Teachers’ licenses - laws and links
All the rules and regs regarding teacher licences
Many thanks to Ajarn Forum member, Stamp, for supplying the following links to information on the complex topic of teacher licenses - and how you can teach legally in Thailand.
The infamous teacher fire drill
Sent in by Happy Jack
Foreign teachers need to be careful about choosing to work at a private school anywhere in Asia, because private schools are businesses first and educational institutions second. Many are unscrupulous and some are actually criminal.
The system is in one big mess
Things that seemed like a good idea at the time
It's about time there was an update on the much-criticized teacher licencing laws. Please try not to laugh too loud.
Thailand’s new marriage laws
Marrying foreign men over 50 in Thailand – new laws
Some may have read recent newspaper reports stating that the Royal Thai Government (RTG) is about to change the law regarding the rights of Thai women to marry foreigners in Thailand. This blog addresses this issue and examines the ramifications if such a law is passed.
Is it the end of the 20-hour Thai culture course?
Sent in by Bangkok Phil
A letter was circulated by the PSTAT perhaps spelling the end for this controversial program.
The students are revolting
Would Thais ever follow the actions of their fellow students abroad
With British students and others across the world up in arms about the cuts to education budgets, brought about mostly because of the Credit Crunch, I'm offering some reasons why Thai students rarely revolt in the education sector in Thailand even though the quality of their education is and has always been so poor.
Those crazy government officials
Just when you thought it couldn't get any crazier
Once again, a high level government official has given an answer that doesn’t care one whit about reality on the ground, in the real Thai world. And who cares that, within a few years, Thai children will have no native speakers to teach them in the public schools?
An unexpected conversation
A little chit-chat down at the MOE
I was at a new housewarming party of an MOE official the other day and I had a very unexpected, but very pleasantly surprising, conversation.
Doing it yourself
What it takes to start your very own language school
For the first two years we actually lived in our school. This was tiring and annoying, but saved us a lot of money, obviously. Our monthly mortgage was only 6,600 baht, for which we got a house AND a school! The drawbacks to this sort of arrangement are that we had to pull out our bedrolls after the school was closed down
Good news for teachers
At last a glimmer of hope
The important news this month is that foreigners who wish to continue teaching in Thailand can now do so, even if they are not yet qualified. Read on.
Featured Teachers
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Benjamin
BA (1), Certificate (1)
British (male, 38 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Serdar
Certificate (2), BSc (1)
Turkish (male, 43 years old, native Kurdish speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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David
Certificate (2), BA (1)
American (male, 60 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Lorenzo
Diploma (1), Phd (1), MA (1)
Filippino (male, 38 years old, native Cebuano speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Niels
BA (1), Certificate (1)
Dutch (male, 29 years old, native Dutch speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Mr. Dale
Certificate (2), BA (1)
American (male, 39 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Christophe
Certificate (3), Diploma (1)
Filippino (male, 37 years old, native Tagalog speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Roda
Diploma (1)
Philippino (female, 26 years old, native Tagalog speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Elie Grace
Diploma (2), BA (1)
Philippino (female, 30 years old, native Tagalog speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Shanisara
BEd (1)
Thai (female, 33 years old, native Thai speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
Ajarn Guests
Fear of change?
In Thailand the government has set 2012 as English Speaking Year with a goal of encouraging students to converse in English every Monday. Such policies are useful but the major leap of enacting legislation to make English an official language for Thailand is also needed
Software for student tests
The integration of internet and computers with education and English learning is something students find normal, and classrooms without some access to educational software may seem quaint. Some students may even feel they can get more ‘professional' teaching from the numerous online ELT sites if a school is behind in IT.
Whatever happened to the shopping mall teacher?
They are the shopping mall English teachers - gliding like pale, undernourished phantoms amid the hordes of weekend Thai shoppers. The main reason I empathize with the shopping mall teacher is because I was once one myself. I know how desperate and soul-destroying it can be.
About Ajarn.com
Ajarn.com was started as a small hobby website in 1999 by Ian McNamara. It was a simple way for one Bangkok teacher to share his Thailand experiences and pass on advice. The website developed a loyal and enthusiastic following. In 2004, Ian handed over the reins to Phil Williams and 'Bangkok Phil' has run the ajarn website ever since.
Ajarn.com has grown enormously and is now the most popular TEFL site in Thailand - possibly even South East Asia. Although best-known for its vibrant jobs page, Ajarn has a wealth of articles, blogs, features and help and advice. But one principle has always remained at Ajarn's core - to tell things like they are and to do it with a sense of humor. Thailand can be Heaven or Hell for an English teacher. It's always been Ajarn.com's duty to present both sides of the equation. Thanks for stopping by.
Friends of Ajarn
The cost of living
How much money does a teacher need to earn in order to survive in Thailand? We analyze the facts.
E-mailing for jobs
E-mailing potential employers in Thailand can be a very frustrating experience. Teacher Chris is on hand to give you some top tips.
The Region Guides
Fancy working in Thailand but not in Bangkok? Our region guides are written by teachers who actually live and work in the provinces.
Hi, I’m Tony Dabbs
I was a licensed life and health agent in the USA for many years and now I'm ajarn.com's health insurance expert.
Fancy teaching freelance?
How easy is it to cut out the middlemen and rake in the cash teach students at their own homes?
Renting an apartment?
Before you go pounding the streets, check out our guide and know what to look out for.
Fun Quiz
Find out how employable you are in Thailand as an English teacher. Is it a case of 'welcome aboard' or "Mom, I need you to send some money again"
