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...
Sam
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I worked in Korea for three months over the summer of 2012, as a test prep instructor, and am now in a second-tier city not far from Shanghai in China. I came here one month ago.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
6 months, from November 2011 to May 2012.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
I wanted to work with students planning on studying in the US or Europe, and there are far more schools catering to these students in China and Korea.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
(1) Pay is about 65,000 baht per month, and a nice apartment is included.
(2) Students have a different kind of motivation - most of them are enthusiastic about preparing for overseas study - which I am able to cater to.
(3) I find the expats here a bit more like "normal" people from back home, easier to befriend and so forth.
(4) I have also found it easier to make local friends who have connections with western countries, such as having studied in the west or planning to move there. It is easier to make good friends with people who are familiar with both the eastern and western mindsets.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
(1) Life in semi-rural Thailand is, as you'd expect, definitely more easy-going than life in a Chinese metropolis.
(2) The sense that, in Thailand, everything is provided for, and there is nothing to stress about. There's always good food, always work available, etc. I think of the country as "the temple" since it seems like it's very focused in the present moment, rather in the past or future.
The Chinese, in contrast, have developed a more hardcore and driven mindset as a result of the various famines, invasions, etc., they've experienced over the past century.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
You can get a good taste of the Asian educational system in either country. China and Korea both have substantial numbers of students that are planning to study in the west for university, and jobs working with these students can be rewarding both emotionally and financially. You won't find as many students planning to do this in Thailand, but the students there also can be rewarding to work with.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Yes, I have friends I want to see in Isaan, North Thailand, Bangkok, and South Thailand.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Be prepared to accept the fact that the Thais (and the Chinese, and the Koreans, and presumably all Asians) have a good idea about how their country - and its education system - should be run. Just focus on helping individual students out, and you'll have a much nicer time.
Jay
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved back to the UK and trained to be a primary school teacher in 2007. Now in an International School in Ukraine teaching Year 5 of the English National Curriculum.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
Four long years.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
Money, purely money and career opportunities. I was loving living in Thailand but the thought of growing old in Bangkok earning 40,000 baht for the rest of my life really got to me. I was approaching 30 and had basically enjoyed life in Bangkok. But it wasn't a career. With my rent, bills etc and putting a little aside each week there wasn't much left.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
Money, career opportunites. I earn a UK salary here, with a free apartment and tax-free income. I have two flights per year and one month's salary bonus per year. Three months off a year and I mostly teach European children now with a few British kids thrown in. Trust me, that makes life easier. I have a pension and recently qualified for an expat mortgage to buy in the UK. It was the best decision I ever made becoming a fully qualified teacher.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
Food, sun and my swimming pool!
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
I would say go to Thailand but don't get trapped. Many men do. Life is easy and it can suck you in. Best practice is if you want to be a teacher for a good deal of time, then train as a 'teacher teacher' then go back to Thailand and work for an international school where the packages are amazing.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Why not...
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Enjoy ESL teaching but know its not a career in Thailand. It's an experience...a great one, but don't plan your life around it. ESL teaching in Bangkok is underpaid and under appreciated.
Louis
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
St Petersburg, Russia -- about a month ago.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
A pretty short time actually. Just 6 months
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
Some teachers on here are really nostalgic for the place, and that's cool. On the other hand I can see why some people don't stick around (even for one year). I gave it a go, and there were things I loved about Thailand. However, in the end, it just was not the right place for me. I feel too restless to be in a place so relaxed.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
First of all, Russia pays very well. Sure, its more expensive, but I end up working less (no office hours), and saving more. They push you harder in Russia, but I feel like it makes me a better teacher. Everything has to be better, more fun, more efficient. At first I resented it, but I can tell how much I've improved. Finally, I have to say there is nothing wrong with a country filled with tall, beautiful, aggressive women.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
One nasty thing about Russia is their love of paperwork. I kind of miss some of the simplicity of Thailand (and Asia in general). I'd have to add that other than that, I don't miss much, because I feel like I can always go back as a tourist.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
That's up to him or her. But before they go, they should ask themselves honestly if they want the Thai life. For me, I didn't really listen to myself, and I decided I should* like the Thai life. The truth is, a lot of teachers out there would prefer a tougher country, or maybe a faster country, or maybe a country more similar (or different) to their own. Thailand isn't the mandatory springing board to ESL teaching.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
As a tourist, of course!
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
I first went to Japan, and when I went there I missed things about the US. Then I went to Korea and missed things about Japan. The cycle continued in Thailand, and even does now as I sit in St Petersburg. Every place has something special. So, for the new traveler: just pick a place. Whether you love or hate it, you're adding to yourself. Good luck.
James
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
America in 2013 but looking to go back to Asia soon
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I worked in Thailand for one school year
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
I wanted to see new countries before I move back to America to start a proper career. I may move to another Asian country and teach for a bit more experience teaching abroad. Also, Thailand was a freak-show at times, with the ladyboys and the open gayness.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
I'm not a farang, I'm not viewed as being "fat" by everyone (lol), and although the job market here isn't that hot, there's better earning opportunities long-term compared to being a TEFL teacher in Thailand. Also (as other teachers alluded to), I don't have to deal with the joke which is known as the Thai Educational system. It's sad but true, but after three months living in Thailand, I knew as much of their language as my students knew of mine, and they've been learning ENG since kindergarten. Also, if I end up moving to Japan, I know there will be a bigger emphasis on learning. In Thailand, you walk by the Thai teachers' classes, and the students are sleeping, talking amongst themselves, texting, and the Thai teachers don't do anything about it. Then some of them envy the farang teachers' pay, although the farang teachers actually work for theirs.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
The cheap beers, pretty scenery, smiling Thais, and the low cost of living, as well as my friends. Overall, I enjoyed my time in Thailand.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Get used to the provincial Thais calling you "farang" 50,000 times. Also, don't stress when it appears no one gives a damn about the lack of student discipline, lack of respect, or lack of trying by many students. Also, get used to dealing with taxis/tuk tuks and their BS fees or general laziness. I think the Thais are much better than the Vietnamese for example, but many of them are lazy and think if you have white skin and round eyes you must be insanely wealthy. Also, many students give farang teachers less respect since, well, they're farangs. I worked at a ghetto school in Isaan, and no one was ever cruel to me, but I got so tired of them calling me a westerner when they knew my name.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Yes, I like Thailand, but teaching there is stressful for the low pay, unless you teach at an International school.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Overall I had a great time in Thailand, but don't teach here if you're looking for good pay and an easy job. Also, as I said earlier, get used to dealing with lazy/crooked people who want to overcharge you since you're a farang and therefore "rich" (But that's more a SE Asia thing). If you come to Thailand just to get drunk and boom-boom and teach, you'd be much better off in Vietnam, where the pay is higher, although the people are much ruder (But, in Nam I was never called a farang, merely an American). Who knows, maybe I'll stay another year in Thailand now that I'm used to it, but it gets tiring at times!
Seb
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved back to England in 2013
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
Three very, very happy years
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
I am planning to pursue a teaching qualification so I can return (asap) to teach in an international school.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
Very few; my teaching job in Thailand made me happy to get up each day. I taught lower primary and found it to be such a rewarding experience . I had great classes for three years straight. Here I am in England having to settle for temp jobs.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
Pretty much everything. I miss the great weather and the area I lived in. I rented a nice house in Rangsit on a gated village. I had a very nice lifestyle. I also miss my students, they always came with a smile and a great attitude to my class. It was also nice to get of work early and then sit around the infinity pool chatting with friends over a few crisp, icy Leos!
I could write an essay for this section!
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Come to Thailand, but come with an open mind and a willingness to work hard. Teaching can be hard work and you have to be prepared to give 101% to your students. Also, new teachers would do very well to learn Thai. Not only is it helpful to you, but it also puts you in your student's shoes. The more Thai you learn the better you will understand why some students find some language concepts very hard.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
That's an easy question! Yes! I hope to secure employment in a decent international school.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
My time in Thailand has been my happiest time yet. I met some amazing people. Taught some fantastic and studious kids. I really believe that Thailand is what you make of it. You could moan about the place all the time OR you could enjoy it for what it is, focus on the positives and just enjoy life in this part the world in general. If you hate it, go home!
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