifications you won't be able to get a teacher's license and will be on a temporary for 2 years. For short term living here that is ok.

Government schools are tough to handle and you would most likely get eaten alive unless you have experience with children.

If you were a father, substitute teacher, or at the very least a youth leader somewhere, you will not be prepared.

Language schools might be your best bet if you get a TEFL. They pay ok, have longer hours but generally are easy to adjust to.

Before coming be honest with yourself where your skill set lies. If you are not good with children, then don't bother with it. My guess is that with your background you will be more pedantic than necessary and alienate your students.

On a further note, CM is the worst place in the country to teach in. There aren't many jobs, they pay very low, they require a lot of commitment and usually have dysfunctional management. The jobs that are good are not vacant often.