Teaching in Thailand - Visa Info
Updates on Qualifications & Work Permits for English Teachers
Oct 27, 2007
Thailand remains a popular destination for experienced and potential teachers, understandably so as it is a beautiful country.
Thai students are, in the main, a joy to teach, with their fun loving attitude and genuine curiosity regarding foreigners. Work is plentiful for those who are qualified and the cost of living and quality of life generally enables a teacher to have a happier and healthier lifestyle than back home.
However, for those looking to earn a high salary, to pay off debts or to put money in the bank, then other Asian countries like Japan or Korea prove a more lucrative option. Thailand is not the place to get rich quick, nor does it usually provide perks, such as paid airfare or relocation expenses, so often available in developed countries.
The majority of teachers in Thailand are not here for the money but to enjoy the lifestyle, culture and opportunities that the country provides. Accommodation, transportation, entertainment and food are cheap, providing you don’t push the boat out every night and you live within your means.
Some things have altered considerably since the military coup in September 2006. Rules are now more strictly enforced regarding visa applications, qualifications and police background checks, along with a clamp down on the so called ‘cowboy’ schools that seemed to proliferate at one time or another.
English teachers in Thailand have received of bad press of late, after the apprehension of a number of suspected pedophiles working as teachers. This has prompted schools to enforce stricter procedures during their recruitment and selection process and work permit and visa applications are tougher.
Visa & Work Permit Regulations for Thailand
Prior to 2006 it was possible for a potential teacher to obtain a Non Immigrant B visa (essential for working legally) based on an offer letter from a school. Now there is a pile of additional documentation required for the visa application, along with a police clearance certificate, and a teacher’s license to obtain a work permit.
These formalities may take a long while to process, not least because the Department of Education (teacher’s license), the Labor department (work permit) and Immigration (visa) work independently of each other, so a delay in one department may impact on the other two.
Work permit and visa regulations are regularly updated, so it pays to keep abreast of the latest requirements by visiting The Royal Thai Embassy website. Alternatively, obtain updated visa information from your prospective employer.
A teacher will only be granted a teacher’s license if the necessary criteria is met – usually a bachelor’s degree and a recognized TEFL/TESOL teaching certificate. Most schools nowadays specify a teaching certificate which meets the international standard of a 120 hour course and at least 6 hours of observed teaching practice.
Be wary of online TEFL courses. Check acceptability with potential employers before enrolling. Whilst useful for those already with a teaching background or already holding a relevant certification, online courses may not be looked upon as sufficient training for a novice teacher who has never set foot in the classroom.
Thailand is no longer an easy teaching option for the unqualified. However, there are still jobs available, mainly in Bangkok or in the more remote provinces, where demand exceeds supply. However, for a wider choice of jobs, an unqualified teacher may be better off looking at neighboring countries such as Laos, Cambodia or Vietnam.
The Thai government has recently clamped down hard on the so called ‘Koh San Road’ degrees, which could once be bought off the street, and provided an open door into unsuspecting or trusting educational institutions. After recent government research showed that a significant number of teachers had gained teaching positions using fake degrees, credentials are now verified by a prospective employer. Accordng to the Bangkok Post article, Two Held With Fake Qualifications (17 January 2007), "65 out of a 1,000 teachers checked were found to have fake degrees".
Teaching Qualifications in Thailand
Once in Thailand it is possible to enroll on a TEFL certificate course which usually takes around 4 weeks of full time study, although part time courses are also available periodically.
Local courses, authorized by the Thai Ministry of Education, are cheaper than the internationally known ones, such as the Cambridge University CELTA. ($1500). Check with the relevant course provider that your certificate will also be recognized and accepted in other countries where you wish to work.
Most TEFL training institutions will do their best to assist you in finding work and many give priority to their own graduates when filling in-house vacancies. Nowadays the worldwide acceptance of localized certifications is not such a problem, as the global market has opened up regarding TEFL course providers, and language school directors are not as blinkered as they once were.
 |
