Do I have any hope to find a job teacher in Thailand with my background ?

[duanebigsby]

First of all you need to speak English correctly. It's not any hope to find a job teacher in Thailand. It's any hope of finding a teaching job in Thailand.

Depending where you teach you need teaching credentials like Bachelors Degree in teaching or you must have TELF Certificate to each.

Where does the OP say he wants to teach English?

Many schools offer French language or other subjects like maths, science, etc taught in English.

You do NOT need a BEd to teach nor a TEFL.

Usually a Bachelors in anything and that is often overlooked.

You're a little quick to jump on his English skills.

How many languages do you speak?

Of course not. Anyone can teach - maths, we do it everyday, their native language, been speaking it for years, science bit trickier but can always watch the History and Discovery channels.

What are your qualifications and experiences of teaching? Are you an educationalist?

What is an educationalist? A specialist in the theory and strategy of curriculum.

Not many teachers would profess to be that except those with Phd's in Education.

I'm just a guy whose native language and TEFL gives me the qualification to teach it. If Thailand, and so many posters of TV, insist on BEd degrees to teach English or French/Chinese then no languages will be taught. In my own country a TEFL is enough for me to get a job teaching ESL to newcomers, why is that not good enough for the "qualified teachers only" brigade on Thai Visa?

[duanebigsby]

First of all you need a work permit,unless you can find a school that could help you,also you are supposed to have a degree of sorts.If you make enough enquiries you might change your mind and forget this notion,it is definately not worth the hassle,the hours,and of course the huge hourly rate.The minimum qualification needed is a tefl cert,including what i have quoted.Best of luck.

repeat after me, "you don't need a TEFL, you don't need a TEFL, you don't need a TEFL,"

[duanebigsby]

Hi op I am a qualified teacher who after some time hear applied for a job at a reputable school. They wanted my bachelor degree and yes a real one which they check with the University plus your qualified teacher status in your own country plus evidence of teaching experience lesson observations, references from school principle etc. this is in line with them becoming ASEAN community. Yes there was a time when you could do a TEFL or ESOL course and no problem and some schools will still take anyone but for a lot less money. However the official rules and I repeat official rules for teachers have changed. Once you have a contract you need authority from Ministry of Education for your teaching licence after they have approved all your docs. Then you go to the embassy for your Non Im Visa for English teacher. Everything hunky dory until they ask you for your enhanced CRB check (criminal records bureau) which you need to work in schools anywhere in the world and now OFFICIALLY in Thailand. No problem I've been teaching in schools in UK for over 5 years there you go.... No good it has to be issued within the last 6 months in your OWN country. An individual cannot apply for one only the employing organisation and guess what a Thai school can't apply for a foreign enhanced CRB and a local thai police check here is worth shit it will not check a foreigners background in their own country they could have done anything. So no English teacher visa unless you go back to your own country get a job teaching get a new Enhanced CRB, quit the job after a month come to Thailand and see if you can find a job, get the necessary paperwork done and hey presto. Lot of work for what is not exactly an outstanding wage. Sorry to be negative but that was my experience of trying to do it correctly and like so many things here it's BS on paperwork that Thai authorities don't understand. They want qualified teachers to improve education...but they don't want to pay and they make it hard. Had to laugh when I've seen a school employ an English teacher who was Filipino whose only qualification was a 10 hour TEFL course...her accent was worse than some of the students.

As I say that is the official line for a visa for English teacher now. You may get under the radar but as soon as you apply for a visa for a teacher they will ask you for all those docs. Let there education remain third world. Like so many things they want our money, maybe our experience but certainly not us.

I am now teaching in University as I could provide all my docs but didn't need an enhanced CRB recent they accepted my old one as I am working with young adults an not children.

By all means try but I think you have a hell of a quest not even being a native English speaker. If you want to teach French I think you will encounter the same problems.

As someone earlier suggested why not try translation services for the French expat community here, however you will have to brush up on your Thai

Good luck my friend don't let the b**t***s grind you down!

Just wrong on every level. Maybe your school had those requirements, but don't think this is the scenario for teachers at all.

[nithisa78]

Be Lucky.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

When i was at school i learnt all my french from english people, nobody seemed to think twice about that. There is absolutely no reason whatsoever that you cant do a good job. The real question is, however, not if you are a native speaker but are you a good teacher. Non native speakers who have learnt the target language often have a greater insight. I am English but I taught Thai in Bangkok for twenty years. Go for it, mon ami!

How well do you speak French now?

I'm thinking not at all.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

I'm just a guy whose native language and TEFL gives me the qualification to teach it. If Thailand, and so many posters of TV, insist on BEd degrees to teach English or French/Chinese then no languages will be taught. In my own country a TEFL is enough for me to get a job teaching ESL to newcomers, why is that not good enough for the "qualified teachers only" brigade on Thai Visa?

I wouldn't want anyone who hadn't been watched closely, by other teachers, for years, to have the chance of fiddling with my children.

Most deviants can keep up the pretence of normality for the 6 weeks duration of a TEFL course.

[smotherb]

When i was at school i learnt all my french from english people, nobody seemed to think twice about that. There is absolutely no reason whatsoever that you cant do a good job. The real question is, however, not if you are a native speaker but are you a good teacher. Non native speakers who have learnt the target language often have a greater insight. I am English but I taught Thai in Bangkok for twenty years. Go for it, mon ami!

Yes, that is true, my high school French teacher was an Iowa farm girl who spent a summer in France. However, my Mandarin Chinese teachers in grad school were all native speakers--all foreign languages at that school had to be taught by native speakers of the language. There is a difference.

In a previous life, I had a Belgian girlfriend whose daughter was taking French in a US school. The daughter, a native French speaker, got a poor grade on a French exam. After reading the exam, the mother determined the daughter was right. After some time at the school arguing, the grade was changed and so was the teacher.

[Grauwulf]

Hi op I am a qualified teacher who after some time hear applied for a job at a reputable school. They wanted my bachelor degree and yes a real one which they check with the University plus your qualified teacher status in your own country plus evidence of teaching experience lesson observations, references from school principle etc. this is in line with them becoming ASEAN community. Yes there was a time when you could do a TEFL or ESOL course and no problem and some schools will still take anyone but for a lot less money. However the official rules and I repeat official rules for teachers have changed. Once you have a contract you need authority from Ministry of Education for your teaching licence after they have approved all your docs. Then you go to the embassy for your Non Im Visa for English teacher. Everything hunky dory until they ask you for your enhanced CRB check (criminal records bureau) which you need to work in schools anywhere in the world and now OFFICIALLY in Thailand. No problem I've been teaching in schools in UK for over 5 years there you go.... No good it has to be issued within the last 6 months in your OWN country. An individual cannot apply for one only the employing organisation and guess what a Thai school can't apply for a foreign enhanced CRB and a local thai police check here is worth shit it will not check a foreigners background in their own country they could have done anything. So no English teacher visa unless you go back to your own country get a job teaching get a new Enhanced CRB, quit the job after a month come to Thailand and see if you can find a job, get the necessary paperwork done and hey presto. Lot of work for what is not exactly an outstanding wage. Sorry to be negative but that was my experience of trying to do it correctly and like so many things here it's BS on paperwork that Thai authorities don't understand. They want qualified teachers to improve education...but they don't want to pay and they make it hard. Had to laugh when I've seen a school employ an English teacher who was Filipino whose only qualification was a 10 hour TEFL course...her accent was worse than some of the students.

As I say that is the official line for a visa for English teacher now. You may get under the radar but as soon as you apply for a visa for a teacher they will ask you for all those docs. Let there education remain third world. Like so many things they want our money, maybe our experience but certainly not us.

I am now teaching in University as I could provide all my docs but didn't need an enhanced CRB recent they accepted my old one as I am working with young adults an not children.

By all means try but I think you have a hell of a quest not even being a native English speaker. If you want to teach French I think you will encounter the same problems.

As someone earlier suggested why not try translation services for the French expat community here, however you will have to brush up on your Thai

Good luck my friend don't let the b**t***s grind you down!

Just wrong on every level. Maybe your school had those requirements, but don't think this is the scenario for teachers at all.

Hey I'm not saying he can't teach obviously you manage on your TEFL and ESOL skills but that will not make you a qualified, security cleared teacher in any modern country. I was explaining that The new requirements for a visa for an English teacher are such as what I've stated. Doesn't matter what the school think. The Thai Embassy, certainly in London want all of the paperwork I've mentioned plus your CRB. Makes perfect sense. And please don't tell me that just because you've done a TEFL course or ESOL course it makes you a teacher on paper it makes you a teaching assistant at best. But if you can't satisfy the new visa requirements you won't get it for teaching here. Things are changing over here and I'm not one of the qualified teachers no best brigade I was explaining how difficult is now EVEN if you are a qualified teacher.

[The manic]

Hi op I am a qualified teacher who after some time hear applied for a job at a reputable school. They wanted my bachelor degree and yes a real one which they check with the University plus your qualified teacher status in your own country plus evidence of teaching experience lesson observations, references from school principle etc. this is in line with them becoming ASEAN community. Yes there was a time when you could do a TEFL or ESOL course and no problem and some schools will still take anyone but for a lot less money. However the official rules and I repeat official rules for teachers have changed. Once you have a contract you need authority from Ministry of Education for your teaching licence after they have approved all your docs. Then you go to the embassy for your Non Im Visa for English teacher. Everything hunky dory until they ask you for your enhanced CRB check (criminal records bureau) which you need to work in schools anywhere in the world and now OFFICIALLY in Thailand. No problem I've been teaching in schools in UK for over 5 years there you go.... No good it has to be issued within the last 6 months in your OWN country. An individual cannot apply for one only the employing organisation and guess what a Thai school can't apply for a foreign enhanced CRB and a local thai police check here is worth shit it will not check a foreigners background in their own country they could have done anything. So no English teacher visa unless you go back to your own country get a job teaching get a new Enhanced CRB, quit the job after a month come to Thailand and see if you can find a job, get the necessary paperwork done and hey presto. Lot of work for what is not exactly an outstanding wage. Sorry to be negative but that was my experience of trying to do it correctly and like so many things here it's BS on paperwork that Thai authorities don't understand. They want qualified teachers to improve education...but they don't want to pay and they make it hard. Had to laugh when I've seen a school employ an English teacher who was Filipino whose only qualification was a 10 hour TEFL course...her accent was worse than some of the students.

As I say that is the official line for a visa for English teacher now. You may get under the radar but as soon as you apply for a visa for a teacher they will ask you for all those docs. Let there education remain third world. Like so many things they want our money, maybe our experience but certainly not us.

I am now teaching in University as I could provide all my docs but didn't need an enhanced CRB recent they accepted my old one as I am working with young adults an not children.

By all means try but I think you have a hell of a quest not even being a native English speaker. If you want to teach French I think you will encounter the same problems.

As someone earlier suggested why not try translation services for the French expat community here, however you will have to brush up on your Thai

Good luck my friend don't let the b**t***s grind you down!

Just wrong on every level. Maybe your school had those requirements, but don't think this is the scenario for teachers at all.

Hey I'm not saying he can't teach obviously you manage on your TEFL and ESOL skills but that will not make you a qualified, security cleared teacher in any modern country. I was explaining that The new requirements for a visa for an English teacher are such as what I've stated. Doesn't matter what the school think. The Thai Embassy, certainly in London want all of the paperwork I've mentioned plus your CRB. Makes perfect sense. And please don't tell me that just because you've done a TEFL course or ESOL course it makes you a teacher on paper it makes you a teaching assistant at best. But if you can't satisfy the new visa requirements you won't get it for teaching here. Things are changing over here and I'm not one of the qualified teachers no best brigade I was explaining how difficult is now EVEN if you are a qualified teacher.

Er from my understanding from an employer's point of view a qualified and experienced TEFL teacher will always get the job over a PGCE teacher due to the specialist nature of the methodolgy. But good luck to all of you in your endeavours, whatever your skill level and self perceived worth. My understanding is that a UK teacher training course was for the 'ah hem' less academically gifted who failed their A levels and could not get into university.

[SlyAnimal]

Please don't be critical of others grammar/spelling, else your posts will be removed (Along with any direct replies to your posts).

This is an informal internet discussion forum, with many people posting from mobile devices with small keyboards (often while standing on bumpy public transport) and predictive text (which doesn't always predict what you really want to say).

Likewise many write a post, then edit parts of it, but forget to edit subsequent sentences, which gives inconsistent tenses etc.

So please relax with the grammar criticism (Particularly as many of those criticizing the grammar of others, aren't perfect themselves either).

Likewise, please remember when posting that the OP has asked about teaching in Thailand. Thus asking him if he would be qualified to teach in his home country isn't really relevant, since he's asked about teaching in Thailand, where the requirements are a bit more lenient.

Also, he hasn't specified whether he wants to teach English or French, so it'd be jumping the gun a bit to criticize him for not being a NES. And even if he does decide to teach English, his English is obviously quite far above his humble estimation of his English ability, and his eligibility to teach would would rely heavily on what he scored in one of the various official English proficiency tests.

[mikecat]

Not a hope, not legally anyway and not for a reasonable wage. Try teaching French. Plenty of people will tell you you can get a job paying all sorts in Bangkok but with poor English, no degree and no TEFL not a hope. They can hire a Philipino for half what they would pay you.

[mickyboy]

luck he did not ask a complicated ? after all the answer he got his head to full to think about any thing if he reads the lot his spelling will for sure inprove

[aarontendo]

And as far as the security check from your own country I'm all for it can't have another Yank paedophiles touching up kids in Thailand cos he had no background check but hey he could speak English so that qualified him as a teacher!!! Keep it real.

Yeah it'd be a shame if they horned their way into the shit Brits are doing here, m8

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/suspected-british-paedophile-laughs-after-4704808

Oops, so the only yank is what you do when you read these stories bro.

Edited December 22, 2014 by aarontendo

[nottocus]

No chance.

[Grauwulf]

[quote name="The manic"

Er from my understanding from an employer's point of view a qualified and experienced TEFL teacher will always get the job over a PGCE teacher due to the specialist nature of the methodolgy. But good luck to all of you in your endeavours, whatever your skill level and self perceived worth. My understanding is that a UK teacher training course was for the 'ah hem' less academically gifted who failed their A levels and could not get into university.

You mean a UK teacher training course after 2 years A levels, after 3 years university for a BA and then after 2 years for a PGCE and then the obvious years teaching in our secondary schools with many EAL students and then doing a 210 hour TEFL course.if you just want an extra edge for teaching abroad. Yeh less academically gifted. Don't want to get into a p***ing contest but I was trying to explain how difficult it was to the OP how difficult the procedure can be even if you are a less academically qualified teacher with years of experience! But hey good luck in your masters in armchair politics. Nuff said?

[aarontendo]

[quote name="The manic"

Er from my understanding from an employer's point of view a qualified and experienced TEFL teacher will always get the job over a PGCE teacher due to the specialist nature of the methodolgy. But good luck to all of you in your endeavours, whatever your skill level and self perceived worth. My understanding is that a UK teacher training course was for the 'ah hem' less academically gifted who failed their A levels and could not get into university.

You mean a UK teacher training course after 2 years A levels, after 3 years university for a BA and then after 2 years for a PGCE and then the obvious years teaching in our secondary schools with many EAL students and then doing a 210 hour TEFL course.if you just want an extra edge for teaching abroad. Yeh less academically gifted. Don't want to get into a p***ing contest but I was trying to explain how difficult it was to the OP how difficult the procedure can be even if you are a less academically qualified teacher with years of experience! But hey good luck in your masters in armchair politics. Nuff said?

Yeah to be fair don't complare a TEFL cert to a PGCE or license/M.Ed combination. I'm in agreement with Grauwulf on this one. As someone who has both they're nowhere near comparable, but that's obvious isn't it since one is a month at a cost of $1600 and another is 1 - 2 years at a cost of $10,000 or more. Mind you, also most of the programs are full-time and thus you are giving up earning that sweet cash ;p

Now having said that, it comes down to a salary and professionalism issue doesn't it? Since attaining my upgrades for qualifications, I expect not only higher salaries but also a more professional environment. To be frank I wouldn't bother with about 99% of the ESL jobs, as they are either too low of salary in Thailand, or too Thai run, and more than likely a combination of both. In that regard, the TEFL qualified person may be better ,as, well, they're more willing to put up with the BS here than a fully Western qualified teacher. I'm totally not trying to dog out TEFL qualified folks, as I was that myself for three years.

Also, and maybe I'm wrong here. But as I've furthered my own qualifications I've become much less likely to do the dog-and-pony show that is Thai education. I still grit my teeth when I pass students who are failing and I doubt I'll continue passing them for much longer.

[lostinisaan]

Not a hope, not legally anyway and not for a reasonable wage. Try teaching French. Plenty of people will tell you you can get a job paying all sorts in Bangkok but with poor English, no degree and no TEFL not a hope. They can hire a Philipino for half what they would pay you.

Wasn't the whole story about a French guy,without a degree, who wants to work in Thailand?

OP, try this one. Google teaching agencies in Bangkok. Visit them in person and the chances are good to get a job. They seem to have huge problems to fill their positions and already have Turkish, Romanian, Germish, Italian and other nationalities employed as "native English teachers."

But it's not the best time to find employment now. Another possibility is that government schools hire you as a "trainer", which will bypass the TCT ( Teacher's Council of Thailand).

But this is only possible in a few provinces, as it's not really legal. But if you can get the right type of visa and a work permit, you'll be good to go.

P.S. You'll have to "create" a good looking resume, be well dressed and then visit several schools in your preferable area. Good luck.

Edited December 23, 2014 by lostinisaan

[brianp0803]

General comment for any non native speaker.

In bkk not many Philipino English teachers. Enough supply of young white faces. Other nationalities very rare.

With a high enough TOEIC score, English programs might hire a math or science teacher.

Not sure about the demand for French teachers but it sounds like the best fit for a job.

Jobs in the provinces outside Bkk and Pattaya you have a better chance.

It might be difficult to find a job supplying you with a work permit, but many smaller schools will still offer you a job.

having a good TOEIC would increase your possibilities.

Have you taken the TOEIC test?

score?

[brianp0803]

Possibly due to the poor ability of Thai students to speak reasonable English, requirements for being a legal teacher are increasing.

Thailand may be responding to this by blaming unqualified teachers.

Requirements for being a legal teacher are a university degree.

After 4 years must also have an educational degree.

Options for a native speaker with no university degree are very limited.

Non native speakers extremely limited.

[The manic]

General comment for any non native speaker.

In bkk not many Philipino English teachers. Enough supply of young white faces. Other nationalities very rare.

With a high enough TOEIC score, English programs might hire a math or science teacher.

Not sure about the demand for French teachers but it sounds like the best fit for a job.

Jobs in the provinces outside Bkk and Pattaya you have a better chance.

It might be difficult to find a job supplying you with a work permit, but many smaller schools will still offer you a job.

having a good TOEIC would increase your possibilities.

Have you taken the TOEIC test?

score?

IELTS of 7.5 would be required as a minimum for TEFL

[puukao]

Here is how Karma works......Buddha says we should teach IF we are truly experts in the field. So, you can teach French, but certainly NOT English. Let's say you try to teach English. You will hurt hundreds of kids, set them back years, and they will speak English, horribly, to another hundred or so children, adults, etc...Soon your bad English will engulf the Universe.

Then you will be reborn as a pig.

But if you choose to teach French, the Thai children will be blessed to learn from a native and you will be reborn as a better human being!!!

[brewsterbudgen]

Possibly due to the poor ability of Thai students to speak reasonable English, requirements for being a legal teacher are increasing.

Thailand may be responding to this by blaming unqualified teachers.

Requirements for being a legal teacher are a university degree.

After 4 years must also have an educational degree.

Options for a native speaker with no university degree are very limited.

Non native speakers extremely limited.

The requirements are much lower for TEFL.

[brianp0803]

I'm just a guy whose native language and TEFL gives me the qualification to teach it. If Thailand, and so many posters of TV, insist on BEd degrees to teach English or French/Chinese then no languages will be taught. In my own country a TEFL is enough for me to get a job teaching ESL to newcomers, why is that not good enough for the "qualified teachers only" brigade on Thai Visa?

I wouldn't want anyone who hadn't been watched closely, by other teachers, for years, to have the chance of fiddling with my children.

Most deviants can keep up the pretence of normality for the 6 weeks duration of a TEFL course.

I believe a TEFL certificate for a native speaker teaching in a language school to students interested in learning the language is sufficient. No degree required.

TEFL certificate people want to teach in regular schools. Teachers should have at least a university degree.

Knowledge of 6th grade English or math or science does not qualify someone to teach primary school in most countries. A high school student can teach 2+3=5, but should he be hired as a teacher? Same as NES wanting to teach in regular school to young students.

Teaching students under 18 years old is less about knowledge and more about classroom management and ability to motivate students taking a required class.

I am now taking classes for my M.Ed and happy to become a better teacher.

The rules are strict for teachers but good and I will comply.

[lostinisaan]

Here is how Karma works......Buddha says we should teach IF we are truly experts in the field. So, you can teach French, but certainly NOT English. Let's say you try to teach English. You will hurt hundreds of kids, set them back years, and they will speak English, horribly, to another hundred or so children, adults, etc...Soon your bad English will engulf the Universe.

Then you will be reborn as a pig.

But if you choose to teach French, the Thai children will be blessed to learn from a native and you will be reborn as a better human being!!!

Just wondering as what you'll be reborn. Even being a French native speaker doesn't make somebody to a good French teacher.

The fact that he doesn' have a university degree makes it impossible to teach legally in Thailand.

I've met a quite a few native German speaking people in Thailand, who made huge grammatical mistakes, used the wrong sentence structures, etc...

But I've also worked with native English speakers, who were English language teachers, with a very low knowledge of their mother tongue.

I personally believe that some non native English speakers have a better grammar knowledge, than some native English speakers, because when learning English as a second, or third language, you have to study boring grammar rules.

I hope you were trying to make a joke with your reborn piggy Karma post, puukao.

Edited December 23, 2014 by lostinisaan

[lostinisaan]

I'm just a guy whose native language and TEFL gives me the qualification to teach it. If Thailand, and so many posters of TV, insist on BEd degrees to teach English or French/Chinese then no languages will be taught. In my own country a TEFL is enough for me to get a job teaching ESL to newcomers, why is that not good enough for the "qualified teachers only" brigade on Thai Visa?

I wouldn't want anyone who hadn't been watched closely, by other teachers, for years, to have the chance of fiddling with my children.

Most deviants can keep up the pretence of normality for the 6 weeks duration of a TEFL course.

I believe a TEFL certificate for a native speaker teaching in a language school to students interested in learning the language is sufficient. No degree required.

TEFL certificate people want to teach in regular schools. Teachers should have at least a university degree.

Knowledge of 6th grade English or math or science does not qualify someone to teach primary school in most countries. A high school student can teach 2+3=5, but should he be hired as a teacher? Same as NES wanting to teach in regular school to young students.

Teaching students under 18 years old is less about knowledge and more about classroom management and ability to motivate students taking a required class.

I am now taking classes for my M.Ed and happy to become a better teacher.

The rules are strict for teachers but good and I will comply.

This country needs more people like you and less backpackers who then to decide "to stay a little longer."--

[The manic]

First of all you need a work permit,unless you can find a school that could help you,also you are supposed to have a degree of sorts.If you make enough enquiries you might change your mind and forget this notion,it is definately not worth the hassle,the hours,and of course the huge hourly rate.The minimum qualification needed is a tefl cert,including what i have quoted.Best of luck.

repeat after me, "you don't need a TEFL, you don't need a TEFL, you don't need a TEFL,"

TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language therefore you advice makes no sense unless you add the word Certificate or Qualification. Thus: Repeat after me you don't need a TEFL Certificate or Qualification. BUT you do if you want a job at reputable establishment or a well paid job.

[brianp0803]

Some people come to Thailand and want to be a teacher but the initial qualifications in their home country required a teaching degree.

Thailand gives you the opportunity to try teaching a few years to see if you like it before requiring certification.

It seems many people are now coming to Thailand with low education attracted by cheap economy.

They ask - what is the easiest way for me to stay in Thailand?

Many know they can stay if they become an English teacher. But the person has no heart for teaching, only wants to do enough to get his visa. Very sad.

Teaching requires knowledge, skills and a heart. Knowledge and skills can be learned.

I welcome people with a heart for teaching to try teaching.

People seeking only a visa, please consider the innocent people you will be effecting.

Teaching is a nobel profession and currently very respected in Thailand.

[brewsterbudgen]

Some people come to Thailand and want to be a teacher but the initial qualifications in their home country required a teaching degree.

Thailand gives you the opportunity to try teaching a few years to see if you like it before requiring certification.

It seems many people are now coming to Thailand with low education attracted by cheap economy.

They ask - what is the easiest way for me to stay in Thailand?

Many know they can stay if they become an English teacher. But the person has no heart for teaching, only wants to do enough to get his visa. Very sad.

Teaching requires knowledge, skills and a heart. Knowledge and skills can be learned.

I welcome people with a heart for teaching to try teaching.

People seeking only a visa, please consider the innocent people you will be effecting.

Teaching is a nobel profession and currently very respected in Thailand.

You'd be surprised, many TEFL classes just require fun and games and a native speaker with an idea of what he/she is doing.

[lostinisaan]

Some people come to Thailand and want to be a teacher but the initial qualifications in their home country required a teaching degree.

Thailand gives you the opportunity to try teaching a few years to see if you like it before requiring certification.

It seems many people are now coming to Thailand with low education attracted by cheap economy.

They ask - what is the easiest way for me to stay in Thailand?

Many know they can stay if they become an English teacher. But the person has no heart for teaching, only wants to do enough to get his visa. Very sad.

Teaching requires knowledge, skills and a heart. Knowledge and skills can be learned.

I welcome people with a heart for teaching to try teaching.

People seeking only a visa, please consider the innocent people you will be effecting.

Teaching is a nobel profession and currently very respected in Thailand.

You'd be surprised, many TEFL classes just require fun and games and a native speaker with an idea of what he/she is doing.

I don't think that he'd be surprised about the TEFLers, reading his always interesting posts. It's not just about an idea of what he/she's doing.

Most "teachers", working for an agency, having a class only once a week, if they're not cancelled for whatever reason, don't even realize that the kids just don't understand him/her.

Then you've got the worksheet giving, just sitting there and waiting "teachers" until the lesson's over and the worksheets land somewhere in a trash bin.

I've met guys working here in Thailand for many moons as teachers, blaming Thai students for being stupid,because they don't understand them, but can't even order a noodle soup, when alone.

Living and working in Thailand for many years, but can't pick up some easy words/sentences in Thai, but blaming them to be not good in English?

I can only repeat and agree with brianp that teaching is a noble profession and the one that creates all the other occupations..

Edited December 23, 2014 by lostinisaan

[SlyAnimal]

Here is how Karma works......Buddha says we should teach IF we are truly experts in the field. So, you can teach French, but certainly NOT English. Let's say you try to teach English. You will hurt hundreds of kids, set them back years, and they will speak English, horribly, to another hundred or so children, adults, etc...Soon your bad English will engulf the Universe.

Then you will be reborn as a pig.

But if you choose to teach French, the Thai children will be blessed to learn from a native and you will be reborn as a better human being!!!

I believe that the Thai schools will choose the person who's best for the job. Often it's a choice between a rock and a hard place e.g. Maybe between a Filipino, Frenchman & a cockney Englishman with visible tattoos. Not choosing a teacher would leave them with a Thai teacher teaching (Likely in Thai, with a little English now and then).

One of the reasons Thai schools prefer Foreign teachers, even ones who aren't a NES, is because they will naturally try to speak in English with the students, and the students are forced to ask even simple questions in English. It also exposes the students to western culture, manners and an accent other than the Englich spoken in Thailand. There are of course a lot of other, less laudable, reasons why the like foreigners, but at the end of the day, many schools in the countryside really have very little choice, and something's better than nothing.