Topic: Agencies... what to look out for

[Bruce]

Thai 15/2 schools (non-traditional education schools including English schools) are only limited by the number of classrooms.  I guess you did not read my first post well...

[anyonefortennis]

What's the standing of the people who sign up for the TEFL International Thai Special Project? Are they employed by TEFL International...............or do you "Farm them out"?

On the TI project website page it states;

Work Permit

Schools will pay for the processing fees in obtaining the Work Permit for teachers signing a longer contract. Teachers are responsible for the costs of, supplying with, any and required copies of educational documents, passport pages, health certificate, and pictures. The application for Work Permits cannot be made until a Non-Immigrant B Visa is secured. Applications will begin roughly 2 weeks after teaching begins.

*In the case of changing school; if the teacher already received the work permit but prefer to change to new school (differences province), the cost of obtain the work permit for the new school will be in the teacher’s responsibility.*

(I note with interest that TI staff having cracking English skills!)

So am I right in thinking they are not employed by TEFL Int? So it is possible maybe that TI just accepts a nice big lump sum for each teacher that they “farm out”, yes? I wonder how much…..if the school pay the teacher 30k per month I think they have probably got a budget for AT LEAST 40K so therefore could in affect funnel 120k a year to TI………..for doing what exactly? And then TI can claim to give each project participant a ‘free TEFL’ course…………nice.

And all the while the average wage for teachers in the provinces outside BKK stays at 30k a month……….gee, thanks TI!

Other statements on the page that I don’t quite agree with;

* Such as stating that 30k is “more than enough to live comfortably” (in BKK? Not on your nelly!) by comparing the 30k that the teachers will be paid with the average 10k that the Thai teachers get…….with no mention that the Thai teacher more than likely lives in a house that has a combined income over or above 30k, doesn’t pay rent, has a stomach that is accustomed to eating a 20baht meal twice a day everyday or has someone cooking at home etc. etc.
* Vaccinations & Immunization requirements: No Vaccinations & Immunization are required for Thailand. However, you can purchase Malaria Pills. - If you are coming from the UK there certainly are V&I requirements, and given you have schools in the far north I would imagine for those teachers malaria pills are a must.

So what is so special about this "special project"? I think the 90k per participant, if indeed TI receive anything for placing the trainees. Given that there will be at least 30 participants, on the above figures we could be looking at close to 3 million baht for placing teachers........now that is special!

[hero]

hero,
Since you've named a lousy agency, could you also list some "great agencies?"

I haven't experienced any personally to be honest.  I have met at least two very nice, likeable, believable teachers that said their agencies were very good though - it was the same agency though!  I would be afraid to name it in case I make a mistake and name the wrong one! 

I also knew folks at a school of a friend of mine that had been recruited from abroad by an agency of some description and were working in a private bilingual (not international) school on a far better package than those employed directly by the school - although they were education graduates, whereas those at the school previously were not.  They were effectively school employees, but overseen at work by an agency representative (teacher) and well supported by the agency in any grievances (which were few and far between in any case).

[Thai Me Up]

hero,
Would you care to PM me the name of the agency of "some description" that did right by your friends at the private bilingual school?

[hero]

I don't know what it was called mate to be honest, I will ask as and when I see one of those concerned.  They were recruited straight out of uni in Australia.

[Bruce]

What's the standing of the people who sign up for the TEFL International Thai Special Project? Are they employed by TEFL International...............or do you "Farm them out"?

On the TI project website page it states;

Work Permit

Schools will pay for the processing fees in obtaining the Work Permit for teachers signing a longer contract. Teachers are responsible for the costs of, supplying with, any and required copies of educational documents, passport pages, health certificate, and pictures. The application for Work Permits cannot be made until a Non-Immigrant B Visa is secured. Applications will begin roughly 2 weeks after teaching begins.

*In the case of changing school; if the teacher already received the work permit but prefer to change to new school (differences province), the cost of obtain the work permit for the new school will be in the teacher’s responsibility.*

(I note with interest that TI staff having cracking English skills!)

So am I right in thinking they are not employed by TEFL Int? So it is possible maybe that TI just accepts a nice big lump sum for each teacher that they “farm out”, yes? I wonder how much…..if the school pay the teacher 30k per month I think they have probably got a budget for AT LEAST 40K so therefore could in affect funnel 120k a year to TI………..for doing what exactly? And then TI can claim to give each project participant a ‘free TEFL’ course…………nice.

And all the while the average wage for teachers in the provinces outside BKK stays at 30k a month……….gee, thanks TI!

Other statements on the page that I don’t quite agree with;

* Such as stating that 30k is “more than enough to live comfortably” (in BKK? Not on your nelly!) by comparing the 30k that the teachers will be paid with the average 10k that the Thai teachers get…….with no mention that the Thai teacher more than likely lives in a house that has a combined income over or above 30k, doesn’t pay rent, has a stomach that is accustomed to eating a 20baht meal twice a day everyday or has someone cooking at home etc. etc.
* Vaccinations & Immunization requirements: No Vaccinations & Immunization are required for Thailand. However, you can purchase Malaria Pills. - If you are coming from the UK there certainly are V&I requirements, and given you have schools in the far north I would imagine for those teachers malaria pills are a must.

So what is so special about this "special project"? I think the 90k per participant, if indeed TI receive anything for placing the trainees. Given that there will be at least 30 participants, on the above figures we could be looking at close to 3 million baht for placing teachers........now that is special!

Actually we employ NONE of them.  We work with a well-estabilshed recruiting agency.  They actually have their own curriculum and run special English programs at schools.  In the end, the schools employ them directly.  They pay is to recruit and train these teachers.  The teachers get a guaranteed four-month job (they can extend and get an immediate raise in pay), free housing and a certificate.  Where did you come up with 90k?  I WISH.  Nothing even close to that.  Not even in the ball park. 

Of the 40 we placed last term all 40 remained for the whole term and most were very happy with the program.  Of the current group, they seem happy, too.

Obviously we do get paid for our recruiting and training, but isn't it better to get a cert out of the deal as compared to others who just get a job?  And, by the way, are you purely a volunteer or something?

BTW, the guy who wrote some of that is Indian and does make occasional errors in his English.

[Nemesis]

Ok, there's another thread for TEFL International Gripes in the Sour Gripes room. Please keep this focused on agencies in general. There's a lot of valuable nuggets in this thread and doesn't need to be diluted with arguments about TEFL International.

[Thai Me Up]

BOGUS agencies and BOGUS job postings on ajarn.com

I've contacted several "agencies" that appear by initials or by grandiose-sounding corporate names, and they turn out to be one or two individuals "representing" schools.  Therefore, they cannot provide me documentation for my non-immigrant B or a work permit.  I'd ending up working for the school directly, but with the "agency" taking a cut of my salary every month.  And for what?  If they want to charge a flat fee for a job lead, fine, if someone will do that, then that's a finder's fee.  But to call themselves "agencies" when the teacher is not, in fact, employed by them is a dubious relationship with teachers they "hire."

[Geekboy]

Avoid agencies. They are just another layer of BS and another layer of morons whether managed by farangs or Thais. They take a cut of your salary plus give you extra grievance.

[Thai Me Up]

Some agencies really have their hooks sunk into their government school contracts.  I walked in off the street to a large government mattayom (nameless) on Soi Rangnam to apply for a job.  The English head informed me that they only did their hiring through such-and-such agency and suggested I sign up with that agency.  I declined and said that I had 11 years' English teaching experience and a BA English and didn't need an agency.  Well, a few minutes after I left that school, my mobile rang and it was the head of the agency!  She started ranting and told me not to solicit her client directly, and I told her I'd apply to any school I pleased.  I felt sorry for the teachers there earning 30-35K/month while the agency kept 10-15K/month for 10 months to "administer" their contracts.

[freedom fighter]

Agencies should be avoided.  I used to help run an agency back in the UK so I know what I'm talking about (in a previous life best forgotten).  You don't need to go through an Agengy, so why would you? 

They don't offer you any extra security (quite the opposite), they complicate matters and they take a cut of your salary for doing next to nothing.  All too often these agencies are run by unprofessional opportunists who operate illegally.  Then there are the agencies who refuse to pay you (naming no names but you know who you are) for fictitious reasons.  Even the 'good' agencies with the best intentions cause problems.  Avoid them like the plague!  Search out your own jobs - there are many out there.

I feel I should add that I find it amusing that someone with a recent bad track record would choose to highlight the bad agencies.  Perhaps this is a way to deflect attention and win favour?

FF.

[hero]

All too often these agencies are run by unprofessional opportunists who operate illegally.

Hit th enail on the head there sure enough!

[Thighlander]

Then there are the agencies who refuse to pay you (naming no names but you know who you are) for fictitious reasons.  Even the 'good' agencies with the best intentions cause problems.  Avoid them like the plague!  Search out your own jobs - there are many out there.

I feel I should add that I find it amusing that someone with a recent bad track record would choose to highlight the bad agencies.  Perhaps this is a way to deflect attention and win favour?

FF.

   You got that right FF!