Any English teachers here?

[Mr Kobi]

Thinking of doing this course in Phuket. Just wondering if any of yous guys had done it or if you had any tips/ recommendations.

Kop khun kraaaap

[Ray O'Light]

Originally Posted by Mr Kobi

Thinking of doing this course in Phuket. Just wondering if any of yous guys had done it or if you had any tips/ recommendations.

Kop khun kraaaap

It seems a bit expensive to me. I'm sure there are cheaper course about that do the job.

[steve w]

there used to be !.......................555

[Mr Kobi]

I agree it's not particularly cheap but it is "on site" as it were, and is the full TESOL qualification (which should, I am told, give you better job opportunities).

My only experience in the matter has been to have read a few websites. I'm sure someone who has actually done all this can offer less confusing advice!

[Den]

It also seems expensive to me, for a TESOL. You can pick up TEFL qualifications a lot cheaper than that

Select Your Online TEFL Course

But if that's the sort of money you want to pay, then you should consider doing a CELTA.

CELTA, TESOL TEFL, TESL and CELTYL Certification & Certificate Courses for EFL ESL Teachers. Teach English abroad or overseas at ECC (Thailand) ASIA. Survivor Education Thailand

ECC seem to be an employer too, sorting out such things as work permits, though I hasten to add that I have no personal experience.

[Mr Kobi]

Do you reckon a teacher with TESOL qualification could make enough money to have an enjoyable life or would it just about be enough to scrape by on?

[Ray O'Light]

The most you will get would be about 40,000B per month.
Only you will know if that is enough!

[Mr Kobi]

I've no idea how much daily life costs over there. If it's not enough to run a house, a car, to eat, and have some fun I'll have to rethink my strategy.

[Denver]

TEFL Phuket certification TEFL in Phuket Thailand - TEFL Phuket School Links

The above is worth a look and has a useful FAQ's section.

I have been along to both establishments and they have been 'quiet' with regard to students on both occasions. The Kamala school is literally only months old.

I attained TEFL Parts 1 & 2 (Practical teaching and Theory (Lesson Plans etc) in the UK as part of my resettlement package from the Army. Once suitably qualified the TEFL organisation will help you with placements at various schools all over the world. I took a 'year out' on leaving the Army and travelled around the Far East to gain some experience of teaching and add to my portfolio to present to potential schools in the future.

It is a 'safety net' for me. I personally could not live here from the salary I would accrue. However, I have a military pension to fall back on and other 'skill sets'

The bug bear with me is that there are far too many people out there who 'play' at teaching English. Thier main concern is bumming around the world with very little emphasis on actually putting in the 'effort' of teaching the kids, whose parents may have spent a considerable sum of money (In thier eyes) to send thier child to a 'qualified' teacher.

Hope the above link is of use.

[Schmeen]

I agree with Denver. Don't you think the Thai people actual deserve proper teachers rather than people who just decide they want to stay here so they'll become English teachers?

My niece had a teacher who was totally inadequate, and I told her to stop going to him.

She said to him, my uncle has said your not good enough and you are not a proper teacher.

He rather snottily asked "What would you uncle know"

had quite a shock when I phoned him....5555

Inadequate teachers are the fault of the government being too lazy to investigate proper teaching qualifications and teaching degrees.

[K2]

Stickmans long article is well worth digesting ...

Teaching English in Thailand

[Mr Kobi]

Thanks for the links guys. I'll read them tomorrow when I've got a bit more time.

Another thing I'm thinking of is if I did do this course where could I rent a property for the month? There's a couple of mates going to do this with me so if we could find some proper digs it would be better than the no-doubt ghastly student squat offered by the TEFL folks.

[Denver]

Originally Posted by Mr Kobi

Thanks for the links guys. I'll read them tomorrow when I've got a bit more time.

Another thing I'm thinking of is if I did do this course where could I rent a property for the month? There's a couple of mates going to do this with me so if we could find some proper digs it would be better than the no-doubt ghastly student squat offered by the TEFL folks.

Another influx of potential English teachers! Yes, you've your flights to sort out, some accommodation to find, lots of homework at night with the boom, boom, boom of the nightclub down the street beckoning......and 'other' distractions!

Do you know where you are likely to be teaching once potentially qualified and fulfilled a probationary period with no pay! You have no lessons prepared to give! Do you know which countries require you to have a full university degree alongside a TEFL/TESOL qualification to gain employment? What age group can you deal with, have you any basic Thai language skills?

Work permits, visa, transport, home country police background checks, offenders register clearances, invitation letter from a school to work there once suitably qualified...........Yes, you've started your homework but a long way to go yet.

Don't forget a decent pair of trousers and a collar and tie. Good luck and keep us posted.

[Mr Kobi]

From what I can gather the school sorts out permits and visas (if it's a good-ish school). I already work in a school here so police checks are already done. The TEFL course helps to find work once you attain the qualification.

Qualifications are needed for the plum jobs. I will just have to accept that I won't get one.

[Denver]

Originally Posted by Mr Kobi

Qualifications are needed for the plum jobs. I will just have to accept that I won't get one.

Not being negative, just pointing out some of the factors you need to consider. The more 'naive' traveller arrives thinking everything will be done for them and come unstuck very soon after that.

Too many whimsical folk who think after a couple of pints in the local that the world will benefit from them passing on thier native language skills arrive in Thailand and find that most of the schools in and around Phuket have thier quota of Universtiy qualified teachers and are not looking for more.

If you have funds or another source of income then it might be worth while. The TEFL schools here advertise 'up to' 50K Baht per month, I'd struggle on that. I went down the path of private tuition in Vietnam and boosted the salary there, however, that eats into your own time every evening and weekends, not giving you the time to do the things you travelled for in the first place.

If you are teaching now then you will understand why I get annoyed at people who come out here and not give thier pupils thier best, they are playing at it as a means to an end. Teaching is more of a vocation than a hobby. Many fly-by-night 'teachers' are also a dim reflection on thier own country (un-shaved, un-kempt and lazy) and again, that annoys me.

Give it a go our kid, let us know how you get on. Be interesting to hear your experiences.

Stoke eh? Now I know why you need to be here, plus Stoke did us at the Britannia! Tch!

[Mr Kobi]

I appreciate your points and I am prepared for the fact that it's not going to be entirely simple and that it can be a pretty crummy way to eke out a living. The plan is purely in gestation at the moment though. Even if I did decide to go for it it would not be until August 2009, and that's just when I was thinking of doing the course. It would give me time to weigh up the options and learn enough Thai to get by on. There is much to consider.

Who is the "us" that Stoke did at the Brit? I don't think they will be "doing" many teams next season, assuming they go up. Still it will be interesting to see them on the screens in beer bars around Phuket... getting completely thrashed every week.

[osmar]

Look at Patong Language School website:
::: Patong Language School, Phuket, Thailand ::: leading language school teaching English, Thai, TEFL teacher training and more
It is a longstanding school with a high reputation in the area. It provides English teachers to some of the top hotels and companies in Phuket Province. Its TEFEL graduates are snapped up by local schools and buisnesses. Not all other schools which claim to be government credited are.

[Mr Kobi]

That looks great, thanks for that. Maybe it would be better to land a job teaching resort staff. I can't imagine these jobs are easy to come by though.

[Mr Kobi]

See, this is what confuses me:

Originally Posted by TEFL and Phuket Thailand FAQ section

Please note that an undergraduate degree is required by the government of Thailand to teach English.

So I take it this means you don't need a degree to do the course but without a degree you can't get a job?

[Denver]

Originally Posted by Mr Kobi

See, this is what confuses me:



So I take it this means you don't need a degree to do the course but without a degree you can't get a job?

I can only go off the countries I have taught in around SE Asia.

Thailand - NO - Unless it is a predominantly expat (US,AUS,UK,NZ Pupils) school and they will probably want to see a degree - Any degree - Ideally English!

South Korea - YES, you can buy a dodgy degree from Japan*

Japan - YES, you an buy a dodgy degree from South Korea*

*However, schools and education authorities here are getting wise to this.

Vietnam - NO - Again, if an expat school (FR,AUS,NZ Pupils) then probably want to see a degree.

The 'Mighty' Rochdale BTW!!!!!

[Mr Kobi]

Fair enough then. It would be a complete waste of time doing the course and then being able to do literally nothing with it! I'll look into that Patong Language School thing, looks like a good course and is a lot more reasonably priced. I never thought of teaching adults. Perhaps it is better to do that.

The mighty Rochdale are usually the kind of teams that knock Stoke out of cup competitions!

[Den]

I thought their full name was Rochdale Nil?

;o)

[Denver]

Originally Posted by Mr Kobi

Fair enough then. It would be a complete waste of time doing the course and then being able to do literally nothing with it! I'll look into that Patong Language School thing, looks like a good course and is a lot more reasonably priced. I never thought of teaching adults. Perhaps it is better to do that.

The mighty Rochdale are usually the kind of teams that knock Stoke out of cup competitions!

Make the course part of a holiday out here. Knuckle down and get the qualification then crack on and party. Ensure any school you use here is 'accredited' by the International TEFL organisation or........You won't get any help from them in the future with potential placements, course work etc.

I taught adults in the UK as part of my practical course work (Japanese workers at the Honda Plant in Cardiff - £60 an hour! Not bad!) So there is money to be made out there. I gave it a go, enjoyed it for a while and may go back to it if I feel the 'urge' - Up to you as they say.

Keep us posted...........Rochdale are doing OK right now! Amazing!

[Denver]

Originally Posted by Den

I thought their full name was Rochdale Nil?

;o)

FFFFF...................Cough! Give my love to Saudi! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaargh! 5555555