Q1. Where did you move to and when?

Shanghai, China September 2012

Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?

Three and a half years on and off.

Q3. What was your main reason for moving?

The low pay, having to do visa runs and the corrupt Thai education system.

Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?

Better pay, more job satisfaction and appreciation for the job you do. In addition, work permits are easier to obtain and the majority of students who are keen to learn.

Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?

I miss the convenience of Western food, cheap movie tickets and weekends away at nice Islands.

Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?

Maybe for one semester only just to say that you've done it.

Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?

None whatsoever.

Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?

After reading many letters on ajarn over the years I felt compelled to write in myself. I had been teaching in Thailand for the best part of 3 and half years, primarily Bangkok, Pattaya and Chonburi. My first teaching job was working at a private school in Pattaya, I was on 25,000 Baht, 3-month probationary period, and then it would go up to 28,000. I was teaching kindergarten, not my choice but as I have a degree in acting studies (Drama school graduate) I guess the school felt I was well suited for this post.

My kids although demanding, were great and after much hard work, which included supplying much of my own teaching materials and having to write up the next semesters lesson plans, on the very last day I was told I hadn't passed the probation period. Later I was to discover I was replaced by a teacher from the Philippines. The next 3 years I taught at a number of schools with my wages hovering around the 30,000 mark with the exception of one job where I was paid 38,000. That was because I had to travel a fare distance between two schools and do colossal amounts of paperwork outside of school hours, not to mention some of my classes had up to 55 students.

I returned home for five months in summer 2011 and taught at a language school in Bournemouth UK. It was a real wake up call. I had to up my game considerably, I was teaching European students predominantly from Spain, students who wanted to learn. It was totally refreshing. I had an abundance of teaching materials and resources, I could photocopy as often as I liked, pub nights that I got paid for as well as trips to London and I was being paid 16 pounds an hour. I was only hired for the summer so the job wrapped up in September. Most of my students were full of gratitude and thanks, which was a very nice feeling.

I decided to return to Thailand in October for one last time. I had a job arranged at a university in Chonburi through an agency I had previously worked for. 30,000 Baht a month for 1 and a half hours Mon to Fri and all day Sunday, It was a contract that was due to run till March, I could live with that. Having been sent all the necessary documents from my Thai employer, a few days before I flew out, I had to pick up my multi entry B Visa from the Thai consulate in Liverpool. When I got there I was told I could only have a single entry visa as the rules had changed. "You have to be over 50 or married to a Thai national" This really pissed me off to say the least as I was sick and tired of all the previous border runs at my expense and due to all the huge page filling stamps my passport was filling up fast.

But all was not lost; my boss assured me he would sort everything out and get me a work permit. What a contrast compared with Bournemouth. I was supposed to get around 22 students a class but I was lucky if half that amount showed up. When they did, most of them were consistently half an hour late. When I expressed my concern to my Thai bosses (after all it was the students parents money that were paying for my services) I was just told not to worry or a shrug of the shoulders.

Christmas arrived, I had my holiday and returned just after New Year. My first day back I was greeted with the usual wais and smiles but no students in my class. I was told "no have class today, students come tomorrow" Later that afternoon I got a call from my boss and he asked what happened. I said what you mean what happened? He then went onto tell me that the school was not happy with me and they now have a new teacher coming tomorrow in my place and if I have any books from the university could I hand them in.

On arrival at the university, I made straight for the heads office demanding to speak to her. After a 5 minuet wait I was told to step into the office. The head gestured me to sit down while she was having a conversation on her mobile. I never got to speak directly to the head teacher, she was conveniently talking on her phone throughout the duration, instead I spoke to the third teacher down the pecking order. I asked her the reasons for my replacement, to which she explained to me that the students were not happy. I replied you mean some of the students; the ones that constantly kept turning up late without so much as an explanation or an apology you mean. She nodded vaguely of course. I explained the students in my class that wanted to learn did, it all fell on deaf ears though. In the end and after going round in circles, I finally got to the truth, she said to me “up to students” because they pay money to come here. She went on to tell me that she knew I was a good teacher. I said how do you know that, none of you ever observed my classes.

My very last teaching job in Thailand was teaching at a government school in Sai Mai Bangkok. It was through a small agency just starting out. I of course had to do one more border run to Laos to get another 3 months in Thailand. The agency did say that they could sort out a double entry visa for me for 13,000 Bart; however I declined their generous offer and did it myself for 3,000. There was only 6 weeks left to run at the school, so I was just finishing off previous work and then onto testing. I of course I had to give all the students at least a 50% pass mark. I returned to the UK for 6 months and taught at English 2000 in Bournemouth again, which was fantastic.

September 2012, I decided to make the move to Shanghai China working at Wall Street. A visa and work permit were arranged, I was picked up from the airport, put up in a hotel for a week whilst the company helped me find accommodation and of course no border run crap. I earned great money, received a Christmas present and thanks from my wonderful boss and was made to feel appreciated for my efforts. I only wish I had made the move sooner. It’s all been a big learning experience. Unless something radically changes - which I doubt - I can’t see myself ever teaching in Thailand again. The education system is a complete waste of time.

There were students who did want to learn though, but they had no chance because the Thai Education system will not let them. Most of the teachers worth their salt I started with in 2008 have long gone. The only teachers I know still working there are those who didn’t have a degree, and they are totally vulnerable to visa restrictions and the crap pay stranded in a fool’s paradise or the semi retired on a pension and still earning around 30’000 Baht. In my opinion teaching in Thailand, you learn absolutely nothing that will equip you for the rest of the teaching world.

I am now on a 10 month contract in Phnom Phen of all places as an English/Drama teacher at an International School. Flight paid for and a very high salary. Happy days