Are you a teacher who once taught in Thailand but decided to seek out pastures new? Has the grass been greener on the other side? Maybe you swapped Thailand for the financial lure of Japan or Korea? Read about those who have left Thailand, and their reasons for moving...
Andre
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved back to my home country, Holland, in May 2015 (very recently)
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I was there for two semesters (just under a year) at a government school in North Thailand.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
I got really tired of the heat and humidity. At first, I enjoyed being in a warmer climate but after a few months, I found myself longing for some cooler days. I'm one of those people who sweats very easily and honestly, some days I would stand in that classroom with a little puddle at my feet. Even though the classrooms had air conditioning, the machines were old and in bad condition. They were virtually a waste of time.
I had also had enough of the whole government school system. I worked with a great bunch of teachers and we were constantly coming up with ideas on how to improve things at our particular school. We particularly wanted to implement some school competitions and just get the students to face more challenges. The Thai management listened politely but never acted upon our ideas. We were constantly banging our heads against a brick wall. Thailand is one of those societies that looks for the easy way out. Let's carry on doing things the way we've always done things - even though there is no end result or the end result is not successful. A foreign teacher can change nothing here.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
I have only been back in Holland for a month so I haven't started to look for any jobs yet. However, it's fantastic to be back into the Dutch way of life. I didn't realize just how much I had missed home. Just going for a long bike ride and feeling the cool air around me has revitalized my spirit.
Maybe I would like to carry on doing some English teaching now I have a bit more confidence as a teacher - and look for some private students. I am interested also in teaching on-line because it sounds like a fast-growing market.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
I really enjoyed living in the north of Thailand (apart from the scorching temperatures) and I thought the people were very helpful and friendly. Some of the scenery is very beautiful too. I suppose most of all I will miss the cheaper cost of living. I am already noticing how much more expensive it is to have a night out in Amsterdam compared to rural Thailand!
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Not for long-term. I think those teachers who volunteer to work for just one semester have got the plan about right. They can get some experience as a teacher in the classroom and also sample the delights of Thai culture at the same time. Then you can go back home to your country and look for a better job with a decent wage. To be honest, I cannot imagine why anyone would choose 'teaching in Thailand' as a long-term career option. I cannot see how you can make it work. The salaries are too low and you cannot save anything.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
I am not sure. I would love to travel around Asia at some point in the future but not sure whether Thailand would be on the list. Perhaps it's a case of I have been there and done that. I have fantastic memories though.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
I worried for a long time that because I am classed as a 'non-native' English speaker, I would find it difficult to get a job but this was not the case. Most schools can't really differentiate between a good 'non-native' speaker and an average native-speaking one. When you are teaching simple present tense to low level learners, what does it matter? So if you are not a native-speaker, don't automatically think you are at a disadvantage in Thailand. I found it easy to secure a teaching position.
Jemima
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved to Taipei, Taiwan in April 2011
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I worked for government schools in Trang for 18 months.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
We wanted to make enough cash to put some decent savings away and to go home to England once a year. Thailand was great but we wanted something a little different and getting a bit sick of the schools lack of organisation and care for students actual grades or development.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
Taipei is an amazing city; everything is so convenient, the food is amazing and the teaching is so much easier. It's very green here, it's cosmopolitan and the shopping (and food) is great!
Accommodation is treble the cost of in Thailand but the food prices are very similar. Transportation is great (mrt, bicycles etc) and the Taiwanese people are lovely.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
The beaches, knowing the language and also my motorcycle
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Get a feel for TEFL in Thailand and enjoy the many bank holidays. Then when you want to earn good cash, come to Taiwan
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
For a holiday yes, to teach no!
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Here the salary is about 60,000b a month. I earn over that with extra classes and substitutions. My partner and I can live very comfortably and save one of our salaries each month. The healthcare is great and very straightforward here. The lesson plans are all prepared for you here and you can make your own timetable of morning or evening classes at different schools. Life is much more flexible and easy.
Amy
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved to Thailand in 2013, lived in Pinklao for 13 months and then moved back to the south coast of England on the 23rd March 2014.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
Whilst I lived in Thailand for 13 months I only spent about 5 of them working. Despite what people say, it's not actually that easy to get a job in Thailand. Not one where you can do so legally anyway.
But in July 2013 I took a TESOL course at "Chichester College" and found a well paid part-time teaching job at a language school which supplemented the income I generated from freelance writing in Thailand.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
I had a variety of reasons for moving back to England. First and foremost was my sister was due to give birth, and as family is vastly important to me I knew it was something I didn't want to miss.
Secondly, it was the visa system in Thailand. Don't get my wrong, I never had a huge problem with the system, but because I do not have a degree it meant that it took over 5 months for me to get my non-immigrant B visa and work permit.
Also, not having a degree can slash your job opportunities by more than half as not only do most employers like their teachers to have a degree, but (most of the time) you need a degree to get your work permit approved.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
Better weather and lower living costs. HAHA. Obviously I'm kidding. England has neither. But it does have advantages, and for me those are being surrounded by family and friends whilst earning a much higher wage and being able to progress in my new career. (I never wanted to be a teacher long term).
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
I get asked this question a lot, and my immediate answers are; cha nom yen, laab moo, khao soy gai, mango sticky rice and the weather. But honestly, I miss the entire place. Thailand is backwards, frustrating and confusing but that isn't half of it. Thailand is fun and is filled not only with contagious energy, but with incredibly diverse people, beautiful scenery and constant surprises - and for that it will always have a special place in my heart.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
It depends whether or not they are serious about a career in teaching.
You can find incredible and serious jobs teaching in Thailand that only want the best of the best teaching there. But, for the majority you don't have to be good to teach English in Thailand (trust me, I have seen some AWFUL teachers). You mostly just need to be young, reasonably attractive and have the ability to speak English.
England is completely different. You're not discriminated against based on your age, looks or skin colour, you are judged on your qualifications and natural ability to engage a classroom of students in the learning topic. But you also have to study hard and gain teaching qualifications before you step foot into a classroom as a teacher.
If they know that teaching is what they want to do and they're looking for a long and fulfilling career, then I suggest England. But if they're looking to try teaching then I suggest Thailand, because there's more opportunities available for those without teaching qualifications.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Yes. I have friends over there, and although I travelled a great deal of Thailand whilst I was living there, there are still a few faces and places that I'd like to revisit.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Travel often and spend time volunteering. Foreigners may have a great life in Thailand, but the animals do not. Elephants are abused so that tourists can ride them, soi dogs are forgotten about and beaten, and wild animals are caged for tourists to have a nice profile picture.
Spend your time looking beneath the surface of Thailand and you'll see it's a country that needs help. Be somebody who helps make it better.
Thailand is a country that has it all, whether you want to be see jungles or beaches, be respected or be ripped off - there's a place in that country that has everything you're looking for.
Percival
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved to teach in Seoul, Korea in November of 2014 so I have been here for almost half a year.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I did two years in Thailand at two different government schools. One was in Nakhon Si Thammarat in South Thailand and then for a change of scenery, I moved to work in Ayuthaya, which is about an hour from Bangkok.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
I was kind of caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. I hate large cities so working in Bangkok was totally out of the question. I honestly don't know how anyone could work there. However, I got tired of small town life as well after a couple of years. Even though NST and Ayuthaya aren't that small, you rather get tired of seeing the same old faces and everyone knowing your business. You also crave new surroundings and get tired of the same old small-town routine.
I suppose you might say I needed a change of scenery and a friend of mine from way back had moved to Korea and seemed to be enjoying it. I'm in my late-50s and only teaching English as something to do. Changing countries at my stage in life is hardly a career move anymore. I'm sure once Korea loses its appeal, I'll be moving on again.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
I heard lots of horror stories about schools in Korea, particularly those outside the capital, but I love the language school I'm at. The management are very organised, they listen to any day-to-day problems the teacher might have and they are always available. The school helped me to find accommodation and to settle in. I've made some good friends among the teaching staff here as well. Oh and there is also a fantastic resource library.
I teach mainly teenagers and young adults in the evening and I do the occasional immersion course during the day. It adds up to about 25 contact hours a week - probably a little more than I would ideally like but it's not too stressful.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
To be honest, not a great deal. I don't think Thailand is quite the bargain it once was and even in the two years I was there, I noticed prices creeping up steadily. I always managed to survive on my 30-35K salary but there wasn't much left over at the end of each month.
I suppose I miss the Thai street-food and the fact that no matter what time of day or night it is, you can always find a food-stall trading somewhere. I befriended a number of stray dogs in Ayuthaya as well and used to feed them most days. I know it sounds silly but I miss them a lot.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
It very much depends on what kind of personality you have. If you're an easygoing type of guy like I am, Thailand won't cause you many problems. But you have to roll with the punches for sure.
If you're the type of person who likes everything organised and everything to run to a schedule, Thailand will test your patience to the limit.
But generally speaking, it's a great country to spend a year in and the people are very helpful to foreigners. I don't know if that applies to Bangkok though.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
That's a good question. I would never rule it out. I wouldn't mind giving somewhere in the north of Thailand a crack, maybe even Chiang Mai.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
I enjoyed my two years in Thailand but knew when it was time to leave - and leave I did. I met many teachers who had grown resentful towards life in Thailand and frankly, they should have moved on rather than just moaning about their lot all day and every day.
It's a big world out there and there are loads of countries looking for good English teachers. When you feel that it's time to move on - it probably is.
Steve
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved back to my native Castleford, West Yorkshire, England. I moved back on the 29th September 2012
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I was there for 6 and a half years.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
Just got fed up of the visa system and having to bite my tongue when I saw how badly things were going at school. I taught at government and private schools.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
I am an engineer by trade. Now I get paid very well with all holidays paid unlike some schools in Thailand. I get free health care and my pension once I retire.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
Nothing really, I was lucky enough to meet a really nice Thai girl and we are married. She is also in England with me working. She loves life in England.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
England is a good place to work so long as you have good credentials, otherwise it is difficult.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
I will return to Thailand when I retire. We are currently looking to buy a property there and some land near her parents home. I will not be looking to work.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
I feel the Thais ask too much of native speakers and the Thai teachers would help themselves if they weren't so stubborn. I have seen them struggle along and if you offer to help it's like you have committed treason, but us native speakers look for help to make our working life easier. If the Thai education ministry want their subjects to learn English they have to listen to us when we are trying to help them. Learning English is not all about money but a willingness to learn by all Thais.
Showing 5 Great Escapes out of 329 total
Page 35 of 66
