Teacher Licensing, Culture Testing, TCT

[Scott]

The conditions in the previous post were the regulations which, as I understood it, were put on hold. So in the area you mentioned, they are apparently implementing them.

As for the question that you pose, you do not need to take a TEFL, although it's very useful. A TEFL isn't inlieu of the exams, which as I understand it are quite rigorous.

There are a number of programs, mini-English, bilingual etc. that offer courses in English such as computer, internet, science, social studies etc.

Best of luck to you.

[Loaded]

This link to a TCT announcement dated May 29th, 2009 was posted on ajarn and according to the poster there's no mention of a culture test.

http://www.ksp.or.th/upload/301/files/2636-9515.pdf

It's all in Thai and my Thai isn't that good so maybe someone with better Thai skills than me can read and report.

Thai culture course and Thai elite card seem to have a lot in common - give us yer money

[twschw]

On page nine there is a sentence, about the 12th line down, that states something to the effect that foreign teachers have to complete all tests and courses set by the TCT . Well, that is how it was translated to me.

Anyway, this is a hot topic with admin at my school right now, in particular what to do when the 2 year waivers expire. According to the HR staff that does visas for the teachers, immigration at Suan Plu has told them that they will not give extensions without TL or a waiver letter. This just what is being told to me so if anyone can confirm that this is now happening in Bangkok I would appreciate it.

[Firelily]

Just in case it helps anyone in Chiang Mai - my visa and work permit were extended for another year last week without any fuss. I don't have a license, even though my school applied for one exactly 2 years ago with all the necessary paperwork. I was also told that the area educational office is after Thai teachers' licenses at this stage, they are looking at transcripts and refuse to acknowledge teaching degrees issued by certain colleges. It is said to be a messy nightmare. Someone must be getting rich enrolling Thai teachers into additional courses so that they can "upgrade" their degrees.

[elkangorito]

I hope I'm not duplicating anything with the following information.

Info re Teachers licenses & the Culture Course. The document also provides information on the 9 examinable sections (license).

http://www.thaiapep.net/Documents/FOREIGNE...0PROFESSION.PDF

The URL for the Teachers Council of Thailand below. It's interesting to note that the download links don't seem to work for the English version but if you click on the icon for the Thai version, a whole new world opens up.

http://www.ksp.or.th/mainpage/index.php

This is on a Pinoy site:

"FAQ: LICENSE FOR FOREIGN TEACHERS Tuesday, 07 April 2009"

http://www.siampinoy.com/ed-exchange/faq-l...n-teachers.html

Edited August 8, 2009 by elkangorito

[KAteGoGo]

This is disconcerting news! From the states, I'm looking for teaching jobs (I have a teaching credential) in the north of Thailand. I don't want to hear about this! I'm confussed. If you have a degree (from everything I've read), there should be no problem. I suppose we can just hope the test is a breeze...? Unnerving, since you can't prepare.

Edited August 12, 2009 by KAteGoGo

[Loaded]

This is disconcerting news! From the states, I'm looking for teaching jobs (I have a teaching credential) in the north of Thailand. I don't want to hear about this! I'm confussed. If you have a degree (from everything I've read), there should be no problem. I suppose we can just hope the test is a breeze...? Unnerving, since you can't prepare.

Hi

Hopefully I've managed to upload a file with a scan of a letter from the Ministry of Education sent to schools in Chiang Mai on August 10th. It says, so I'm told, that there has been a compromise in the requirement for foreign teachers to have a Teacher Licence. Maybe someone with better Thai skills than me can translate.

sheet__scan.doc

[Loaded]

Translation:

At Sor Tor 02115/1072

(Mins of Edu document number)

Ministry of Education

Bangkok 10300

August 5, 2009

Re: Teacher License for Foreign Teachers

To: Licensed Private Schools

Reference is made to the government’s approval for foreign teaches to work

in Thailand. The teachers who do not pass the government’s assessments and

requirements after the first two years, they are to pass the requirements of the

governments. Thai government announce as per following:

1/ Education Council allow foreign teachers who do not meet the

qualifications to continue teaching and allow the schools to

continue their employments.(consideration to be made on the

case by case basis)

2/ After the first two years of license approval from the Council, schools

are able to continue hiring their foreign teachers legally. The schools

must submit their statements stating their needs and their necessities to

employ their teachers. The Council will consider as per schools’ requests..

This is to announce for all concern.

Respectfully yours,

Mr. Bundit Sripuntangkoon

Director

The Private Education Commission

Schools under special policy

Tel 0 2282 9598

Fax 0 2282 9634

Edited August 14, 2009 by Loaded

[Loaded]

It seems to me the Teacher Licence requirement has been dropped.

[twschw]

That is great news Loaded if indeed it is true. I am still planning on getting this culture course over and done with though.

I have heard about this place called "Siam Knowledge Transfer Center" and it seems they do the culture course in 2 days instead of the regular 3 days. Does anyone have any info on them? What are their fees? The website only has details on how to transfer the money not how much. Thanks for any info.

[Firelily]

I was informed last week that my school had been requested to submit teaching licence applications all over again (starting from scratch, despite the first application over 2 years ago).

But then, this happened before August 10th.

[elkangorito]

Translation:

At Sor Tor 02115/1072

(Mins of Edu document number)

Ministry of Education

Bangkok 10300

August 5, 2009

Re: Teacher License for Foreign Teachers

To: Licensed Private Schools

Reference is made to.........

It appears that this only refers to "Private" schools...not government schools. Correct or not?

[Loaded]

Translation:

At Sor Tor 02115/1072

(Mins of Edu document number)

Ministry of Education

Bangkok 10300

August 5, 2009

Re: Teacher License for Foreign Teachers

To: Licensed Private Schools

Reference is made to.........

It appears that this only refers to "Private" schools...not government schools. Correct or not?

The letter is addressed to private schools. I don't have any evidence that it applies to government schools. However, I believe this 'compromise' will be across the board. School directors and owners have been going crazy since the TL proposal by the TCT a few years ago. A school is a business, these businesses require foreign teachers to satisfy the demand of parents (customers). I know from conversations with a couple of school directors in Chiang Mai that they think the TCT is mad.

This letter saves face as it says you need a TL but if you don't have one you can still work and the school won't be punished - all very Thai

[Ijustwannateach]

Good news, thanks, Loaded! Anything which saves us from futher flim-flam and headaches is to be applauded!

[Hannibal]

I know one school in Chiang Mai that has sent its degreed teachers on pre-academic year 'Thai language and culture and professional ethics training course' for the last couple of years. I think to a Rajabhat in Bangkok. teachers without degrees were swept under the carpet and hidden and still received wps.

If you want to contact the Chairperson of the Teachers Council of Thailand Professor Sermsak Wisalaporn, you can take a butcher's at his boat and get his dog's number from this link:

http://www.nrct.net/modules.php?op=modload...=119&page=1

Hi,

thanks for that but unfortunately it leads to a dead link. You happen to have any other means of getting hold of this guy by any chance?

Hannibal

[Loaded]

I know one school in Chiang Mai that has sent its degreed teachers on pre-academic year 'Thai language and culture and professional ethics training course' for the last couple of years. I think to a Rajabhat in Bangkok. teachers without degrees were swept under the carpet and hidden and still received wps.

If you want to contact the Chairperson of the Teachers Council of Thailand Professor Sermsak Wisalaporn, you can take a butcher's at his boat and get his dog's number from this link:

http://www.nrct.net/modules.php?op=modload...=119&page=1

Hi,

thanks for that but unfortunately it leads to a dead link. You happen to have any other means of getting hold of this guy by any chance?

Hannibal

It's a 3 year old post. I suggest Thai Google if you want contact info.

[sneary7]

Good news, thanks, Loaded! Anything which saves us from futher flim-flam and headaches is to be applauded!

Well I just got back from the NEW and out in the middle of nowhere Imm. office in Bangkok... Well they denied my visa extension because no teachers license. Can somebody talk me threw how I can get this 2 year waiver with the TCT and go back and get my extension. Yes I have work permit and work at gov school....Thanks I am freaking out.

sean

Edited October 22, 2009 by PeaceBlondie
emails deleted - forum rules. Send PM. ---PB

[skybluestu]

Good news, thanks, Loaded! Anything which saves us from futher flim-flam and headaches is to be applauded!

Well I just got back from the NEW and out in the middle of nowhere Imm. office in Bangkok... Well they denied my visa extension because no teachers license. Can somebody talk me threw how I can get this 2 year waiver with the TCT and go back and get my extension. Yes I have work permit and work at gov school. ...Thanks I am freaking out.

sean

Most immigration offices have been refusing visa extensions if no TL or waiver for some time now, my boss flew down to BKK and got us all a waiver from the TCT so I can't talk you through how to get one yourself but I'm sure someone will fairly soon. Good luck.

[Firelily]

Well I just got back from the NEW and out in the middle of nowhere Imm. office in Bangkok... Well they denied my visa extension because no teachers license.

Sorry to hear that.... but why isn't your school taking care of the paperwork? I'm not one for school-hopping but I would run FAR away if my employer dumped the paperwork on me.

[PeaceBlondie]

ASK YOUR SCHOOL; THEY SHOULD KNOW.

[otherstuff1957]

Your school has to write a nice letter - I think signed by the Director - to the Teachers Council of Thailand (aka the KruSapa คุรุสภา) that says that you are a wonderful teacher and that they can't find/afford a Farang with a Teacher's License. I think the TCT will also need copies of your CV, Transcripts, Degree (if any), etc... After about 2 or 3 weeks they will send the exemption letter. I've heard that the new ones are good for three years!

AFIK you cannot do this yourself, the school has to do it for you. Also, the exemption will only be good for the school that asks for it. If you change schools you'll have to go through the whole process all over again.

TCT Website

128/1 Ratchasrima Rd., Dusit

Bangkok 10300 THAILAND

or in Thai:

สำนักงานเลขาธิการคุรุสภา 128/1 ถนนนครราชสีมา เขตดุสิต กรุงเทพฯ 10300

โทร. 02280-4331 , 0 2280-4334-8 e-mail : [email protected]

Edited October 23, 2009 by otherstuff1957

[Ijustwannateach]

I think since the government has been changing that the TCT itself is in a bit of a flux at the moment, which means that the rules are even less clear than usual. I think the 'waivers' are pretty easy to get if your school asks, and probably represent a face-saver while they figure out something that works a bit better (or something that is a little less transparently awful).

[Scott]

Our Administrative Assistant who handles this stuff applies for a waiver for everyone and they have all been granted. I'll try to remember to ask her about it next week, since I haven't heard anything about the license for a long time.

[sneary7]

Our Administrative Assistant who handles this stuff applies for a waiver for everyone and they have all been granted. I'll try to remember to ask her about it next week, since I haven't heard anything about the license for a long time.

Thanks to all who answered my pleas. I hope all will work out. Not ready to run away from Thailand yet. haha

[sneary7]

Our Administrative Assistant who handles this stuff applies for a waiver for everyone and they have all been granted. I'll try to remember to ask her about it next week, since I haven't heard anything about the license for a long time.

Hi, me again..Thanks for asking your Admin Asst about the waiver. I was wondering if you got a nice response from her, could you asak her to write a note in Thai for my School's Dept. head. The thing is, the school has always used a service to settle the farang teacher WP's. But this year, they pushed it onto the headmaster, and she is really lost on what to do.

Thanks

There is dinner and drinks on me...or whatever . Let me know

[BlackArtemis]

I don't plan on returning to Teaching in Thailand in the next few years. However I had a question. I was teaching right before this was all implemented and my school said I wouldn't have to do any of this since I did a semester abroad at Chiang Mai University and earned college credits towards Thai culture. The school I worked for seemed to state a bunch of things that kinda flew in the face of all the things I read that needed to be done.

As for now I am back int he US for a bit, hoping this headache sorts itself out before I return.

[Scott]

Sneary, I will try and check with her. She is gone today--actually she is in and out a lot and hard to get a hold of. If she has a form letter that she uses, I will try and get it and PM it to you.

I don't have a scanner, so I maybe limited in what I can get.

[Firelily]

I remembered to ask today about our teaching licences. It sounds like the applications were filed (for the second time) earlier this year, no reply whatsoever so far. No waivers have been granted or applied for in the meantime. All visa extensions went through the system without a licence or waiver.

[forumid123]

Thanks For Sharing

[puchooay]

Your school has to write a nice letter - I think signed by the Director - to the Teachers Council of Thailand (aka the KruSapa คุรุสภา) that says that you are a wonderful teacher and that they can't find/afford a Farang with a Teacher's License. I think the TCT will also need copies of your CV, Transcripts, Degree (if any), etc... After about 2 or 3 weeks they will send the exemption letter. I've heard that the new ones are good for three years!

AFIK you cannot do this yourself, the school has to do it for you. Also, the exemption will only be good for the school that asks for it. If you change schools you'll have to go through the whole process all over again.

TCT Website

128/1 Ratchasrima Rd., Dusit

Bangkok 10300 THAILAND

or in Thai:

สำนักงานเลขาธิการคุรุสภา 128/1 ถนนนครราชสีมา เขตดุสิต กรุงเทพฯ 10300

โทร. 02280-4331 , 0 2280-4334-8 e-mail : [email protected]

That is useful. The question I would have is.....Has anyone tried this and got the waiver? I will have to do this soon and was just wondering. The last time I recieved a waiver was when this stuff had just started. I went to Kurusapa with all the documents and was given a waiver as I didn't qualify for the license.

It now seems that instead of filling out all the application forms you just write the letter to admit that you can't get a license and so require a waiver.

Have I got that right?

If so I will start right away.