a guide to teaching english at ecc - teflworld courses koh ... · though high quality western food...

For more information, please contact.

Teacher Training Centre,

ECC (Thailand) 430/17-24 Chula soi 64, Siam Square, Bangkok 10500

Tel : 0-2252-8570, 0-2253-3312

e-mail : [email protected]

A Guide to Teaching

English at ECC

Teacher’s Information Pack

Teacher Service Centre,

ECC (Thailand) 5th Floor, Big C Rajdamri, 97/11 Rajdamri Road,

Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330

Tel: 0-2253-3312

e-mail : [email protected] , www.eccthai.com

Copyright 2001, ECC (Thailand). All rights reserved. 2

Table of Contents

About Us …………..……………………………………………………………….………………………………………………… 3

Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3

Our Schools ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 3

Our Academic Programme …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3

Our teachers …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4

Our students …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4

Our staff ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4

Thai Lifestyle ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…… 5

Living in Bangkok ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 5

Frequently Asked Questions about Jobs at ECC …………………………………………………………………………… 6

Schools …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..… 6

Students ………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………….… 6

Classes …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..… 6

Resources ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….… 7

Training ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…… 7

Recruitment ………………………………………………………………………………………………...…………...… 7

Pay and conditions ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..… 8

Agreements ……………………………………………………………………………………………..……………...… 9

Working hours …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..… 9

Visa/Work Permit …………………………………………………………………………………………………..….… 10

Cost of living …………………………………………………………………………………………………………...… 10

Accommodation ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….… 11

Qualifications …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..… 11

Airfares …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 12

General information …………………………………………………………………………………………………...… 12

Miscellaneous ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….… 13

Further information ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...… 14

Application form for language instructors ………………………………………………………………………………….… 15

Contact Us …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 19

Siam Square Branch Map ………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 19


About Us

Introduction

ECC (Thailand) opened in 1983 and is now the largest private language school in Thailand, with branches in Bangkok and all over Thailand, from Chiang Mai in the North to Hat Yai in the South. It's also the most active private language school and runs a wide variety of courses from general conversation to specialized test preparation.

Our students range in age from young children to retirement age adult learners, and in ability from absolute beginners to advanced. ECC is firmly committed to providing professional, affordable tuition to our students, and we are proud of the fact that almost all urban Thais with a regular job can afford to take our courses. We also offer regular scholarships. We are committed to providing a challenging, supportive, rewarding working environment for all our staff, teachers and administrative staff.

Our Schools

ECC’s branches are normally located in commercial areas. In Bangkok we have branches across the city. Many are in modern shopping centers, while others are on busy commercial streets. In the provinces we have branches in many provincial capitals, usually in a central location convenient for both our students and staff. All schools are readily accessible by public transport, and have a variety of reasonably priced accommodation in the vicinity.

The schools are open every day of the week - you do not have to work every day of course - from about 8.30 in the morning until 9 in the evening, although we close earlier at weekends. All schools are air-conditioned, and the classrooms are clean, bright

and well ventilated. Each room has a whiteboard, desks and chairs, a CD/cassette player, and VCRs and OHPs are also available.

The average class size at ECC is ten to twelve students, with a maximum of sixteen. The teachers’ room contains a full range of textbooks including accompanying teachers’ books, reference books, cassettes, supplementary teaching activities and games. There is also access to photocopiers. All ECC schools have a no smoking policy, which includes the teachers’ room and coffee bars.

Our Academic Programme

Our curriculum is wide ranging and includes courses for learners of English, courses in Japanese and Mandarin, computer courses, and our teacher training programme. We offer courses for both adults and children. The typical length of an ECC English conversation course is 120 hours, divided into four thirty-hour blocks, for example Pre-Intermediate A-B-C-D. Other courses can be as short as twenty hours or as long as one hundred. The majority of our courses are based around course books by the mainstream EFL publishers such as, Longman, Macmillan, Oxford and others. We focus on conversation courses, although we also offer more specialized courses, for example in grammar or writing. We allow our teachers scope to adapt our course materials to suit the needs of the students and the teaching style of the teacher, and do not try to impose any rigid methodologies on our teaching staff. We encourage teachers to use supplementary materials and there are many supplementary activity books in each school. Our curriculum is regularly reviewed and updated in order to ensure that we are offering the best quality courses to our students, and that our materials reflect the latest developments in EFL theory and practice. All students entering group

classes complete a placement test prior to commencing study. Our courses have a gently graded syllabus, with extra levels at the lower end of the scale, to allow us to place students more accurately. Although most of our teaching is done on premises at our branches, we also have a busy corporate training department, which conducts classes at corporate clients’ offices all over Bangkok. In addition, many of our teachers work for a few hours or more a week in a local Thai school, an opportunity to gain a real insight into the Thai education system, and to work with Thai English teachers. Our curriculum also includes other languages, currently Japanese and Mandarin Chinese. Taught by fully qualified native speakers, these courses focus on conversation, but also include reading and writing at higher levels. Our curriculum also includes computer courses. These are taught in Thai and include courses for children and adults, beginner to advanced. There are courses in all the major software packages, all popular programming languages, and other areas such as web page design and using the Internet.


Our teachers

Our teachers come from all parts of the English-speaking world. We also employ a number of non-native English speaking teachers to teach some children’s courses, and a few low-level adult courses. It’s difficult to say what a typical ECC teacher is like since there are so many different kinds of people working with us. There are recent graduates fresh off a TEFL training course, experienced EFL teachers, teachers who have made a career change after working in a different field for much of their adult lives. Many of our teachers are full time; others work

with us part time, perhaps weekends only or a few evenings. Most of our teachers have a range of classes, although some specialize in a particular field, for example Business English or teaching children. A few things we hope all our teachers have in common are excellent academic credentials, enthusiasm for teaching, an open mind, a flexible and easy-going manner, and a love of Thailand and its people.

Our students

ECC students range in age from five to fifty, with the majority in their teens or twenties. They come from all kinds of backgrounds, and study for many different reasons. As ECC offers some of the best value language courses in Thailand, our students come from all sections of Thai society. In general Thai learners often have a reasonably large passive vocabulary and understanding of structure, but lack communicative skills. This is partly due to traditional methods of teaching in the Thai school system, in which students are not required to participate in

communicative activities. They are, on the whole, fun loving, well mannered, motivated, and they enjoy group work. Common difficulties experienced by Thai students are L1 interference (where features of Thai discourse interfere with their English), pronunciation problems, and difficulties with certain areas of structure e.g. the English tense system. This particular problem is a result of the fact that the concept of tenses does not really exist in Thai.

Our staff

At ECC we have a large and dedicated team of administrative staff supporting our operations. These include: Student Counsellors, who are usually the first point of contact between a student and the

school; Branch Managers, who oversee the general operations of an individual branch; Head Teachers, usually an experienced, well-qualified teacher whose responsibilities include ensuring academic standards are being maintained in his/her branch.


Thai Lifestyle

In Thailand you'll discover the rich and mysterious heart of South-East Asia. In this fast developing country the people have retained much of their traditional culture whilst absorbing many western ideas.

Buddhism is practised by 95 % of the population and the shaven heads and saffron robes of the monks soon become a familiar sight. Thai Buddhism is renowned for its tolerance and compassion. Thailand is also famous for its festivals - there's at least one a month somewhere in the country! Lion dances usher in the Chinese New Year in January. Exuberant water throwing greets the Thai New Year in April. In November moonlit lakes and waterways shimmer with the floating candles of Loi Grathong - if you and your lover launch a single candle, you will be destined for each other, if not in this life, then in your next incarnation.

The language is intriguing: the grammar seems telegrammatically simple but strange sonorous vowels and subtly varying tones keep it elusive. The climate can basically be described as steamy. There are three seasons: rainy, hot, and even hotter. The food can be hotter still and Thai chefs get through chillies by the bucketful! Rich creamy coconut milk smoothes the fire of Central Thai dishes and lemongrass, coriander, galangal and Kaffir lime leaves add subtlety whilst lime juice, garlic and (for the strong of stomach) fermented fish make their contribution to the distinctive pungency of the popular North-Eastern cuisine.

There's adventure, too. You can go trekking into hill tribe territory in the North, snorkelling and diving in the South and exploring ruined cities in the central region or crumbling Khmer temples in the Northeast.

Living in Bangkok

Bangkok is different! On arrival your first coherent thought is often, "Run away!" The traffic seems chaotic; the air unbreathable, everyone’s trying to sell you something and you can’t get your bearings because everywhere looks the same! But nose around down leafy side streets just a few steps from the concrete jungle or take a canal boat through the sleepy sprawl on the west bank of the river and you’ll still find poignant reminders of the vanished “Venice of the East”. Take a sincere interest in the people and you’ll find beyond the surface image of taxi-drivers trying to rip you off, clinging jewellery-shop touts and pushy sex-workers that in reality most Thais are gentle, considerate, humorous and inexhaustibly patient. You may soon find yourself joining the many who have already fallen for Bangkok’s idiosyncratic and dynamic lure.

There can be few cities of its size where you can feel so safe. You may need to keep your wits about you in commercial dealings and your eyes open when crossing roads, but for a city of at least 10 million people, street crime is still extraordinarily rare. Thais look with contempt on any expression of aggression or anger - even mild irritation - in public and no matter how pressured the situation, they remain outwardly calm and gracious. Forget about attitude, forget about those scowling rush-hour crowds - for Thais there’s rarely any day so bad or job so tiresome it can seem reason to begrudge another human being the small gift of a smile.

In Bangkok, eating well is an obsession and it’s no exaggeration to say there are restaurants on every corner. Patronising them every night won’t burn much of a hole in your pocket, either. International cuisine is increasingly fashionable and readily available, though high quality western food comes with a

western price tag. Nightlife in Bangkok starts late and finishes later. There are bars and clubs to suit every taste from tango to techno, trampling over jazz, blues, dance and heavy metal. Bangkokians are also movie-crazy! There are 18 cinema screens within walking distance of our head office, for instance, but if your interest is in anything other than Hollywood action movies or Thai historical blockbusters, you’ll need to wait for the European, British, Australian or French Film Festivals which each come round once a year.

Apart from dancing, there are other ways to use your energy, swimming pools, sports and fitness centres, an ice rink, and the opportunity to practise martial arts. However, shopping is the national pastime and roundabout haggling a useful art to acquire. There are countless palatial shopping malls to tempt the fashion-conscious and several huge markets for those in search of atmosphere and bargains. Things like English-language books, imported CDs and western foodstuffs can be found easily, but they don’t come cheap and don’t expect the range you’d get at home.

Bangkok's chaotic charm doesn't appeal to everybody. The traffic and pollution can be overwhelming. If you set a high store by punctuality and prompt responses, or if you’re looking for up-to-the-minute efficiency in services, you won’t find life here easy. A sense of humour and an enjoyment of the absurd are also essential. If you’re not into new culinary experiences and your idea of hot food is adding a smattering of pepper, then Thailand may not be for you. And if you start to complain about the heat when the temperature reaches 25C, forget it!


Appendix A

Frequently Asked Questions about Jobs at ECC

Schools

Where will I work?

ECC has about 50 schools around Thailand. Depending on your requirements, and the positions we have available, you could be working at one of our schools in Bangkok, or at one of our provincial branches.

What are the schools like?

ECC's schools vary in size (some schools have up to 40 classrooms, others only 4 or 5) but all are modern and well equipped. Many of our schools are situated in shopping malls and department stores, while others are in buildings along main streets. All classrooms are air-conditioned and many schools have canteen facilities for teachers and students. Every school has a dedicated room or area with computer facilities where teachers can prepare lessons and relax between classes.

Students

How old are the students?

We have students of all ages, but the bulk of our learners are in their late teens or early twenties. However, you could also teach pre-school students (4-6 years old) and 'Young Learners' (6-12 years old). You might also have the opportunity to teach older students on 'outside contracts' at our corporate clients' premises.

What level are the students?

Students' levels range from beginner to advanced, although most of our students are at beginner to pre-intermediate level.

Classes

What will I be teaching?

We offer a wide range of courses from general English and business courses to Young Learners and specialist courses such as IELTS and TOEFL preparation. This means that most of our teachers have the opportunity to teach different classes.

What about class sizes?

General English classes normally contain between 6 and 10 students. Young Learner classes might have as many as 16 students. We also offer tuition on a one-to-one basis. Most teachers will have a mixture of large group, small group and private classes, which provides variety and the chance to gain teaching experience with a range of different groups.


Resources

Do you have specific course syllabuses?

There are set course books for each of the courses ECC offers. Group classes will have a suggested syllabus, for example Units 1 to 4 of our elementary general English course book in a thirty-hour course. Students receiving individual tuition usually have a more flexible syllabus, based more precisely on the individual needs of the student, and paced according to their ability. Our course books are mainstream EFL texts by the major EFL publishers. Our curriculum is

regularly reviewed in order to ensure we are providing our students and teachers with the best possible course materials

What about supplementary materials?

Each branch of ECC has a wide range of resource materials and we encourage teachers to use them to supplement course books.

Training

I am not qualified. Where can I take a TEFL course?

ECC (Thailand) is an accredited teacher-training centre for the Cambridge CELTA - the internationally recognised entry-level TEFL qualification. Our trainers also run courses in Teaching Young Learners, Teaching Business English and an Introduction to TESOL course.

What is the 'Train and Teach' programme?

We run an excellent 'Train & Teach' programme for teachers who have no formal EFL qualifications. The training component of the 'Train Then Teach'

programme takes place in Bangkok. Once you have successfully completed the training you can work at any of our branches in Thailand, as long as they have a vacancy of course. For more details see the Train and Teach section of our website.

Does ECC provide any additional training?

Absolutely! We consider our professional development programme one of the most important services we offer our teachers. There is an ongoing teacher development programme, workshops on a regular basis, in-house training, free training courses for our own teachers, development of computer skills and you often get the chance to attend seminars and conferences for language teachers held on a regular basis in Thailand.

Recruitment

When does ECC recruit teachers?

ECC (Thailand) is the largest private language school in Thailand, so we are busy all year round. We can employ teachers at any time of the year.

Do your classes begin at certain times during the year?

Classes run all year round, but we need more people between March-May, July-August, and in October.

I am returning to university in the autumn. Do you take people for just the summer?

Most of our teachers work with us for at least a year, and many stay for much longer. However we also employ people on a short-term basis, especially during peak periods.


Pay and conditions

What's the salary?

The salary you are offered will be dependent on your qualifications and experience. Full-time contract teachers based in Bangkok are guaranteed a minimum salary of between 30,000 Baht and 35,000 Baht. A location allowance of between 3-5000 per month is paid according to the location of the school you are working at. The guaranteed minimum salary for teachers working in the provinces is between 20,000 and 30,000 Baht per month, depending on location. All salaries are paid in local currency.

How do I receive my salary?

You will have to open an account at the Siam Commercial Bank when you arrive and your salary will be paid into your account twice a month. You receive your first pay cheque approximately 4 weeks after you start. Payment is made on the 12th and 25th of each month.

Is there any kind of health insurance?

Yes - we like to look after our teachers! All full time teachers are eligible for inclusion in our group BUPA insurance policy. For a monthly premium of 300 baht the policy provides basic medical cover, life insurance, and it will cover about half the cost of outpatient treatment. More comprehensive cover is readily available through a number of companies, both Thai and international, although at a higher cost.

Is there a probation period? If so, how long is it?

Yes, there is a 4-month probation period. During probation, the teacher's performance will be carefully assessed and the required notice is reduced to two weeks.

Is there any kind of bonus for completion of contract?

Yes, ECC Thailand will reward you with a 12,000 Baht completion bonus at the end of your contract.

What if I wish to leave before the end of my contract?

You must give the appropriate notice and 5,000 Baht administration costs will be deducted from your final

salary. It's quite rare for teachers not to complete their contracts.

Who will I report to?

As a teacher, you report directly to the Head Teacher and/or the school (Branch) Manager. If you are ever unsatisfied or you wish to speak to someone else, you can contact the Academic Director.

Can I work outside of ECC?

Your work permit only allows you to work for ECC.

Who pays for relocation costs if I am relocated during the duration of my contract?

Relocation during a contract seldom happens except at the request of a teacher. If it does occur, ECC pays for transportation to your new assignment, and we can provide help finding a local apartment.

What about holiday pay?

You receive 5 days 'teachers holiday' around New Year and 'Songkran' (an extended holiday period in the middle of April) plus about 13-15 national holidays.

Is it possible to receive a job offer before I arrive?

Yes. If you have suitable qualifications and experience, you can secure a position before you arrive in Thailand.

If I am required to work at more than one school, or teach outside school premises, who pays for transport costs?

Travel to your school is at your own expense. Most contracts outside school premises may incorporate payment for travel, depending on distance.

Is there a dress code?


A shirt and tie is required for men along with smart trousers and shoes. Women must have a smart

blouse, decent shoes and a skirt or business type trousers.

Agreements

Is a legal agreement involved? If so what guarantees and protection do we have with this agreement?

All ECC teachers work under a legal agreement and have the full protection of Thai labour laws.

Are contracts available outside Bangkok or only in Bangkok?

Contracts are available to all full-time teachers, wherever they may work in Thailand.

Can I renew my contract upon its completion?

Contracts are usually for one year and are renewable.

Working hours

How many hours are teachers contracted to work each week?

If you are employed as a full-time contract teacher, you work 100 to 120 hours per month (average 25 to 30 hours per week), although you can do more if you wish to supplement your income.

What are the schools' normal business hours?

Business hours vary from branch to branch, although most schools open from 8:30 in morning to 9.00 in the evening. Weekend hours are from 8:30 to 7:30.

Will workdays vary or always be the same?

Your workdays will usually be the same, but there may be times during the year when your school has to rearrange your work schedule to meet increased demand. Such times include the periods when Thai school students are on holiday.

How are working hours distributed throughout the day?

Your working hours will be dependent on the needs of your school. Although many classes take place in the morning and early afternoon, most teaching takes place in the late afternoon and in the evening. This means that some days you may have to work long hours, but on other days you may only be asked to teach for one or two sessions.


Visa/Work Permit

Do I need a special visa for my work permit?

Having a 'Non-immigrant B' visa stamped in your passport when you arrive in Thailand will make the visa/work permit process much less complex. If you arrive with a tourist visa, you will have to obtain the correct visa before we can apply for your permit. This means you will probably have to leave Thailand to return with a 'Non-immigrant B'.

What is the procedure for getting a visa and a work permit while outside Thailand?

You can apply for the 'Non-immigrant B' visa at any Thai embassy or consulate. We provide a covering letter for suitable candidates. You can only apply for the work permit when you are in Thailand.

Who is responsible for visa payments?

The teacher pays for the initial visa in his/her home country. ECC will provide the work permit. You may be asked to pay for incidentals such as photographs and medical certificates. Photographs cost about around 250 Baht and medical certificates cost between 100 Baht and 250 Baht depending on where you get them.

How long does the entire visa/work permit procedure usually take?

Visas extensions of up to a year can usually be obtained fairly quickly. The work permit procedure normally takes about two months to complete, although once the teacher has submitted an application she/he doesn't have to do anything except wait and then pick up the work permit when it finally arrives.

Who pays for the visa and transportation should I have to renew my visa?

Transportation and visa costs will be at your own expense should you have to renew your visa in another country during your contract with ECC.

Are original degree documents required for the work permit?

Yes, they are.

Do I need to send my original degree?

No, but you must bring it with you to Thailand. You will also need to bring your official transcript.

Cost of living

How much of the salary goes on necessities?

By Thai standards your salary will be a good salary, but your living costs will depend very much on the way you live. Your salary stretches far in Thailand and most people are able to save about 20% of their income.


Accommodation

Is accommodation provided as part of the teaching position package?

ECC does not provide accommodation as part of a teacher's remuneration package, although we can provide assistance finding an apartment, translating contracts etc.

Is help finding accommodation provided?

Finding accommodation in Thailand is not really a problem and there is a fair amount of choice. Although staff and teachers at the ECC branches will point you in the right direction, it is your responsibility to find somewhere suitable to live.

What type of accommodation is available in Thailand?

A wide range of accommodation is available in Thailand, including apartments, condominiums and houses.

Can you give me an idea about accommodation costs?

Obviously accommodation in Bangkok is more expensive than in the provinces, but it is still relatively inexpensive to live in the capital. A reasonable apartment will cost from 3,500 Baht up. Smaller houses are available from 5,000 Baht up. Owners usually require two/three months' rent as a deposit and this is returned when you leave.

Where do you suggest teachers live while teaching?

It should be possible to find a suitable place close to the ECC branch you are working at. This will save you having to spend too much time wrestling with Bangkok's notorious traffic.

How much do amenities such as electricity and water cost?

The average electricity bill for a small apartment with air-conditioning (moderate use) is 500 Baht. The average water bill for the same apartment is around 200 Baht.

What about accommodation for the first few days?

We can arrange reasonably priced hotel accommodation for your first three days, but you will be responsible for covering costs. Thailand has no shortage of all kinds of accommodation, and finding suitable temporary accommodation in the area you are working should be fairly straightforward. Again, managers and teachers at your branch will be able to point you in the right direction.

Qualifications

Do you need a degree to work in Thailand? Is it a government requirement?

The legal minimum requirement to work as a teacher in Thailand is a Bachelor's degree. To work as a teacher of English you’ll also need an EFL qualification.

Is a teaching degree mandatory?

A teaching degree is not mandatory. A Bachelor's degree in any field plus a TEFL cert will suffice as far as legal requirements are concerned.


What qualifications do you prefer? We prefer people with a Bachelor's degree, a CELTA, and some teaching experience.

Airfares

Do you provide flights to and from Thailand?

No, you must pay for your own flights.

Do you provide air tickets after one year?

No, although the end of contract bonus can of course be used to assist your return home or your move to another country.

General information

What is the food like?

Thailand is famous for its food! Take care though - a few of the dishes can be a little hot! If you are not adventurous as far as food is concerned, you'll be happy to learn that there are plenty of cheap restaurants that offer both local and western food. In most regions you can find a range of international cuisine including Chinese, Indian, English, Muslim, and Japanese, as well as all the fast food chains you can think of! There are also a lot of large supermarkets and 7-Elevens, although not many people cook at home as it's so cheap to eat out.

What about the social life?

Thailand is famous for its social life (especially in Bangkok). There are hundreds of pubs, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, cinemas, fitness centres, swimming pools, bowling alleys, shopping centres, etc… There are also theatres and major sports events. In fact there is no excuse for being bored in Thailand! Depending on where you go pubs and bars can be very cheap.

What about the language?

Although many Thais in Bangkok and the tourist destinations speak English well, it can be very rewarding to learn some of the local language while you are here. There are plenty of books on the subject or you can study with a private language teacher.

What about the culture?

We will give you an orientation when you arrive that will include some useful dos and don'ts. Some people find the cultural aspect difficult at times. It's a good idea to find out about the culture before you come. Thais are very helpful and friendly and will always treat you with respect. You should treat the Thai people likewise - a sense of humour and a generous helping of common sense will go a long way here!

How safe is Thailand?

Although you should exercise caution as you would in any part of the world, Thailand is a very safe place to live.


Miscellaneous

Can I take my pet with me?

This is not advisable. Most apartments don't allow pets.

What shots do I need?

There aren't any shots required but Hepatitis A and B, diphtheria, cholera and tetanus are recommended. You should consult your family doctor before going overseas.

Can I get access to the Internet?

Most ECC branches have access to the Internet. In addition, Internet cafes have become very popular in Thailand and can be found almost everywhere.

What clothes should I bring?

Thailand is a tropical country; so lightweight cotton clothing is best suited for this climate. You will need different clothes for work and recreation, so don't forget to pack your 'smart' working clothes. Clothes are relatively cheap in Thailand, although it can be difficult to get larger sizes.

Is there anything I can't get over there?

You can get almost anything in Thailand, although some imported items can be expensive. Shaving equipment is usually expensive. For women, tampons are difficult to find.

I would like to know the difference between working in Bangkok and the provinces.

It has been said that life in Bangkok is so different from life in the provinces that they should be considered separate countries. This is probably going too far. Although there are significant differences between life in the capital and life in the provinces, you always feel as though you are in Thailand. The language is basically the same all over the country, but different accents and dialects exist just as they do in most countries. The culture is broadly similar, although in the Deep South the influence of Islam can clearly be seen and heard in the different dress and the daily calls to prayer. Of course, the different regions have their own cuisines, but common Thai dishes will be found almost everywhere. One of the differences is that outside of Bangkok you meet far fewer foreigners, especially working foreigners. Some of the popular tourist destinations will be crowded with foreign holidaymakers year-round, but many parts of the country see relatively little tourism, and consequently few foreigners. This has advantages and disadvantages. If you work in the provinces, you can get much closer to Thai people and culture. But on the other hand you can feel isolated and alone with so few foreign faces around. Foreigners 'stick out' more upcountry and so you are likely to attract more attention than in Bangkok, where the anonymity that big cities provide is the norm. Another difference is in the variety of free time activities. Bangkok has everything, from pubs and clubs, sports and games, movies and theatre, shopping and much more. By contrast, in the provinces there is relatively little entertainment. It may be difficult, for example to find English-language films in some of the smaller provincial centres. Which is right for you really depends on what you are looking for. Are you hoping to meet lots of other teachers, have a busy social life, have easy access to most of the comforts you are used to at home? If so, then Bangkok is for you. But if you're looking for a more exotic experience, far removed from your own culture, a quieter lifestyle, fresh air and peace, you might be more interested in a job upcountry. Whichever you choose, you can be sure that working in Thailand will give you experiences you will never forget. You can find numerous accounts of life in Bangkok and elsewhere in Thailand on the Internet. Just run a search on living in Thailand or something similar.


Further information

Books

Culture Shock! Thailand

by Robert & Nanthapa Cooper

ISBN: 9812041575

Working With The Thais

by Henry Holmes

ISBN: 974-8496-50-3

Newsgroups

Search for soc.culture.thai in Yahoo.

Internet Resources

Bangkok.com - good range of information about all aspects of living in Bangkok and Thailand.

http://www.bangkok.com/

eThailand - possibly the best source for all information on living and working in Thailand.

http://www.ethailand.com/

Lonely Planet - essential guide to travelling worldwide.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/south_east_asia/thailand/

khao-san-road.com - information on temporary accommodation for the first few days in Thailand.

http://www.khao-san-road.com/

Tourism Authority of Thailand - government web site concerning tourism and travel in Thailand.

http://www.tat.or.th/


ECC (Thailand)

Application form for language instructors

Date of application Position applied for

Personal Data

First name Surname Middle Date of birth Place of birth

Permanent address

Telephone:

Male

Female

Nationality

Address in Thailand

Telephone:

Religion Passport / I.D. Card number:

Issued at: Visa number:

Date of issue: Date of issue:

Expiry date: Expiry date: Marital status

Single Married Divorced Widowed

Number of children

Name of husband / wife:

Address:

Telephone:

Do you have any physical disabilities? Yes / No

If yes, please give details:

References

(these people will only be contacted if your application is successful)

Name Occupation/Profession Address/Telephone Number

Recent passport photo

(Affix photo here)


Educational Background

Level School/Institution From To Qualifications/Certificates Attained

Examinations Taken

Primary

Secondary

Vocational

Pre-University or Polytechnic

University (indicate major subject)

Other Professional Qualifications Especially TEFL

Employment History

(start from your current job, indicating any breaks between jobs)

Name/Address of company Position From To Salary Reason for leaving

Language Skills

Language Level of Proficiency

Spoken

Level of Proficiency

Written


Other Skills (please give details)

Date of availability and expected salary

If selected for the position, when can you start work?

What is your expected salary for this position?

Declaration

Please give details if you answer yes to any of the following questions.

Do you suffer or have you suffered from any mental illness, physical disability or serious illness? Yes/No?

Have you ever been convicted in a court of law in any country? Yes/No?

I declare that the information given by me in this application is true to the best of my knowledge. I have disclosed all the information required to be given in this application. I accept that if any of the information given by me is in any way false or incorrect the company shall have the right to terminate my employment without notice, without compensation and without giving reason

Applicant’s Signature: Date:

Once you have completed the application form, including the paragraph on the qualities of a good teacher, please send it to us by either email, fax, or post, along with copies of your education certificates and a recent photo.

For internal use only Action

1st Interview:

Interviewed by: Date:

Keep on file Employ Reject F/T P/T

Salary / Rate: Start date:

Branch: Approved by:

Documents: Complete Incomplete

2nd

Interview:

Interviewed by: Date:


Please write a paragraph on the qualities of a good teacher, and submit together with your application.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Contact Us

We can be contacted by email, phone, fax or "snail mail", via any of the addresses below. Telephone charges to and from Thailand can be quite expensive, so we recommend using electronic form where you can. If you would like to call us, our office hours are 8:30am to 5:30pm. Thailand standard time is 7 hours ahead of GMT.

GENERAL AND EMPLOYMENT ENQUIRIES

ECC (Thailand)

5th Floor, Big C, 97/11 Rajdamri Road, Lumpini,

Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Thailand Tel. +66 (2) 253 3312 Fax. Email: [email protected] (job enquiries only)

If calling from within Thailand, due to new numbering systems you must include the 02 area code regardless of which province you are calling from.

TEACHER TRAINING ENQUIRIES

Teacher Training Centre

ECC (Thailand) 5th Floor, Big C, 97/11 Rajdamri

Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Thailand

Tel: +66 2 655 1236-7 Fax: +66 2 655 1237 (24 Hour voice, fax and answer machine) Email: [email protected]

INTERNATIONAL ENQUIRIES

From outside Thailand, it may be faster and cheaper to contact us for job or teacher training enquiries via our international fax service:

UK Fax Number: +44 (870) 161 1256

US Fax Number: +1 (425) 930 5421

Big C Rajdamri Branch Map

Our Big C Rajdamri branch is most easily reached by taking the skytrain (BTS) to the Chidlom station. After disembarking the skytrain, walk to exit 1, and then head down to the Ratchaprasong Intersection. Turn right at the intersection and walk up the road until you come to Big C. We are on the fifth floor.

When attending a training course at ECC Big C Rajdamri, you will need to enter the building from the side entrance. This can be found on the right hand side of the building (looking from the front of the building). Just take the lift here to the 5

th floor.