Even though it was five and a half years ago when I began teaching in Thailand, not much has changed with the overall process of searching for a job, getting hired, and going through the necessary paperwork of becoming legally employed. But one thing that can make first-time teacher's lives a lot less painless is using a teaching agency in Thailand. In doing so, you can alleviate many of your worries. But is it right for everyone?
First-time English teacher's biggest worries
Here are some of the questions I had before teaching English in Thailand for the first time. If you're in that position, do any of these look familiar?
- How do I find a job - on foot? online postings? through a hiring agency?
- What are the existing curricula and lesson plans like, if any?
- How much will I make and how and when will I be paid?
- Will I get health insurance, time off, or other benefits?
- What are the minimum qualifications to teach? OR Will the school hire me with my credentials?
One route that provides answers to those questions is getting your first teaching gig through a hiring agency.
Why I recommend using a teaching agency in Thailand
People seem to have very strong opinions about using or not using a placement company, recruiter, or teaching agency in Thailand to secure a job.
I've always been adamant about telling first-time English teachers that yes, you should. However, there are expats out there that will wholeheartedly disagree with this statement. They'll say, "Why waste your time (and potential earnings that are skimmed off the top of your salary) when it's so eeaassy to find a teaching job in Thailand?"
For one, it isn't easy for everyone to immediately get a job. Prospective teachers who most often have difficulty finding a position at a Thai school are those who don't have teaching experience or don't have a TEFL.
Secondly, not everyone has the patience or time to deal with Thai school bureaucracy. You might email or call a school and not hear back from them in weeks. Or at all. You may visit a school in person and be given a polite answer, even when they have no intention of hiring you.
Third, it's difficult to research and apply to schools because a large number of them only advertise in the Thai language online. Or worse, they don't post job listings online at all. This is an eye-opener to many applicants who expect to browse online job posts and subsequently apply to them in the comfort of their own home. Rather, there's a good chance you have to walk around in the heat and do both tasks in person.
The way I see it, some people can really use the help of a placement company or teaching agency in Thailand, while others really can do it on their own.
If you are a first-time teacher (which is rather common in Thailand), battling the logistics of researching and applying to schools, legally obtaining a Non Immigrant Business Visa, Work Permit, and subsequent Visa Extension, in addition to adjusting to a new workplace environment and etiquette, is overwhelming. There is also culture shock, which is nearly unavoidable when you first move abroad. So, having a shoulder to lean on and a professional to navigate these muddied waters of teaching in Thailand can make a difference.
Related read: Choosing the best Hiring Agencies in ThailandSine Education, an education service provider in Bangkok
When I learned about Sine Education, the first thing that came to mind was, "Where were you when I needed you five and a half years ago?!"
Well, they were around. Just not in Chiang Mai where I lived.
Sine Education has been providing English conversation programs to government secondary schools (aka high schools) in Greater Bangkok as well as Thailand's Central and Northeast regions since 2010. What started as a 3-school, 13-teacher operation has expanded to more than 40 schools in 2019.
As a result, they're always hiring teachers to fill the vacancies at all the schools that they've partnered with. That's great news for prospective teachers!
Not only do they provide Thai schools with a thoroughly developed English curriculum, they also hire native English-speaking teachers and provide them with classroom and housing support.
What Sine Education provides
Here are a few of the most notable details and my honest take on them beneath each one in italics:
2. You don't need a TEFL to apply
A TEFL is not a requirement to teach in Thailand. I like that Sine Education doesn't lead you to believe that a TEFL is a mandatory certification to have like some less reputable companies do.
Related read: Do I really need a TEFL to teach in Thailand?
4. Provide fun and engaging lesson plans that you don't have to make
I used to be responsible for making my lesson plans AND developing the English curriculum for two semesters during my first year as a teacher. It was soul-sucking. I would jump at the opportunity to have Sine Education's lesson plans! The only downside is that some teachers may find the lesson plans frustrating or boring if it doesn't meet their style of teaching.
Employee benefits
Here is a list of Sine Education's benefits:
- Two paid sick days or personal days per term (if not taken, the teacher receives an extra 1,000 baht per day)
- New teacher referral fee
- 300 baht for each lesson taught over 24 lessons per week
- Paid Thai holidays and a minimum of two weeks leave (for those on a 10-month contract)
- End-of-contract bonus up to 20,000 baht
- Aetna Health Insurance
- A Sine Coordinator at each school with a minimum of two Sine teachers per school
- No lesson planning and dedicated Sine classrooms with multimedia equipment provided (as mentioned above)
These are solid benefits. During my experience teaching in Thailand, the only benefit I got out of that entire list was paid Thai holidays!
Assistance for new teachers
These are the types of assistance they provide new teachers with:
- Airport pickup for new arrivals
- Paid training (as mentioned above)
- Help to find accommodation near your school
- Transportation to your assigned school the first time
- A support network that answers your questions and makes sure your needs are met
This safety net provides assurance and peace of mind to teachers. This is especially valuable if you've just moved abroad by yourself.
Bottom line: Using a teaching agency in Thailand has its perks
Is Sine Education a good option for first-time teachers? From my experience teaching, yes, for those who prefer the easy route and are looking for help throughout the confusing process. This company will help find the right school, handle all the legal paperwork, and even find housing. A hiring agency can make all the difference in making it easy to ensure a job and settle into your new life abroad.
Again, if you are the type of person who prefers to do everything on their own, this may not be the right fit for you. Or, if you are an experienced teacher, your credentials might qualify you to teach at an international school, which is relatively easy to research and apply to online.
I understand the stresses a new teacher experiences when moving abroad. It's such a relief to have someone there to help you. The bottom line: although I did not use Sine Education when I taught English in Thailand, I wish I had!
Disclosure: This post is brought to you by Sine Education. I shared an honest recap of my challenges as an ESL teacher and what Sine Education has to offer so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not to consider their services during your quest of becoming a first-time teacher in Thailand.
