How can Filipino teachers find better jobs with more benefits in Thailand?

[erick]

when you keep asking questions, you seems to be not knowing anything at all. i will not go outside the topic and survey is to take a general view of Pinoy Teachers.
i will be very happy to hear feedback from Pinoy Teachers who get more benefits in Thailand.

 

I give up!

[erick]

by survey. you can try.

See this is exactly what I am talking about.  If your generalization came from a SURVEY then the HOW and WHY should have been given more attention.

Now, please tell us the "HOW" of your survey.

 

Oh! oh!.... When other forumers say the other way, they would ask how and must be substantiated with evidence (facts).... Yeah, they're right, they also have a survey during the conference with thirty or less participants, and that number represents the Filipino teachers in Thailand....

Anyways, for a Filipino teacher to find a better job with more benefits, he should first make good of himself, and then ASK...ASK...ASK....  Actually, a Masters diploma is a plus factor, and the way you carry your self counts....

 

I give up na rin!

[ajarn_ph]

hello,

I hope the question above, "How can Filipino teachers find better jobs with more benefits in Thailand?" has given enough answers to Pinoy Teachers who want to know the real-life situation in Thailand.

As for a Pinoy who is looking for a job says, looking for a greener pasture. There is always a better job somewhere. Keep searching and surfing and applying and waiting.

As for more benefits: You will have more of them if you are more patient and know how to love your job.

ajarn_ph

[Terry Clayton]

Perhaps you can come out to a networking night hosted by Thailand Educators Network!  On the 10th of every month, at the Roadhouse BBQ (5 minute walk from BTS Sala Daeng on Suriwong Road), TEN provides an opportunity to make connections with fellow teachers and educators living and working in Bangkok.  At the very least you will enjoy the great snack buffet and the two free drinks included in the price of admission!  Hope you'll give it a try.

[ajarn_ph]

If you are between job or looking for a job, I would like to take this chance to share to the possible and positive way how to find jobs in Thailand.

Keep on searching to jobs sites, always send your application to the info that has no option. someone i know an asian spent her time for three months applying for a job and landed in pattaya for 25+ to teach chinese.

try applying for jobs that need teachers to teach english, math, science, pe, pc and etc. do not lose hope or be sad or feel bad. it does not help at all or it may be a help to catch attention.

think well, dress well, men shave well, smell nice, look well, act professionally, do not speak your dialect, learn to observe the etiquette in Thai way, pinoy common sense is different than here, be a roman.

[Madam H]

Perhaps you can come out to a networking night hosted by Thailand Educators Network!  On the 10th of every month, at the Roadhouse BBQ (5 minute walk from BTS Sala Daeng on Suriwong Road), TEN provides an opportunity to make connections with fellow teachers and educators living and working in Bangkok.  At the very least you will enjoy the great snack buffet and the two free drinks included in the price of admission!  Hope you'll give it a try.

Networking with other teachers is an important step towards landing better jobs and/or getting more benefits than the ones you have at present.

We hope to join you on the 10th of June, Terry.

[Madam H]

with the influx of supplies.... some schools are practicing take it or leave it policy... nakakasama lang ng loob kasi some really offer too low salary, without assistance sa mga fees ng visa, work permits... etc... since some filipinos have no choice, eh sige na rin.... basta give ur best shots.... pag nakita nila maganda performance mo... u can demand later.... improve ur personality din ( we're trained to be low profile but it neccessary na taas noo tayo with them)... my mentor before told me when ur talking with others, ur shoulders should be balanced, sa pananamit naman, let's see to it that we look like professionals not like as if  going to the market ( kahit sa UK lang yan nabili or 99 baht) nasa tamang pagdadala yan. and most important.... have a technical and  educational upgrading, kasi pag may masters unit ka or degree ur one step advance.

bump

[Madam H]

It's been a while since this topic was discussed, so I thought I should revive it.

When I read this question now, it takes on a new meaning. And it is because of the changes that are happening (and will continue to happen) in the educational field in Thailand.

First, there's now the Thai Language and Culture seminar requirement that all new teachers have to attend to get hired. Schools seem to be of different opinions about this. Some require this from all teachers before they are even allowed to apply. Other schools can take you in, and give you time to finish the course while on the job.

This is one major consideration Filipinos have to consider, when they are new here, or are still in the Philippines and have plans of coming over.

Second, schools are also tightening up on non-education degree holders. It is now harder (if not nearly impossible) to get a job in teaching here in Thailand without a degree in education. You can get lucky, but I would advise against letting luck decide your future. If you don't have an education degree, think twice about coming to find work in Thailand.

For those who have been here for quite some time, start looking at your resume and see if you have added a degree, a seminar/workshop certificate or any other career advancement in your resume the last two years. If your resume looks exactly the same as when you first landed that job you hold at the moment, then it's crunch time. With the high competition among candidates nowadays, you need more than just a bachelor's degree to bag the next job you want.

If you wish to have a stronger bargaining chip on your side in your current job, it will be helpful if you have initiated a project that has helped your school and/or your students improve somewhat. If you haven't done this yet, then it's time to brainstorm some brilliant ideas so you will have your best foot forward on the job front.

Have a great day fellow Pinoys!

Please visit www.heddatan.com. You might pick up an idea or two there.

[Darfur]

good one madam h. i got three upcoming interviews kc binago ko ung aking resume. dati ala talgang reply which is very frustrating. update the resume and make it simple.

[Madam H]

'Glad for you. Pm me naman yung results ng mga interview mo. 

[ms.a]

good one madam h. i got three upcoming interviews kc binago ko ung aking resume. dati ala talgang reply which is very frustrating. update the resume and make it simple.

certainly....

I have observed din before in one school, may mga applicants, with the degree and masters of like this and like that... ung pala units lang... di pa naman graduate... then ung isa naman, understandable naman siguro kung may error kang isa or dalawa sa resume, huwag lang sa objectives...

thought: don't inflate your resume 

[questionable-integrity]

Even non-teachers are welcome to post.

I am not a teacher....but this topic really catches my attention.........I would like to ask a very simple question, isn't it that the topic wanted an information on how can a Filipino teachers find better jobs and better benefits in Thailand? but reading on most of the posts, I don't see any postings nanakapagbibigay nang idea or paraan para makuha ang goal sa tanong.....I don't intend to insult any one of you in this post, but thinking most of you in this forum are English Teachers, the topic directs a question of HOW, meaning the way to...or the the process to.......the topic would like to ask for a way to get something to achieve and that is "GETTING A BETTER JOB and BETTER BENEFITS"....

So in this particular topic we could immediately finds out even in all the postings that we Filipinos in General needs to improve our ability to understand English well, improve ourselves in English communication not only that almost all Filipino teachers say, oh we are better that farangs, because we Filipinos are dedicated teachers...a Filipinos teacher must improve himself in terms of verbal communication especially the accent (AMERICAN,BRITISH..etc...)......confidence in speaking English needs to be improved also as this in particular the first pace of your career in teaching...
remember first impression lasts.................

I hope this would somehow helps our fellow Filipinos to get a better paying jobs in teaching......thank you.

[blubinginone]

Even non-teachers are welcome to post.

I am not a teacher....but this topic really catches my attention.........I would like to ask a very simple question, isn't it that the topic wanted an information on how can a Filipino teachers find better jobs and better benefits in Thailand? but reading on most of the posts, I don't see any postings nanakapagbibigay nang idea or paraan para makuha ang goal sa tanong.....I don't intend to insult any one of you in this post, but thinking most of you in this forum are English Teachers, the topic directs a question of HOW, meaning the way to...or the the process to.......the topic would like to ask for a way to get something to achieve and that is "GETTING A BETTER JOB and BETTER BENEFITS"....

So in this particular topic we could immediately finds out even in all the postings that we Filipinos in General needs to improve our ability to understand English well, improve ourselves in English communication not only that almost all Filipino teachers say, oh we are better that farangs, because we Filipinos are dedicated teachers...a Filipinos teacher must improve himself in terms of verbal communication especially the accent (AMERICAN,BRITISH..etc...)......confidence in speaking English needs to be improved also as this in particular the first pace of your career in teaching...
remember first impression lasts.................

I hope this would somehow helps our fellow Filipinos to get a better paying jobs in teaching......thank you.

I am glad that you were honest enough to tell that you are not a teacher.  Otherwise, it could have been worse.  No offense meant, but I believe some posts here have way far touched the topic coherently.

You were correct about improving the English ability because it is the most important.  If Filipino teachers size this up a bit more, it can really help in alleviating the situation.

[TARSIER]

I agree with what Madam H has brought up here. If we want better job with better salary and better benefits then we should invest for better "US".

There are plenty of seminars and other personal/professional development opportunities out there which would help us develop ourselves.

When I first came to Thailand to look for a teaching position, all that I could have in my resume were my 3 months teaching experience, my eligibility for civil service, my above average TOEIC result, which was not recognized by most of the schools I applied for, and other trainings I got when I was yet in college. As consequence, I started with 11k salary (with free accomodation) in the province which was luckily increased to 15k after 4 months and then to 18k after several months. However, I never thought of being unlucky for having that amount of salary then. For me, it was a great start as a 20-year old, fresh-graduate educator. But those times, I never stopped investing for my career. I met people who had the same interests as mine and learned a lot from them. I also attended seminars (in my own expense) for professional development whenever possible and finally decided to start master's degree in education.

After one year and six months, I've got an interview from an established private school in Bangkok which eventually almost doubled my salary in that government school in the province. That time, there was one thing for sure, I presented my resume and answered their interview questions differently from the first time I applied for a teaching job in Thailand. Those trainings and seminars have really helped me a lot.

My dear colleagues, if we want to earn more, we have to invest more of ourselves. It's really a hard work but the price is worth it.

[buddhist punk]

I define "better jobs" as positions we are qualified to fill, in workplaces with healthy environments, and opportunities for professional development and growth, as well as promotion. Oh, yes, and one where a "good salary" scale begins at 25k/month for primary and secondary teaching, and of course a bigger paycheck if teaching in a tertiary level.

So it's important to define for yourself what a "good" or "better" job looks, feels, and sounds like. Make it clear in your mind. Ito ba ay pinansyal na pananaw or isang mabuting enviroment?

To find better jobs: begin with ourselves
Assuming that your are a skilled teacher, and proficient in your subject area, the number one skill we should develop and nurture is English language proficiency. I cannot over emphasize this enough. Ang mga NES, they KNOW that Fils are hardworking, but they complain about not understanding us. We should be at a level where we understand and are understood. Some people here think I'm going overboard when I say we should stop transliterating our Tagalog or Visayan into English. We have nuances they cannot understand. "...something like that..." doesn't work. "I'll go ahead..." does not work. "Open the light..." will confuse them. Watch out for nuances and phraseology nila at gayahin! Yes, nakawin ang kanilang pananalita! why not? Kung makakabuti ba sayo eh.

Next, Possessing a masters degree, on top of your bachelors and teaching license, works wonders for work placement and advancement. When you are abroad, it does not matter from which school you've earned this degree. Only, be sure it's legit and authentic. Loads of confidence also works wonders for us.

Some strategies to find better jobs:
Go online to find an effective layout of resumes. Piliin ang magandang photo at gamitin sa resume. As for careers in teaching pre-school, science, math, SPED, and highly technical subjects in any form, they are still top requirements to find "good jobs". This is followed closely of course by English language training, but one has to be extra super galing to beat the competition with NES's. So if you are in these specialty areas, you are good to go. Even if you don't teach these subjects, you can still have a shot at this through some strategies mentioned below.

Employers here prefer to see you in the flesh for interviews. Again, this is the point where you should really really have extra super galing English language communication skills. A dash of confidence is always good for you. Minsan pa nga kelangan ng konting yabang. Those schools that do not hire "Filipinos" or discrimminate against us eh, wag nang pagpilitan, this is not an environment you want to be in. If they don't hire you, it's their loss not yours. Run as far away from them as possible. It is important also to go through the referral system. Ask around, ask to be introduced, network through other teachers, find and follow leads, etc.

[Madam H]

I second the motion, BP!

Just to add to what already are great advices...

Once, I had a chance to get into the summer program of a school here in Bangkok. That time, iniwan ko ang previous job ko to have a shot at being hired full time pagkatapos ng summer (granted of course, that I do a good job sa summer program). It was a calculated risk that Master J and I took, knowing full well, na pag hindi umobra, I had to find another job after 1 month.

Hindi natuloy yung summer school opportunity na yun, but instead of becoming bitter and blame somebody for it, Master J advised that I send the school and the people in authority a letter, outlining my gratitude for the opportunity I was given, and expressing hope that someday, I would again have such an opportunity at the same school.

The next time I saw the principal, while working in another school, we had a good chat, and when the next vacancy came, she called me and invited me to apply for the position. In the end, I got the job.

It's also important not to close your doors (and windows) to what could become opportunities in the future. It helps a lot because apart from your credentials/qualifications, your potential employer will also look at your attitude, especially during trying times. I was told later that my letter of gratitude made a positive impression on the principal.

What BP said about knowing full well what it is you wanted also helps a lot. Ang mga puti, every project they do for the schoool, has a purpose. Most of the time, it is to create a good impression for the next school they apply to. It's not really for the good of their present school or present students (generally). Meron silang 5 year plan, 10 year plan. May mga goals, and they plot out how to get there. They also study yung working environment na papasukan nila, and they have this feeling na sila ang magcho-choose whether to take what the school offers them or not. Sometimes, tayong mga Pilipino, kasi we are not hard to please, feeling natin tayo ang ginawan ng pabor pag inalok tayo ng trabaho. Tuloy, we feel wala tayong choice but to take the first offer that comes along.

Kahit na nga ang circumstances natin calls for grabbing the frist offer, whether it's good or bad, that is still a choice. We simply chose to take the first one that comes along dahil yun ang kailangan natin at that time.

Dapat pantay lang ang tingin natin sa employer at sa atin when at the negotiation stage of getting hired. Ang school ay may pakinabang sa yo dahil sa expertise at skiils mo, and the work that you will be doing for them. At the same time, thankful ka rin sa kanila for giving you a chance to do what you do best or well.

Minsan, ang idea ng "utang na loob" ang nagiging problema. It's the indebtedness that lowers us down towards  servitude. I have aldo been guilty of such, and 'till now, still struggling to get out of the "utang na loob" mentality sa work.

[Franz]

I am not a teacher but I would like to contribute my ten cents worth....

1.) Make yourself indispensible. How will this be possible? Learn many skills and be excellent on it.

2.) Broaden your network. Be part of a group within your industry. Know the who's who in your area. It is not social climbing but just getting exposed. I am not sure if this is very helpful for Teachers but in my case since my work involves Sales and Marketing- being known in the Industry and gaining big network helps a lot. Sometimes your network can also give you a greater work opportunity.

3.) Build roads but do not burn bridges. It is always best to have a clean exit with your previous employers. Sooner or later you may need their help again. If you still keep good relationship, they will be very much willing to help you. I personally experienced this one. I resigned from my Original employer in the Philippines for a better opportunity with a different company. I kept my healthy relationship with my Original employer and made proper turnover of all projects. When an opportunity for Thailand (which is a branch of my Original employer) came, they see no other person to recommend for the post but me..Luckily we agreed on the terms so here I am now enjoying my work and life in Bangkok including SP time...

My piece...

[Madam H]

Thanks for the contribution to this thread, Franz!

Plenty of times, I've been asked the "how" part, with regards to all these suggestions and advices. Many of those who have posted have already specified the "how's" in their suggested to-do's.

So teachers, take your pick!!!

One thing I really would like to emphasize pala, which I feel is really of importance to teachers who wish to get better both professionally and personally:

GROW IN LITERACY AND IN ARTICULATENESS (sorry mods for the all caps. Emphasize, baga... )

How:

LITERACY: read more books, magazines, newspapers, etc. In a study I've done on the relationship between reading and writing, when you read, that's as good as practicing your writing skills as well. And the more well read you are, the more knowledge you will have, then the better equipped you are to join in conversations with colleagues. In turn, you grow in confidence and you earn a bit more respect from all these NES around you.

Having some basic knowledge about a variety of topics, from politics, to education, to entertainment sure will come in handy. So, surprise your NES co-teacher next time by having something to say about Palin's wardrobe during teh last presidential election. Magbasa ka lang ng SP, marami ka nang matututunan. And if you want more, I recommend you read Reader's Digest, Newsweek, Time and yes, even Hello! 

ARTICULATENESS: I have always been fascinated by the reaction from NES whenever they are confronted with a Philippines (to borrow from BB1), who can speak their language well and who can express his/her ideas well enough to pass for a NES (save the brown skin). Almost always, their first reaction would be, "Where are you from?" Lots of times, they would assume the Philippines was born or has lived in the US (or other Western country). They're flabbergasted when you tell them you have lived all your life in Asia, and that you earned your degree in an obscure country known as the Philippines. Of course, exceptions to the rule would be those NES speakers who've been brave enought to travel to our country to scuba dive, to swim with the whale sharks in Donsol or those who've visited Boracay.

When I first came to Bangkok, I was one of those (whom BP posted about) who would say,"I'll go ahead" to a NES colleague and assume he/she understood I meant "I'm going home now, can't wait for you", or the sort.

But I believe those years in high school, when I read the Sweet Valley High series, Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, and then in college, Sidney Sheldon and Jeffrey Archer... well, they have all the dialogues/conversations exhanged between NES about their daily lives. And by reading them, you'll be prepared to take on every NES who comes your way, and you won't have to think twice about feeling intimidated.

And I think the easiest, cheapest and most effective way to learn to understand the English language is to watch mountains of DVD's (fake ones at as cheap a price as 50 baht a piece come in truckloads around Bangkok). And if you want to get better in speaking English, make use of your colleageus who are NES. Go talk to them. You can also comej oin our SP meet ups, and approach anyone of the SP members, teachers or not, and say you want to practice your English! 

There are plenty of things to do to get better, so you can present yourself in a better light the next time you have an interview for your dream job... Enjoy the experiences towards a better you, and please don't forget us when you get that promotion, or that new job! Mu ka ta, here we come!!! 

[buddhist punk]

LOL, that was waaay funny, madam H! I mean about BB1's "Philippine".

I get that almost everyday when I ride public transport:
They: "Where you come from"?
Me: "I'm from the Philippines".
They: "Oh! You Philippine! You look like Thai peopon. Same same".
Me: "uh, yeah".

Anyway, ang taray nung isang speech instructor namin who demanded that we avoid using "non-words" like "uhmmm", or "ahhhh", or the famous policitian phrase "deee, ahhhh. whatchu kol dat. deee, ano!" Tumahimik nalang daw tayo.

[blubinginone]

But that is really true, Philippine can be a replacement to Filipino. It's becoming more like an evolution of reference to the people of and anything about the Philippines.

To share a bit in this thread, I would like to give the following pointers as per experience:

1- Make your cv/resume appealable.  Of the many documents or emails that will pass an administrator's desk, those that outshine the rest in terms of coherence, correctness and meatiness will usually have the "it factor".
2- Glorify the interview moment.  Thank the Lord for being chosen and ask His guidance. Think of the interview as your final moment to present yourself.  Let them see more than what they have seen in your cv and that includes being presentable.  If the interviewer is a NES, don't dress stiff.  If they will be Thais, they usually like formal attire.
3- Practice your English before the interview and let the interview flow naturally.  Think of the many possible questions that will arise and make notes on how to attack them with grace. I have experienced being interviewed for almost 2 hours by NESs.  Yes, it was draining but I was prepared, so I was considered for the slot.