Teachers Worldwide

1. Q: Who can teach in Thailand?
A: Actually anyone who has a teaching degree. But let’s break it down into different educational sectors:
i) International schools: Most International schools do require that their teachers are experienced, qualified teachers who hold QT status in their own country.
ii) English Program Schools: As far as the Ministry of Education is concerned any person who has a minimum of 15 teaching credits to their degree will be licensed. However, in reality most schools will only employ “Native English Speakers”. A few of the more enlightened schools do employ qualified teachers from different countries, but it can sometimes be difficult for those teachers with degrees written in languages other than English to get a teacher’s license.
iii) Thai Program Schools: Anyone with a degree in any field can teach in a Thai program school.
iv) Language Schools: Most language schools will employ anyone, regardless of their qualifications, or lack of them. Language schools are the only institution that may want you to have a TESL certificate.

2. Q: How many teaching periods per week?
A: In a school: in the region of 20-25 x 50 minute periods.
In a language school: anything from 1 hour to 30 hours a week.

3. Q: How easy is it to move jobs?
A: In a language school: very easy. But if you break a contract in a school you can end up being blacklisted and deported.

4. Q: What are the advantages of teaching in Thailand?
A: As Thailand is a male dominated country there are some obvious advantages for the male teacher.
The beaches and Islands on your time off are superb
The hospitality you will receive outside the main three cities will be genuine
The cost of living can be extremely low if you want to live on a budget and save.

5. Q: Types of contracts available
A: These run from a worthless piece of paper to a binding two year contract. If it is your first time going there, go for one year, look around and decide after your first year where you want to teach.