Thread: Teacher licensing: degree but no 1-year teaching experience?

Hi. I have read as many threads as I could find on "the new/ongoing/potentially future" requirement for the licensing of foreign teachers in Thailand; including what appears to be the skinny on the subject via Jason Alavi's post on this board.

I have a question regarding the status of a teacher-wannabe arriving in Thailand without the one-year experience required for a teacher license. The way the new regulations are shaping up, is there a way for that wannabe to acquire "creditable" one-year teacher experience in Thailand while not being eligible for a TL (since the one-year experience is lacking)?

This would be assuming the following:
1) A US degree (BA or BS from an accredited institution) that includes the word "Education" in the major (I don't have one now but I'm sold thanks to Ajarn.com info read or given directly to me on the board. I have the option to transfer credits from an unfinished BA into other programs that fit the bill and complete graduation: I'll go that way)
2) Entering Thailand on the correct "B" visa via a TEFL school (degree or not, the course would be a must for me)

Another way to ask would be: if you’re teaching in Thailand (legally?) for one year without a teacher license (language school?), is that “creditable” if/when you apply for a TL?

The concern behind this is not about having the maximum of doors open right away, but rather to make sure that I can work legally at all times, even while "paying my dues".

Thanks in advance for any info

Fantomas

New teachers get extensions that allow them time to get qualified. We have several new teachers who get visas with an extension letter from the Teacher's Council. The school that hires you will sort that out for you.

Remember, enforcement of the new rules varies from province to province and within each immigration office. Also, some schools can obtain extensions on the extensions. We have two teachers who have done nothing to get qualified in the last several years. Their extensions have expired but they are getting new extensions.

Originally Posted by panhunger

New teachers get extensions that allow them time to get qualified. We have several new teachers who get visas with an extension letter from the Teacher's Council. The school that hires you will sort that out for you.

Remember, enforcement of the new rules varies from province to province and within each immigration office. Also, some schools can obtain extensions on the extensions. We have two teachers who have done nothing to get qualified in the last several years. Their extensions have expired but they are getting new extensions.

Hi. Thanks for these clarifications. Would this also work for the person who does short stints at various schools, such as is probable for a newly minted ESL teacher? In that case, would hitching up to an agency (assuming that they care to handle the paperwork) for a year be the best bet? Maybe I'm assuming too much here...

Fantomas

Originally Posted by Fantomas

Hi. Thanks for these clarifications. Would this also work for the person who does short stints at various schools, such as is probable for a newly minted ESL teacher? In that case, would hitching up to an agency (assuming that they care to handle the paperwork) for a year be the best bet? Maybe I'm assuming too much here... Fantomas

We have a couple of agency owners who post here who might be able to help answer this. I would say that unless you have all your paperwork in order, frequent border runs will be the norm for you. There won't be much overall stability either.

Originally Posted by panhunger

We have a couple of agency owners who post here who might be able to help answer this. I would say that unless you have all your paperwork in order, frequent border runs will be the norm for you. There won't be much overall stability either.

I understand. Well, I didn't expect it to be easy The fog is getting thinner though, and I'm starting to see the light...

Thanks for all the info: it is much appreciated.

Fantomas

Originally Posted by panhunger

We have a couple of agency owners who post here who might be able to help answer this. I would say that unless you have all your paperwork in order, frequent border runs will be the norm for you. There won't be much overall stability either.

Wow I think this guy will be fine. He indicates that he will come to LOS with a legitimate degree in Education and a valid non-Imm B visa. Depending on timing, he should easily pick up work at a mid-tier international school. They will get him a temporary (1-2 year) teaching license. He gets his one year teaching in then submits his application to Krusapa. My situation is not too different, and my school takes care of all the visa renewals, 90-day checks, etc. No need to leave the country (perhaps once on initial hire) or lose any sleep about licensing or visa status. I know that there are exceptions, and people get tangled up in bad situations, but for a lot of teachers here, this is all pretty much business as usual.