I'm trying to wind up there for Suporn surgery anyway, and I contacted a supposed ESL school in Phuket, that swears they can guarantee me a job teaching English in a government school after completing the course, despite me being transgender.  It seems too good to be true.  Anybody tried it?  Anybody else looking into this option?

Quote from: GinaDouglas on August 10, 2014, 03:45:28 PM
I'm trying to wind up there for Suporn surgery anyway, and I contacted a supposed ESL school in Phuket, that swears they can guarantee me a job teaching English in a government school after completing the course, despite me being transgender.  It seems too good to be true.  Anybody tried it?  Anybody else looking into this option?

I am an English professor at a large university here in Colombia, where I have lived for 8 years and I have permanent residency and the legal right to work.

In many countries, it is hard to get a legal work permit.  In other countries, it is easier.  I don't know about Thailand.

In Colombia, I have a 6 year old daughter here, and got my legal permanent residency, with right to work here legally, via that method.

I am 8 weeks into HRT.  I haven't come out at work yet, but if my breasts get much larger, I might have to come out at work.

Johanna.

Well... all I'm gonna say is that Thai people have a "certain" expectations for people of authority. Therefore, it does depend a lot on the way you look, if you look and sound fine there shouldn't be any problems in that respect, although I'm pretty sure government schools are a bit less accepting than you might think.

Have you visited Thailand before? Or have some knowledge of the language and culture? Do you have a university degree of some kind as that will make your life a bit easier here? Also, do you know the how much you can earn per month teaching at a government school, and will you be able to live on that? Can you cope with teaching around 50 or more kids in a class at one time? Also, if you can't find a job or one unwilling to give you a work permit, what will you do when your current visa expires. Just a few things to consider...

While I will say it's not impossible for an mtf to get a teaching position in Thailand, it is definitely much more difficult.

I was a teacher before transition.  I have a BA in English, and a Masters of Science in Library Science.  But I don't know a word of the language.  I figured I'd do some Rosetta Stone if I decided to do it.

I think the school people are getting paid for delivering teachers, and have an interest in getting jobs for grads.  Like I said, they guarantee a job if you pass the course.  I think my biggest concern is whether the school is legit.   Their website is englishtefl dot com.  I have exchanged some emails, they say they have the guarantee and being TG is not an issue.  Still, if they can't deliver a job, and refund their tuition, I'm still out $3000 for the air, hotel and food.  They say the money is more than enough to live on, so I could save for SRS, and be set up to have a job when I recover.

The money is enough to live on in Thailand, although it will take a very long time to save for srs with dr suporn on that type of salary. I think
the last time I checked, government schools offered a salary of around 30,000-35,000 Thai baht ($900-1100) per month. How much you can save from depends on how and where you live, but don't expect to get rich from teaching in Thailand.

There are quite a number of esl/tefl schools in touristy areas and all offer the same sorts of things. If you're willing to come to Thailand I would suggest getting your esl/tefl qualification in Bangkok or Pattaya. Then try finding work in nearby areas such as Rayong, Pattaya, Chonburi, or Bangkok. At least in that region you will be close to many clinics in Bangkok as well as Dr. Suporn's in Chonburi. Although the choice is yours in the end.

With your qualifications you could possibly get some decent work teaching at a university. They offer better pay, health care etc... It's just an observation, but I've known a few mtfs who tried to get work here and it was much more difficult than their cis gendered counterparts. Definitely make a start learning the language though, it will help you no end, even if you only have surgery there in the future. Are you planning on going to Thailand alone or do you know anybody already over there?

Hi Gina, I have a large villa in Phuket and my ex wife (french) lives there with our 12 year old daughter. She attends the British International School, referred to as BIS. There are a few other good internationa schools including Phuket International Academy referred to as PIA.  The expat community is growing fast with English, French, and Russians. I had a cousin that taught French at a school first but then went to teach in a University. There are many opportunities on teaching jobs.

Life in Thailand as a TG is very comfortable. We are fully accepted and every day I see us in Phuket, at restaurants, hair dressers, shops, eating places, secretary. Great medical services and a good quality of life. I have owned businesses and and been a deceloper in Phuket, its a wonderful place to have your RLE. If you need more info please e mail me.

The school is in Phuket, but the jobs are all over the country.  It sounds logical to work first in the gov-schools while I learn the language, and then maybe look for a better university job.

I would be doing this completely on my own, unless maybe others see this thread and we go together as a cohort.  I know how risky being alone makes it.  Worst case, I could wind up broke and stranded with no way to get home.

Warlockmaker, since you are physically there in Phuket, maybe you could try and verify if there is an actual brick and mortar school to go with this website?

Good idea Gina, To verify a physical building.  There is a lot of fraud on the Internet.  Buyer beware.

I have lots of experience teaching English in Colombia (South America).  I have lived and taught here for 8 years.  That is a long time.

I advise being careful with what salary you can realistically earn.  In many countries, there are ads on the Internet promising jobs, and then when you get there it is hard to make ends meet because you cannot earn enough salary to pay all of your rent, food, and other expenses.  Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

It took several years here of doing it on my own, and then getting full legal permanent residence, to get a job as a Professor a large university here.  It helped a lot that I developed a great reputation among a network of private and corporate clients first, prior to the University accepting me for the job.

Do you have a college degree at a minimum?  A Master's Degree is sometimes the minimum necessary to teach at the University level, depending on the country and the the job.  In most countries, University Professor jobs pay better than English teaching jobs at language schools.  I have never been to Thailand, so I don't know of the current specific situatiion there.

Don't expect to be able to save money, American-style, Canadian-style, or European-style.  You will be fortunate to cover your expenses, especially if you cannot yet work at a University.  And you have a big expense nut to cover...you said $3000...that is a lot, can you do better on your airfare wow that sounds like you are paying way too much.  Years ago I travelled many times to Hong Kong and other countries (not Thailand), and I sure got much better fares than that.  Can't you find something for something like $1000 round-trip?  Go during low season or shoulder season.  Try Korean Airlines...they had great service and low fares years ago.  But you may need to go the Korean-town areas of cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, Toronto, or New York to get these great prices.  If you are white at a standard travel agency or directly at the airlines, you probably won't get this type of price....at least this was the case years ago, and I had tons of trips and experience with this methodology for Asian flights.  PM me if you need more details.

As to being MTF, yes, I concur with what the other girls here have said.  I haven't been to Thailand, but I read many times that they have a long-standing recognition of what in their cultures translates to English as "lady-boys."  Lady boys are basically female/males with breasts but prior to SRS surgery, at least as I understand it.  Someone can correct me if I am not quite correct here.  This has largely been in the professional sex (prostitution) industry as I understand it, but despite this at least Thai society apparently accepts gender changing -- which is probably a real plus for you!


I am SO happy with my new breasts!  At just 8 weeks into HRT.  I hope your transition is going great.

Johanna.

Hi Gina, I didn't notice a website in your posts but let me know and I can verify this for you. the response from G14 regarding salaries in government schools is pretty much true. You get 70k baht for University teaching.

You have a great advantage in that you were a teacher before and hold the right credentials. May I suggest that you try for a private school and I know that Puket International Academy was hiring and they pay considerably more. Generally, there is no discrimination allowed for TG and its acceptable amongst the Thai's. Its a buddist culture of live and let live but being a female alone in a foreign country is scary. Phuket is very safe.

Quote from: GinaDouglas on August 10, 2014, 11:06:57 PM
I was a teacher before transition.  I have a BA in English, and a Masters of Science in Library Science.  But I don't know a word of the language.  I figured I'd do some Rosetta Stone if I decided to do it.

I think the school people are getting paid for delivering teachers, and have an interest in getting jobs for grads.  Like I said, they guarantee a job if you pass the course.  I think my biggest concern is whether the school is legit.   Their website is englishtefl dot com.  I have exchanged some emails, they say they have the guarantee and being TG is not an issue.  Still, if they can't deliver a job, and refund their tuition, I'm still out $3000 for the air, hotel and food.  They say the money is more than enough to live on, so I could save for SRS, and be set up to have a job when I recover.

Hi Gina, Sorry about that.  I didn't re-read all of your posts before replying.  I see that you have a Master's Degree as I do, so that should help a lot for a university post.

Johanna.

Quote from: warlockmaker on August 11, 2014, 10:44:21 PM
Hi Gina, I didn't notice a website in your posts but let me know and I can verify this for you.

englishtefl dot com