Ajarn Job Ads - Degree Requirements - Sign Of The Times?

**Nemo.** · 14th September 2006 11:05

Originally Posted by kenkannif

Why? Don't you think a lot of proper teachers here would have a nervous breakdown as teaching properly and the way the Thais want you to 'teach' are two different things???

I mean would a teacher with a BEd feel comfortable or see any benefit in teaching 50 kids English once a week for an hour or so???

Not all jobs are like that though. Clearly there is a divide between the 1 hour a week "communication" courses (a.k.a. as farang clown act - been there and done it!) and real English teaching where the kids learn everything in English.

Instructor v teacher I think! Instructors just need a TEFL but teachers need to be real teachers as its a lot harder to teach the same kids everday - day after day - and keep it interesting and educational.

30-35k for instructors (inc all those 45+ year old divorced aussies/yanks looking for a new wife

) and 50-70k for qualified teachers makes sense as the former only want "beer money" but the latter have more choices around the world so need better treatment (like longer WP's)

**kenkannif** · 14th September 2006 11:25

Originally Posted by Nemo.

Not all jobs are like that though.

No of course not all jobs are like that here...but I think the majority are no???

**bet** · 14th September 2006 12:53

Originally Posted by kenkannif

Sorry I wouldn't class anyone over 16 or so as a kid (personally) even once they hit 13 they're more teenagers than kids IMO. And definitely not anyone at Uni.

Neither would I mate, that's why I referred to them as someone's child. But, hey, lets not split hairs

**DunceCap** · 14th September 2006 13:29

Nemo said,

"Not all jobs are like that though. Clearly there is a divide between the 1 hour a week "communication" courses (a.k.a. as farang clown act - been there and done it!) and real English teaching where the kids learn everything in English."

Wow! everything in English...oh, I get it. You are talking about a classroom in England or Canada. My bad, I thought you were talking about Thailand.

In Thailand, the students are mainly given a small amount of English per week. Yes, there are a few schools that may give more, but the Majority do not!

Do they learn Buddhism, Thai, Thai dancing and Thai art all in English?

Cause I think those things are best taught in Thai.

**aging one** · 14th September 2006 14:11

I dont know as I have been in the university system for a while.

My kids 5 hours a week of reading, and writing, with a bit of speaking thrown in by a Thai teacher who is good and does her best. She impresses me. Then they get 3 hours of conversation a week with a native speaker who is okay but dry. They are in a pretty good smaller Thai private school. Class size is 22 to 25.

Is this average, low, or what, I would really like to hear some opinions. Pratom 4 is the grade. Thanks a lot. They dont need it but I am calculating how the Thai kids are doing and they seem to be coming along all right.

**kenkannif** · 14th September 2006 16:15

Originally Posted by bet

Neither would I mate, that's why I referred to them as someone's child. But, hey, lets not split hairs

LoL I've got my razor out....the last bit was 'that child'....tricky!

**El Tel** · 14th September 2006 19:31

Steven Prowler. Fully qualified.
John Mark Carr. Fully qualified.

I'm waiting for a pervert to be arrested who turns out to be unqualified.

**Jeff_spicoli** · 14th September 2006 20:18

My story - 39yo, 18 years in the airline industry, top marks at high school for English (7's), CELTA qualified, 2 years community volunteer english teacher for newly arrived immigrants in Australia (mostly African refugees), studying 1st Year Thai language at University of Queensland and highly motivated for a sea/life change to Thailand. Yet NO DEGREE.

I really want to make a contribution but do I have to obtain a fraudulent degree to get a job? Your feedback appreciated.

**DunceCap** · 14th September 2006 21:29

as a joke spicoli...send a check...make it out to....The Thai children's English relief fund...in care of Ramon Tameres of the southern Philippines (the new English Care taker)

Jeff spicoli said,

"I really want to make a contribution but do I have to obtain a fraudulent degree to get a job? Your feedback appreciated."

No, you don't. The radar has not been adjusted to catch applicants.
Yes, if you want to keep a job. The radar has been adjusted to catch schools who are not careful in their hiring and it also has been adjusted to catch schools who are not so keen on getting the right paperwork. (something like that)

Oh, and good luck to you.

**torbek** · 14th September 2006 23:56

Originally Posted by Jeff_spicoli

I really want to make a contribution but do I have to obtain a fraudulent degree to get a job? Your feedback appreciated.

No, I shouldn't think so.

Interesting though...so are (a) doing nothing and (b) getting a fake degree, the only two options?

You could always think way out of the square and continue on your path of getting a real degree...

That aside, you will, if you look around enough, find work with what you have. In the current climate, that is probably a wiser choice than the fake degree...

BTW...what does 18 years in the airline industry mean? Pretty wide range, that...from 747 pilot right through to the guy who puts the headphones back in the heat sealed bags...

**Jeff_spicoli** · 15th September 2006 21:07

I neglected to mention an intent to study further and get that said degree. Getting a dodgy degree is obviously a last option however I will do what it takes to fulfill an ambition.

The reason I mentioned the airline experience is that I note from Ajarn.com there seems to be a market for in-house English teaching within the hospitality industry.

Thanks for your responses. Keep 'em coming...

**zehner** · 16th September 2006 01:47

hospitality industry yes! lots of work but mainly corporate work, pay by the hour (500-700baht p/h) and no benefits, insurance etc..

there are fulltime jobs which crop up 4 hotel gigs but the cash ain't too good. maybe 40k and they will milk you for it.

**torbek** · 16th September 2006 09:51

Originally Posted by Jeff_spicoli

Getting a dodgy degree is obviously a last option however I will do what it takes to fulfill an ambition.

Part of my point was that I suggest trying to get a WP with your current qualifications rather than a forgery is a better course of action at the moment.

Immigration Department will be so basking in the glow of their latest contribution to the improvement of Thai society that the Ministry of Labour wont be able to help themselves.

They'll feel honour-bound to come up with their own initiative which will no doubt include the simplest...checking all qualifications.

**bet** · 16th September 2006 10:04

Originally Posted by Jeff_spicoli

The reason I mentioned the airline experience is that I note from Ajarn.com there seems to be a market for in-house English teaching within the hospitality industry.

But Jeff, the majority of this work is part-time through agencies, so you wouldn't have much chance of getting a wp even with a genuine degree.

You mey be lucky though, lets hope so!

**Unwell** · 16th September 2006 11:46

Originally Posted by chuck_s

Give it a few months, or weeks and when the next school season starts up then the rules will start to bend. Basically, the Thai government cannot or it is not possible to follow their own rules without offending someone in the local MOE office or. Money talks and the bull ***t walks.

this guy's got it...