Thread: Can teaching in thailand lead to teaching in America/Japan?

EP wrote: I decided that since my savings isn't what it was three months ago and I have a girlfriend, I should just stay here for a bit.

is your bird a thai bg?? if so bin her.. by the way, be careful with your money or you'll be in a worse position come the end of the contract - you can save money here but it is very difficult. you should have a bonus written into your contract which would about to a bit less than a month's salary (if you do 12 month contract you get 1 month bonus) - that would pay for the flight to japan at least.

EP wrote: I also plan to keep my private students who are from Japan.

you much do the japs pay??

EP wrote: The thing I'm interested in is the TESL course they gov school will be giving me. I've heard of scams before so hopefully this won't be one of them.

famous last words. why not find something out about the course?? is it an internationally recognised certificate?? do you even get a certificate?? who is doing the training?? will it count for much in japan??

A gov school is giving you a TESL course? What is that about? I think it just means they'll train you to do your job at the school and no more. I can't imagine the skills you learn there will be highly transferable. How long is the course? How many hours practicum? Who will be the trainers? Is it TEFL International?

And what's with a 9.5 month contract? They want to make sure you don't get the requisite summer holidays every school teacher is entitled to? I would only take a 1 year contract working for a gov school or uni.

hmmmm...big let down....when I had the interview I talked with my future boss and her friend who was from Arizona. He used to teach there for five years. He happened to be visiting. She interviewed me with him to get his opinion. I asked him..."So they get me TESL certified right? I thought I heard something about a certification." His answer was "That's right, they'll get you all certified. You'll be well on your path." She didn't correct anything he said.

I emailed the lady's daughter (my future boss is up north right now) last night to make sure. She said it was just a one week training session for the school. NOT a TESL certification.

hmmm....now i'm wondering if I made the right decision. Oh well. It can't be any worse than working at the language schools.

Ajarn Farang,

I teach the three japanese guys together in a conversation class. They pay me 750 baht per hour plus my subway fare.

"is your bird a thai bg?? if so bin her"
I didn't understand what you said at all. Please re-word. If you're asking if she's thai, yeah she's thai. I don't understand "bin her" though.

I do get a bonus that'll be near a months pay at the end of the contract.

They also pay up to 20,000 baht for one way ticket back home to America. I'll probably take up that offer. Visit the family, Paint a few houses, do some temp work for some quick cash. Then I'll be overseas again.

It was through Ampro David English House.

Gipkik wrote:
And what's with a 9.5 month contract? They want to make sure you don't get the requisite summer holidays every school teacher is entitled to? I would only take a 1 year contract working for a gov school or uni.

The OP did not want to do a 12 month contract so the firm offered him a 9.5 month contract instead which he chose to accept.

kenneth wrote:
Also it would make more sense if it was TEFL or TESOL as TESL is generally for countries where they speak English as a second language, or for foreigners in an English speaking country.

Do you honestly think they know the difference Ken??

EP wrote:
hmmm....now i'm wondering if I made the right decision. Oh well. It can't be any worse than working at the language schools.

First rule is: expect to be blagged. You're fault for just assuming - be on the ball next time. Don't worry, I still think you'll do ok out of it. Do you even know the cost of a proper CERT?? Think on..

EP wrote:
I do get a bonus that'll be near a months pay at the end of the contract.

They also pay up to 20,000 baht for one way ticket back home to America. I'll probably take up that offer. Visit the family, Paint a few houses, do some temp work for some quick cash. Then I'll be overseas again.

Errr.. I think that 20K is the bonus and you'll get only a percentage of this. The amount will be equal to the number of months you work for them so you should get about 15 grand or so. I might be wrong but check it out!!

EP wrote:
"is your bird a thai bg?? if so bin her"
I didn't understand what you said at all. Please re-word. If you're asking if she's thai, yeah she's thai. I don't understand "bin her" though.

I don't mean to pry and it's none of my business and I'm not saying you are naive or anything but if your darling speaks excellent English but is not educated it could be because she is an ex-hooker or perhaps just a leech of sorts - don't let her bleed you dry of cash. Hos are best reserved for recreational purposes (i.e. giving head or getting down on all fours).

kk wrote:
Media kids is it mate???

I don't know what you mean Kenneth?

EP wrote:
I teach the three japanese guys together in a conversation class. They pay me 750 baht per hour plus my subway fare.

You're doing quite well there. Do a good job and hang with those Japs, they'll likely know more Japs and you can network and ride that gravy train.

Ajarn Farang,

It's funny how everytime I say I have a thai girlfriend that speaks good english everyone assumes she's a hooker, ex-hooker, or just trying to get my "money". If I ask the same question back about their girlfriend, they'll get all pissed off.

She is a college graduate and works for a fashion magazine, but her income is definetly nothing great. She doesn't work weird hours. Her boss is from the philiphines and therefore speaks english to her all the time. She's get jealous pretty easy. Sometimes I wish she was an ex-hooker.

I like her, but I'm not madly in love. When it's time for me to go to a different country, I'll leave.

Posted after 1 minute 49 seconds:

ken, the pay rate is 28,000 baht per month. I know low, but I'm new so whatever. I work 7:30-3:30 monday-friday.

peaceblondie,

The thai lady actually speaks English well. The fact that her friend from Arizona was there was purely coincidence. I do wish one of the two had said "Not TESL/TESOL certification, just a training to work at the school."

I learned. I'll stick with it, but I doubt I'll resign any contract. I should be okay in terms of money with the gov school and the japanese guys.

You're right, it's really none of my business but we should all be looking out for one another, shouldn't we??

Ken wrote:
None of the staff I work with who all have so so English ability are hos and not all of them are particularly well educated.

Yes mate, "so so" English as opposed to "a high level of fluency, weak grammar, with colloquialisms + Brit or American slang thrown into the mix."

Ken wrote:
It kind of used to be mate, and in some ways still is to an extent....but the times they are a changing

The times they are a changing, you're right there!! However, some things never change. Most students of English lack the necessary motivation to learn but pro hos or career girlfriends have experienced the superb monetary rewards to be had for those conversant in an international language - the language of cash!! They learn from their over the hill 'ho-mentors' how to write begging letters via e-mail and cultivate unerring 'listening' skills.

It could just be that his bird wants to be successful in her chosen field of fashion. I was only making a small point - no need to harp on about it!!