Hi, I'm Mikey and I'm an ESL teacher that specializes in testing and grammar, but I also love making videos of my art, travels, and just general teacher life too!
Hi Mikey 🙋🏽 Thanks a lot for your brilliant video 😀 I'm actually a non-native speaker holding a non-ESL bachelor's degree but I have both TESOL and CELTA certificates, and band 8.0 in IELTS. Unfortunately, I didn't have any luck in finding a school job in Thailand as nearly all of them wanted native speakers and maybe with some exceptions, they considered europeans. I was wondering to ask, how is it if a non-native, middle eastern guy wants to teach in private language schools (tutoring schools)? Are they also extremely picky about nationality? And how do you suggest me to find those tutoring schools? Is it only Ajarn or are there any other sources? Also, do you think that universities also have an extreme preference towards native speakers or are they a bit more fair? Recently, I've been thinking of getting a masters degree in ESL so I have some pretty good milestones. But being constantly rejected by schools made me start loosing my faith in finding a job in Thailand. Nevertheless, I still really want to make it there. I mean, a lot of sources are telling people that non-native speakers stand a good chance in finding a job in Thailand but I'm quite sure that this is not true in case someone's planning to teach in schools. I would really appreciate your insight. I wish you a lot success for your future endeavors 🎉
Hey there! We should talk sometime! I might be able to give you some feedback after speaking with you. 8 on the IELTS is pretty good! 1) private language schools or tutoring schools - you could look on Facebooks and try different search options like 'English school ______ (city). And then message them about openings or vacancies. 2) university preference - they usually prefer native speakers, but I think at universities there is more they have to consider. They have to consider what they can do with you because at university their teachers need to be able to teach so many things. Not just English, but difference subjects like linguistics, or research classes, literature, etc. If a teacher is only qualified to teach general English, the university can't use them as much vs. someone who has experience teaching other liberal arts subjects. Universities are higher education, so their preference is definitely your versatility as a teacher (which comes from more experience and more education like a Masters or PhD. My university hired a lot* of Indonesians because a lot of them had experience with research and other subjects. 3) What schools did you apply to? Ajarn.com is great but it is also a very well-known source, so if you applied to those jobs the chances are there are many other people applying to the same jobs, so more competition. Anyways, hope this helps but don't give up!
i like this kind of content 😀 thank you for recommending it to me. small question do you follow your own list to teach or the school provides you some rules to maintain? due to I have seen you have a really large binder which is about to explode 😂 and you class seems quite small. is the class specifically just for teaching english ? thankd you again have a good day
Haha my binders are still exploding 💥 Every school I have taught at provides some materials, but you will find that you will always need to make/find your own materials too. And this class had about 15 people. They were a B2/C1 class learning general English :)
hey 👋 thank you for your informative and enjoyable video 😊I could say that you are either an English native or probably English is your second language but like your mother tongue due to your speak english smoothly. I’m currently learning English (so my apologies if I’m using the wrong words ) and working on changing my career as well as making English my priority and mostly my highlight in this project, I know I have a lot in my plate to reach a proficiency level (especially in speaking). I have some questions to ask you if you don’t mind: 1-as a non-native speaker in English (french like me for instance) who never has got a teaching degree (credentials) and do not have any teaching experiences as well however wants to start up. what should I do to reinforce the opportunity? 2-you talked about CELTA exam and said, it’s a light bonus to get (sorry i don’t remember the word you used for)( I have watched your video without subtitles so i might be missing something 😅) but i thought CELTA in foreign countries is a big deal to get and much better than TEFL or TOEFL. am i wrong ? 3-are you directly a teacher or an assistant , i watched some videos where the person was with others teachers so she/he was considered as an assistant in the class. Maybe for elementary school. I hope you could help me out with my questions 😅 have a wonderful day.
Hey friend! Great questions! 1. There are a lot of teachers in Thailand who are not native :D I've met some from Italy, Spain, Germany, and many from other Southeast Asian countries too! However, most places need to see that you are proficient in English. Many places require proof or evidence of C1 level English. So, most non-native teachers must show a test score that proves this. Most places I have seen use the IELTS, so I would suggest working on an English exam like that. When schools interview you, they will also expect C1 level speaking, so these tests are very helpful to train for that level. 2. The more certifications you have, the better your chance is of getting a job. If you only have an IELTS or TOEFL score, great, and you can probably find a job in elementary, middle, or high schools. If you have an IELTS / TOEFL score + a CELTA, it would be ever better so you can compete with other candidates who have teaching experience. Also, if you are going to teach, then having a teaching certificate would help you a lot when you start. Otherwise, you might be very stressed with the. new experience (but it is a lot of fun too). I would recommend an IELTS score and a CELTA. 3. I have definitely been a teacher since 2012 :D You can see me teach a little bit in this video from 0:00-7:30 - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-mksj9t3_LLk.html
I am of European ancestry, and I am really enjoying this series. Why? Because the original people of Europe were indigenous tribes. The Celts, Druids, Picts, Bretons, Sami, and many more. They had a nature based spirituality. They did not worship a god from the Middle East. That came later. The point being that those Christians of European ancestry throwing all the Biblical attitude around don’t even know their own roots. To make matters worse the imperialist European version euthanized their own indigenous people and assimilated the rest. That is a broad stroke European context. Christianity was an empire building process as you have noted that has not only blinded the countries they colonized, but also their own people. They are not teaching that in all Western Civilization courses! Now that little rant is over, I want to say Thank you for this series because for those of us who want to go beyond the current cultural limitations, we need all the help we can get. I find a nice start here. ❤
@@AjarnMikey Thank so much for the encouragement . Even as a little kid, I was and remain in awe of the angularity, power and grace of the male form. To capture this in art is my goal. Have a great 2023!
Also, I noticed you haven't posted much recently. I know you're probably busy with your new job and all, but I think you owe it to your paying subscribers -- particularly those like myself who also support you on Patreon -- to put out more content. I, for one, would appreciate more dance videos in front of sacred Thai monuments. I know some people find them offensive, but I think they're incredibly moving. That is all.
Hey, Ajarn. Just wanted to send you a private message to follow up on our conversation. Looks like I won't be able to visit you this November after all :( It became too difficult to coordinate the trip this month. I very much look forward to seeing you soon (perhaps next year) and sharing such Thai delicacies as the famous gecko egg!
