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Teaching English in Thailand--part one.

© Jonathan Griffiths

Teaching English to locals is often a great way to finance an extended period of time in a foreign country. There is much demand for foreign teachers in Asia. Thailand in particular has a huge market. This article will give you some insights into how you can find a teaching job in "The Land of Smiles". While most of what I have written is specific to Thailand, much of the information can be generalized to other Asian countries. I do not intend to be comprehensive; rather, I will offer some general guidelines and provide some links to sites where, if my guidelines whet your appetite, you can find much more information.

What are the attractions to spending time teaching English in Thailand? At first glance, there are two major attractions. First, the Thai market offers a diversity of options. There are opportunities for those with little experience who simply need to boost their vacation funds. At the other extreme, there are also opportunities for those are are experienced/trained and want to make teaching English into a long-term endeavor. A second advantage is the abundance of opportunities available. A diligent and well-prepared individual could step off the plane one day and into a job the next. There are also hidden advantages. Thai students are a joy to teach. You will find that their enthusiasm is vitalizing, their sense of humor is refreshing, and the respect that they hold for their teacher makes your job pleasurable. This is also a great country in which to live. Bangkok offers great restaurants, shopping, and night life. Other parts of the country boast tropical beaches, forested mountains, and slow-paced small towns. The people are easy-going, friendly, and good-humored. The cost of living is cheap while modern conveniences and services are abundant. For general information about Thailand, two good sites to check out are Bangkok.com and the Tourism Authority of Thailand site

So far, all sounds encouraging. However, before heading off to Thailand, you should also know about some of the disadvantages. There are several. While it is true that jobs are easy to find, many of the schools are eager to take advantage of their teachers. These so-called "cowboy schools" usually make staff work long hours, in various parts of town, for low pay. Be sure to ask where you will work, what age group you will teach, and how many teaching hours you will engage in per week (more than 20 is tough-going). Also, talk to teachers already at the school to ask about their impressions of the school. Dave's Esl Cafe is a great site to learn more about the ESL scene. To get insiders views regarding the good and bad schools, go to the job information journal. Another disadvantage of teaching in Thailand is the low salary. Teaching English will not make you rich. While you can enjoy a fairly comfortable lifestyle (you will be earning substantially more than the average Thai), you should pay off credit card fees or other debts at home before you come here. Another often overlooked disadvantage is the uncomfortable work conditions. If you plan to work in Bangkok, you should be prepared for traffic jams, long commutes, pollution, noise, and stray dogs. Anywhere in Thailand, you will have to deal with intense heat and the language barrier. Classes will often be large. Teachers, especially in schools, are often restricted in terms of creative license. Preferred teaching methods are often old fashioned.

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