Today I applied for a job in Thailand.  A teaching job! Ok, ok, one of the main reasons we came to Thailand was because we could afford to live here without having to work. So why apply for a job so soon after leaving one behind in the States?
Why a Teaching Position?
Well, I am interested in working (at least part-time) as a way to supplement our income, plus it gives me a chance to meet new people and it provides me with a little mental stimulation.
I applied for a teaching position that was recommended to me by a lady we met one night out at one of the restaurant/bars we sometimes visit. She told me about a few nearby schools, what positions they were looking to fill, and how much they pay. Right now, I’m looking to get my teaching sea-legs, so I’m happy with part-time work in any subject, just as long as I get to speak mostly in English!
Since March and April is the off-season, now is actually the perfect time to apply. I went to the school and filled out a one-page teaching position application, but I will have to go back and submit a photo of myself attached to a copy of my resume. School begins in May, so I still have a full month to explore Chiang Mai and enjoy my new life of unemployment. Plus it’ll give me another month to get better at speaking and reading basic Thai.
I’m actually pretty excited at the thought of potentially teaching. A few years ago, who would have ever known that I might be teaching math or science to Thai children!
Hi Chris and Angela,
Thank you for the reply. So, you are saying that you think that it is better to go with a hiring agency (such as CIEE or GeoVisions)? Also, how am I to know if I don’t have a chance at a school because of an age limit when they are being polite and telling me there is no age limit?
Thanks, Sara
We recommend going with a good hiring company for your very first year. A hiring company *can* take a huge amount of stress off your shoulders in the hiring process, handling your visa AND extension paperwork, providing school material, and making sure you get paid. Plus if you have any hangups with the school they can act as a middleman and help with the translation. The trade-off is that a portion of your salary gets paid directly to them in exchange for their service. Unfortunately you won’t know if a particular school is ageist or not… until you don’t hear… Read more »
Hi Chris and Angela, I am 56 years old and want to teach English in Chiang Mai. I took a 160 hour TEFL/TESOL through TEFLEXPRESS.CO.UK (online) and earned my certificate in 2015. I have a master of science in geology and I have been teaching community college for the past three years. I have prior extensive teaching experience with all ages and adults. Do you think it is better to use a teaching program to facilitate the process of teaching in Thailand? Based on the information provided, should I anticipate any difficulties finding employment in Chiang Mai? Thank you for… Read more »
Is it better to use a teaching program – you mean, a hiring agency? You are well qualified (masters degree, 3 years teaching experience, TEFL), so we think you will have your pick of good schools. The only hangup is your age – some schools explicitly cap the age at 50 or 55, so keep that in mind. HINT: Unless a school or recruiter mentions that they have an age limit, even if you ask, the representative will be “polite” and tell you there is no age limit even if there is. Good luck – we think you’ll have a… Read more »
What were the other requirements to be able to work in Thailand?
Here are the requirements: https://www.tielandtothailand.com/requirements-to-teach-in-thailand/