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Important FAQ
 What qualifications are required?
When should I apply?
How do I know I will be sent to a reputable employer?
How long are contracts?
How much does Innovative Solutions cost?
Is crime a concern in Thailand?
What about discrimination issues?
What if I don't have any teaching experience?
What if I experience culture shock?
What if I have problems with my housemates or co-workers?
What if I only want to teach adults/children?
Who pays for my airfare?
Can I ask for a raise directly?
Do I have to pay taxes while I work abroad?
How can I send money home?
Should I have a medical/dental examination before I go?
What is the going salary?
Will I be paid in dollars, or in the local currency?
What qualifications are required?
Ideally speaking, one should have a degree in education, an MA
in linguistics and an RSA (The RSA is a four week intensive
course that prepares you for the job of English teacher, like
CELTA, TEFL certificate program) to teach in Thailand. But this
combination is rarely available among the prospective English
teachers. Therefore, a Bachelors degree coupled with a TEFL
certificate and some teaching experience (optional) makes you
considerably employable in Thailand. This is also the basis
requirement for work permit.
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When should I apply?
You are welcome to apply right now. We will not be able to place
you until you have your physical degree in-hand but it is best
to get through our processing well in advance of a placement and
well in advance of the graduation rush..
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How do I know I will be sent to a reputable employer?
The goal of Innovative Solutions is to match qualified teachers
with reputable institutions. All institutes wishing to employ a
Innovative Solutions Recruiting teacher must pass through an
extensive screening process, which includes contacting three
current or former teachers from that school. Wherever possible a
representative of Innovative Solutions in a host country will
visit the institute in-person and verify the information the
institute has provided us. Where this is not possible schools
must submit photographs of the school and teacher housing before
we send them a teacher. If at any point an institute fails to
live up to our standards.
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How long are contracts?
Most contracts are for one semester (5 months), and many can be
renewed for another 6 months or a year after the initial
contract has expired. Some contracts are as short as two-three
months and others are as long as two years.
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How much does Innovative Solutions cost?
Innovative Solutions renders the service at as low as 10 USD to
the prospective teaching professionals in Thailand. The
screening process involves some cost and we try to cover our
cost with just a little charge of 10 USD one time. A suitable
teacher has been selected for any Thai institution, the employer
pays a fee. This fee varies between a non-profit institution and
a profitable institution.
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Is crime a concern in Thailand?
Personal safety is a concern wherever you are, but worries about
security in a foreign country should not prevent you from
traveling or working overseas. Asian countries, are extremely
safe. You can walk through downtown Thailand dead drunk with a
thousand dollars in your pocket at midnight and not worry about
getting robbed. (I know this from personal experience) Personal
firearms are unknown in large parts of Asia. If you choose to
live and work in a developing country you should realize that
you will be viewed as rich, even if you were washing dishes
before.
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What about discrimination issues?
There is definite racism in the Thai community where people from
Europe, America and Britain by the virtue of their skin color
are given an edge over the others and the governing policies are
also not fully unbiased. However, we support the values of
diversity and equality. These qualities are good for learning,
and it's important for students learning English to be exposed
to the fullest spectrum of English cultures, and this is
essential for building healthy communication around the world.
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What if I don't have any teaching experience?
Teaching experience is not mandatory, but surely an added
advantage for future teachers in Thailand. Most of the private
language institutes do not crave for experience. Many high
school, university and government positions also do not require
prior teaching exposure.
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What if I experience culture shock?
Culture shock is a phenomenon that affects everyone differently,
but it usually follows a predictable pattern. During the first
few months in a foreign country the initial feeling of
excitement and awe subsides as you get into the groove of a
daily routine. Try to avoid criticizing your host country too
harshly. Getting involved in your new community and making local
friends should help.
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What if I have problems with my housemates or co-workers?
By choosing to work in Thailand you may work and live with
people who come from different backgrounds and have different
opinions and perspectives than you or what you are used to.
Problems are best dealt with in private and
non-confrontationally. If problems persist, contact our
representative or us directly, and we will do our best to help
you out.
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What if I only want to teach adults/children?
Some people have a definite preference as to the age group they
want to teach. Try and identify which age groups you would
prefer to teach while applying with us. Most private language
institutes offer classes to students from a variety of age
groups, ranging from children to adults. Jobs in kindergartens,
high schools, universities and corporations offer you the
opportunity to teach students within a specific age range. We
would do our best to tailor a job respecting your preference.
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Who pays for my airfare?
Almost all the schools in Thailand would ask you to pay our own
transportation cost which wouldn’t generally be included in your
contract. However, exceptions might be there but that’s never a
commitment.
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Can I ask for a raise directly?
In case of an initial contract with 1-year duration, the salary
is generally fixed with considerably low chance of alteration.
However, during re-signing of the contract with the same school
for the second year, there are chances of negotiation for a
hike.
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Do I have to pay taxes while I work abroad?
Generally you only have to pay taxes in the country where you
work and this is normally deducted from your paycheck. Even
though you may not have to pay taxes in your home country you
should still file a tax return statement there or file for
non-residency status before you go. For details, contact your
home government's revenue service or tax agency. ....
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How can I send money home?
With a legal work visa and a residency card, there aren’t any
obstacles in sending money home. The best way is to wire the
money from your bank account created in Thailand to the one in
your home country. For this, you are required to maintain a bank
account in your host country corresponding with another back
home. However, during each fund transfer, you may not get a
favorable exchange rate. You can typically send a nominal amount
without having the official Alien Cards. Legally you're only
supposed to be sending home a maximum of what you're earning.
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Should I have a medical/dental examination before I go?
It is a good idea to have a medical and dental check-up before
you go as you would be secured and relaxed. Furthermore most
insurance plans place restrictions on what they pay for in
foreign countries. However, Thailand is renowned for advance yet
comparatively medical facilities. Schools often provide the
teachers with medical insurance benefit, though the package
might be extremely basic.
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What is the going salary?
A detailed market research has empowered Innovative Solutions to
offer the best package available in Thai market. The average
salary for a fresh native English-speaking teacher in Thailand
should vary between 25,000 to 40,000 baht (approximately).
However there are gradations depending on the applicant’s
degree, experience and also the particular organization he/she
vying for.
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Will I be paid in dollars, or in the local currency?
Teachers in Thailand are paid in Thai Baht. Before you sign a
contract make sure you know the exchange rate between the
currency in your country of origin and your potential host
country. Though, the westerners in Thailand are paid much higher
compared to their Thai counterparts.
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