Checklist for Thailand

This page has been made for all the people who email me and ask, "What qualifications do I need to teach in Thailand?"

1. Are you a master of your own trade? How can this be assessed? Well, do you have a degree in your teaching subject. This is fundamental to your ability to function as a teacher and to work with the minimum of supervision. You will also find it increasingly difficult to obtain employment in Thailand at reputable teaching establishments if you do not have a degree in your teaching subject or one closely related to your teaching subject.

Qualifications are important  in obtaining your official paperwork but some of the following qualities are vital.

2. Are you able to communicate your knowledge to students in a foreign language? How can this be assessed? Well, do you have a TEFL Certificate or have you taught in many foreign schools. Maybe you are a qualified teacher and have many years of experience as a teacher of languages. The list is endless, so you either have a lot of experience or you have a verifiable qualification.

3. Are you adaptable? Do you have an open mind? Are you willing to learn about a new culture without setting your own predetermined parameters? Do you have an endless sense of humour which enables you to laugh at your own mistakes and cultural blunders (which will be many)?

4. Are you an open friendly person? Are you positive in your attitude with a real determination to "fit in" even when it goes against all the niggling little preconceptions which you had before you came to a new land and a new culture?

5. Are you a giver? Do you really want to make a contribution to this country? Do you want to give a part of yourself to your students and your host country?

6. Can you work as a team member? Can you work as a team member? Can understand the requirements of your employer and the goals they wish to achieve? Can you take time to help your colleagues when they are under pressure? Can you identify as a member of a team with a common purpose?

7. Do you want to continue learning and expanding your own teaching skills? Do you want to engage in regular training and skills attainment? Do you want to expand the knowledge of your subject and the skills which enable you to be a better teacher?

8. Do you want to be appraised? Do you want to be engaged in the process of self appraisal and group appraisal? Do you want to identify your strengths and weaknesses and to improve and strengthen your knowledge and teaching skills?

9. Do you want to make a real difference in Thailand? Do you want to guide  and help your students and bring out the best in every student in your charge? Do you want to think and re-think ways in which to bring your students to their real potential?

10. Can you change the way you see things? Your priorities are not always the priorities of the people in your host country.

11. Do you like very hot weather and even hotter food? Do you like lots of meat and fish dishes? It is quite difficult to be a vegetarian in Thailand.

12. Can you live with numerous flying, crawling, biting things?

13. Do you know what it is like to live in a developing country? Sometimes the phones don't work, the electricity gets cut off, the water gets cut off and there are big holes in the roads and the pavements. Sometimes the offices you want to go to are closed and it takes a long time to get things done.

14. Can you suppress frustration and smile?

15. If you can say "YES!" to all of the above questions then you probably have the basic qualifications and qualities to start to live, work and make a life in Thailand and be a conscientious and well respected teacher.