Teaching English in Thailand

Many of my students and longer term stayers often ask about teaching English in Thailand as well as the scuba diving. If you were to teach diving in Koh Samui, Koh Chang or Phuket many see this as a way to make money and have fun during the low season when the diving dies off a little. Here in Pattaya it is far less important as the diving is year round and there is always work to be done. Having said that, those that enjoy teaching, diving or otherwise often see teaching the English language as an additional challenge with many rewards, personal and financial.

In order to be taken seriously and gain a good reputation as an English teacher in Thailand it is imperative to have a TEFL ((Teaching English as a foreign Language) not to be confused with the TOFEL)) qualification and certificate. This will not only allow you greater earning potential but will gain you great experience within the classroom and allow you the experience of planning lessons for all types of students.

Below are details of the courses offered. I work very closely with the most reputable TEFL School in Thailand. If you would like any further details on the course contact me and I shall have the school director contact you direct. 

The Details

Our TEFL Certificate certifies you to teach in Thailand and worldwide. Our course focuses on the dynamics of teaching English, specifically to Thai and Asian learners. There are a number of schools in the Bangkok area which offer TEFL training and we suggest that you research them. The financial investment in obtaining TEFL certification is reason enough to make sure you make the right decision on the right school for you.

We are sure that you will see some differences such as:

· Our cost -- Baht 38,500 for the 120-hour TEFL certificate. We are the most competitively-priced TEFL school in Thailand and there are no additional fees for materials and teacher evaluations outside the classroom.

· Our course length, four hours of class a day, allows you to "have a life" outside of class and prepares you to teach in six weeks' time (120 hour certificate)

·  We also offer a Sunday class - our positive response to students who work during the week and would like to undertake a TEFL course on Sundays.

·  Our trainers -- are well respected in the teaching profession, some having been educators since 1962. For many of those years they have been in Thailand and so bring knowledge of the country and its culture into the lessons.

· Our teaching approach -- We believe the classroom environment - ours, and yours as a future teacher - should be a pleasant place to learn. 

Do you want to do the best job you can and realize the full potential for you and your students? Maximize income? Be professional? Be effective? TEFL qualification will pave the way for a secure career in high demand in Asia. With a secure teaching position, you will then have access to a work permit and annual visa! Our experienced team of TEFL trainers brings you years of teaching, teacher training and development expertise. They have worked internationally and especially in Thailand. They have tested TEFL course development skills. Combine your training with an introduction to Thai and Asian culture, language and people at one of our three sites: Bangkok, Pattaya or Phuket.

MISSION

· To provide International University Standard TEFL Teacher Training to prospective teachers irrespective of previous experience.

· To provide these Teachers specifically with the "Knowledge, Skills and Attitude" to focus on teaching Thai learners.

· To provide the same for teaching all Asian Learners.

· The same again applicable anywhere in the world.

The major areas of focus are:

1. Teaching methodology: Techniques, classroom strategies, identifying objectives, lesson planning, activities, methods
2. How to teach English grammar: A thorough review aimed at teaching typical learner by practicing conversation interactively and dynamically.
3. An introduction to Asian, and specifically Thai people, culture, language with an emphasis on specific problems our students encounter.
4. A thorough review of books and resources, where to find them, how to use them effectively in accordance with specific course requirements and lesson planning.
5. A look at specific language teaching areas (ESP): Children and Younger Learners. Business English and Writing, Academic English, TOEIC and TOEFL Vocational Training for Hotels, Tour Guides, Banks, Airline/Aviation and Technical English.
6. Alternative teaching methods, games and activities, post-grad reviews and Teacher Development: specific important aspects and key times.
7. A brief examination of Course Design and Curriculum Development.
8. Maximum hands-on teaching practice and critique with peers in the class.
9. Teaching Practice with “real” students that is monitored and evaluated after class hours. Also, very importantly: what to expect “out there” in the real world of institutionalized teaching, how to schedule your teaching times and be most effective. Time and motion management, part-time, full-time and pro-active job placement. 

JOB PLACEMENTS

Usually newcomers have questions like these:
"Can you get me a job? How much can I earn? Can I get a work permit?"
Most people who have not taught before think in terms of teaching English only and need to ask themselves many allied questions. Where do I want to teach? In Bangkok, in towns, or in the countryside?
Who do I want to teach? Young children, teenagers, or adults?

You will find the answers to some of these questions during the course. You will start to appreciate that the most important task after finishing the course is getting as much experience as possible, as quickly as possible. It is not unusual for you to be asked to teach a course with only a couple of days notice. You will find that there are no materials and you will only have the briefest outline of your students' capabilities, and what you are expected to teach them. In general, if you teach in a school outside Bangkok, you will be expected to sign a contract for one year. The pay will be Baht 20,000 to Baht 30,000 per month, and you may get help with accommodation, health care, and a work permit. Please remember that in many parts of Thailand that income will go a very long way, as the cost of living is so low. Your Thai colleagues will be lucky to be earning one third of your wage. In many of these places, however, you may not find too many people who speak English, and books, magazines and newspapers may be rare. This may appeal to some, but don't forget you are there for one year!!

In the Bangkok metropolitan area with an estimated population of 10 million, the available work is a lot more varied, and many people seem to end up doing a number of different classes at different schools. The current employment situation in Bangkok is that we receive daily requests from kindergartens, primary and high schools, international schools and from universities as well to provide qualified teachers. Thus, our students have a wide range of teaching job choices, that we can offer them. The pay in the Bangkok area will be 25,000 baht to 40,000 baht (some schools offer more) and they also may provide you help with accommodation, health care and a work permit. If you get hired on a per job basis, the rates tend to be between Baht 250/hr and Baht 450/hr.,e.g. teaching a specific class at a school for a 30-hour conversation course. The implication is that, if you do the course well, there will be more work for you.

Work permits are usually applied for by the employer, and the situation is generally made clear in the job advertisement.

BEAR IN MIND THAT ALL OF THIS CAN BE INCORPORATED IN AND AROUND YOUR DIVING - OR VICE VERSA!!!

As always - contact me for further details

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