How to tell that when "a thing" has run its course.

[Mencken]

When there are more adverts for training programs than there are jobs, no matter what field, its a good indication that the scam has run its course.

Thailand hit this level a few years ago but is now exceeding my wildest expectations.

Yes friends, you too can become a teacher in only a month for as little as b50,000 and CELTA for 15% more, so blessed. New academics are born.

The only thing that is funnier are the fewer teachers and the same, tired wages coupled with ridiculous qualification requests - usually no.mention of work permit.

The language schools seem to have some huge balls.

Love the ads for volunteers, part time teachers, travel to teach scams, b300hr night work and promtion of farang management which never ends well.

Edited February 15, 2015 by Mencken

[WonnabeBiker]

Amazing, isn't it?

Then there are schools who recruit people who cannot i. take the very low hurdle of a TOEIC score of 600 or ii. hold a conversation.

Some language schools demand a bribe. It has been going on for the locals for years. But recently, one such school began inventing "a loan to the owner". Instead of 1 month's salary, it was 1/3. And the promise to repay it "when you leave".

Abysmal old text books (often sourced in non English speaking countries) etc. And then there are those services which charge volunteers. what do you think of Greenheart Travel?

[SheungWan]

If there is a demand for quick and dirty qualifications which are considered acceptable by hiring institutions then there will be a market for these courses.

[bangmai]

came across this, today. http://www.chiangmaicitynews.com/news.php?id=865

[rott]

Load of gobbledygook agreed. But I still miss the point.

[lostinisaan]

The language schools seem to have some huge balls.

I truly hope that you do NOT teach science.-

Edited March 12, 2015 by lostinisaan

[razer]

Anybody working for 300 baht per hour can't be very qualified and perhaps desperate. Schools who pay 300 baht per hour are dredging the bottom.

[maidee]

if you have to come to thailand to teach, you better stay home

[carter1882]

I worked for 300 baht an hour....late 1980s! But then the bus was two baht, fried rice was ten and a happy hour beer at Patpong about 40. Any foreign teacher who would work for that now is desperate, totally unqualified or both.

[lostinisaan]

if you have to come to thailand to teach, you better stay home

..............and working at a Burger Kings' spitting on other peoples' onion rings,perhaps?

[lostinisaan]

I worked for 300 baht an hour....late 1980s! But then the bus was two baht, fried rice was ten and a happy hour beer at Patpong about 40. Any foreign teacher who would work for that now is desperate, totally unqualified or both.

Diesel Oil 10 baht/liter. A kilo pork 40 Baht. Short time. depending on your appetite, but much less as well.

( Only for singles here om TVF)....etc...pp.....

[kinmaew]

When I taught I was thinking of doing a TEFL I have a degree anyway but I thought to get an extra qualification. They wanted something like $40k and I thought for what? One of the guys co-teaching with me didn't have a degree but had TEFL did not have any better ideas than me when it came to lesson planning so I thought what a complete waste of f'ing money and that goes for CELTA and all those other BS quals. I did quite fine thank you, school liked me and also part time work. Honestly I don't think you even need an education degree. I think the minimum should just be a university degree and a willingness to make a difference and be innovative and I will tell this to any school I go to if I decide to do this gig again. I really miss Thailand sometimes but the thought of living under a military dictatorship is not appealing.

[enufsaid]

Doing TEFL or TESOL or CELTA is important as teaching english is different to teaching history or the likes. I employ people without degrees and pay them $30 per hour. I find they're are willing to learn & if a good teacher is always willing to learn they can become a better teacher & that applys throughout the world.

[Rhys]

And let us not forget the school administrative officers that support these cost saving teachers... they too are part of the cycle...