Steve glad to hear your agency is paying more reasonable wages but generally speaking I still think I am correct in what I stated. For example just look at the job listing on this website or others, most job postings are for only 33,000 or so a month. There are even some job posting on this website for native speaking teachers for just 20,000 and also 15,000 a month believe it or not and I am seeing more of that lately. But after hearing what you and others have said about getting 33,000 a month 10 or even someone said 20 years ago just shows in general how bad the teachers are being paid now a days. Based on what people were getting 10+ years ago the base monthly pay should be at least 40,000+ a month not 33,000 . I've heard the schools have actually been getting more money since then to pay native teachers but just pocket it instead. So that is why there has been no real salary increases for the last 10 or more years for native speaking teachers and the trend just continues.

By Thomas, Thailand (1st May 2013)

Good luck to you, but be prepared for some problems. Thailand to live and work is nothing like Thailand for a holiday. The Thai education system does not value education or qualifications. Most money goes on junkets and superficial painting and gardening in schools. It is the same for private and government schools - just the financial "routing" is a little different. Most of the horror stories you read are based on truth, even if "enhanced" a bit by frustrated "victims". Immigration is a big problem for the first year - better after if you don't change schools. I have a Thai (and UK) teacher licence but I don't think you get it for a 120 hour TEFL. Lastly - the World does know about Thai qualifications (TEFL) so you may well lose out to anyone who has a UK/Australian TEFL / DELTA when you move on in the future.

The weather is good, and the country is not overcrowded. My present students are great.

By John Millar, Chainat (26th April 2013)

Steve

"But the salary for teaching in Bangkok is way over 33,000 average for full time"

I don't think it is.

"33,000 WAS MY FIRST SALARY 10 YEARS AGO"

I can do even better than that. I was earning 35,000 baht a month in 1993. THAT'S 20 YEARS AGO.

Teacher salaries here are appalling. There's no doubt about it. In 5-10 years time, if salaries stay the same, there will be virtually no one coming here to teach. You simply won't be able to survive.

By philip, (24th April 2013)

@ Tom I agree that there salary expectation is a little high unless they are intending to work at an international school. But the salary for teaching in Bangkok is way over 33,000 average for full time.
We own an agency and we pay our teachers a minimum of 37,000 some of our teachers earn 42,000 per month and that's an agency.
I will admit that the schools have got a little tight with their salaries even though with the upcoming ASEAN summit etc they should be trying to attract better teachers with better salaries.
Still I think your figures are quite a way off. 33,000 WAS MY FIRST SALARY 10 YEARS AGO.

Regards

By steve, bangkok (24th April 2013)

Good luck with that salary range but I do not think your going to find that as in Thailand they try to pay as little as possible for as much work out of you as possible. Unless you have the qualifications to work at an international school your not going to find a job that will pay more then 33,000 a month and that includes the Bangkok area, that is the reality of a teachers life here in Thailand.

By Tom, Thailand (24th April 2013)

Hi Philip.

Sorry but "some flexibility regarding vacations and time off" That's fine for a language school. However I can't see any other type of school even considering these applicants . As you know teachers have long holidays but they are definitely fixed in relation to the academic calender.

By Andy, Chiang Rai (23rd April 2013)

Just to let you know a TEFL doesn't mean squat!....Its for those people who have no education degree....people think you can sit in these class for 20 hours and become a teacher....bunch of crap.If you want to teach then do the world a favor...go back to your home country and work on a degree in either elementary education or higher. When you get your degree also get certified as an IB teacher and you will find great opportunities.

By Tom, Bangkok (31st March 2013)

Hi Doc,

To answer your questions.

"I was simply wondering what ‘full-time TEFL certificate’ means"

I think a full-time TEFL certificate could be described as one taken over four weeks, or over 120 hours - and includes at least 6 hours of observed teaching practice. As opposed to an on-line certificate or a course done over a weekend say.

"I also believe these ‘teacher of the month’ things could used a bit of honest-to-goodness salesmanship on the teacher’s part e.g. “My Teaching Philosophy”...something a BIT more than ‘we’re beach people’"

Well, the descriptions are written by me. I wanted to create something that was a bit more informal and 'friendly' rather than something which contained a detailed analysis of teaching philosophy, etc. If I did that, then it would be just repeating what teachers can write on their resumes in the ajarn resume database section. And there's no real point duplicating things in this instance I feel.

In conclusion, I wanted to create something a little more 'light-hearted' where perhaps employers looked at the photos and thought "oh he's got a nice face" and maybe call them up for an interview. And at that interview, employer and candidate can happily talk about teaching philosophy till the cows come home.

I don't think there's anything at all wrong in wanteing to work in an area with good access to beaches because you are a 'beach person'. Hell, I worked in Bangkok for all of my teaching career mainly because I'm a city boy.

By philip, (27th October 2012)

Good luck finding jobs.

I was simply wondering what 'full-time TEFL certificate' means.

Perhaps the actual name and basic info about the certificates earned could/should be posted.

I also believe these 'teacher of the month' things could used a bit of honest-to-goodness salesmanship on the teacher's part e.g. "My Teaching Philosophy"...something a BIT more than 'we're beach people'.

Call me a TEFL snob, but the disregard for the profession (yes, outside of the bubble it's often thought of that way, even if we sometimes strain to do so) insinuated there is noticeable.

Just sayin'. It's not that I want to complicate things or be critical...it's just a matter of professional excellence. We're the ones to make it better. Let's start...well...everywhere.

Best,

Doc

PS - Again, good luck! You seem like nice folks.

By Doc Johnson, United States (27th October 2012)