7 June: fyi -- English teaching, Thailand
Index of June 2001 | Index of year: 2001 | Full index
[CMV: Notice that this position is filled was sent on September 14, 2001.
Accordingly, contact information is now deleted; the ad remains
as another representative example of the sorts of careers that
are possible in this field.]
The Department of Foreign Languages, Khon Kaen University (Northeast
Thailand), seeks to hire someone to teach a variety of English
courses. The position is currently available and will remain open
until filled; in any event, only those able to arrive by early August
will be considered. The primary needs are for teaching advanced
conversation to undergraduate English majors. Other courses, including
at the M.A. level are also possible depending on the successful
applicant's credentials. Minimum qualifications are a bachelor's
degree and experience in the language-teaching field. Applicants with
advanced degrees are preferred and compensated at a higher rate.
In addition to the aforementioned teaching responsibilities, the
Department stresses in-service teacher development. That is, this
teacher is also expected to function as a resource for developing his
or her colleagues' proficiency in English. Casual interaction on a
daily basis hones language skills and strengthens background knowledge
about the target culture needed by Thai teachers of English who do not
otherwise have the opportunity to interact in English. For this
reason, the Department seeks applicants who were educated in and grew
up speaking one of the standard varieties (e.g., British, Australian,
or North American) of English; there is no preference, however, for
any one of these. In connection with this emphasis on in-service
development, it is vital for the teacher in this position to be
available as a consultant throughout the workweek.
In addition, it would be desirable for this teacher to be able to
mentor his or her colleagues at the Department in producing scholarly
publications. Thus, applicants with advanced degrees and experience in
one of Department's main disciplines--especially as a mentor or
trainer of teachers--would be a definite plus.
Suffice it to say, applicants seeking a position merely as a means to
live in Thailand need not apply. Rather, the Department seeks a
serious professional interested in making a difference in both
students' learning and colleagues' professional development.
MORE ABOUT THE DEGREE PROGRAMS IN ENGLISH:
The undergraduate major is one of the leading programs of its kind in
Thailand, with graduates achieving remarkable proficiency in the four
skills as well as cultural knowledge. The English M.A., currently
beginning its fourth year, also emphasizes skills; M.A. courses
include research in language, principles of speech, creative writing,
applied linguistics, business English, English for tourism,
translation, teaching & testing, and western literature. This is a
so-called executive degree program , with courses offered Friday late
afternoon though midday Sunday for language professionals in the
region. Teaching one of these courses is in addition to the
undergraduate teaching responsibilities and compensated for
separately.
MORE ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:
The Department of Foreign Languages employs about 60 full-time
teachers, of whom about ten are foreigners holding positions similar
to the one advertised. Most of the Department (about 45) teach
English. One M.A. program (in English) and two undergraduate majors
are offered (in English and French, with plans for German and
Japanese), with minors in linguistics, western literatures, French,
German, Japanese, and Chinese as well. Courses in Korean and Spanish
are also taught. The Department is part of the Faculty of Humanities
and Social Sciences, which includes departments of Library &
Information Science, Philosophy & Religion, and History &
Archeology.
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY:
Khon Kaen University is an internationally recognized institution which
offers an outstanding education, particularly related to the Northeast
of Thailand and its community. Located in a shady campus with plenty of
space between the buildings, the University is very conducive to
learning. Among the other Faculties on campus are Medicine, Agriculture,
Sciences, Education, and Veterinary Medicine. The University also hosts
the Mekong Institute, a center for issues relevant to the countries in
this part of continental Southeast Asia. See also the University's main
web page: http://www.kku.ac.th.
ABOUT THE CITY AND REGION:
The city of Khon Kaen, a few kilometers away, is a center of commerce
in the northeast region of the country, called the Isaan Plateau. The
city's domestic airport has flights several times daily to Bangkok and
there are convenient, direct coach and rail links to the capital. A
useful commercial web site about the area is http://www.khonkaen.com.
REMUNERATION AND THE COST OF LIVING IN KHON KAEN:
The base salary for a contract teacher (including a housing allowance)
is 25,580 baht per month, with minimal deductions for taxes and health
insurance. An additional 5000 baht per month is payable to a teacher
with a master's degree. (For conversion of these figures into many
currencies at today's rates, try the following web site:
http://www.oanda.com/converter/classic.) Unfortunately, the Department
cannot cover relocation expenses. Although the advertised salary is low
by Western standards, one can live quite comfortably in Khon Kaen on
this amount. For example, a small air-conditioned (studio/efficiency)
apartment can be rented for 3,500 to 4,000 baht, but many of the
contract teachers from abroad rent townhouses or detached homes
(5,000+). With this salary one can also afford to operate a car and
travel occasionally within Thailand and Southeast Asia by air, as well
as travel to Europe or North America about once a year.
Index of June 2001 | Index of year: 2001 | Full index