Employment Requirements for Language Schools

[yungwerther]

What are the requirements for securing a position at a language school? Would a bachelor's degree in English and a TEFL or CELTA certificate be sufficient?

Also, what about in terms of paperwork - is a Teacher's License Waiver (provisional teaching permit) also required?

[aidenai]

No degree or teacher license/ provisional teaching permit is needed when being employed by language schools/ teacher agencies.

[lostinisaan]

No degree or teacher license/ provisional teaching permit is needed when being employed by language schools/ teacher agencies.

Are you sure about teacher agencies?

[Hawkman]

From what I know that is you can get a non-b without a degree for a Language School but the Work Permit will be rejected due to the non degree.

[Loaded]

From what I know that is you can get a non-b without a degree for a Language School but the Work Permit will be rejected due to the non degree.

Different labour offices, different interpretations of labour law.

Also, interpretations can be influenced by the connections/status of the school owner.

Nothing is black and white.

[Loaded]

No degree or teacher license/ provisional teaching permit is needed when being employed by language schools/ teacher agencies.

Are you sure about teacher agencies?

Some agencies are licensed non-formal schools and can use their paperwork to obtain.

[VillageGirl08]

I'm currently on a visa run to Hong Kong where I'm trying to apply for a nonB visa in preparation for a work permit. All my paperwork is in order except that I have been asked, by the embassy, for a copy of my CRB check ... Is this something I should be getting from the UK? The staff member couldn't seem to explain where I should get it! Can I apply for my own CRB check? What do others do? I'm only planning to work for a language school but they've offered me work teaching students from age 7 - adults.

From what I know that is you can get a non-b without a degree for a Language School but the Work Permit will be rejected due to the non degree.

Different labour offices, different interpretations of labour law.

Also, interpretations can be influenced by the connections/status of the school owner.

Nothing is black and white.

I

[benj005]

Do you look like a young Brad Pitt?

If not, move along.

[otherstuff1957]

I'm tempted to say that most language schools will just make you work with a series successive tourist visas, but I'm probably being overly cynical.

[BKKSnowBird]

No degree or teacher license/ provisional teaching permit is needed when being employed by language schools/ teacher agencies.

Why do you not need a teacher licence?

I know you are correct because i worked for one for three years without. I had a WP but did have a degree.

[AyG]

No degree or teacher license/ provisional teaching permit is needed when being employed by language schools/ teacher agencies.

Why do you not need a teacher licence?

Language schools aren't legally schools, which is why they're usually called things such as "language centres". Hence no need for the licence.

[akaika]

My current understanding is 5 countries (UK, AU, NZ, CN, US) have some special rules for teaching English in language (non-formal) education schools. They do not require the same certification as applicants from other countries. Agencies might represent both formal education institutions or language schools so could likely place anyone if they have many 'clients' looking for teachers. Many formal schools are still using the 'education specialist' loophole to secure teachers without accredited teaching licensure.

[akaika]

No degree or teacher license/ provisional teaching permit is needed when being employed by language schools/ teacher agencies.

Why do you not need a teacher licence?

Language schools aren't legally schools, which is why they're usually called things such as "language centres". Hence no need for the licence.

Language Schools are sometimes 'schools' licensed under the min of education and sometimes businesses (such as some after school programs). If they are schools, they need to have 'teachers' that work there meet the requirements for the visa and the WP. At the meeting in Pattaya last month, the ministry of education said that foreigners could also be hired as marketing and administrative workers and a couple other positions in language schools (which was surprising).

Edited November 19, 2014 by akaika

[akaika]

I'm currently on a visa run to Hong Kong where I'm trying to apply for a nonB visa in preparation for a work permit. All my paperwork is in order except that I have been asked, by the embassy, for a copy of my CRB check ... Is this something I should be getting from the UK? The staff member couldn't seem to explain where I should get it! Can I apply for my own CRB check? What do others do? I'm only planning to work for a language school but they've offered me work teaching students from age 7 - adults.

From what I know that is you can get a non-b without a degree for a Language School but the Work Permit will be rejected due to the non degree.

Different labour offices, different interpretations of labour law.

Also, interpretations can be influenced by the connections/status of the school owner.

Nothing is black and white.

I

I was informed that Hong Kong would only service residents of HK and not anyone else so I am curious if you are successful getting the visa if you are not a HK resident. Please update this post when you succeed... (hopefully)

[smotherb]

The only requirement to teach English in Thailand is a white face.

Oh, yes, and if your are a qualified teacher, you don't really need the white face.

Edited November 19, 2014 by smotherb

[AjarnMartin]

I have worked for one of Thailand's biggest 'computer and language schools' for eight years and hold a Bachelor's Degree in International Marketing and a Master's Degree in Business Management from UK universities. I also undertook the CELTA qualification back in the UK prior to coming here. The fact that neither of my degrees were 'education' related was not a problem for the school but the CELTA was essential.

When I applied for a Teachers' Licence they refused me, initially, and asked to see my transcripts but this is only essential when working in Government education establishments and I therefore didn't pursue the licence.

Both the degrees and the CELTA have been necessary to obtain my annual Work Permit.

Good luck!

[Loaded]

I have worked for one of Thailand's biggest 'computer and language schools' for eight years and hold a Bachelor's Degree in International Marketing and a Master's Degree in Business Management from UK universities. I also undertook the CELTA qualification back in the UK prior to coming here. The fact that neither of my degrees were 'education' related was not a problem for the school but the CELTA was essential.

When I applied for a Teachers' Licence they refused me, initially, and asked to see my transcripts but this is only essential when working in Government education establishments and I therefore didn't pursue the licence.

Both the degrees and the CELTA have been necessary to obtain my annual Work Permit.

Good luck!

If you work at a non-formal school, you are not required to obtain a teacher license; because the TCT has no jurisdiction over non-formal schools nor their teachers.

A CELTA/TEFL is not a requirement for a work permit. Although, they may be part of the school's employment requirements.

Edited November 19, 2014 by Loaded

[MartinL]

I'm currently on a visa run to Hong Kong where I'm trying to apply for a nonB visa in preparation for a work permit. All my paperwork is in order except that I have been asked, by the embassy, for a copy of my CRB check ... Is this something I should be getting from the UK? The staff member couldn't seem to explain where I should get it! Can I apply for my own CRB check? What do others do?

It used to be the case that the only CRB check (the name changed not so long ago, I think) available to INDIVIDUALS to apply for was a Basic Disclosure and that was only available from Disclosure Scotland, for ALL UK citizens - Scottish, Welsh, English, Northern Irish. If you live in UK it can be done online but I guess you'll have to make a postal application.

Google "basic disclosure scotland". It should also tell you what is & isn't reported on in a Basic Disclosure and also how to apply.

This'll be useful, too -- https://www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check/overview

Anything more than a "basic" could only be applied for by registered employers or "umbrella" organisations with your permission & on your behalf but not by you.

I don't think the restriction on applying for your own check has changed - you can still only apply for a "basic" - but others might contradict me.

Maybe a "basic" will be enough for your needs and I doubt there'll be any registered employers or "umbrella" organisations in Thailand. But again, I'm happy to be proved wrong if anybody knows differently.

Edited November 19, 2014 by MartinL

[Loaded]

No degree or teacher license/ provisional teaching permit is needed when being employed by language schools/ teacher agencies.

Why do you not need a teacher licence?

Language schools aren't legally schools, which is why they're usually called things such as "language centres". Hence no need for the licence.

You are wrong. The Private Schools Act requires all education institutions (formal and non-formal schools) that have had at least 7 students/trainees since they opened to register with the MoE and apply for a school license.

http://www.ctlo.com/mediacenter/Publications/2011-03-28-PrivateSchoolAct-En.pdf

However, many language schools are illegal as they are not registered nor licensed as non-formal schools with the MoE. Illegal schools cannot legally obtain non-immigrant B visas and work permits for their teachers.

Teachers at non-formal schools do not need a teacher license because the TCT has no jurisdiction over them.

Edited November 19, 2014 by Loaded

[mikecat]

If language schools do not come under the governance of the teachers council then you will not need a waver. If you dont require a waver/licence from the Teachers Council then you wont need a degree. Neither the Labour Office or Immigration are interested in the degree only that you qualify withing the rules. I.e most schools come under the Teachers Council so you are rquired to get a waver/licence. You would be unable to obtain one without a degree. The Labour Office may well require you to have a TEFL and some education related emploment experience.

[VillageGirl08]

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I'm currently on a visa run to Hong Kong where I'm trying to apply for a nonB visa in preparation for a work permit. All my paperwork is in order except that I have been asked, by the embassy, for a copy of my CRB check ... Is this something I should be getting from the UK? The staff member couldn't seem to explain where I should get it! Can I apply for my own CRB check? What do others do?

It used to be the case that the only CRB check (the name changed not so long ago, I think) available to INDIVIDUALS to apply for was a Basic Disclosure and that was only available from Disclosure Scotland, for ALL UK citizens - Scottish, Welsh, English, Northern Irish. If you live in UK it can be done online but I guess you'll have to make a postal application.

Google "basic disclosure scotland". It should also tell you what is & isn't reported on in a Basic Disclosure and also how to apply.

This'll be useful, too -- https://www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check/overview

Anything more than a "basic" could only be applied for by registered employers or "umbrella" organisations with your permission & on your behalf but not by you.

I don't think the restriction on applying for your own check has changed - you can still only apply for a "basic" - but others might contradict me.

Maybe a "basic" will be enough for your needs and I doubt there'll be any registered employers or "umbrella" organisations in Thailand. But again, I'm happy to be proved wrong if anybody knows differently.

I'm currently on a visa run to Hong Kong where I'm trying to apply for a nonB visa in preparation for a work permit. All my paperwork is in order except that I have been asked, by the embassy, for a copy of my CRB check ... Is this something I should be getting from the UK? The staff member couldn't seem to explain where I should get it! Can I apply for my own CRB check? What do others do? I'm only planning to work for a language school but they've offered me work teaching students from age 7 - adults.

From what I know that is you can get a non-b without a degree for a Language School but the Work Permit will be rejected due to the non degree.

Different labour offices, different interpretations of labour law.

Also, interpretations can be influenced by the connections/status of the school owner.

Nothing is black and white.

I

I was informed that Hong Kong would only service residents of HK and not anyone else so I am curious if you are successful getting the visa if you are not a HK resident. Please update this post when you succeed... (hopefully)

Thank you for the useful info and links re the Basic Disclosure - which I'm now following up, but will not be in time for obtaining a non-B on this visa run! Oh well... at least I'll be ready next time.

With regard to the Thai Consulate in Hong Kong, apparently they offer the service to anyone arriving with ALL paperwork in order - not just HK residents. Sadly, as my posts show, I fell short on having the CRB check (or DBS check as it is now called).