Abroad ESL Teacher for Mediakids Academy
Summary(Review): MediaKids Academy is Thailand’s English teaching placement provider. MediaKids has placed and supported thousands of teachers from around the world, providing teachers with the opportunity to fully immerse in the culture and become part of the local community. Since its founding in 2001, MediaKids has grown to a team of 300 teachers per semester, representing over 70 primary and secondary schools across Thailand. They offer the flexibility of shorter contract commitments so you can choose to either renew with them or move on to new adventures afterward.
Job Overview for Abroad ESL Teacher:
Salary Per Month:
Minimal: $1000
Maximum: $1200
Class Schedule:
Morning (9am-12pm)
Afternoon (12pm-3pm)
Student Ages:
Preschool (age 3-5)
Elementary & Junior (age 5-15)
High School & College Prep (age 15-18)
Country(s):
Thailand
Job Details for Abroad ESL Teacher
Degree Required:
Bachelor or above
Certificate Required:
No/Preferred
Accent(s):
Native North American
Native UK
Native Australian/New Zealand
Native Ireland
Native South Africa
Non-Native Neutral
Min Hours Per Week:
24
Land a job quicker by creating a teacher profile, which allows you to submit one application to MULTIPLE Teaching Jobs.
Abroad ESL Teacher Job Description
Our schools are found in the North, Central and Northeastern areas of Thailand. Locations vary from cities to small-towns. Where you are placed depends on a number of circumstances like the program, level you are best suited for the schools’ requirements.
MediaKids Academy offers a unique opportunity to work in rural communities of Thailand. Our aim is to reach out to those who are not often able to experience the English language.
With that in mind, you will often find yourself becoming somewhat of a local celebrity, as you will be loved, cherished, and adored by your community, surrounded by an authentic legacy of traditions, fun-loving locals, and picturesque scenery.
- • Salary of 30,000 Thai baht per month (and up based on qualifications)
- ECD teaching can be from Pratom (primary) level 1-6 to Mathayom (secondary) level 1-6 – it depends on your placement.
- Unique locations in primary and secondary schools throughout Thailand
Whether you are a recent University graduate looking for a unique life experience or a seasoned professional, we have a position for you. No TEFL or experience? No problem! We are looking for energetic, creative, responsible and culturally sensitive teachers, with a positive attitude and the desire to develop as a teacher. MediaKids provides full training for new teachers, so even novices can feel confident and well-prepared before entering the classroom.
All our teachers are fully supported by the full-time consultant and curriculum team. These teams are dedicated to supporting you throughout your whole stay in Thailand with us; everything from visas, accommodation, Thai language translating, curriculum, and cultural support. You will receive regular visits from the MediaKids consultant team to provide you with on-going support, but they are also available via phone for you in-between visits.
Curriculum is fully provided by our in-house Curriculum Development team. So you can focus on putting your energy into the classroom and helping students to develop their English, rather than worrying about what topics to teach. Although the curriculum is provided, we offer teachers opportunity and flexibility to teach according to individual style.
Accommodation is pre-arranged before you even arrive to Thailand. So you can rest well knowing that you have a safe place to live nearby where you will be teaching. MediaKids provides 3,000 baht allowance per month towards the cost of your rent.
MediaKids is run by a combined Western and Thai team with many years’ experience working in the industry. Our programs are aimed at improving the English language skills of Thai children. We run English programs for communicative development, intensive English programs, and programs that include teaching Math, Science, Computing, and Health in the English language.
Visit our YouTube channel for teacher videos and testimonials:
Abroad ESL Teacher Job Requirements
- Native English speakers – from UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa (Non-native English speakers from Europe may apply)
- Teaching experience and/or TEFL preferred, but not required
- 21-50 years old
- A positive attitude
- A desire to learn more about and immerse in the Thai culture
- Passion for teaching
Abroad ESL Teacher Salary and Compensation
- Full-time teaching placements in unique and historic locations across Thailand
- Salary starting at 30,000 Thai baht per month
- Accommodation pre-arranged before arrival with provided 3,000 Thai baht monthly allowance
- 3,000 Thai baht Non-B work visa reimbursement (with all paperwork sorted by our staff)
- Free Work Permit (with all paperwork sorted by our staff)
- Free accident insurance
- Semester-to-Semester (4 months) contract commitment
- Dedicated team of Thai and Native English speaking consultants supporting teachers throughout the semester (face-to-face, via phone, and online)
- Paid Thai public holidays
- Full curriculum and textbooks provided by MediaKids
- Maximum 24 teaching hours per week
- Orientation and training in Bangkok (Thai language, culture, school system, visa, etc.)
- Assistance with opening the Thai bank account
- Assistance with obtaining the Thai SIM card
- Airport pick-up available
Accommodation
Q: Does MediaKids Academy provide free accommodation?
A: We provide accommodation for you in the form of an apartment, small house, bungalow, or a room in a shared house. Most of the accommodations are chosen based on proximity to the school, amenities and budget.
Depending on location, single/shared houses may be provided or suggested. Most accommodations will be studio type apartments.
Q: Does free accommodation include utility bills and amenities?
A: All accommodations include basic amenities: bed (sheet, pillow, and blanket), dresser, closet (or clothes rack) and air conditioner. If air con is not available, a fan will be provided. Moreover, depending on location and type of accommodation, some will include extra amenities such as TV, fridge, sofa, etc.
However, you are responsible for monthly utilities; electric and water bills, etc. approximately 1000 baht/month depending on the usage.
Q: How far is the accommodation from the school?
A: Most of our accommodations are within 5-15 minutes walking distance from the school. Many placements are within walking distance, but some places require you to take public transportation or ride your own motorbike.
Q: Can I choose my accommodation?
A: If you don’t like the company’s accommodation or simply wish to find your own accommodation, we can provide a housing allowance of 3,000 baht per month. In these circumstances, we will always work with you to help find something suitable for your needs.
Q: What other options do I have for accommodation?
A: You may also enjoy the “Over Budget Accommodation.” This is a hybrid system for more expensive accommodation where rent is paid directly to the landlord by MediaKids, with a slight deduction from your salary. This is only for accommodation costing more than 3,000 baht (e.g. 3,500 – 4,000 baht monthly rent).
Orientation Course
Q: Do we have our own private rooms or are we expected to share?
A: The room we arrange for you is a shared room. Private rooms are available on request for an additional cost of 450-500 baht per night.
Q: Are meals provided during orientation?
A: You will receive a voucher for the hotel breakfast everyday throughout the course. We also provide snacks during the course. However, lunch and dinner will be the responsibility of the teachers.
Q: How will the orientation benefit the start of my life in Thailand?
A: We will provide you information about how to work with Thai schools and Thai students. We will provide you curriculum, lesson planning guidance and grading workshop. We will teach you basic Thai Language. You will get to the chance to meet other foreign teachers and MediaKids staff that you will be working with throughout the semester.
How to Apply to Abroad ESL Teacher?
Land a job quicker by creating a teacher profile, which allows you to submit one application to MULTIPLE Teaching Jobs.
Abroad ESL Teacher Interview Process & Tips
Q: How much does the Non-B visa cost?
A: This will cost approximately 6,500 baht which includes transportation, hotel, food and visa fees. We will provide you with more country-specific information about acquiring the visa after the interviewing process.
Q: How long is the visa run process?
A: The visa run takes 2 working days for which you get paid a normal salary.
Q: When do I need to do the visa run?
A: The consultants will inform you of the exact date for the visa run. It takes at least 2 weeks to process the paperwork for you, and then they will schedule a date for you to conduct the visa run.
Q: How do I get there?
A: The exact route will depend on your placement location or starting point. You have the option to go with an agency that will help you with the whole process, or you can complete it on your own for which the consultants will be on call for you in the case you need assistance.
Q: Where do I need to go to apply for the visa?
A: The majority of foreigners living and working in Thailand visit the neighboring country, Laos to apply for their visa. This is the fastest and most convenient way to obtain the Non-Immigrant B visa. The consultant will assist you with crossing the border into Laos and getting to the local consulate/embassy.
Visa & Work Permit
Whilst you are in Thailand you will need two official documents, a Non-Immigrant B visa to allow you to live here, and a work permit allowing you to work in the country.
MediaKids will cover the cost of the work permit and will do all the paperwork required for obtaining it. You can rest assured that as soon as you arrive, hand over and sign the required documents our consultant team will take care of you every step of the way, assuring that you have everything you need to work and live in Thailand.
Concerning Visas, the payment of it will be your responsibility. Your most cost-effective option of acquiring one will be to apply for a Non-Immigrant B single entry visa from the Thai embassy in your home country. The other option is to acquire a tourist visa in your home country, which will allow you to stay in Thailand for 60 days. Otherwise, if you arrive in Thailand without a pre-existing visa, you will receive a one-month tourist Visa upon arrival at the airport. We will then have to arrange for you to go on a two-day visa run, having you acquire a Non-Immigrant B Visa from a neighboring country. This will cost approximately 6,500 baht. We will provide you with more country-specific information about the acquiring of visa after the interviewing process.
We understand that this process might seem confusing or difficult for those new to working in Thailand. But rest assured that our team of expert consultants will handle all the details for you so your experience is smooth and stress-free.
Re-Entry Permit
If you plan to travel outside of Thailand, you will need to obtain a re-entry Permit to keep your visa or extension of stay valid. Departing Thailand without a re-entry permit cancels any existing visa or extensions of stay.
If you do leave Thailand without a re-entry permit, you will need to go through the initial process again to obtain a Non-Immigrant visa and then apply for the extension.
Single Re-Entry Permit–The fee is 1,000 baht and the expiration date will be based on the validity of your visa stamp. A single re-entry permit is valid for only one re-entry. Upon coming back to Thailand(re-entry), Thai immigration will stamp the permit “USED” to show it is no longer valid.
Multiple Re-Entry Permit–The fee is 3,800 baht and like the single re-entry permit, the expiration date will be based on the validity of your visa stamp. The permit remains valid until the expiration date; so during its validity period, you may leave and return as many times as you wish to keep your long stay extension in force.
You can obtain the re-entry permit at your nearest Thai immigration office. You can also get it at Suvarnabhumi Airport or Don Muang Airport on the day of your flight at least one hour before boarding time. The service is available at 05.00 AM – 12.00 Midnight. (Office times may change, please check a day prior to departure)
Note: Other domestic airports and land borders DO NOT issue a re-entry permit.
Visa Extension
The visa extension costs 1,900 baht. Thailand immigration will grant an extension of stay after you have obtained the Thai Non-Immigrant B visa. Upon your initial entry with your Non-Immigrant B visa, you will receive permission to stay for 90 days. The company will then apply for your work permit which is essential for your extension of stay. Your consultants will prepare all the required documents for the visa extension.
Company Information for Mediakids Academy
MediaKids Academy is a Thai organization that aims to improve the English language skills of Thai children by implementing an ‘English taught by Native Speakers’ program for public schools across the country. As a placement agency, we have contracts with over seventy schools nationwide and have placed over one thousand foreign teachers in the last few years.
MediaKids School was founded in 2000 as a computer and music school. At that time, we provided schools with weekend English Camps, and began developing the idea of a program of English taught by native speakers. It would be made available to the more remote, less developed areas of Thailand, where tourists aren’t usually found, and recruiting of foreigners directly by the school is very difficult. In 2001, MediaKids expanded its programs in the Northeastern provinces of Thailand, and the journey began.
Over the next three years, MediaKids evolved into a respected and reliable company that met the demands of rural Thai schools in finding, placing and assisting experienced and quality English teachers. In 2004, as MediaKids grew significantly, new offices were opened in Bangkok to offer a more convenient location for the teachers and staff. It also allowed us to expand our programs to other schools. Word spread quickly about what we offered. The strength behind our operation is our hard-working Thai staff, who have a high English ability and a real understanding of how foreign cultures differ from their own.
As the world relies more and more on technology and international relationships, English has become one of the most important languages for communication. At MediaKids Academy, we recognize the importance of educating the young generation to become knowledgeable and competent in the English language so that they can effectively communicate and collaborate with people of other nationalities. Not only do we aim to place good and able teachers in our contracted schools, we also emphasise high-quality teaching techniques. We provide our teachers with a curriculum that is being constantly adapted and developed by our dedicated curriculum team, in order to ensure a consistently high standard.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.