How can schools keep farangs from leaving?

[duanebigsby 2,067]

3 minutes ago, Cereal said:

I've been teaching for over 13 years now and and one thing that most schools do which I disapprove of is the 1-year contract. Is there a reason a teacher cannot just get hired?

 

I finally have a teaching job now, after working the trenches for so long, which is professional. I have a job, there is no contract and nothing to get signed year after year at the owner's whim. 

 

The last school I worked at got overrun by Filipinos. Generally, their English abilities were substandard. Their grammar was tragic and their pronunciation was poor.

My experience with Filipino coworkers was quite different in that they had good grammar and for the most part good pronunciation.  I do, however, recall a coworker asking me about something. It sounded like she was asking about a computer program called  C-Source but in reality she wanted something to cut paper with....scissors.

[GOLDBUGGY 1,738]

14 minutes ago, duanebigsby said:

I have worked along side quite a few fantastic Filipino teachers here. But they were always asking me to proofread their tests or lesson plans and also asking "how do I pronounce this or this"

Thai English teachers the same questions.

 

Native English speakers should be a valued resource in Thai schools.

 

ps. I can barely understand a word a Nigerian says.

I agree that Native English Speakers should be (a more) valued resource in Thai Schools. Especially the good ones, educated one, and experienced ones, who enjoy teaching and get personal satifaction from seeing there accomplishments. 

 

But look at yourself and your own post. You are an English Teachers in some school. But also look at how much help is required from you to help other Filipino Teachers! In there lies the problem! You should not be an English Teacher but in fact a Supervisor who is paid more than to the other Foreign English Teachers for the Philippeans  and Nigeria, But you are not by much as you give this service away free of charge.  

[duanebigsby 2,067]

Goldbuggy

I view it more like I'm a teacher who is willing to help his coworkers. 

I'm not wanting more money just for helping co-teachers out.

[duanebigsby 2,067]

3 hours ago, scorecard said:

Surround every school director with a continuous 24 hr audit team (not from within the ed. ministry), and continuously change the team make-up every 6 months with new staffing, with comprehensive 6 months reporting to a corruption watch-dog. 

You had me until this.

24 hour surveillance of the director? Does the audit team come to his/her house and eat and sleep with him/her?

Changing administration every 6 months will wreak havoc!

[puukao 2,432]

Let's not kid ourselves......More Farangs, especially attractive Americans with a "proper" accent, is worth more money to the school.  They make the school more money, this really is a fact.  

 

Parents complain that other teachers don't have the appropriate accent, and since the hardest word might be "usually," then it's really all about the accent.

 

Do I agree?  Of course not, it's ridiculous, but these teachers do get paid the most.  

 

I agree that matching best students with best teachers makes sense, but money talks.  If the kid's parents are rich, that kid will get priority; regardless of the kid's ability.

 

I've asked the teachers why they leave.  Usually burnt out, but sometimes they just leave and nobody sees them again.

 

 

[SheungWan 7,946]

No reason to stay longer than two years worth of CV.

[Sumarianson 328]

Paying a foreigner 35,000 a month is equivalent to €11000 or £9000 a year. The minimum wage in the UK is €17000 PA so you can see that while the 11000 in Thailand may seem enough to a Thai; It would by no means allow a foreigner to enjoy the same lifestyle they could have in a decent teaching job in the UK or Europe. Foreigners living in just a single 35 sq mtr decent condo in BKK would spend 12000฿ a month in outlying areas and 14000or 18000 in a central area. They would likely use air con at home all the time they are there creating bills of up to 1500 a month. Internet would be essential and cost around 1000 a month for a fair decent service. Remember this is for a single person living on their own. If they had a wife and children to support , there would be no way to support them in any fair decent style. In Thailand you are expected to do extracellular activities without extra pay. I was earning £60000 to £70000 a year as an engineer in the UK without a degree,  why would I work for a pittance in Thailand and not be appreciated while being expected to have a petty degree along with the remuneration insult.

[grkt 132]

Barrow has been a slave for a ridiculous salary since 20 years, so as you can see, they all do not leave...

 

 

[puukao 2,432]

27 minutes ago, Sumarianson said:

Paying a foreigner 35,000 a month is equivalent to €11000 or £9000 a year. The minimum wage in the UK is €17000 PA so you can see that while the 11000 in Thailand may seem enough to a Thai; It would by no means allow a foreigner to enjoy the same lifestyle they could have in a decent teaching job in the UK or Europe. Foreigners living in just a single 35 sq mtr decent condo in BKK would spend 12000฿ a month in outlying areas and 14000or 18000 in a central area. They would likely use air con at home all the time they are there creating bills of up to 1500 a month. Internet would be essential and cost around 1000 a month for a fair decent service. Remember this is for a single person living on their own. If they had a wife and children to support , there would be no way to support them in any fair decent style. In Thailand you are expected to do extracellular activities without extra pay. I was earning £60000 to £70000 a year as an engineer in the UK without a degree,  why would I work for a pittance in Thailand and not be appreciated while being expected to have a petty degree along with the remuneration insult.

I'll add a few things.  Yes, 35,000 is really nothing. It's funny how all the other teachers tell you how you are making SOO much money, as if you should only get 15000 to 18000.  I tell them all to just go ask for a raise, and I don't care if they get 5000 or 50,000....it doesn't affect my life.  

 

It's true, you really aren't appreciated.  Or you are appreciated a little bit, but then really hated if you try to complain, leave early, etc.....  

 

Back to the money issue, 35,000 might be enough in the middle-of-nowhere (my city is like 10,000 people and it's a few hours to the water), but you remind yourself how you really shouldn't be working 7-4 for 35,000.  I think it should be up to the teacher, morning or afternoon.  12-4 really might work great, and then you get better teachers.  

 

My rent is only 3000 baht, but I would rather pay 12000 and live in a big city like BKK.  Luckily, I could simply leave and live in BKK for a year without working; however, I don't mind working.  

 

It's challenging... 

[grkt 132]

and what about other languages ? are they taught by Chinese ? French ? Spanish people ? Or few schools actually teach anything but English ?

 

 

[duanebigsby 2,067]

37 minutes ago, Sumarianson said:

Paying a foreigner 35,000 a month is equivalent to €11000 or £9000 a year. The minimum wage in the UK is €17000 PA so you can see that while the 11000 in Thailand may seem enough to a Thai; It would by no means allow a foreigner to enjoy the same lifestyle they could have in a decent teaching job in the UK or Europe. Foreigners living in just a single 35 sq mtr decent condo in BKK would spend 12000฿ a month in outlying areas and 14000or 18000 in a central area. They would likely use air con at home all the time they are there creating bills of up to 1500 a month. Internet would be essential and cost around 1000 a month for a fair decent service. Remember this is for a single person living on their own. If they had a wife and children to support , there would be no way to support them in any fair decent style. In Thailand you are expected to do extracellular activities without extra pay. I was earning £60000 to £70000 a year as an engineer in the UK without a degree,  why would I work for a pittance in Thailand and not be appreciated while being expected to have a petty degree along with the remuneration insult.

So teaching here is not for you. Fair enough.

I made 4 times what I make teaching here back in Vancouver and spent close to 75% of my wage on lodgings and bill.

I managed to put about $500 in the bank each month. Here I make the teacher's wage and mange to put about $450 a month in the bank and don't have to deal with the winters. What's the difference? That's why I teach here.

[DILLIGAD 3,685]

Hi there,Very many of Farang teachers come here for a certain stay for own international experience as well as to learn the job and culture of different countries.I just have experience of Kajon Kiet School in Phuket where my grand daughter was on the mixed program.First of all farang English speaking teachers are a must if the children are to learn good English! This is a win-win situation för Thailand as well as the teachers.I do not think it so mych a question about salary or other thing.The teachers I know are definitely not working 18 hours not even 12 normally 8am to  5-7 pm.
As to International schools it is quite of different situation,they have to go according to thei curiculum and thus teachers need to be of high standar ( I suppose,dont know)
What we do need is very skilled English speaking teacher (with native Englisg or western standar exellent Enflish) WE NEED THEM TO THAI SCHOOLS! With Thai program. I can see within my Thai family,kids that even studied at university level have very poor English in reading and speaking the language as they have often had Thai teachers.We even know that Thais have difficulties with som letters even in their own languange. Then again I think it would be a very good idea to use our retired expacts with exellent knowledge in English writing,reading and spoken proper English English or American dito without any special accents.Today age of Westerners is not same as before.As long as a person wishes to work and can do the job good why should age be a hinder?

Age isn’t a hinderance but a ‘Retirement Visa’ will be.


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[duanebigsby 2,067]

9 minutes ago, grkt said:

Barrow has been a slave for a ridiculous salary since 20 years, so as you can see, they all do not leave...

 

 

People have different reasons for accepting a low salary. To be condescending like your post is rude.

[duanebigsby 2,067]

2 minutes ago, grkt said:

and what about other languages ? are they taught by Chinese ? French ? Spanish people ? Or few schools actually teach anything but English ?

 

 

Most schools teach Thai, English, and Chinese.

[DILLIGAD 3,685]

I have worked along side quite a few fantastic Filipino teachers here. But they were always asking me to proofread their tests or lesson plans and also asking "how do I pronounce this or this"
Thai English teachers the same questions.
 
Native English speakers should be a valued resource in Thai schools.
 
ps. I can barely understand a word a Nigerian says.

+1


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