Q:What is a average living expense per day?
A:Local food and a drink will cost about 250 Baht per day. Western food will cost about 400 Baht per day.
Q:Do schools provide lunch?
A:Yes, most public schools do. Some private schools also, but not many.
Q:What is living expense per day?
A:Food you can bank on 250 Baht a meal that includes drink.
Q:Do schools provide lunch?
A:Yes, some do but not all.
Q:Travelling costs around there?
A:Taxi about 50 – 100 Baht for a 15-30 minute trip. Motorbike taxi about half that. Songtaews (truck taxis) will cost around 20 Baht for a 5km trip
Q:Transportation from accommodation to work?
A:Not provided, but public transport in Thailand is very good and assistance is provided in the form of scooter hire at your own cost.
Q:How safe is it around there?
A:Extremely safe. Females walking around alone at 2 am no problem at all.
Q:What islands placements are there?
A:Phuket, Samui but these don’t come around too often.
Q:What are the age groups you will be teaching?
A:Anything from primary school to high school.
Q:Working hours? And days per week?
A:8 hours per day, only about 4-5 actual “in class” hours though. Monday to Friday.
Q:Are there sports after school that you have to attend or teach?
A:No, but they do have concerts, after school activities and sport and culture days every now and again.
Q:After contract can you still travel in the country or do you need to be out?
A:You can stay as long as you like as long as you have a job and a valid visa.
Q:Can one renew working contract and visa without leaving the country?
A:Yes
Q:How long is the working visa valid for?
A:1 year, but you have to report to immigration every three months.
Q:What type of visa they will be working on?
A:Start off on a tourist visa, and then convert to a Non Imm B.
Q:What activities are happening during evenings and weekends?
A:Nothing arranged by the school, but we have a network all over Thailand. We can put the applicant in contact with people all over.
Q:Language orientation? How will we understand them?
A:On the TESOL course we do cover the basics of Thai. The kids are not that bad that they have a very limited understanding of English.
Q:Where are the best and worst places to work?
A:There are no real bad places to work, however bigger cities tend to offer bigger salaries.
Q:What is possibility of second job to make more money?
A:Very possible, making a double salary is very common when getting extra work on the side in the form of one on one tutoring.
Q:How are the authorities?
A:Thailand is really an easy place to travel and get around as long as you smile and show respect.
Q:Medical services and insurance?
A:Yes, some schools do provide this. But with the TTA starter pack the applicants have the option to sign up for a year’s accident insurance for an extra 700 Baht when opening their local bank accounts. This covers them for up to 5000 Baht per visit up to a limited amount per year.
Q:What is phone and internet connectivity like?
A:Really good and cheap.
Q:What about other African countries? Will they qualify? Namibia, Zimbabwe, Malawi etc.
A:Sorry, only South Africa.
Q:What if you are unhappy in a job? Can you get a new one?
A:Yes, but we don’t often get this. If the applicant really hates the job and they have a good reason, then we can move them. But they need to understand that this will take a bit of time and you need to give at least one month notice.
Q:Dress code for teaching?
A:Semi casual/formal, no slops, no jeans, no T-shirts.
Q:How difficult is the TESOL course? Can one fail?
A:Yes, one can fail. But if we see that an applicant is not doing well, we will spend more time with the applicant to make sure they pass. We have had people fail or be kicked off, but that is due to other things like alcohol abuse or conflict.
Q:Must the applicants take resumes with them to Thailand?
A:Yes
Q:Packing essentials? Sleeping bag, towels?
A:Peeps can get everything in Thailand, and it’s very cheap. Some of the accommodation does not have bedding, but this can be bought in Thailand.
Q:Any serious laws they are very strict on?
A:Yes, drugs and The King. Don’t ever speak about either of these two.
Q:More information regarding couple placement?
A:This can be done but not at the same school, maybe schools within the same town and may take a little longer.
Q:What is the level of English and behavior of students?
A:Depending on the school location, big city – great English level. Small city, not so good. Asian kids are also very well mannered.
Q:What curriculum will they follow at school?
A:There is no set curriculum, each school has their own.
Q:Do your colleagues speak English?
A:Yes
Q:Will you work with any special needs children?
A:No
Q:What are the chances of schools deducting security money? And how does this
work?
work?
A:For what? Never happened before.
Q:What are the expected deductions from your pay check? Does is differ from school to school?
A:Yes, some schools take off tax at 3%. But normally they don’t take off tax for the first year.
Q:Do you get paid overtime?
A:No, but there is the benefit of long school holidays!
Q:What are the chances of getting a salary increase?
A:Good, if you do a good job.
Q:What are the chances of teaching English in neighbor countries?
A:Very good, Teach Travel Asia can arrange this for you.
Q:Is all paperwork and books supplied by the school?
A:Yes, most of the time. Not all the time.
Q:What is the big difference between language schools, private schools, government schools and varsity?
A:Not much difference, maybe only starting times and salary.
Q:Can participant choose part or full time?
A:Not normally.
Q:Is religion a big issue?
A:Not really, you stick to yours and they normally stick to theirs.
Q:What happens if you lose your job? Can you get a new one?
A:If you are fired, Teach Travel Asia will no longer help with placement.
Q:Are they expected to work during school holidays?
A:Not normally, this will depend on the school.
Q:Can you drink tap water?
A:I have, but I would not make a habit of it. Bottle water is so cheap, just safer to go buy a bottle. But if you happen to get a mouth full, no need to go to hospital etc.
Q:Time difference between SA and Thailand?
A:SA is 5 hours behind Thailand
Q:Would Teach Travel Asia prefer it if a participant completes the TESOL/TEFL course online or upon arrival in Thailand?
A:Definitely in In-Class in Thailand, and there are a few reasons for this: a) Thai culture and Thai lessons are invaluable, network of friends, closer teacher / trainer relationship. b) Thai children are unique, practical training gives the applicant an opportunity to get to know how to work with Thai students and prepare successful lesson plans. c) Volunteering in Thailand with our nonprofit English Camp, a great experience! And looks great on a teachers resume. d) Gets applicants very comfortable to teach in Thailand.
