Are you a teacher who once taught in Thailand but decided to seek out pastures new? Has the grass been greener on the other side? Maybe you swapped Thailand for the financial lure of Japan or Korea? Read about those who have left Thailand, and their reasons for moving...
Descartes
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
in October 2013 I decided to move to Vientiane, Laos, to teach at a private bilingual school.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
One term.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
I was working at a wonderful government school in Pathum Thani, but I became frustrated with the large class sizes, and the lack of resources and support. The teachers I worked with were great and so were the students, but the lack of structure and support from the school management took its toll on me and I became very frustrated. During the holidays I took a trip to Northern Thailand and after looking across the Mekhong River to Lao, I became intrigued, and decided to follow up on a vacancy in Vientiane.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
My fantastic school in Lao has small class sizes, it's well equipped with a proper structure and syllabus, and there is lots of support from fellow teachers. But be warned ... there is bugger all to do in Vientiane. Saying that I seem to have fallen in love with the place, as I've been here for two years now.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
The cheap food and the weekend nightlife. Also public transport is either crap or non-existent in Lao (and the tuk tuks are way over-priced!). I definitely miss the cheap taxi vans and train travel in Thailand!
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
I think Thailand is a great place to start a TEFL career, but I wouldn't recommend staying for years (of course that's only my humble opinion). I certainly loved living near Bangkok as there was so much to do, and of course, it's well connected to the rest of SE Asia if you like travelling.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
All the time. Whenever I have a school vacation I generally head down to Bangkok on the Nong Khai to Bangkok night train. It's very cheap and comfortable and there is good food available too!
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
I should warn you about the heat and humidity. It can be overwhelming at times, and it came as a bit of a shock during my first year (compared to inclement England).
Ewen
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved to Vietnam in May 2015.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I did just over 12 months at a large private school on the outskirts of Bangkok.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
I think the novelty of being in Thailand just started to wear off and I was hearing good things about Vietnam from a couple of ex-colleagues, so I thought why not give it a go?
I really loved the first six months of my new life in Thailand. I'm from a small village in England and the bright lights and buzz of Bangkok just blew me away. But as often happens, familiarity breeds concept and a lot of small things, too numerous to mention, started to wear me down. I still wanted to stay in Asia though.
The school I worked at generally offered good support to the teachers and the students were great - but talk about a revolving door! I lost count of the number of different teachers I worked with in a 12-month period. The school was constantly hiring new teachers who really had no clue what they were doing or any business being in a classroom. So much of your time was spent unraveling the mess that other teachers created (failing to teach the correct lessons, not turning up for work, etc)
I always prided myself on doing a good job but you get to the stage where if no one else can be bothered, then why should you be!
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
Well I haven't been here long but I can already see that the students are much sharper and willing to learn - plus they can tell a good teacher from a bad one. You don't get away with 'winging' lessons here. Not at my school anyway. The pay is about 25% more than I made in Thailand and I teach fewer hours. But I spend quite a lot more time on preparation.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
Moving to Vietnam has made me realise just how friendly and welcoming the Thais are. Not that the Vietnamese are particularly unfriendly but Thais are just so easy to get along with.
It's easier to get things done in Thailand as well. You can pick up groceries from the numerous mini-marts, hand in some dry-cleaning, go for a massage. If you live in a relatively busy neighborhood, then everything is convenient. I probably feel this way because I'm yet to find my way around my Vietnamese neighborhood at the moment.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
I think 12 months is enough to decide if Thailand is for you or not. I think it's an OK country to start with if you plan on making a career out of being a TEFLer.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Not sure about that right now. I don't want to fall into the trap of moving from one country to another at the end of each school year and hoping for better things. I would like to stay somewhere long-term and for it to become a place I can call home.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Thailand doesn't really value education. It can be very disheartening to put your heart and soul into your English lessons and the students don't really see the point in learning the language. I do sympathize with them a little though. When the only time of the week you use English is in school, it must seem like a terrible waste of time.
Andre
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved back to my home country, Holland, in May 2015 (very recently)
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I was there for two semesters (just under a year) at a government school in North Thailand.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
I got really tired of the heat and humidity. At first, I enjoyed being in a warmer climate but after a few months, I found myself longing for some cooler days. I'm one of those people who sweats very easily and honestly, some days I would stand in that classroom with a little puddle at my feet. Even though the classrooms had air conditioning, the machines were old and in bad condition. They were virtually a waste of time.
I had also had enough of the whole government school system. I worked with a great bunch of teachers and we were constantly coming up with ideas on how to improve things at our particular school. We particularly wanted to implement some school competitions and just get the students to face more challenges. The Thai management listened politely but never acted upon our ideas. We were constantly banging our heads against a brick wall. Thailand is one of those societies that looks for the easy way out. Let's carry on doing things the way we've always done things - even though there is no end result or the end result is not successful. A foreign teacher can change nothing here.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
I have only been back in Holland for a month so I haven't started to look for any jobs yet. However, it's fantastic to be back into the Dutch way of life. I didn't realize just how much I had missed home. Just going for a long bike ride and feeling the cool air around me has revitalized my spirit.
Maybe I would like to carry on doing some English teaching now I have a bit more confidence as a teacher - and look for some private students. I am interested also in teaching on-line because it sounds like a fast-growing market.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
I really enjoyed living in the north of Thailand (apart from the scorching temperatures) and I thought the people were very helpful and friendly. Some of the scenery is very beautiful too. I suppose most of all I will miss the cheaper cost of living. I am already noticing how much more expensive it is to have a night out in Amsterdam compared to rural Thailand!
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Not for long-term. I think those teachers who volunteer to work for just one semester have got the plan about right. They can get some experience as a teacher in the classroom and also sample the delights of Thai culture at the same time. Then you can go back home to your country and look for a better job with a decent wage. To be honest, I cannot imagine why anyone would choose 'teaching in Thailand' as a long-term career option. I cannot see how you can make it work. The salaries are too low and you cannot save anything.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
I am not sure. I would love to travel around Asia at some point in the future but not sure whether Thailand would be on the list. Perhaps it's a case of I have been there and done that. I have fantastic memories though.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
I worried for a long time that because I am classed as a 'non-native' English speaker, I would find it difficult to get a job but this was not the case. Most schools can't really differentiate between a good 'non-native' speaker and an average native-speaking one. When you are teaching simple present tense to low level learners, what does it matter? So if you are not a native-speaker, don't automatically think you are at a disadvantage in Thailand. I found it easy to secure a teaching position.
Jemima
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved to Taipei, Taiwan in April 2011
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I worked for government schools in Trang for 18 months.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
We wanted to make enough cash to put some decent savings away and to go home to England once a year. Thailand was great but we wanted something a little different and getting a bit sick of the schools lack of organisation and care for students actual grades or development.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
Taipei is an amazing city; everything is so convenient, the food is amazing and the teaching is so much easier. It's very green here, it's cosmopolitan and the shopping (and food) is great!
Accommodation is treble the cost of in Thailand but the food prices are very similar. Transportation is great (mrt, bicycles etc) and the Taiwanese people are lovely.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
The beaches, knowing the language and also my motorcycle
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Get a feel for TEFL in Thailand and enjoy the many bank holidays. Then when you want to earn good cash, come to Taiwan
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
For a holiday yes, to teach no!
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Here the salary is about 60,000b a month. I earn over that with extra classes and substitutions. My partner and I can live very comfortably and save one of our salaries each month. The healthcare is great and very straightforward here. The lesson plans are all prepared for you here and you can make your own timetable of morning or evening classes at different schools. Life is much more flexible and easy.
Amy
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved to Thailand in 2013, lived in Pinklao for 13 months and then moved back to the south coast of England on the 23rd March 2014.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
Whilst I lived in Thailand for 13 months I only spent about 5 of them working. Despite what people say, it's not actually that easy to get a job in Thailand. Not one where you can do so legally anyway.
But in July 2013 I took a TESOL course at "Chichester College" and found a well paid part-time teaching job at a language school which supplemented the income I generated from freelance writing in Thailand.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
I had a variety of reasons for moving back to England. First and foremost was my sister was due to give birth, and as family is vastly important to me I knew it was something I didn't want to miss.
Secondly, it was the visa system in Thailand. Don't get my wrong, I never had a huge problem with the system, but because I do not have a degree it meant that it took over 5 months for me to get my non-immigrant B visa and work permit.
Also, not having a degree can slash your job opportunities by more than half as not only do most employers like their teachers to have a degree, but (most of the time) you need a degree to get your work permit approved.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
Better weather and lower living costs. HAHA. Obviously I'm kidding. England has neither. But it does have advantages, and for me those are being surrounded by family and friends whilst earning a much higher wage and being able to progress in my new career. (I never wanted to be a teacher long term).
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
I get asked this question a lot, and my immediate answers are; cha nom yen, laab moo, khao soy gai, mango sticky rice and the weather. But honestly, I miss the entire place. Thailand is backwards, frustrating and confusing but that isn't half of it. Thailand is fun and is filled not only with contagious energy, but with incredibly diverse people, beautiful scenery and constant surprises - and for that it will always have a special place in my heart.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
It depends whether or not they are serious about a career in teaching.
You can find incredible and serious jobs teaching in Thailand that only want the best of the best teaching there. But, for the majority you don't have to be good to teach English in Thailand (trust me, I have seen some AWFUL teachers). You mostly just need to be young, reasonably attractive and have the ability to speak English.
England is completely different. You're not discriminated against based on your age, looks or skin colour, you are judged on your qualifications and natural ability to engage a classroom of students in the learning topic. But you also have to study hard and gain teaching qualifications before you step foot into a classroom as a teacher.
If they know that teaching is what they want to do and they're looking for a long and fulfilling career, then I suggest England. But if they're looking to try teaching then I suggest Thailand, because there's more opportunities available for those without teaching qualifications.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Yes. I have friends over there, and although I travelled a great deal of Thailand whilst I was living there, there are still a few faces and places that I'd like to revisit.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Travel often and spend time volunteering. Foreigners may have a great life in Thailand, but the animals do not. Elephants are abused so that tourists can ride them, soi dogs are forgotten about and beaten, and wild animals are caged for tourists to have a nice profile picture.
Spend your time looking beneath the surface of Thailand and you'll see it's a country that needs help. Be somebody who helps make it better.
Thailand is a country that has it all, whether you want to be see jungles or beaches, be respected or be ripped off - there's a place in that country that has everything you're looking for.
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