Johnny Ward, Thailand English Teacher

How long did you teach English in Thailand?

I first arrived in Thailand in February 2007 and left around May 2008 but my first month or so was taken up by studying my CELTA diploma, I was employed almost immediately after completing that so I taught for around 15 months in Thailand in total

Please tell us about your job?

The job was great! The company I worked for, AUA, are a renowned language school throughout Thailand with branches in every city. The students ranged in age from around 15 to 30 and the class size probably average about 15 students. The working hours were the real highlight! I taught Tuesday to Friday 5pm-8.20pm and Saturday 9am-4pm, this gave me almost every day free to explore the country, study the language etc

Have you taught English in other countries?

Yeah, I have taught in Korea and that was a brilliant experience too – the cash was excellent and Korean students really appreciate being taught. The working hours in Korea are much longer than my awesome hours in Thailand so that took a bit of time to acclimatize too, but after that I only have positive memories J

How did you find your first teaching job?

I booked a one-way flight to Thailand and then pretty much ‘freestyled’ it from there! I had just finished my CELTA when I was applying so it was really just a case of me identifying the best places to teach and contacting them directly

How easy is it to find English teaching positions and Is it necessary to have teaching certificates or training to find employment?

This can be a tough question to answer :S Let me break it down:

if you have no degree, no TEFL and no experience – it will be very tough to get a job in Thailand (and illegal!)

if you have a degree and no TEFL – it can still be quite tough (and still illegal as you need a degree AND a TEFL for a work permit in Thailand) but you can find work in less reputable schools and if you’re willing to teach a class of around 40 students and get underpaid then you can find work – but who wants that stress?!

if you have a degree and a TEFL – easy street! You can find a few places you want to work and undoubtedly you will get a couple of interviews and before you know it you’re a fully fledged English teacher

if you have a degree, teaching qualification from your home country or education related masters – they’ll be fighting each other to get to you!!

How did you get your first work visa?

If you work for a decent school they should sort this out for you. I made a quick trip to Laos and the school filled all the paperwork out (which was a mountain of forms) so it wasn’t too painful for me. You need all copies of your degree, TEFL certificate and all the rest but it’s not too bad.

Is it possible for teachers to arrive without a work visa and look for a job?

For sure! This is pretty much what I did! Remember those qualifications though or you could run into hot water :S

What is the cost of living in Chiang Mai, Thailand?

Very cheap and very awesome! I earned around 25000 Baht a month, doesn’t sound much but it was more than enough for a cracking lifestyle. Rent in a decent serviced apartment is about 4k, you can get 3 deliciously delicious Thai meals for about 100 baht a day total, motorbike and petrol costs a couple of grand a month. The real cost is the traveling and partying – that can (and does) eat your money!!

How much money can the average teacher expect to save?

Again it’s tough to say because the salaries can vary so much. The average salary in Chiang Mai is 25-30k per month and BKK is around 40k per month. I managed to save around 70k in just over a year which was more than enough for the airfare to my next adventure (Bangladesh – crazy place but that’s another story ). Also, generally when you complete your 12 months at your school you get a bonus of around 30k which helps a lot. Also, because my teaching hours were so small you can work 2 jobs and earn 40-50k per month and then save 200k+ in a year but you’d be sleeping teaching and sleeping again and who wants to do that when they’re living the dream in a foreign country!?

Are there many opportunities to earn income on the side?

When I arrived in Thailand I was a backpacking novice and I would have said no, aside from private tuition of course. But now, 3 ½ years on and still traveling I would certainly say yes – one of my friends is a freelance writer, writing posts for the Times (UK), Bangkok post etc. Another one of my friends works for an NGO, traveling around Thailand which is great. Also, you can earn (a little) money from maintaining a travel blog which is what I’m starting to get into now and hopefully that will help me travel a little bit further for a little bit longer (check out my stories on http://onestep4ward.com)

Do you recommend Thailand for other English teachers?

Absolutely! I couldn’t recommend it any higher, I had such an amazing time, met brilliant people, saw awesome things. Thai students must be the best in the world – easygoing, respectful, upbeat and fun! The quality of life is second to none with delicious food, breathtaking scenery, opportunities to travel on your doorstep, Thai people are so nice too. I only have positive things to say about it!

What advice would you offer for others thinking of teaching English Abroad?

I would say get that degree and get your TEFL (preferably CELTA) – after that, the world is your oyster and you can go to any country, I mean literally almost ANY country, in the whole world and you can have a good job within a month, there’s not many qualifications or jobs that can guarantee that sort of freedom! I would also like to say, don’t be scared – just take the plunge, you most certainly will regret it if you don’t!

Links
OneStep4ward Johnny Ward’s blog.
Follow Johnny Ward on Twitter

Information on Teaching English in Thailand
English Teaching Jobs in Thailand

Related posts:

1. Interview with Thailand English Teacher, Amanda Dorough
2. Teach English in Thailand Interview

Thailand English Teacher, Amanda Dorough

How long have you been teaching English in Thailand?

A year and a half. I came in on a one year contract and I loved it so much I signed on for another year.

How did you find your first teaching job?

I had never planned to teach. Even more than that I had no desire to teach. Then, a few months after I graduated from college, something changed. I had a some friends that were teaching at different schools in Thailand and the more I read their blogs and looked at their pictures the more I wanted to be there too. I did a lot of research and looked at several schools but eventually settled on one that my friend was currently teaching at, Global English School. I sent my application to the school fairly early (November) and I was officially hired the next March for the 2008-2009 school year.

How easy is it to find English teaching positions?

Very easy. Education is a high priority in Thailand and many students will take extra classes in the afternoons and on weekends. English based international schools are viewed as the premier schools in the country and parents view English as THE way to help their children be successful in life. Nearly every school, whether Thai, International or a language academy, will have at least one position for an English teacher.

Is it necessary to have teaching certificates or training to find employment?

This will depend on the school and the position. In Thailand, International Schools only hire teachers with teaching certificates and experience is preferred. I work at a Bilingual school where they prefer, but do not require teachers to have teaching certificates. I have a degree in history and no teaching certificate and I was hired without a problem.

How did you get your first work visa?

Obtaining a work visa in Thailand is a long process that can’t officially be started until you arrive in the country. Many schools, including the one I work at will take care of it for you, making the process markedly less painful.

For me the entire process took about 2 months. I signed maybe 20 copies of my passport pages, made a trip to the work permit office and finally immigration, and then I had my visa.

Is it possible for teachers to arrive without a work visa and look for a job?

You can’t get a work Visa until you arrive in Thailand but the process is much easier if you already have a school to sponsor you.

What is the cost of living in Thailand?

Thailand is cheap; that is what makes it so amazing. I can eat for less than $5 a day, I rarely have to spend more than $6 on a taxi ride (and that is across the city), and a movie will run about $4.

How much money can the average teacher expect to save?

Salaries in Thailand vary depending on the school and your experience. I am able to add about 10,000 Baht (US$301) a month to my income through extra tutoring. It’s this money that I live off of primarily (except on occasions when I take a trip) and I am able to save the rest of my salary to put towards American bills and any adventures I may go on.

Do you recommend Thailand for other English teachers?

Yes! It’s easy to get around, you can eat amazing Thai food everyday or go to McDonalds for a hamburger if you’re having a craving. A beach vacation is only hours away and if you want to see the latest Tom Cruise movie it will be in the theaters and you wont have to sell your firstborn just to pay for a ticket.

What sets Thailand apart even more are the people. They are genuinely friendly and kind. It is called the land of smiles for a reason and if you can speak even a little bit of Thai to a Thai person their spirits will raise even more. Teachers are also highly respected in Thailand, and there are special holidays set aside for students to show teachers their gratitude.

What do you love and hate about Thailand?

Love: The food, people, beaches, markets and beautiful countryside

Hate: The general dirtiness of the city. Thankfully you can easily escape…

What advice would you offer for others thinking of teaching English Abroad?

Do your research and know what you want. I knew that I would feel most comfortable moving literally across the world if I would be working in a school with many other foreign teachers so that was high on my priority list when I chose my school. Also, be open minded and willing to try new things. It will make the experience so much more memorable.

How long to you plan on staying in Thailand?

Right now my contract is until April 2010. I may come back for another year, which I would love to do, or I might move on. I’m still deciding.

Are there many holidays or days off?

The Thai calendar is filled with holidays. Unfortunately they change days of the week from year to year so sometimes we get lucky and have a holiday on a Monday or a Friday, giving a three-day weekend with extended opportunities to travel, but quite often they also fall in the middle of the workweek, which is still appreciated but a little more awkward. For extended breaks we are given 2 weeks off when the semester ends in October, 2 weeks for Christmas and a week for the Songkran festival in March.

How easy is it to travel around Thailand?

Traveling around Thailand is both cheap and easy. I’m based in the Bangkok area and frequently take weekend trips to Kanchanaburi, a town in the mountains, and Koh Samet, a gorgeous island in the Gulf of Thailand. When I’ve had more time to travel I have taken night buses to each region of Thailand. A ticket costs about $15. And the overnight train to Chaing Mai is not to be missed. Flights can also be found for decent prices through Air Asia when the destination is far and your time is short.

Links
A World Extraordinary Amanda Dorough’s blog.
A Life Extraordinary Amanda Dorough’s other blog.
Follow Amanda Dorough on Twitter

More Information on Teaching English in Thailand
English Teaching Jobs in Thailand

Related posts:

1. Interview with Thailand English Teacher, Johnny Ward
2. Teach English in Thailand Interview

Teach English in Thailand

Mark Reynolds, a five year veteran English teacher in Thailand shares his experiences in this fantastic interview.

How long have you been teaching English in Thailand?

I’ve been teaching in Thailand for 5 years.

How did you find your first teaching job?

Well first, I did some online research and visited many Thailand teaching sites to get an idea of who the major employers in the business were. I came up with a list of about 5 big language schools that I believed would be a good choice for a newcomer like myself. After that I rented a cheap apartment in Nonthaburi a province just outside of Bangkok and went out for a walk one day and came across a language school that I’d never heard of. I walked in the door and asked if they had any job vacancies. They told me that they were only a small franchise branch and that I should contact their head office in Bangkok.

This I did and an interview was arranged for the next day. I went down and got a start for the following week.

How easy is it to find teaching jobs?

It’s very easy to get a job teaching English here in Thailand. Though there are a few less jobs available now due to the recent world recession. Having said that the larger language institutes are always on the look out for teachers and if you want a job quick, then they are the places to go to.

Is it necessary to have teaching certificates or training to find employment?

Yes and no. Having a tefl certificate or some other form of certification will help you, and it also shows that you know what you are doing. There are many agencies and schools who will hire you without certification, because they are desperate for teachers. Some of these agencies and schools are normally at the lower end of the esl scale over here and the pay tends to be rather poor.

How did you get your first work visa?

The language institute that I worked for gave me some company documentation and a copy of my working contract that I had with them. After that I had to leave Thailand and fly to a neighboring country, I chose Laos. When I arrived in the capital Vientiane I then made my way to the Thai consulate there. At the Thai consulate, I filled in a visa application form and stated that I wanted the (non b visa) or non immigrant business visa I handed all the company documentation over to them along with a fee. Two days later I returned and picked up my passport with a new non b visa in it.

Is it possible for teachers to arrive without a work visa and look for a job?

Yes, in fact in 99% of cases you just turn up on a tourist visa start your job, then get your documentation from the employer. After that you fly to a neighboring country to pick up your non b visa. This is how it’s done over here.

What is the cost of living in Thailand?

You could ask this question to 5 different people and get 5 different answers! It all depends on the individual and how much or little they want to spend. I’m very frugal and don’t require a lavish lifestyle. I live in a small condo in a province outside of Bangkok.

• Condo = 1,500 (US$44) baht per month.
• Electric = 300 baht (US$9) per month  if you get it direct from the supplier and not through your apartment owner. This will increase if you use an air conditioner.
• Water = 60 – 180 (US$1.76 – 5.29) baht per month depending on where you live.
• Food = plate of rice with pork/shrimp/squid 40 baht (US$1.18)
• Pepsi = 15 baht (US$0.44)
• Restaurant = varies however usually about 300 baht to 600 baht (US$9- 18) for two people.
• Beer in Bangkok bars = 90 to 120 baht  (US$2.64 – 3.53) per small bottle
• Beer outside tourist areas = 40 baht (US$1.18) per bottle
• Bus = 5 to 25 baht (US$0.15 – 0.74) depending on route and whether it’s air conditioned or not.
• Taxi = approximately 400 baht (US$11.76) for a journey of 20 km

How much money can the average teacher expect to save?

This is another question where you’ll get many different answers. However on a salary of 35,000 baht (US$1,029) per month I could save 20,000 baht (US$588).

What is the typical number of teaching hours per week?

If you work in the government school sector anything from 16 up to 25 per week.

How many weeks of holidays per year can teachers expect?

Depending on who you work for some companies might offer you two weeks holiday and some might offer you nothing. Though there are a lot of public holidays scattered throughout the year and you get paid for these.

Did your employer provide you with medical Insurance?

Yes, The insurance was part of the package which the employer provided. This sounds good doesn’t it? That’s what I thought until I looked closer at the package. I was only covered up to I think about 10,000 baht (US$294) per visit! Which certainly isn’t going to buy you a lot of medical treatment.

Do you recommend Thailand for other English teachers?

Yes, I do! Thailand has a few faults as do other places. Thailand’s visa laws are always in a constant state of change these days, and it’s getting harder to work without the proper certification now. On the whole I’d recommend Thailand as a good training ground for newcomer teachers into the esl world. Thai’s are fun to teach and quite laid back along with the cheap cost of living and friendly people Thailand is a great starting place.

What advice would you offer for others thinking of teaching English Abroad?

Get certified! You’ll need a Bachelors degree in any field! Then get some kind of tefl certificate and you’ll have no problems gaining employment. After that just do it! Pick your destination do your background research then get on that plane and make it happen!

Links
Thailand Delights
Follow Mark on Twitter

More Information on Teaching English in Thailand
English Teaching Jobs in Thailand

Related posts:

1. Interview with Thailand English Teacher, Johnny Ward
2. Interview with Thailand English Teacher, Amanda Dorough