There is a requirement for teachers to complete a course called "Thai Language, Culture and Ethics". It is a new addition and when it will be enforced is still open to question. Supposedly the course is to be scheduled in Khon Kaen but I have yet to hear any details. I talked to one of the instructors for the course who stated they were open to holding the course in Udon Thani if there was sufficient interest. It would save the cost of a road trip and the related expenses for staying in Khon Kaen. If there are any teachers who would like to take the course in Udon could they please send me a p.m. letting me know of their interest and their contact information. As I understand it the course is a weekend offering (20 hours) and would cost 5000 Baht! It would be held in February. Please contact me before January 28th so I can judge the interest.

Offered concurrently, "Farang language, Culture and Ethics" is a prerequisite course for Thai
students who wish to enroll in an English class with a native speaker. When it will be enforced
is open to question as it is thought few students will want to pay the 5,000 baht registration fee.

In all seriousness, I was going to ask if one had to be a teacher to take the course? I thought it might be an eye-opener and give me some insight. Then I saw the 5000 baht cost and started thinking, maybe I should be teaching this course. I mean, with lets say, 5 students for 20 hours, that's 1250/hr. That's a wage I could live with.

Naaah, I think I'll pass on taking the course.

I attended one of the very first courses run about 4 years ago in Phuket. We were told that all foreign teachers would have to attend the course before they would be allowed to teach or continue teaching. I have heard a similar story several times since over the ensuing years!! It appears that it is still filtering through - i.e. yet to be introduced to many areas of Thailand.

I believe the cost mentioned at that time was about 4000 baht. We did a deal with our school and went 50/50 on it!

Not being a teacher I'm not fully informed on the subject but it was my tentative
understanding that as of about one year ago, this new "culture course" was a
mandatory requirement for foreign teachers to obtain licensure. That being said,
I realize most folks who do this do not have all their paperwork in order i.e. work
permit, non-immig visa etc. You've got to have a good heart to be a teacher here.
They basically want to hold all the cards and in the event of any dispute, jig's up.

canuck-viking wrote:There is a requirement for teachers to complete a course called "Thai Language, Culture and Ethics".

Lesson one:
If you are planning to write a book, don't mention the royal family.

The course is absolute rubbish. Unfortunately you have to do it if you want to teach.

sounds more like a scam making the province rounds, like that python or giant lucky something they always find, and pen up for lookers fee, then move on to the next sucker village. people just sit around it, getting lucky.................

Hi all I though you may like this too. As of last year the MoE was pushing the program for all the teachers to pass a 4 part test that to date has a 95% failure rate or take a 1 year graduate course for the sum of 60,000 baht. As of last week they canceled the course with no refund

Needless to say any new program they may come up with will be looked upon with a great deal skepticism. I've even heard to renew your visa immigration is suppose to ask for your teacher's license or temporarily teacher's license but to date no has reported immigration asking for these documents. TIT

The original course which I attended - referred to in the OP - was predominantly a waste of time. They spent time teaching common words and phrases, greetings, etc in Thai language, which anyone who had been here more than a couple of weeks would have picked up.

Other things included how to receive a gift from Royalty, which we had to practice and then demonstrate individually. Also, a recommended dress code, which included long sleeved shirts and a tie, when many of us worked in extremely hot non AC classrooms.

arjay wrote: Also, a recommended dress code, which included long sleeve shirts and a tie, when many of us worked in extremely hot non AC classrooms.

Oh I know all to well Arjay. Thankfully I'm allow to wear short sleeve shirts along with nice polo's.

Oh yes I remember taking the course last year in Khon Kaen and yes a waste of money but I did get a few nice lunches and dinners and a nice certificate at the end. At least you didn't have to show your classical Thai dancing skills, we did I can only figure that some of the low class teachers and I use the term loosely, prompted the the idea of the Thai culture course. Although I can't help but think it is just another money making opportunity. At least I'm not out 60k for a now canceled course. I also wonder if it was canceled because of the lack of a huge amount foreign teacher running to sign up

i met a foreign teacher who only paid 3,000 baht for the course. there are talks that Rajabat will host this for less than 3,000.

will let you know when i hear more about this.

also, after the course, you need to take the exam. one category is for 1,000 baht and each teacher needs to pass at least 4 categories so that's another 4k for you.

I would suggest that it would come down to some simple ethic like if you had a foreign passport they would want you to take the course.

Tilo. Sounds to me like you should be running the course!! But I would suspect (like most countries) "rules are rules" irrespective of an individuals circumstances & knowledge!!