Born And Raised In Chicago, Il And 100% Thai

[rkeyologynut]

Hello and thank you to all that have posted here. As a newb, the posts have helped me tremendously. On to my questions...

I am a 28 year old American citizen, born and raised in Chicago. Both my parents are Thai and I consider myself to be Thai, but I myself have never lived in Thailand. I am a citizen of Thailand as well as the U.S., though.

I have a B.A. in Anthropology with specialization in archaeology. I have worked in the U.S. and Peru since graduating.

I am fluent in English, Thai, and Spanish, though I cannot write in Thai, and reading is at about the kindergarten level.

I have taught English at a language academy for about a year in Peru, specializing in conversational English. I've tutored with good/great results Thai students (TOFEL students) who work for me at my restaurant here in Chicago. I have also tutored hispanic family members of friends wanting to learn English, as well as American students learning Spanish.

What I would like to know is if

1) being Thai will be a disadvantage for me in trying to find a good paying teaching job in Thailand. As I stated, I was born and raised in the U.S., but I consider myself Thai because my morals, beliefs, and upbringing are all Thai.

2) will my experience as listed be enough to obtain a relatively good paying teaching job.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Happy Holidays.

[Vespa]

Hello and thank you to all that have posted here. As a newb, the posts have helped me tremendously. On to my questions...

I am a 28 year old American citizen, born and raised in Chicago. Both my parents are Thai and I consider myself to be Thai, but I myself have never lived in Thailand. I am a citizen of Thailand as well as the U.S., though.

I have a B.A. in Anthropology with specialization in archaeology. I have worked in the U.S. and Peru since graduating.

I am fluent in English, Thai, and Spanish, though I cannot write in Thai, and reading is at about the kindergarten level.

I have taught English at a language academy for about a year in Peru, specializing in conversational English. I've tutored with good/great results Thai students (TOFEL students) who work for me at my restaurant here in Chicago. I have also tutored hispanic family members of friends wanting to learn English, as well as American students learning Spanish.

What I would like to know is if

1) being Thai will be a disadvantage for me in trying to find a good paying teaching job in Thailand. As I stated, I was born and raised in the U.S., but I consider myself Thai because my morals, beliefs, and upbringing are all Thai.

2) will my experience as listed be enough to obtain a relatively good paying teaching job.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Happy Holidays.

You will have an advantage being a American / Thai ,but as you may know many of the schools here in Thailand go by looks sometimes more than teaching ability and many parents feel having a "Great White Hope" instructing their kids would do a better job than Thai looking person like yourself.

[toptuan]

I've taught at both the college and university level here for over four years in Thailand, and here's my take on it:

You will find Thailand much more racist than the West when it comes to evaluating you on the basis of your skin color. If you are darker than a usual Caucasian "white", it will go against your odds of success. About 40% odds against you. They will have trouble seeing a person with "American English native speaking ability" and American training in a Thai body.

That being said, I would say your background, education and experience give you a 60% chance of getting a good position here, if you can overcome the above.

A BIG caveat should be used to respond to your words "relatively good paying teaching job." By Thai standards--yes--I think you've got a good chance. Anything above 20,000 baht/month (outside Bangkok) will put you into an upper income bracket, and is possible at a college or university level. You will live quite comfortably. By American standards, absolutely not. I make 10% of the income I made in the USA (in business), and about 20% of what I might have made in education. Nevertheless, my lifestyle here is much more comfortable and care-free. I save 60% of my income here, whereas in the states I could only put away 10%.

We will have some openings next semester at our university (about 450 km from Bangkok). Pay is about 30,000 to 35,000 baht/month. If you are interested, I would be happy to help pave the way, as I have been assigned the task to help recruit new instructors for our department. If you're interested, please PM me for more details.

Hope that helps, and Happy New Year to you too!

TT

[ajarnmark]

If you look like a Thai then everything is No-No. You will get the same salary as an average thai.

Thailand is amazing and strange country where they are racist towards their own race. I believe you can speak fluent English in American accent but its not ur abilities that count in Thailand but the looks.

[The Dan Sai Kid]

Hello and thank you to all that have posted here. As a newb, the posts have helped me tremendously. On to my questions...

I am a 28 year old American citizen, born and raised in Chicago. Both my parents are Thai and I consider myself to be Thai, but I myself have never lived in Thailand. I am a citizen of Thailand as well as the U.S., though.

I have a B.A. in Anthropology with specialization in archaeology. I have worked in the U.S. and Peru since graduating.

I am fluent in English, Thai, and Spanish, though I cannot write in Thai, and reading is at about the kindergarten level.

I have taught English at a language academy for about a year in Peru, specializing in conversational English. I've tutored with good/great results Thai students (TOFEL students) who work for me at my restaurant here in Chicago. I have also tutored hispanic family members of friends wanting to learn English, as well as American students learning Spanish.

What I would like to know is if

1) being Thai will be a disadvantage for me in trying to find a good paying teaching job in Thailand. As I stated, I was born and raised in the U.S., but I consider myself Thai because my morals, beliefs, and upbringing are all Thai.

2) will my experience as listed be enough to obtain a relatively good paying teaching job.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Happy Holidays.

You will have an advantage being a American / Thai ,but as you may know many of the schools here in Thailand go by looks sometimes more than teaching ability and many parents feel having a "Great White Hope" instructing their kids would do a better job than Thai looking person like yourself.

If the criteria for getting hired is skin colour the the school is best avoided. I don't think you will have a problem getting a good postion. Some schools might actually like the fact that they won't have to do any paperwork.

[toptuan]

Some schools might actually like the fact that they won't have to do any paperwork.

And other schools might really like the fact that you know Thai culture, have Thai values, and can speak Thai. A big problem with hiring farangs is their insensitiveness to Thai culture and values. It takes them a few years to start assimilating enough culture to stop stepping on toes. You would already be over this hump.

Edited December 28, 2006 by toptuan

[DragonQuest]

i was born and raised in chicago, whats streets? and btw as long as you hold a US passport i think your fine just dont stop till you find that perfect job, goodluck.

[The Dan Sai Kid]

Born and raised in the US would make you a native speaker in my book!

[rkeyologynut]

I am well aware of the discrimination that is prevelent in Thai culture. That's why I felt the need to ask what to me would seem to be such an insulting question. The hierarchical discrimination and the valuation of self and others according to superficial standards in Thailand embarasses me. Sorry about the tangent. It's just something that really, really irks me. And that's putting it nicely.

To me, any school that operates in that manner is not worth my consideration, let alone my skills and potential value as a teacher. I know I just eliminated many, if not most, schools as possible employers, but so be it. Just as they can have their own standards, I am entitled to mine. Hopefully, the person doing the hiring will be able to see beyond that and see what I can bring to the people they are charged with providing an education. I guess I'll just have to take my chances.

Thank you for all the quick and honest replies. If anyone else has an opinion, please feel free.

To DragonQuest: raised near Western Ave. and Irving Park Rd. on the northside. I currently live near Western Ave. and Foster. How bout you??

[toptuan]

One more opinion: Stick to your guns!

[DragonQuest]

dude your my neighbor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! north side too!!!!!!!!!!!! pulaski/lawrence/montrose//cicero/irving park 6 corners yahooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!! LOL hit me up when you come to thailand and have a happy new year!!!!!!!

[PeaceBlondie]

Another native Chicagoan here, but raised in DuPage County.....Dude, you are a native speaker of English, you are a Thai-speaking citizen of Thailand - there have to be several schools willing to see you as a poster boy. Or poster girl, if that's the case.

Ademas, hablas el castellano! I've never found any use for speaking Spanish here (except to talk to exchange students and one tour guide), but the Big Mango is a big place, so you might even get a gig teaching several languages. Hold out for 30K or 35K, but be prepared to get some rejections. Good luck.

[DragonQuest]

I wouldnt wake up in the morning for under less then 40k though thats my 2 cents(FOR NATIVE SPEAKERS ONRY), but whatever floats your boat! good luck

peaceboldie if you come to bangkok holla lol

[toptuan]

And don't forget--you'll be barely getting by on 20K-30K in Bangkok, but living like a king upcountry!

[Jeff1]

dude your my neighbor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! north side too!!!!!!!!!!!! pulaski/lawrence/montrose//cicero/irving park 6 corners yahooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!! LOL hit me up when you come to thailand and have a happy new year!!!!!!!

Well, well, well, All of dees guys from Chicago and from the same part of town. Lawrence and Kedzie here but now in the burbs.

Back to the the OT, Try Korat. There are alot of schools there and they are not worried about your skin color.

GO BEARS !

[DragonQuest]

yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, we should start a new topic anyone from chicago? hahahahahahah i was in korat for a week, dunkin donut area AKA dhunkunthot LOL hardly any farang up there how do you manage? lol definetly country side is not for me though im a city boy ^^

[Hadrian1]

I came across two people of Asian looks and ethnicity who taught in English in Thailand; one a Korean female and the other a Japanese American guy. I don't think either had too many problems - the guy in particular was quite successful and a head teacher.......

[DragonQuest]

speaking about japanese american, I met this half breed japanese american guy teaching at a university and he was doing just fine, i think it goes hand-in-hand if you have the right qualifications it doesnt matter what you look like, but this is asia so i guess anything goes lol

[Tim207]

Well, well, well, All of dees guys from Chicago and from the same part of town. Lawrence and Kedzie here but now in the burbs.

Back to the the OT, Try Korat. There are alot of schools there and they are not worried about your skin color.

GO BEARS !

I am from the NW suburbs but I do a lot of shopping around Lawrence and Broadway.

[DragonQuest]

Argyle is where its at baby! vietnamese town lol, some thai shops too, My old hangout and chinatown as well.

[rkeyologynut]

man, my friend lived on drake and leland for few years when i was about 18 and that neighborhood became our backyard for a time. argyle st. is where i get most of the daily produce and groceries for my restaurants and nothing beats chinatown for latenight munchies!! used to race there too. glad to know that the world's smaller than it sometimes seems.

another question.

how hard is it usually to get a job at a school that has an international program (IP)? do they generally pay better? provide stipends for housing? transportation? is a stipend a pretty common practice in thailand?

thanks again everyone!

DA BEARS!!!!

Edited December 29, 2006 by rkeyologynut

[DragonQuest]

I use to race in chinatown, www.TeamAdvancement.com

Toyota supra

MR-2 Turbo and a celica after I sold them to move to the LOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! greatest move I did, gas is now 3 dollars a gallon...........

[Jeff1]

Great to hear from all of you in or from Chicagoland. I will start a Chicago thread in the " farang pub"

Korat is the second largest city in Thailand. It has changed alot . Many, many schools there.

[YouShelf]

I am a 28 year old American citizen, born and raised in Chicago. Both my parents are Thai and I consider myself to be Thai, but I myself have never lived in Thailand. I am a citizen of Thailand as well as the U.S., though.

Jeff, I am the exact same as you - Thai but raised in Chicago. The only difference is that I actually live here now (just moved)

It should be fairly easy for you to find a good job here. There are a decent number of Chicago-born Thais who have moved here and none of us have had a problem. A few of my friends have been teaching at universities on weekends on the side.

The only catch is you have to actually be here to find the best jobs. Feel free to PM me if you visit.

==============

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Edited December 30, 2006 by YouShelf

[chicagogato]

I my experience of living and working in Asia for the last 6 years, Cambodia and Thailand, it is the white, western male view, that if you are not white you are not right for the job, more so than the Thai's view. You have a lot to offer your people. Don't beleive the hype. If you are a good teacher you will do well. Be prepared for some rejection, as everyone gets some, even white boys.

Graduated from DePaul U. a long time ago.

Lived all over the northside. Last Apt. was at Hollywood and Sheridan. Operated the Performance Loft at 656 W. Barry for 8 years, above the Second Unitarian Church. I bet it's cold as hel_l there right now!

Have some faith!