Hello

[Jimdandy]

I am new to this Forum, in fact this is my first post. Many questions. First things first. I have a degree,TESL/TEFL certificate and been teaching in the Middle East and China, now want to teach in Thailand. Will be 65 in June. I hear two different versions of the reality of my age. Version 1, I can work in a private school because they will apply for a work permit for me, version 2, I cannot work in a government school because I am too old to qualify for work permit.

I have met men and women older than me teaching in Thailand. How do they do it? What can I do?

[lostinisaan]

Hi,

The problems you might face are different from province to province. But there's no age restriction for you to get a job at a government school.

You can't get into the Thai SS, once you're 60+.

You're never too old, okay many schools are seeking guys between 22 and 45, but that doesn't mean a lot. There're many ways to find employment, but the best way seems to be to go from school to school with your resume, willing to give a demonstration lesson.

A nice British bloke couldn't continue because he was almost 70, the Dol didn't renew his work permit in Ubon Ratchatani/Isaan, because they thought he'd be too old to be a teacher. Felt very sorry for this nice British bloke.

You can also check websites like www.ajarn.com and send your resume, but the chances are pretty slim in your age.

If you're planning to come to Thailand anyway, or already here, please check at schools in your preferable area.

Have some sets of your resume, be well dressed and mannered and I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for.

Best of luck finding a suitable position. Cheers-

Edited April 19, 2015 by lostinisaan

[Jimdandy]

Thanks for your advice. I am in Saudi Arabia now finishing up my contract. I plan to go home to America in June to see my family and make my way to Thailand in July. I do plan to keep reading here and also posting if I can also help others. I know I am not too old. I subscribe to the same 'you're never too old' philosophy of life as you. I mean go figure, you got a bunch of old guys running countries so I know I can still run a classroom...

BTW what is the Thai SS? School System?

Thanks

[lostinisaan]

Hello,

Sorry, SS refers to the Thai social security.If you've got a health insurance, it would be very helpful.

July might not be the best time to look for a teaching job, because the new school year usually starts in middle of May.

The first term usually ends at the beginning of October/end of September, so it would be wise to consider your trip to Thailand a little bit later.

The second term usually starts beginning of November and many schools are seeking teachers.

No idea when or if there'll be changes this year because the ASEAN Community will start in December.

Regulations and laws are constantly changing, might be a good idea to be up to date. Best of luck !!

[Jimdandy]

It does make sense to change my planned trip to coincide with the beginning of the semester. Someone suggested 'Udon' as he put it, as the best place for me to look. I am not committed to one area at all. I do have health insurance so I can get by if I can say healthy. You are very helpful.

I posted to another stream and some overzealous individual simply attacked everything I said. Wow. There are some angry, or should I say disgruntled people here. Note to self, stay away from them, they are toxic.

Take Care

[lostinisaan]

It does make sense to change my planned trip to coincide with the beginning of the semester. Someone suggested 'Udon' as he put it, as the best place for me to look. I am not committed to one area at all. I do have health insurance so I can get by if I can say healthy. You are very helpful.

I posted to another stream and some overzealous individual simply attacked everything I said. Wow. There are some angry, or should I say disgruntled people here. Note to self, stay away from them, they are toxic.

Take Care

Hey,

Best is NOT to listen to many "bar stool experts/expats". Udon Thani is a city in the north east, also called Isaan. but please be aware that there's also a Ubon Ratchathani, which many people just call Ubon.

You'll have enough time to send resumes, guess you know www.ajarn.com, or other webpages. You're right about the guys telling you stories about things they don't know much about. Seems to be a hobby of quite a few guys on several websites.

I settled down in the northeast, because my wife's from there. I'm well integrated in the local society and respected. So longer I'm staying here, so less do i appreciate to meet new foreigners, because it's always the same story.

There's already so much gossip at Thai schools, where Thais are gossiping about each other. No need for foreigners doing the same about other foreigners.

You should consider that northeast consists of 33 % of this country, usually nice people, especially when you speak their local slang.

The closest beach from my city Sisaket would be Rayong, or Pattaya, both 570 km away. So if you prefer a nice beach, you could check at places like Prachuap Khiri Khan, don't know much about Phuket, as there're quite a lot of tourists, looking for a job.

Chiang Mai is also a very crowded city and salaries are even lower than in northeast. Not even talking about pollution now.........

Don't worry about the naysayers, you'll meet them all over Thailand. Let them live in their little world. Most foreigners here "socialize" by having some beer, or whiskey together.

Finally, try to stay away from the tourist destinations like Pattaya, Phuket is one of them as well. Take your time and best of luck.

Cheers-

[Jimdandy]

Thanks for your honest feedback. I totally agree with you. The last thing I need is smelly bars, and know it alls who are disgruntled because they did not come up with the latest app game. I love teaching because I enjoy seeing the aha moment when students get it.

I have been to BKK several times because a friend married a Thai lady and they live there during the summer when her son is not in school in America. He also suggested the Issan area as a place to start looking. BKK is a great city but it has all the same stresses of New York, L.A. or Hong Kong for that matter. Been there done that.

I visited Buriram once to see the temples and enjoyed it very much. As I remember Korat was close enough to qualify as a pseudo big city for me. Besides I could get to BKK once in a while if I really want to see the city again. I agree with you about not wanting to meet new 'farang' who have not detoxed from thinking they know everything.

So sad about the pollution in the Chiang Mai region. Although I have never been there I heard it was a wonderful place. I am a bit of a 'water baby' so I love the beach, but the one time I visited Pattaya, I stayed 3 hours and took the early bus back to BKK. I did not like that scene at all. Bars everywhere and could not walk 10 feet without the unwanted greeting from the local 'town hostesses'. I understand many like that scene but it is not for me.

I will continue the search and maybe connect with you again here.

Peace be Still

[lostinisaan]

Thanks for your honest feedback. I totally agree with you. The last thing I need is smelly bars, and know it alls who are disgruntled because they did not come up with the latest app game. I love teaching because I enjoy seeing the aha moment when students get it.

I have been to BKK several times because a friend married a Thai lady and they live there during the summer when her son is not in school in America. He also suggested the Issan area as a place to start looking. BKK is a great city but it has all the same stresses of New York, L.A. or Hong Kong for that matter. Been there done that.

I visited Buriram once to see the temples and enjoyed it very much. As I remember Korat was close enough to qualify as a pseudo big city for me. Besides I could get to BKK once in a while if I really want to see the city again. I agree with you about not wanting to meet new 'farang' who have not detoxed from thinking they know everything.

So sad about the pollution in the Chiang Mai region. Although I have never been there I heard it was a wonderful place. I am a bit of a 'water baby' so I love the beach, but the one time I visited Pattaya, I stayed 3 hours and took the early bus back to BKK. I did not like that scene at all. Bars everywhere and could not walk 10 feet without the unwanted greeting from the local 'town hostesses'. I understand many like that scene but it is not for me.

I will continue the search and maybe connect with you again here.

Peace be Still

I can't believe that you don't like the Ping Pong Ball Shooting Scene in Pattaya ! Was there many moons ago, when an East German guy grabbed the airborne banana,coming out of nowhere and freaking ate it.

That was the time when I had to tell my kids to go home......

[Jimdandy]

I can clearly understand. My son is 32 now I still try on a daily basis to convince him never stop in Pattaya when he comes to Thailand.