How do I to start teaching English in Thailand?

[aarontendo]

To be fair, some of you guys need a dose of reality. There are so many people working here without degrees, qualifications, or even that native speaking passport.

OP would probably get something. Truth of the matter is though he'll be doing non-stop visa runs (and those last I heard were in danger of running out) and always in danger of being screwed out of his salary (as the boss knows what's up). Having said that, if he looks good and makes the kiddos happy and can be marketable I don't see why he wouldn't be able to find SOMETHING.

This isn't an argument about if it's best for the kids or not, some people need to get over it.

[smotherb]

To be fair, some of you guys need a dose of reality. There are so many people working here without degrees, qualifications, or even that native speaking passport.

OP would probably get something. Truth of the matter is though he'll be doing non-stop visa runs (and those last I heard were in danger of running out) and always in danger of being screwed out of his salary (as the boss knows what's up). Having said that, if he looks good and makes the kiddos happy and can be marketable I don't see why he wouldn't be able to find SOMETHING.

This isn't an argument about if it's best for the kids or not, some people need to get over it.

True, and not having the proper papers does not mean you cannot teach English to children. I know two unqualified English teachers in Thailand who are actually good teachers and have been here for many years--at least, they are well thought of by their schools, their students like them, and they actually care about the kids.

[smotherb]

When will these people worry about the damage done to the children!!!

Please don't teach these poor kids improper English, they will have a much harder time in life!!!

This is analagous to my cat teaching children how to swim!!! What happens when they must swim or die?????

I kid, I kid....just start a youtube channel and make millions!!!!! Add the vegan angle, that seems popular.

...how about the Welsh and Scots teaching English?

No different to the Americans, Australians, South Africans, and Canadians; and the different English regional accents.

The requirement is a degree level education, the ability to teach and subject matter knowledge.

Those who have none of the requirements and think anyone can teach and that they can do it in Thailand without ever having done it before demonstrate why they shouldn't be allowed to teach. No actual understanding of what's required.

Maybe the OP can volunteer at a temple school or local government school for a few weeks. He might have a different view then.

If you are a teacher, and you can't teach, and don't know your subject, you will be found out, usually quiet quickly.

Would a Norwegian without any previous teaching experience, no degree, no post graduate certificate in teaching, and not a native English speaker be allowed to teach English in a Norwegian school? Then, why should Thailand accept him?

Too many Western foreigners still think teaching here is an easy option for a visa, extension and some pocket money.

Get over it, this is not England or Norway, TIT. The honorable teaching profession has been bastardized and held in low esteem for many years and it did not start here in Thailand--ever hear the old adage, "Those who can do, and those who can't, teach."

There are many qualified teachers who cannot teach. Additionally, education degrees are the easiest degrees to earn; many people who cannot make it in other degree disciplines, turn to education. " . . . our research confirms years of evidence that those students who arrive in college with the lowest average SAT scores and graduate with the highest grades tend to be education majors. Education courses emphasize skills like oral presentation and classroom management, which, although they may be difficult for certain personality types, fall into the category of hard to master but easy enough to learn." http://www.thebestcolleges.org/top-10-easiest-and-hardest-college-degree-majors/

[Harveyg]

<snip> I was told that I needed to do a test in Bangkok, then I could apply for job.. The the school would supply my with the papers I needed to sort out my work permit at non b visa... Its not as easy as this at all?

< snip> I don't have any degree in teaching at all.. So I need to get my paper sorted out an visa, work permit so on but I don't know where to start?

Perhaps starting to learn proper English to be able to teach it?

Thank you Negative Poster #1. Ignore him OP

[Harveyg]

OP will be fine, welcome aboard!

Yes welcome aboard the illegal, unqualified, wrongly motivated gang of 'teachers' wasting Schools and Students time by 'teaching' just to be able to stay in the country.

Thank you Negative Poster #2 and likers. Ignore him OP.

Wow, I can't keep this up - too many. So thanks to all negative posters that follow. Ignore them OP.

[alex88]

Don't let not being a non NES stop you. We have a Russian speaking lady from Kazakhstan teaching here and she gets paid the same as us and seems to be doing ok.

[fxe1200]

When will these people worry about the damage done to the children!!!

Please don't teach these poor kids improper English, they will have a much harder time in life!!!

This is analagous to my cat teaching children how to swim!!! What happens when they must swim or die?????

I kid, I kid....just start a youtube channel and make millions!!!!! Add the vegan angle, that seems popular.

...how about the Welsh and Scots teaching English?

No different to the Americans, Australians, South Africans, and Canadians; and the different English regional accents.

The requirement is a degree level education, the ability to teach and subject matter knowledge.

Those who have none of the requirements and think anyone can teach and that they can do it in Thailand without ever having done it before demonstrate why they shouldn't be allowed to teach. No actual understanding of what's required.

Maybe the OP can volunteer at a temple school or local government school for a few weeks. He might have a different view then.

If you are a teacher, and you can't teach, and don't know your subject, you will be found out, usually quiet quickly.

Would a Norwegian without any previous teaching experience, no degree, no post graduate certificate in teaching, and not a native English speaker be allowed to teach English in a Norwegian school? Then, why should Thailand accept him?

Too many Western foreigners still think teaching here is an easy option for a visa, extension and some pocket money.

I do not mind an American or Australian accent. But I truly have problems to understand either Scots or Welsh teachers, if they can' get rid of their typical accent. I would rather employ someone, who has lived in the U.S. or England for quite a while, and is not a native speaker, than somebody speaking one of these very strange accents. Besides it won't help the pupils at all.

[thailand49]

Nothing personal!

But this comes from someone who has a stake in Thailand, and that is a child.

This country has enough of a problem with their educational system. They have made commitment to the International community like Asean to improve the standard of English. At this point it is nearly impossible to hire enough qualify teacher to reach that commitment a surely needed item so that Thailand can move forward.

I for one am totally against people like you who want to come to Thailand with no experience or credentials grab a hold of one of these so called paid one's and start to teach kids for their own selfish motives to live here. Personally I'm one of those who support government officials who want to stop this practice.

Thailand public schools, their culture has enough problems without you adding to it. If you want to teach get a job teaching English in the private sector or think about starting your own English school to teach the current Thai teacher to speak English. Otherwise without serious qualified teaching experience and credentials do me and others like me a favor stay out of the Thai public school system.

Good luck somewhere else.

Edited August 11, 2015 by thailand49

[Squeegee]

You can teach legally with a degree and good enough TOEIC score. So that's some time, effort and money on your part, if you want it and assuming you're capable.

You can probably find illegal work but you will have absolutely no future, and that nothing of a future may occur sooner than you were prepared for, so consider wisely for the sake of your family....

Another poster was wrong: you are just one person, whereas your students may be in the hundreds or thousands. This is not just about you. Therefore, if you don't understand the most simple function of a question mark in the English language you shouldn't be 'teaching' it, no matter where in the world you are or to whom.

"So I need to get my paper sorted out an visa, work permit so on but I don't know where to start?"

[canarysun]

The only other option would be to do private " one to one " teaching English from home? Just charge a small amount of money so its affordable to everybody! and you should be able to make a cool 10,000 baht a month which will be more than enough to leave you " dancing down the village road like Fagen ".........

F.J x

[lostinisaan]

The only other option would be to do private " one to one " teaching English from home? Just charge a small amount of money so its affordable to everybody! and you should be able to make a cool 10,000 baht a month which will be more than enough to leave you " dancing down the village road like Fagen ".........

F.J x

But only if you drive him around on your bicycle. Why didn't you tell him about the cheap third class trains? Just curious.

[Scott]

Posts directly discussing illegal activity have been removed along with replies.

[SOTIRIOS]

........don't do anyone any favors.....

[puukao]

If you have a child in Thailand, you must protect them from these kinds of "teachers." you should interview all teachers for yourself. And protect your kids from pesticides, pollution, and bad drivers....

so go to the school now and demand to hear all the teachers speak English!!!!

HELICOPTER.......it is for your kid!!!!

[lostinisaan]

<snip> I was told that I needed to do a test in Bangkok, then I could apply for job.. The the school would supply my with the papers I needed to sort out my work permit at non b visa... Its not as easy as this at all?

< snip> I don't have any degree in teaching at all.. So I need to get my paper sorted out an visa, work permit so on but I don't know where to start?

Perhaps starting to learn proper English to be able to teach it?

Thank you Negative Poster #1. Ignore him OP

Does writing the truth, nothing but the truth, make somebody to a "negative poster?" Can you fix a car when you've got a degree in psychology?

[balo]

You can start by looking at yourself in the mirror and repeat to yourself : I am not a native English speaker, I do not have any degrees, so this was a really bad idea. Maybe find another type of job , plenty of online jobs around.

[Ban Merry]

Thanks, But where do I start? Bachelors degree, how to get that? And and a TOEIC? Can I sort out the papers in a few days down I BKK?

Im gonne do my visa run in a month so I get a new non o, I have a child with a native

Hope you do find a job but please stop using I aint and I'm gonna.

Best of luck.

What's wrong with I aint and I'm gonna? As long as you teach the correct grammar for am not, going to etc then there's no problem. Once they understand this, then teach them the contraction (aint, gonna) as they will hear most people talking in this way these days. When I learnt, who ever heard the word foods? Always thought food was uncountable. Suppose it's called th future. Need to catch up.

[Phatcharanan]

Get over it, this is not England or Norway, TIT. The honorable teaching profession has been bastardized and held in low esteem for many years and it did not start here in Thailand--ever hear the old adage, "Those who can do, and those who can't, teach."

There are many qualified teachers who cannot teach. Additionally, education degrees are the easiest degrees to earn; many people who cannot make it in other degree disciplines, turn to education. " . . .

If you think about it, your rationale is actually quite flawed.

Maybe Education is one of the 'easier' options but lets look at the other side. The very much more difficult degrees such as Physics, Engineering etc etc.

Now, in order for those students to be admitted onto such prestigious degree courses then one would have to assume that they have the education and skills in order to be admitted to such programs.

I wonder how they got that knowledge? Did it appear in a bucket of ice-cream? Perhaps an alien abused their brain whilst they were sleeping?

Or maybe they acquired the education needed from a teacher who inspired them.

Just a thought.

[simon43]

When I learnt, who ever heard the word foods? Always thought food was uncountable

Off-topic, but you obviously learnt in the wrong place.

'Food' has always been a countable noun (in specific circumstances), same as fish, fruit, meat...

[smotherb]

Get over it, this is not England or Norway, TIT. The honorable teaching profession has been bastardized and held in low esteem for many years and it did not start here in Thailand--ever hear the old adage, "Those who can do, and those who can't, teach."

There are many qualified teachers who cannot teach. Additionally, education degrees are the easiest degrees to earn; many people who cannot make it in other degree disciplines, turn to education. " . . .

If you think about it, your rationale is actually quite flawed.

Maybe Education is one of the 'easier' options but lets look at the other side. The very much more difficult degrees such as Physics, Engineering etc etc.

Now, in order for those students to be admitted onto such prestigious degree courses then one would have to assume that they have the education and skills in order to be admitted to such programs.

I wonder how they got that knowledge? Did it appear in a bucket of ice-cream? Perhaps an alien abused their brain whilst they were sleeping?

Or maybe they acquired the education needed from a teacher who inspired them.

Just a thought.

Perhaps you should have chosen to quote the entire last paragraph. I said, "There are many qualified teachers who cannot teach. Additionally, education degrees are the easiest degrees to earn; many people who cannot make it in other degree disciplines, turn to education. " . . . our research confirms years of evidence that those students who arrive in college with the lowest average SAT scores and graduate with the highest grades tend to be education majors. Education courses emphasize skills like oral presentation and classroom management, which, although they may be difficult for certain personality types, fall into the category of hard to master but easy enough to learn." http://www.thebestco...-degree-majors/"

Click that link, then you might see that it may not be just my flawed rationale.

Entry into many, if not most, colleges and universities has been dumbed-down to exclude the standardized entry exams--SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT-and even accept work-around diplomas--GDE, HSET--or even experiential learning rather than just a secondary school education. Most colleges and universities have remedial programs for General Education to teach incoming students, because far too many secondary school graduates do not understand basic math and cannot read, speak, or write their language proficiently.

University professors with education degrees are in the minority; most have doctorates in their discipline. However, graduates of those discipline professionals often lack any exposure to practical issues upon graduation. Far too often, their professors had no job experience other than teaching. Consequently, many colleges and universities actively seek faculty with practical experience in the discipline before tenure is even considered, no matter how many papers published.

So, back off your academic high horse; teachers aren't all Aristotle. Many see it as a easy out, even if some feel it a calling.

[lostinisaan]

Get over it, this is not England or Norway, TIT. The honorable teaching profession has been bastardized and held in low esteem for many years and it did not start here in Thailand--ever hear the old adage, "Those who can do, and those who can't, teach."

There are many qualified teachers who cannot teach. Additionally, education degrees are the easiest degrees to earn; many people who cannot make it in other degree disciplines, turn to education. " . . .

If you think about it, your rationale is actually quite flawed.

Maybe Education is one of the 'easier' options but lets look at the other side. The very much more difficult degrees such as Physics, Engineering etc etc.

Now, in order for those students to be admitted onto such prestigious degree courses then one would have to assume that they have the education and skills in order to be admitted to such programs.

I wonder how they got that knowledge? Did it appear in a bucket of ice-cream? Perhaps an alien abused their brain whilst they were sleeping?

Or maybe they acquired the education needed from a teacher who inspired them.

Just a thought.

Perhaps you should have chosen to quote the entire last paragraph. I said, "There are many qualified teachers who cannot teach. Additionally, education degrees are the easiest degrees to earn; many people who cannot make it in other degree disciplines, turn to education. " . . . our research confirms years of evidence that those students who arrive in college with the lowest average SAT scores and graduate with the highest grades tend to be education majors. Education courses emphasize skills like oral presentation and classroom management, which, although they may be difficult for certain personality types, fall into the category of hard to master but easy enough to learn." http://www.thebestco...-degree-majors/"

Click that link, then you might see that it may not be just my flawed rationale.

Entry into many, if not most, colleges and universities has been dumbed-down to exclude the standardized entry exams--SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT-and even accept work-around diplomas--GDE, HSET--or even experiential learning rather than just a secondary school education. Most colleges and universities have remedial programs for General Education to teach incoming students, because far too many secondary school graduates do not understand basic math and cannot read, speak, or write their language proficiently.

University professors with education degrees are in the minority; most have doctorates in their discipline. However, graduates of those discipline professionals often lack any exposure to practical issues upon graduation. Far too often, their professors had no job experience other than teaching. Consequently, many colleges and universities actively seek faculty with practical experience in the discipline before tenure is even considered, no matter how many papers published.

So, back off your academic high horse; teachers aren't all Aristotle. Many see it as a easy out, even if some feel it a calling.

Welcome negative poster # 3. OP don't listen to this old fart.

[lostinisaan]

The only other option would be to do private " one to one " teaching English from home? Just charge a small amount of money so its affordable to everybody! and you should be able to make a cool 10,000 baht a month which will be more than enough to leave you " dancing down the village road like Fagen ".........

F.J x

Your homegrown seems a little too strong for you.

[tolsti]

In the hotels we offered a 3 month English language for hotel situations to out staff. It was free to them. As the GM I was part of the group that went to the interview session for the the schools that wished to quote for the work.

I asked the same question on all the interviews.... Can I open the window or may I open the window.

We interviewed 4 teachers all offering NES.... 3 of whom answered that Can was correct. My reply was yes, I am sure you are physically able to open a window... You may now open the door on the way out.

Edited August 23, 2015 by tolsti

[coulson]

Thanks, But where do I start? Bachelors degree, how to get that? And and a TOEIC? Can I sort out the papers in a few days down I BKK?

Im gonne do my visa run in a month so I get a new non o, I have a child with a native

Are you joking?

[lostinisaan]

Thanks, But where do I start? Bachelors degree, how to get that? And and a TOEIC? Can I sort out the papers in a few days down I BKK?

Im gonne do my visa run in a month so I get a new non o, I have a child with a native

Are you joking?

Nope, he was born like that. And he's got a native.

[coulson]

Thanks, But where do I start? Bachelors degree, how to get that? And and a TOEIC? Can I sort out the papers in a few days down I BKK?

Im gonne do my visa run in a month so I get a new non o, I have a child with a native

Are you joking?

Nope, he was born like that. And he's got a native.

Phew.....then it's ok

[lostinisaan]

In the hotels we offered a 3 month English language for hotel situations to out staff. It was free to them. As the GM I was part of the group that went to the interview session for the the schools that wished to quote for the work.

I asked the same question on all the interviews.... Can I open the window or may I open the window.

We interviewed 4 teachers all offering NES.... 3 of whom answered that Can was correct. My reply was yes, I am sure you are physically able to open a window... You may now open the door on the way out.

Can and may in spoken English always differs to written English.

Regardless of whether you choose can or may here, it is clear that permission is being requested.

In spoken English, a request for permission is generally answered with can, rather than may, even if the question was formed using may.

Can you understand that?

[coulson]

In the hotels we offered a 3 month English language for hotel situations to out staff. It was free to them. As the GM I was part of the group that went to the interview session for the the schools that wished to quote for the work.

I asked the same question on all the interviews.... Can I open the window or may I open the window.

We interviewed 4 teachers all offering NES.... 3 of whom answered that Can was correct. My reply was yes, I am sure you are physically able to open a window... You may now open the door on the way out.

Can and may in spoken English always differs to written English.

Regardless of whether you choose can or may here, it is clear that permission is being requested.

In spoken English, a request for permission is generally answered with can, rather than may, even if the question was formed using may.

Can you understand that?

He may not.....

[tolsti]

No, can is a question... Am I able to open the window physically.... May I open the window is a request for permission to open the window as the respondent may not wish the window to be opened. It had nothing to do with your ability to open a window.

[Phatcharanan]

Get over it, this is not England or Norway, TIT. The honorable teaching profession has been bastardized and held in low esteem for many years and it did not start here in Thailand--ever hear the old adage, "Those who can do, and those who can't, teach."

There are many qualified teachers who cannot teach. Additionally, education degrees are the easiest degrees to earn; many people who cannot make it in other degree disciplines, turn to education. " . . .

If you think about it, your rationale is actually quite flawed.

Maybe Education is one of the 'easier' options but lets look at the other side. The very much more difficult degrees such as Physics, Engineering etc etc.

Now, in order for those students to be admitted onto such prestigious degree courses then one would have to assume that they have the education and skills in order to be admitted to such programs.

I wonder how they got that knowledge? Did it appear in a bucket of ice-cream? Perhaps an alien abused their brain whilst they were sleeping?

Or maybe they acquired the education needed from a teacher who inspired them.

Just a thought.

Perhaps you should have chosen to quote the entire last paragraph. I said, "There are many qualified teachers who cannot teach. Additionally, education degrees are the easiest degrees to earn; many people who cannot make it in other degree disciplines, turn to education. " . . . our research confirms years of evidence that those students who arrive in college with the lowest average SAT scores and graduate with the highest grades tend to be education majors. Education courses emphasize skills like oral presentation and classroom management, which, although they may be difficult for certain personality types, fall into the category of hard to master but easy enough to learn." http://www.thebestco...-degree-majors/"

Click that link, then you might see that it may not be just my flawed rationale.

Entry into many, if not most, colleges and universities has been dumbed-down to exclude the standardized entry exams--SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT-and even accept work-around diplomas--GDE, HSET--or even experiential learning rather than just a secondary school education. Most colleges and universities have remedial programs for General Education to teach incoming students, because far too many secondary school graduates do not understand basic math and cannot read, speak, or write their language proficiently.

University professors with education degrees are in the minority; most have doctorates in their discipline. However, graduates of those discipline professionals often lack any exposure to practical issues upon graduation. Far too often, their professors had no job experience other than teaching. Consequently, many colleges and universities actively seek faculty with practical experience in the discipline before tenure is even considered, no matter how many papers published.

So, back off your academic high horse; teachers aren't all Aristotle. Many see it as a easy out, even if some feel it a calling.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz