Moving to LOS

[viking1960]

Pays between 50-60,000 baht a month. Might be able to swing a trip once a month to Casanovas on that, and trying writing the great expat novel. Looking forward to moving to Mecca.

[stogie bear]

You are accepting a teaching job from your home country or your current residence without ever having seen the school or met any of the staff?

I assume this school has sent you a contract stating the amount of "class hours" you work and that the ALL the classes will be in air conditioned rooms, etc? Class hours are NOT the same as class periods, because most schools have 50 minute periods.

Will you get paid for the holidays and overtime or will you go over 3 months without pay? Most schools do NOT pay for your holidays... Is your accomodation supplied or will they 'supposedly' help you with it?

How much are they deducting from your pay so you won't do a runner on your contract? It's usually about 10% which they will give you IF you stay AND sign a second year contract. Betcha never thought about that, did ya?

Don't forget your unpaid duties... Getting there to meet the parents at 7AM each morning when the kids arrive and sing the national anthem, salute the flag and charge around the playground. Don't forget your private teaching sessions with the principal and her kids and her friends kids without remuneration.

When you arrive confused and alone are you gonna have the balls to sday... "Actually I want to take this contract home and read it over before I sign anything!"

How are you being taxed? You should be allocated a tax ID from the government so the school won't pocket all these deductions. Have they applied on your behalf yet? It takes a while so you'd better move on this.

How long is the probation? Does it work both ways? Can YOU leave without penalty before the (usually) 3 months probationary period?

Who is providing you with a work permit... More importantly; who is paying for it? You, orVisa the school? Don't forget your 'Non Imm B' because you can't teach or get a work permit or a teachers license with a tourist visa.

I hope this is a joke. One of the oldest tricks in the world is hiring teachers unseen and untested with the promise of great money and great conditions. This is Thailand and I can promise you now that it WILL NOT work out the way you think it will...

When you arrive at the school they will ask for your original documents like degree, passport etc... NEVER NEVER NEVER allow them to keep your documents of ANY KIND for "safe keeping" because they will NOT give them back to you ever. take photo copies with you and KEEP YOUR DOCUMENTS safe. (Of course they will tell you that it's school policy to keep them. but it isn't and it's illegal too.)

I could go on like this all day... but suffice to say - Welcome to Thailand!

Please post the name of this school or PM me it privately and I'll tell you it's reputation and credibility...

I'll make a bet now that you'll not be there after 3/4 months...

[jaime24]

WOW,
its a good job with have the likes of you around Stogie with your fountain of knowledge, what i would have thought like a lot of people was straight forward, could be a real mindfield, thanks for keeping us all on the straight & narrow

[mardhi]

I believe they are also doing far more extensive checks of peoples backgrounds who apply for teaching jobs. I think (but might be wrong) they are now insisting on criminal background checks done in your home country before they will issue a work permit. Presumably this all takes time to achieve so as Stogie say's check these things out first and NEVER assume anything in Thailand.

Cheers
Mardhi

[viking1960]

Stogie give me a bit more credit. I am already in the ESL game here in Korea. We just got a new teacher who spent a year teaching in Bangkok. He gave the school glowing reviews, and did in fact tell me they pay during vacation time. It was one of the schools I had on my mind already, but will investigate it further before I actually commit. I am fully aware of the volatile nature of the ESL schools-who lots of shady operations here in Korea as well.

[stogie bear]

I am already in the ESL game here in Korea... We just got a new teacher who spent a year teaching in Bangkok. He gave the school glowing reviews...

Fair enough then! Sorry I spoke!

Then you probably know as much as you need to...

Good luck with the job and welcome to the biggest playground in the world. (I'll bet you're glad to be leaving that craphole, South Korea!)

[Guest]

Wow!!

Stogie Bear, please write a book and have it published!

You could be a consultant as well with all that you know of the place.

Would be of great value to all those thinking of working in Thailand.

Thanks

[katoeylover]

(viking1960 @ Apr. 20 2007,03:40) Pays between 50-60,000 baht a month. Might be able to swing a trip once a month to Casanovas on that, and trying writing the great expat novel. Looking forward to moving to Mecca.

Good luck with this, but i guess you would need some private work to have a good life in Bangkok?

[stogie bear]