Why should I choose a course offered by School?

School is an award-winning teacher training company and is licensed by the Thai Ministry of Education. We have over 17 years of experience in training ESL teachers and have successfully placed over 5,700 graduates in schools all around the globe.

At School we understand what schools are looking for in a teacher. Because our 140-hour accredited TEFL courses are designed with your employment in mind, you can be confident that you’ll be equipped to teach English in Thailand – or anywhere else in the world once you have your certification.

In addition, to the TEFL certification program, dependent on the type of Program you choose to enrol in you will be given resort accommodation, sightseeing tours, trekking opportunities, airport pick-up, transportation, volunteer teaching opportunities – and much more – either for a nominal fee or as an inclusive part of your package.  Our fee is reasonable and we provide all the mentioned services in addition to in-class training for about the same price that most other companies ask for just providing the TEFL in-class training. We can proudly say that our all-inclusive, premium course provides a truly unrivalled value for money.

Regardless of which TEFL package you choose, you can rest assured that you have made the right choice by placing your faith in School. Our professional associations and accreditations are noteworthy, and well-recognized. Moreover, we are always there to support you through each step of the process – even after you’ve graduated.

Is there an age-limit for enrolling with School?

No, there is no age limit for enrolling in any of our courses.  However School prefers to take in candidates in the age range of  22 – 45 years. ( I am unsure if this is the range or the range mentioned under details for Basic/Premium courses is more accurate)

Am I required to be a Native Speaker of English to enrol in the courses offered by School?

No, you do not need to be a native speaker of English to attend the courses offered by School. Your mother tongue does not affect your placement upon graduation either.  In fact, we have placed over 5,700 degree and non-degree holders in paying jobs all across Thailand. This includes both native and non-native English speakers. You are, however, encouraged to build your proficiency in English.

Do I need to speak Thai to be eligible for the courses offered by School?

No, you only need to speak English while teaching in the classroom. Knowing Thai can be an advantage as it will help you communicate better with students and the local people here. However, it is not a requirement for enrolling in our courses.

How soon can I expect to get placed after graduating from School?

Immediately. Typically, you would graduate on a Friday evening and start work on the following Monday as a salaried teacher. If you would like to take a short holiday before you start working, just let our placement department know. They will organize your job with the school when you are ready. 

During the training course our placement department lines up different potential employers for you so that you can make an informed decision about the school you would want to join after graduating. In other words, even before you graduate, you know exactly where you will be going, how you are getting there, who is fetching you, what your schedule will look like and what your salary will be.

We have a 100% placement rate and are proud to maintain it.

Is prior teaching experience necessary to find a placement in Thailand?

No, you do not need to have previous teaching experience. However, you do need to have a genuine interest in this field. Our TEFL program will provide you with hands-on training in a 140-hour long course. You will find enough opportunities to familiarize yourself with Thai culture in the process. Our staff will provide the necessary support as you learn basic Thai conversational skills, and behavioural practice. You will have adequate opportunities to hone your confidence through teaching observation and practice at real schools.

If you do have teaching experience or certification; a degree in Education, English, Math or Science; and other transferable skills, you have an additional asset. We strongly encourage you to apply for the TEFL certification course as your additional qualification and experience is much sought after by Thai schools.

Why should I choose Thailand for my training and subsequent career?

This question always brings a smile upon our faces because we know from experience that once you get here, you won’t be able to imagine not taking a TEFL course in Thailand!

Thailand is a gateway to Asia – the perfect mixture of modern, western comforts and authentic, cultural experiences. It is full of opportunities for English teachers. Jobs abound and the cost of living is low. This makes Thailand the perfect workplace choice. You can give yourself the freedom and flexibility to travel and explore, or use your savings as you see fit. Thailand offers you unimaginable diversity, divine cuisine and friendly locals. It is easy to make yourself at home in this country.

Can I teach in a city of my choice?

The final hiring decision is made by your prospective employer based on their individual needs and requirements. School only brings you the opportunity to interact with prospective employers via its placement department. You can surely put in a preferred teaching location request. The final decision on whether or not to accept an offered job position also rests with you. However, keep in mind that the offers are made based on the openings available balanced with your preferred teaching location. Early applicants have a better chance of getting their preferred location.

Please note that even if you do put in a preferred location request, we cannot guarantee you will always find a job in the location of your choice. We would advise you to be flexible to options available. Of course, you are more than welcome to use your TEFL qualification to find your own employment in the city of your choice.

What If I only want a short-term teaching position?

You will need to clarify this with the school you get placed in. We recommend you speak to the recruiters during placement line ups. Most schools or recruiting agencies will, on an average, ask you to sign a four-month contract. Most TEFL course graduates work as teachers for at least a year. Many stay on in Thailand for much longer. Some do prefer working on a short-term basis at a school or language school only during peak periods. It all depends on what your definition of “short period” is.

Where can I find employment once I get my certification from School?

A School certificate qualifies you to teach English as a foreign language practically anywhere in the world. While all countries have their own set of rules, regulations and requirements concerning the employment of foreign labour, our international accreditation, and Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs approved training is recognized by most.  School is also an institutional member of IATEFL (International Association of Teaching English as a Foreign Language), and we are validated externally by leading experts in the field of ESL. This external validation keeps our TEFL course material and requirements at par with international standards.

That said, we do recommend that if you have a particular country in mind as your future workspace, acquaint yourself with the country’s employment requirements. Some countries may require an additional or higher qualification (like a degree), along with your School Certificate. They may also have age and ethnicity requirements in order to legally employ you. Our graduates are currently working in Thailand, Dubai, Hungry, Spain, Saudi Arabia, China, South Korea and Ukraine. Many more countries are getting added to this list each day. 

If you want to teach English in Thailand, you’ll be happy to know that we are internationally accredited, and recognized by the Ministry of Labor. This makes your certification an asset for employment.

What should I pack for my stay in Thailand during the course?

We recommend that you pack light as almost everything can be purchased at reasonable prices in Thailand. If you feel homesick when away for long durations, do bring your family photograph or special keepsakes to help you adjust to your time away from home and familiar cultures. Here are some items you may consider bringing along with you:

• A formal attire set. Keep a set of formalwear ready to use when appearing for interviews. You will also need to wear formal attire during the practical teaching hours to be completed for the TEFL course, and for teaching.
• A phrase book. This is to familiarize yourself with simple local phrases.
• 50,000 – 60,000 Thai bahtin funds or transferred to a local account. It will be a while before you can begin to earn a salary. Ensure you have enough money for personal use until the completion of your course.
• Any original diploma or degree certificates. The original documents need to be shown when you apply for a work permit.
• A clean police clearance certificate. This is a Thai labor regulations requirement. You need this clearance in order to obtain a work permit in Thailand. It can also be obtained once you’re in Thailand, but the process will take at least three weeks and is not free. Hence, we recommend you get it from your local police before you travel to Thailand.
• A camera. This is if you want something with a better resolution than your smartphone camera. You’ll want to take pictures of all the wonderful places and things you’ll experience during the School course and the rest of your time in Thailand.
• A good pair of hiking shoeswill come in handy if you like exploring and want to enjoy activities related to nature like hiking, camping and so on.
• Moisture-wicking clothes or clothes made from natural fibres– Thailand is very hot and humid.

What type of Visa do I need to teach in Thailand?

If you sign up for the Premium Program, we will provide you a non-immigrant visa for up to 6 months free as part of the course.  This will give you lots of time to have your employer sort out your work permit. If you have any problems you are welcome to approach Entrust for further assistance.

If you have signed up for the Basic course, you can simply arrive on a tourist visa and we can help you sort out your teaching permit requirements once you arrive at one of our training centers.

WORK PERMITS AND VISAS

For Degree holders in any field, obtaining a work permit and a non-Immigrant one-year visa involves a relatively straightforward three step process:

1) You will be required to present originals of your degree and any other educational documents to the School. The School needs these to prepare your visa sponsorship documentation. Once the sponsorship package is completed, you will be required to do a visa run to obtain your 90-day Non-Immigrant B visa. You can do the visa trip by yourself or elect to hire a company to do it for you. Jack Total Golf (yes!) and Thai Visa Service are two such companies, but there are many to choose from in your local area.

2) Next, you will need to drop off your documents at the Thai Embassy in a neighbouring country. The Thai Embassy will collect the documents in the morning before lunch; you may return the next day after lunch to retrieve them. Keep in mind that the officer will write the name of your school on your visa.

3) Once you return to your school, your passport will be photocopied to start the work permit process. You’ll need to go to the local Ministry of Labor and Immigration to have your passport and work permit stamped for one year. After that, you can continue to stay in Thailand simply by extending your visa every year in the country.

The entire process of receiving the work permit may take up to 3 months.

If you do not hold a degree in any field, the process is a little more costly and time-consuming. Your school may find you employment but not file your paperwork for you. This means you will be given the job and the salary of a full-time employee, but be classified as part-time because you don’t have a degree. No school is required by law to file a part-time employee’s paperwork with the Ministry of Labor. You will have to in this case try and get a visa or work permit on your own. Working as a part-time employee gives you the advantage of having no tax obligations, but the downside is that you’ll need to leave the country every 90 days to obtain another entry visa.

Some schools provide a visa and work permit, stating “special circumstances” to the Ministry of Labor. This is usually only approved for rural areas where it is hard to obtain a Native English Teacher. We recommend you discuss the matter with your employer in advance to get a better understanding of where you stand.