Post: #451

@Leighton

Well stated. The hate for ESL teachers is unnecessary especially on a forum like this. How many people on this forum who are in their 20's expect to have the same job the rest of their life? Why then do people have to treat English teaching like its the last job you will ever have? And the comments that there is no future in it is bogus because if you do want to treat English teaching more seriously you can always get advanced degrees/certifications to set yourself up for the highest paying gigs. I would not recommend this job if you hate teaching but if you enjoy teaching its a good way to make a solid living wage and enjoy your life in Asia.

@Turkcandy
Bangkok has a housing bubble especially with the price of condos if you want to buy one. There are many affordable nice places but if you look at sites advertising to falang you are going to pay a lot more than if you just hit the street and look at condos near places you want to live. Also if you got a teaching gig at an International School any kids you would have could attend for free or at a reduced tuition price. I know English teachers who are parents who do this.

@Dipar
If your white with good English you can find work here but the best jobs are going to go to native English speakers with an Anglosphere passport.

Post: #452

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned in the topic before, but does anyone know which teaching certificate would be most suitable for teaching science / math / technical subjects? I don't want to get a stupid TESOL or english certificate to teach STEM topics.
.

Post: #453

(09-14-2015 09:29 AM)Cyclone Wrote:  I'm not sure if this has been mentioned in the topic before, but does anyone know which teaching certificate would be most suitable for teaching science / math / technical subjects? I don't want to get a stupid TESOL or english certificate to teach STEM topics.
.

You'll want a Bachelor's degree that comes with a teaching credential, earned in a Western, native English speaking country. The USA or Canada would be preferably for this.

If you've already got a degree, you can pound one of these out in two years in Canada. (It used to be a 12 month program, but the government increased the standards). If you do not have a recognized university degree, you'll be able to complete a degree and the process necessary to be certified in a two year time period.

There may be one year certification programs in some US states (for people who already have a degree), although the requirements in Michigan were strict enough that it would have taken me two years.

There could be a lot of courses required, because usually, in addition to taking education theory courses, you need to take your teaching major courses.

For example, if you want to be a math teacher, you'll have to take an appropriate number of math courses.

The process is easier if you've already completed a degree and majored in a subject matter that qualities for teacher certification (i.e. math, English, politics, history, etc).

Post: #454

(09-15-2015 05:07 PM)Suits Wrote:  

(09-14-2015 09:29 AM)Cyclone Wrote:  I'm not sure if this has been mentioned in the topic before, but does anyone know which teaching certificate would be most suitable for teaching science / math / technical subjects? I don't want to get a stupid TESOL or english certificate to teach STEM topics.
.

You'll want a Bachelor's degree that comes with a teaching credential, earned in a Western, native English speaking country. The USA or Canada would be preferably for this.

If you've already got a degree, you can pound one of these out in two years in Canada. (It used to be a 12 month program, but the government increased the standards). If you do not have a recognized university degree, you'll be able to complete a degree and the process necessary to be certified in a two year time period.

The process is easier if you've already completed a degree and majored in a subject matter that qualities for teacher certification (i.e. math, English, politics, history, etc).

Sorry for the lag - indeed I do have a BS+MS in Engineering, but none of the teaching credentials (other than experience). Does the "certificate" have some universal name? 1 year seems like a long time, thought one would be able to pump out one of these in an intensive 3-month program still contemplating getting a fake one in Bangkok.

.

Post: #455

(09-20-2015 01:28 AM)Cyclone Wrote:  

(09-15-2015 05:07 PM)Suits Wrote:  

(09-14-2015 09:29 AM)Cyclone Wrote:  I'm not sure if this has been mentioned in the topic before, but does anyone know which teaching certificate would be most suitable for teaching science / math / technical subjects? I don't want to get a stupid TESOL or english certificate to teach STEM topics.
.

You'll want a Bachelor's degree that comes with a teaching credential, earned in a Western, native English speaking country. The USA or Canada would be preferably for this.

If you've already got a degree, you can pound one of these out in two years in Canada. (It used to be a 12 month program, but the government increased the standards). If you do not have a recognized university degree, you'll be able to complete a degree and the process necessary to be certified in a two year time period.

The process is easier if you've already completed a degree and majored in a subject matter that qualities for teacher certification (i.e. math, English, politics, history, etc).

Sorry for the lag - indeed I do have a BS+MS in Engineering, but none of the teaching credentials (other than experience). Does the "certificate" have some universal name? 1 year seems like a long time, thought one would be able to pump out one of these in an intensive 3-month program still contemplating getting a fake one in Bangkok.

.

I'm afraid that being a certified teacher that will be qualified to work in accredited international schools and non-international schools that prefer US/Canada/UK/Australia/NZ certified teachers is not just something you can knock out in three months.

Arguments for the value of teaching certification aside, being a qualified teacher in any country is a completely different ballpark than TESL certifications, all of which have absolutely no government recognition.

Teaching certifications, all of which have legitimate government recognition, is simply not going to be a three month endeavour.

In the US, Canada and possibly the other countries I've mentioned, these programs include a minimum one semester, full-time internship at an accredited school, where you'll spend all your time in a classroom at the grade level that you are seeking certification for. You'll start by observing and gradually take over the classroom entirely, to a point where the observing teaching simply evaluates your performance.

Honestly, if anyone with a bachelor degree could just bang out a teaching certification in three months, it wouldn't be worth much. There are already far too many certified teachers in both the US and Canada, so there is no way that you're going to discover an easy way to gain this certification. If anything, the trend is towards standards increasing.

Post: #456

(09-13-2015 02:52 PM)LeightonBlackstock Wrote:  Fair enough, but that is the top one percentile of Bangkokians.

I fully understand if you have higher standards than I do. But I'm judging this by where the population of Bangkok live, in terms of raw data. Not where retirees from the West and the super-rich live.

You've merely provided a few links of places you like, rather than giving accurate information.

I teach middle/upper class Thai students. 99% of them shriek when I say I pay 13K a month.

We have different lifestyles for sure. But all I'm asking here is we be accurate to what constitutes middle-class lifestyle in Bangkok. With 18 months of time spent here, I feel am being very accurate indeed.

As with the condo for 500-600 dollars I'm not going to say it a third time haha.

Just going to add my two cents here about Bangkok and housing. For sure Leighton is correct. I've been to Bangkok over ten times and it is true you can get a decent appartment for 500 us dollars a month. If you want to splurge it is absolutely possible. I have two friends living together, making an expat wage and they have an appartment for 80.000 baht. Crazy but a real nice one.

Having said that, another friend is doing an internship at the embassy and is living in Bkk for 20.000 baht. It's a one bedroom appartment, 200 meter from the silom bts, it has a pool on the rooftop, two squash courts, a sauna and a fitness. And there are many more places like this. If you have a location a bit further from a bts you can get it for 13-15k.

If you only look online, then the prices will be more expensive for sure. Hit the road, ask locals/friends and there is plenty to be found for a good price.

Post: #457

(09-20-2015 03:34 AM)Suits Wrote:  

(09-20-2015 01:28 AM)Cyclone Wrote:  

(09-15-2015 05:07 PM)Suits Wrote:  

(09-14-2015 09:29 AM)Cyclone Wrote:  I'm not sure if this has been mentioned in the topic before, but does anyone know which teaching certificate would be most suitable for teaching science / math / technical subjects? I don't want to get a stupid TESOL or english certificate to teach STEM topics.
.

You'll want a Bachelor's degree that comes with a teaching credential, earned in a Western, native English speaking country. The USA or Canada would be preferably for this.

If you've already got a degree, you can pound one of these out in two years in Canada. (It used to be a 12 month program, but the government increased the standards). If you do not have a recognized university degree, you'll be able to complete a degree and the process necessary to be certified in a two year time period.

The process is easier if you've already completed a degree and majored in a subject matter that qualities for teacher certification (i.e. math, English, politics, history, etc).

Sorry for the lag - indeed I do have a BS+MS in Engineering, but none of the teaching credentials (other than experience). Does the "certificate" have some universal name? 1 year seems like a long time, thought one would be able to pump out one of these in an intensive 3-month program still contemplating getting a fake one in Bangkok.

.

I'm afraid that being a certified teacher that will be qualified to work in accredited international schools and non-international schools that prefer US/Canada/UK/Australia/NZ certified teachers is not just something you can knock out in three months.

Arguments for the value of teaching certification aside, being a qualified teacher in any country is a completely different ballpark than TESL certifications, all of which have absolutely no government recognition.

Teaching certifications, all of which have legitimate government recognition, is simply not going to be a three month endeavour.

In the US, Canada and possibly the other countries I've mentioned, these programs include a minimum one semester, full-time internship at an accredited school, where you'll spend all your time in a classroom at the grade level that you are seeking certification for. You'll start by observing and gradually take over the classroom entirely, to a point where the observing teaching simply evaluates your performance.

Honestly, if anyone with a bachelor degree could just bang out a teaching certification in three months, it wouldn't be worth much. There are already far too many certified teachers in both the US and Canada, so there is no way that you're going to discover an easy way to gain this certification. If anything, the trend is towards standards increasing.

You won't be able to take a short cut here, that's for sure. It is worth it to get the teaching credentials though. If you get into some of the international schools with a genuine teaching credential, the package can be very good.

Post: #458

I'm teaching in Japan currently. Is anyone else here?

If you are in a situation where you want/need to make a change, doing something like this can be the perfect thing to do.

Post: #459

I know someone with both arms with full tattoo sleeves who is interested in TESL in Asia. I told him he was fool as they will never hire him... but I actually dont know that for sure. Anyone knows if full sleeve tats are TESL kiss of death in Asia?

Post: #460

(09-20-2015 08:20 AM)rhino Wrote:  I know someone with both arms with full tattoo sleeves who is interested in TESL in Asia. I told him he was fool as they will never hire him... but I actually dont know that for sure. Anyone knows if full sleeve tats are TESL kiss of death in Asia?

That depends. Is he cool with earning $10K USD per year?

Post: #461

(09-20-2015 03:34 AM)Suits Wrote:  

(09-20-2015 01:28 AM)Cyclone Wrote:  

(09-15-2015 05:07 PM)Suits Wrote:  

(09-14-2015 09:29 AM)Cyclone Wrote:  I'm not sure if this has been mentioned in the topic before, but does anyone know which teaching certificate would be most suitable for teaching science / math / technical subjects? I don't want to get a stupid TESOL or english certificate to teach STEM topics.
.

You'll want a Bachelor's degree that comes with a teaching credential, earned in a Western, native English speaking country. The USA or Canada would be preferably for this.

If you've already got a degree, you can pound one of these out in two years in Canada. (It used to be a 12 month program, but the government increased the standards). If you do not have a recognized university degree, you'll be able to complete a degree and the process necessary to be certified in a two year time period.

The process is easier if you've already completed a degree and majored in a subject matter that qualities for teacher certification (i.e. math, English, politics, history, etc).

Sorry for the lag - indeed I do have a BS+MS in Engineering, but none of the teaching credentials (other than experience). Does the "certificate" have some universal name? 1 year seems like a long time, thought one would be able to pump out one of these in an intensive 3-month program still contemplating getting a fake one in Bangkok.

.

I'm afraid that being a certified teacher that will be qualified to work in accredited international schools and non-international schools that prefer US/Canada/UK/Australia/NZ certified teachers is not just something you can knock out in three months.

Arguments for the value of teaching certification aside, being a qualified teacher in any country is a completely different ballpark than TESL certifications, all of which have absolutely no government recognition.

Teaching certifications, all of which have legitimate government recognition, is simply not going to be a three month endeavour.

In the US, Canada and possibly the other countries I've mentioned, these programs include a minimum one semester, full-time internship at an accredited school, where you'll spend all your time in a classroom at the grade level that you are seeking certification for. You'll start by observing and gradually take over the classroom entirely, to a point where the observing teaching simply evaluates your performance.

Honestly, if anyone with a bachelor degree could just bang out a teaching certification in three months, it wouldn't be worth much. There are already far too many certified teachers in both the US and Canada, so there is no way that you're going to discover an easy way to gain this certification. If anything, the trend is towards standards increasing.

Generally agree with Suits, he is speaking truth. But there is a caveat. You have a chance at just doing the CELTA but still getting to teach math/science at an international high school. It just won't be a first tier or even second tier school.

My cousin, who has a liberal arts bachelors degree and a CELTA, is teaching political science or something like that at an international high school in China. I think it is a third tier school.

I think it's worth a try for you. 2 years is a lot of time and cost, including opportunity cost, to devote to becoming a certified teacher when you don't yet even know if you like it. Maybe you could substitute teach a little bit. Granted noone likes that, but you might find out if you're a natural, if it really appeals to you. You also might find teaching English is better. Sure generally less money, but also less stress, politics, ass-kissing, behavior management, etc...

Post: #462

(09-20-2015 10:50 AM)Moto Wrote:  Generally agree with Suits, he is speaking truth. But there is a caveat. You have a chance at just doing the CELTA but still getting to teach math/science at an international high school. It just won't be a first tier or even second tier school.

I think it's worth a try for you. 2 years is a lot of time and cost, including opportunity cost, to devote to becoming a certified teacher when you don't yet even know if you like it. Maybe you could substitute teach a little bit. Granted noone likes that, but you might find out if you're a natural, if it really appeals to you. You also might find teaching English is better. Sure generally less money, but also less stress, politics, ass-kissing, behavior management, etc...

Thats what annoys me - I have 3 years of teaching experience already, and am an absolute natural at it (combo of lecturing, TAing, one-on-one high school..) so I know it's my #1 goal. Perhaps thats why i feel it's silly to have to spend an intensive year just to get certified with something i'm good at. Strangely, many science/physics positions i've seen say they only want a TESOL/CELTA.

Doing it part-time online alongside a corporate job could be appealing though.
.

Post: #463

(09-20-2015 11:41 AM)Cyclone Wrote:  

(09-20-2015 10:50 AM)Moto Wrote:  Generally agree with Suits, he is speaking truth. But there is a caveat. You have a chance at just doing the CELTA but still getting to teach math/science at an international high school. It just won't be a first tier or even second tier school.

I think it's worth a try for you. 2 years is a lot of time and cost, including opportunity cost, to devote to becoming a certified teacher when you don't yet even know if you like it. Maybe you could substitute teach a little bit. Granted noone likes that, but you might find out if you're a natural, if it really appeals to you. You also might find teaching English is better. Sure generally less money, but also less stress, politics, ass-kissing, behavior management, etc...

Thats what annoys me - I have 3 years of teaching experience already, and am an absolute natural at it (combo of lecturing, TAing, one-on-one high school..) so I know it's my #1 goal. Perhaps thats why i feel it's silly to have to spend an intensive year just to get certified with something i'm good at. Strangely, many science/physics positions i've seen say they only want a TESOL/CELTA.

Doing it part-time online alongside a corporate job could be appealing though.
.

Interesting about the STEM positions requiring just a CELTA. I don't think you can do a CELTA online. You can, however, find part-time programs. The one month intensive, which I did, was indeed insanely challenging. I would steer away from an online TEFL/TESOL certificate. You need the actual supervised teaching hours. The CELTA is the most recognized world-wide, even if others may be just as good in an objective sense.

Not sure what your lecturing entailed, and if it is at the college level. Managing a room of rowdy high schoolers and being in charge is a whole other thing than what you've done.

Post: #464

There is a significant difference between teaching Math at a high school vs at an accredited international school.

The international schools require real qualifications - the same ones required to teach in the US or the UK - and pay real salaries that mirror schools in the US.

There are a lot of 'international schools' out there, but an accredited one will require more than a CELTA (or some remarkable guanxi).

Post: #465

The topic of teaching non-English subjects abroad probably deserves it's own thread. For example, VP recent started a position as a soccer instructor/coach in Hangzhou.

This is an area worth developing data on, as I can certainly see it growing here in China as the upper-middle class want their kids to have a well rounded education that exposes them to Westerners outside of the strict English classroom context.

Post: #466

(09-20-2015 11:07 PM)Suits Wrote:  The topic of teaching non-English subjects abroad probably deserves it's own thread. For example, VP recent started a position as a soccer instructor/coach in Hangzhou.

This is an area worth developing data on, as I can certainly see it growing here in China as the upper-middle class want their kids to have a well rounded education that exposes them to Westerners outside of the strict English classroom context.

I got a degree in Spanish. Is there a market for Spanish teachers in China?

Post: #467

(09-20-2015 11:08 PM)EL CHAPO Wrote:  

(09-20-2015 11:07 PM)Suits Wrote:  The topic of teaching non-English subjects abroad probably deserves it's own thread. For example, VP recent started a position as a soccer instructor/coach in Hangzhou.

This is an area worth developing data on, as I can certainly see it growing here in China as the upper-middle class want their kids to have a well rounded education that exposes them to Westerners outside of the strict English classroom context.

I got a degree in Spanish. Is there a market for Spanish teachers in China?

Growing, but nothing to stake all your hopes in. Generally what will happen is that someone who grew up in California/Texas and is not only perfectly qualified to teach English, but speak Spanish as well.

I've seen examples of guys doing a couple Spanish lessons a week at the kindergarten they work at or some guys doing private tutoring in both Spanish and English depending on what the client wants to learn.

I haven't met anyone who made a full-time existence from it, but I'm sure those positions exist, but very much on the private side of the industry mainly.

It's a rare high school here that wants to offer Spanish classes.

Post: #468

(09-20-2015 02:28 PM)elcidcampeador Wrote:  There is a significant difference between teaching Math at a high school vs at an accredited international school.

The international schools require real qualifications - the same ones required to teach in the US or the UK - and pay real salaries that mirror schools in the US.

There are a lot of 'international schools' out there, but an accredited one will require more than a CELTA (or some remarkable guanxi).

I don't disagree. I didn't specify about accreditation- yes the accredited schools of course need licensed teachers to keep accreditation.

But are the increased pay and prestige of an accredited school worth the two years instead of one month? For the long run probably, but I thought it was worth letting people know that there are more expedient ways to teach abroad. The irony is the English teaching degree is the ticket even if you want to teach math/science (in English) instead of teaching TEFL.

Post: #469

^^ Can no longer edit. At the end I meant English teaching certificate such as CELTA.

Post: #470

Is it easy to fake teaching experience on your resume when applying for overseas teaching jobs. Do recruiting agencies/companies/schools actually call to verify? Especially for Middle East positions.

Post: #471

(12-31-2015 06:14 PM)RaulValdez739 Wrote:  Is it easy to fake teaching experience on your resume when applying for overseas teaching jobs. Do recruiting agencies/companies/schools actually call to verify? Especially for Middle East positions.

We don't give advice here on how to fake your way through life.

Post: #472

..

Post: #473

(12-31-2015 10:29 PM)Suits Wrote:  

(12-31-2015 06:14 PM)RaulValdez739 Wrote:  Is it easy to fake teaching experience on your resume when applying for overseas teaching jobs. Do recruiting agencies/companies/schools actually call to verify? Especially for Middle East positions.

We don't give advice here on how to fake your way through life.

Relax buddy but I was just curious since this has been brought up before on this thread. If you cant contribute, please be silent. Thank you.

Post: #474

(12-31-2015 10:29 PM)Suits Wrote:  

(12-31-2015 06:14 PM)RaulValdez739 Wrote:  Is it easy to fake teaching experience on your resume when applying for overseas teaching jobs. Do recruiting agencies/companies/schools actually call to verify? Especially for Middle East positions.

We don't give advice here on how to fake your way through life.

Theres a whole thread about how to explain a gap in work life. Lots of people said to just lie.

Post: #475

(12-31-2015 10:45 PM)RaulValdez739 Wrote:  

(12-31-2015 10:29 PM)Suits Wrote:  

(12-31-2015 06:14 PM)RaulValdez739 Wrote:  Is it easy to fake teaching experience on your resume when applying for overseas teaching jobs. Do recruiting agencies/companies/schools actually call to verify? Especially for Middle East positions.

We don't give advice here on how to fake your way through life.

Relax buddy but I was just curious since this has been brought up before on this thread. If you cant contribute, please be silent. Thank you.

Obvious ethical concerns aside, I don't have a major problem with guys stretching the truth on their resume to avoid unjustified discrimination. However, producing a resume that is not a genuine reflection of the job applicant screws everyone.

When it comes to teaching adults, it's perfectly normal for individuals with no teaching experience to show up on day one and be highly entertaining ESL instructors who are well loved by all their students.

This isn't the same thing as being an effective teacher.

It takes skill to be a highly effective teacher and that skill develops over time.

Bumbling your way into a job that you aren't qualified for robs your students of the teacher they deserve, it robs the teacher of the opportunity to learn the ropes doing work that is better fit of for their (no-existent) experience and it robs of the employer of the teacher they thought they were hiring.

The good news is that your apparent lack of knowledge regarding punctuation should give most employers a heads up that not everything is on the up and on.