A recent letter published in the Bangkok Post and a timely discussion amongst work colleagues has brought up the dilemma facing educational institutions when it comes to hiring foreigners as English teachers in Thailand; namely qualifications.

Confusion abounds concerning the qualifications that are needed to work as an English teacher in the “Land of Smiles.” Several weeks ago, a reader asked for help from the English language teachers featured in “Education” concerning the Ministry of Education’s culture course and licensing examination. His example of a poorly worded question with no logical answer was testament to how a good idea can be made redundant due to bad implementation.

At the same time, news reports and internet forums were rife with rumours concerning a hapless teacher who had been found working some time ago with fake papers. Anybody thinking of using a bogus degree needs to think again as this recent case and others has highlighted that a suspended prison term and deportation face those who wish to buck the system.

You can understand why the Ministry of Education would want to tighten up on some of the cowboys who ply their trade by introducing tests on culture and methodology; although, there are many who are unqualified who do a great job on a voluntary basis helping out in their local schools around the country.

As with most things in Thailand, it is very difficult to get reliable information about anything important, so rumours have been flying around for some time as to the hoops that foreigners are going to have to jump through in order to stay and teach if they have anything less than a Bachelor of Education degree.

I have read that the Teaching Professional Knowledge for Foreign Teachers test has nine areas grouped into four sections which are tested at 1,000 baht a time. At face value, there is nothing new in the test to worry about if you are a teacher that has taken a decent TESOL Cert. or something similar. The worrying part is the amount of money that is required to undertake the one year Professional Certification Course which stands at about 60,000 baht.

Blogs and forums explain that taking the tests twice would cost 8,000 baht which is considerably cheaper than spending the 60,000 baht for the one year course. In addition, you would also save a lot of time.

Having completed eighteen years of marriage to a Thai, I am not sure what benefit the 20 hour culture course would be to me. Surely experience should count for something; however, don’t be surprised if you see me sat next to you on one of the forthcoming courses.

Most countries have examinations that need to be passed in order for teachers to teach in the state system in their home country. An example is UK where there is a certificate of education and a post graduate version. Maybe these qualifications could be used as whole or part exemption for the Professional Certification Course? If anyone has any more information they could shed on this subject, I would be grateful.

Only time will tell whether this will result in a mass exodus of teachers from Thailand or whether Khao San Road branches out into a new line of certification dealing with the subjects of culture and qualified teacher status.

A very nice lady gave this to me as I left my first job in Thailand. It might come in quite useful in the future.
(Unedited article published in the Bangkok Post 18th May 2010)