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A typical kindergarten English class seetefl via Creative Commons/Flickr

Irish citizens not recognised as 'native' English speakers in Thailand

Citizens from the Republic will have to take a test to prove they can speak English in order to teach the language in Thailand.

THE TEACHER’S COUNCIL of Thailand (TCT) has updated its list of recognised native English language speakers – and the Republic of Ireland hasn’t  made the cut.

Under the new rules introduced earlier this year, citizens hailing from only five countries can automatically be considered native English speakers and therefore be entitled to TCT provisional teaching permit – those countries are named as: “The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The United States of America, Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand and Canada”.

As the Republic isn’t included on the list, Irish citizens (along with South African citizens) wishing to teach English as a foreign language in Thailand must take a TOEIC test to prove their proficiency.

The fee for TOEIC tests vary from country to country, however the Center for Professional Assessment in Bangkok charges Baht 1,500.00 (€40) per test. As prospective teachers would typically need to take a number of tests (in order to prove listening, reading, writing and speaking skills) the costs mount up.

Read: ¿Lo entiendes? Michael D enrols in Spanish language course>

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113 Comments
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    Mute John Considine
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    Apr 20th 2019, 10:03 AM

    Guys like this are what Ireland needs, reopening a disused building and doing something useful and productive with it. This is a good news story.

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    Mute Leeroy Browne
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    Apr 20th 2019, 9:05 AM

    Michael wright & mick wallace could be the new damo & ivor

    158
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    Mute bings
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    Apr 20th 2019, 10:32 AM

    @Leeroy Browne: The only thing is Damo & Ivor are the same guy.

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    Mute Stevie B
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    Apr 20th 2019, 6:05 PM

    @bings: Have you ever seen Mick Wallace and Wright in the same room ???

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    Mute Stevie B
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    Apr 20th 2019, 6:05 PM

    @bings: Have you ever seen Mick Wallace and Wright in the same room ???

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    Mute Stevie B
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    Apr 20th 2019, 6:05 PM

    @bings: Have you ever seen Mick Wallace and Wright in the same room ???

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    Mute Stevie B
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    Apr 20th 2019, 6:06 PM

    @bings: Have you ever seen Mick Wallace and Wright in the same room ???

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    Mute El Psy Kongaroo
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    Apr 20th 2019, 8:45 PM

    @Stevie B: Dose of the repetitions

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    Mute Grumpyoldtroll
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    Apr 20th 2019, 10:15 AM

    The first? Did the Epicurean Foodhall on Liffey Street not do the same thing?

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    Mute Atlas' burden
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    Apr 20th 2019, 12:31 PM

    @Grumpyoldtroll: that’s closed now and now it’s dealz

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    Mute Grumpyoldtroll
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    Apr 20th 2019, 1:19 PM

    @Atlas’ burden: I know that. It was still the first

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    Mute Snotser Galligan
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    Apr 20th 2019, 10:09 AM

    Michael Wright has phenomenal hair

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    Mute RMcCawley
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    Apr 20th 2019, 10:44 AM

    @Snotser Galligan: embracing his inner Jon Bon Jovi

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    Mute Snotser Galligan
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    Apr 20th 2019, 10:46 AM

    @RMcCawley: Jon Bon Jovi wears Michael Wright pyjamas

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    Mute Michael Kavanagh
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    Apr 20th 2019, 10:42 AM

    Hardly that many ‘residential properties’ in that vicinity – and those that are must be well used to a bit of late bussle ….. and worse!

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    Mute steve white
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    Apr 20th 2019, 1:35 PM

    @Michael Kavanagh: did they just not want the place to turn into a super pub

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    Mute TamuMassif2019
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    Apr 20th 2019, 10:22 PM

    @Michael Kavanagh: Is it another PPP bull…

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    Mute Dan Linehan
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    Apr 20th 2019, 10:18 AM

    He looks like a Targaryen.with those locks.

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    Mute kevin mc cormack
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    Apr 20th 2019, 11:26 AM

    Always the same in Ireland,yes yes you can do it (BUT),always trying to put you in your place.

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    Mute Stevie Doran
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    Apr 20th 2019, 4:02 PM

    Thank god it’s not going to be another press up burger hole

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    Mute Lesley McCarthy
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    Apr 20th 2019, 6:21 PM

    I used to work in there and it’s a beautiful building. I’m glad it’s going to be reopened.

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    Mute Honey Badger
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    Apr 20th 2019, 10:42 AM

    Fair play micka

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    Mute James Pea
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    Apr 20th 2019, 10:31 AM

    A pity these stupid yet inevitable restrictions by DCC mean it won’t be open in time for Summer.

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    Mute steve white
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    Apr 20th 2019, 12:52 PM

    @James Pea: they didn’t want it to turn into a pub?

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    Mute Neil Ferriter
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    Apr 20th 2019, 1:13 PM

    @steve white: do other restuarants close at 10? Or turn into pubs, ridiculous condition.

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