Barry
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved to Hong Kong in July 2014.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
Was it three years or four? I can't quite remember. I was directly employed by a Thai school in The North-east for a couple of years - and really enjoyed my time there - but when they put their recruitment in the hands of a local agent, things rather fell apart. I did a year at a school in Bangkok. Didn't like the big city that much after a couple of years in the countryside, so moved to a college down south. As you can see - I slowly worked my way down the country :)
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
I guess that money was the major driving force. I always survived well enough on 30-40K a month, especially in the rural areas but as you start to hit your late 20's, there's the realization that perhaps you should be saving a bit more money towards your future.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
Well, Hong Kong is a bit of a mess at the moment because of all the protests but it's still a world-class international city, but with a Chinese flavour of course. I landed a gig at a decent language school with several branches around the city and they also provided accommodation. OK, it's not a palace but it's a clean apartment in a modern building and the commute to work is only half an hour on the subway. The students are also very motivated compared to Thais I would have to say.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
Teaching out in the sticks, I quite miss the buzz of being a celebrity. Whenever I walked around the local town, so many people (both students and parents) would say hello to me. It made me feel very welcome and at home. In Bangkok, I would say I miss the weekend market the most. I used to love that place! I miss the Thai food as well. Don't get me wrong, the Chinese food in Hong Kong is exceptional but it can start to weigh heavy at times. In my local neighborhood restaurants, the portions are enormous! I must have gained about 5 kilos in the few months I've been out here.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
That's such a tough question because everyone is different. Thailand will suit some people and I think others will hate it - particularly if you like everything to run smoothly and systematically. I used to have days in Thailand when I couldn't imagine wanting to live anywhere else in the world. Then on other days I would almost cry myself to sleep with the frustration of it all. Then again, I don't think Hong Kong would suit everyone either. Every place is what you make it.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
I would certainly come back for a holiday. Who wouldn't want to laze on a beach in Phuket for a week? (provided they bring back the beach umbrellas of course) But for teaching work, no I don't think so. Actually I'm fast approaching 30 years old now and I think it might be time to get out of the teaching game altogether. But TEFL is always something to fall back on once you are qualified and experienced.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
I know I'm not alone with this opinion but I can never fathom out if Thailand wants foreign teachers or not. One month there will be some sort of crackdown and life will suddenly becoming harder for those teachers wanting to stay legal. Then it will go quiet for a period of time and you begin to feel settled again. Then along comes another crazy rule change. Does Thailand see English teachers as some sort of necessary evil? Even after four years teaching there, I can't answer that question.
And from what I've heard, salaries for the average TEFL teacher haven't increased for 20 years. More to the point, I can't honestly see salaries increasing much in the next 20 years either? English teachers - especially those at the bottom of the TEFL ladder - are going to become some of the lowest paid workers in Thailand if things carry on as they are now.