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.

6. Q: How much can you expect to earn?
A: Let’s look at the main areas again:

i) International schools: These pay the best if you are employed from outside the country. Salaries range from 35,000 baht per month for locally hired teachers up to 150,000 baht if you are an “import”. You also get better benefits if you are hired abroad. Don’t ask WHY! I have no idea.

ii) English Program Schools: As far as the Ministry of Education is concerned the minimum wage in this type of school is 30,000 baht per month with a maximum of 60,000. Most schools pay minimum or close to it.

iii) Thai Program Schools: Anything from 5,000 to 40,000 baht per month. It all depends on how lucky you are.

iv) Language Schools: Most language schools pay by the hour. This can vary from 150 baht to 600 baht. It is worth noting that in 1997 before the Asian Crisis language school teachers were earning no less than 350 baht per hour

7. Q: How much do you need to earn to live in Thailand?
A: How long is a piece of string? You can live on 15,000 baht per month if you want to, or you may not have enough at 200,000 baht per month. It all depends on how you want to live. If you want to go out on the town every night, you will never have enough money. If you are happy to go out once a week and be careful with your spending, then you will need to earn around 30,000.

8. Q: Can I have a part time job or teach at my spare time to earn extra income?
A: See #12 How do I get a work visa?

9. Q: How do I get paid? Do I need to pay tax?
A: Probably you will be paid at the end of each month in cash. Most schools will deduct your tax and pay it every month. At the end of the year make sure you get your tax form from the school. Language schools leave it to you. In Thailand, if your employer underpays your tax, YOU are liable.

10. Q: Can my partner go with me?
A: Of course, as long as you have the right visa.

11. Q: Should I find a job before going to Thailand?
A: Try to have two or three lined up, then choose the best one when you get there.

12. Q: How do I get a work visa?
A: The only way of getting a work permit is to be a legal employee. First you need a Non- Immigrant B visa. What you need for that will depend on where you are coming from. Once you have your visa leave it up to your employer.

Copyright 2004 Teachers Worldwide