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Thailand clarifies position on English language teachers from Ireland

The Teachers’ Council of Thailand has clarified that Irish citizens are not required to prove their proficiency in English through testing before being allowed to teach in the country.

THE TEACHERS’ COUNCIL of Thailand (TCT) has clarified its policy regarding English language teachers from the Republic of Ireland.

At the beginning of April, the TCT updated its the rules of eligibility regarding provisional teaching permits, which identified a list of countries from which citizens were recognised as native English speakers.

Citizens from nations not included on the TCT list would be required to undertake – and pay for – a series of proficiency tests (TOEIC) to prove they can communicate in English before being allowed to work as a language teacher in the Thailand. Fees for TOEIC tests vary from country to country, with one centre in Bangkok charging about €40 per test, with  prospective teachers having to take several in order to prove a range of language skills (ie listening, reading, writing and speaking abilities).

Citizens hailing from only five countries were considered “native English speakers” under the changes made last April and, therefore, entitled to TCT provisional teaching permit – those countries were 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 was not included on the list, it indicated that Irish citizens wishing to teach English as a foreign language in Thailand would have to take a TOEIC test to prove their proficiency – apart from having to gain any teaching qualifications required for a position.

However, the TCT has since clarified its position, stating that citizens from the Republic are also considered to be native English speakers and therefore do not have to prove proficiency.

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs told TheJournal.ie that the clarification was made in late July.

Read: Irish citizens not recognised as ‘native’ English speakers in Thailand>

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    Mute Pokey2013
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    Jun 9th 2014, 8:34 AM

    Good for her! This really is a no brainer as an industry for the west of Ireland.

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    Mute Ciaran Farrell
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    Jun 9th 2014, 10:07 AM

    It should be but this government through an uduras na gaeltachta company called arramara are trying to corner the market from erris hd to loop hd by applying for a license which would stop cottage industries from cutting seaweed in west mayo, Galway and Clare thus giving a monopoly. At the same time they are negotiating the sale of arramara teo to a private Canadian company. Think they’re holding out for a suitable price. 30 pieces of silver perhaps?Absolute disgrace and the deal being done quietly. This will shut down countless cottage industries and is getting little or no coverage.

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    Mute Hallie Burton
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    Jun 9th 2014, 10:13 AM

    Another scam being played out on us Ciaran.

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    Mute Ciaran Farrell
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    Jun 9th 2014, 10:52 AM

    It is indeed. The worst part of it is that in many villages on our western seaboard there are so few opportunities to ” turn a pound” that this will be devastating and nobody is shouting stop ( or at least nobody with influence on kildare st.). This is Minister Ring’s heartland yet he is strangely quiet for a lad who loved the soapbox when in opposition.

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    Mute Thors Big Hammer
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    Jun 9th 2014, 8:42 AM

    Fair play to this woman and her drive to to be successful.

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    Mute Brendan Harlowe
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    Jun 9th 2014, 12:14 PM

    I think she flew in actually .

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    Mute Ben Gunn
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    Jun 9th 2014, 8:55 AM

    It is not an either/or choice. To grow your business all markets should be explored. The Irish home market is tiny and many of our indigenous industries would simply fold without overseas sales.

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    Mute Aaron
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    Jun 9th 2014, 9:14 AM

    Why would/should any business limit themselves to a single market?

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    Mute Dee4
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    Jun 9th 2014, 9:14 AM

    well done to the lady, there are increasing warnings not to consume anything from the Pacific. Japan and even the West Coast of the US should be great markets for her

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    Mute Hallie Burton
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    Jun 9th 2014, 10:12 AM

    We don’t eat enough of it ourselves.

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    Mute Hallie Burton
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    Jun 9th 2014, 10:38 AM

    Maybe someone could tell us where ‘sea vegetables’ are on sale in locally? I can get dried product in the Asia Market in Drury Street and very nice it is too. Try this site for lots of info http://www.seaweed.ie/uses_ireland/irishseaweedfood.php

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    Mute Michelle Blessing
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    Jun 9th 2014, 11:54 AM

    What a shame we are exporting to a country that carries out horrific atrocities against dolphins and whales in Taiji.

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    Mute Frank
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    Jun 9th 2014, 8:36 AM

    Japan still has a market for glow in the dark seaweed.

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    Mute J. Dunn
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    Jun 9th 2014, 9:37 AM

    Do you have a link for that, Frank?

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    Mute Frank
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    Jun 9th 2014, 10:46 AM
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