Tefl Course In Thailand

[dantilley]

Hi,

Is it possible to do a good quality, widely recognised and reputable TEFL course from in Thailand? Or do you have to embark on such things in a native English Speaking, western country?

If yes, how much would a course cost and how long would it take?

Thanks,

Dan.

[kenkannif]

Yes you can and if you have a little bit of a look around this forum you'll see comments both good and bad about various TEFL courses.

[tedkarma]

I have a little ditty on how to select a good TEFL school on my website at: http://phuketdelight.com/TEFL.htm

Enjoy!

[Neeranam]

I have been teaching in Thailand for over 10 years and some of that time was responsible for hiring teachers.

I would, and my friends who are Directors of study would agree, choose someone with a London Trinity TESOL or a RSA CTEFL before someone with another TEFL certificate.

You can do the RSA at ECC. Why settle for second best, do one of the best two recognised wordwide.

[kenkannif]

The RSA doesn't exist anymore you mean the UCLES! And it was the CTEFLA not CTEFL back in the day!

I've actually heard the opposite from other DoSs, that a non-Thai based course doesn't teach you to teach as well here as a Thai based one?

Also neither of the two above teach you to teach kids either do they? Arguably (sp?) the biggest market for teachers here in Thailand?

Other than being the most 'recognised' what do they teach you to do (that other courses don't), or do better than other courses? Sure recognition is all well and good, but shouldn't the ability to teach, after passing, come into it?

Edited April 28, 2005 by kenkannif

[PeaceBlondie]

If the original poster meant 'internationally recognised so that I can take it anywhere in the world and they know it,' then the answer is CELTA or whatever else they call it.

If you want to teach in Thailand, and teach children and adolescents, the above doesn't apply. The theoretical circumstance seldom applies, where a DOS has plenty of applicants in a perfect situation and can choose between two OTHERWISE EQUALLY qualified persons except for where they got their certificate. A demonstration class and an interview of each applicant will tell you who's really best qualified.

Remember: you're talking about a four week course. 120 classroom hours and as many properly certified hours of practice teaching as you can get. It's not as if you're earning a doctor's degree.

[dantilley]

Some useful responses here, thanks.

Firstly, Neeranam, what is the "ECC"?

Also, PeaceBlondie, is 4 weeks the expected time-frame to do a TEFT course? Or does it differ much from course to course (or country to country even)?

And, finally, how much do these courses cost?

Thank you again for your help so far,

Dan.

[Neeranam]

Firstly, Neeranam, what is the "ECC"?

ECC Thailand is a group of language schools which , in my opinion are very good to start teaching in Thailand(was for me anyway), if you have no previous experience. Do a search - ECCThailand and you will get the price fot the internationally accepted courses which used to be called CELTA and DELTA. If you get this, which is probably a little more expensive than the other courses available, you could with a year or two experience walk into a job anywhere in the world.

The RSA doesn't exist anymore you mean the UCLES! And it was the CTEFLA not CTEFL back in the day!

I've actually heard the opposite from other DoSs, that a non-Thai based course doesn't teach you to teach as well here as a Thai based one?

Also neither of the two above teach you to teach kids either do they? Arguably (sp?) the biggest market for teachers here in Thailand?

Other than being the most 'recognised' what do they teach you to do (that other courses don't), or do better than other courses? Sure recognition is all well and good, but shouldn't the ability to teach, after passing, come into it?

There is a huge market in Thailand for students other than kids and the classes are generally better paid.

Maybe a "Thai based" course can teach you how to teach Thai kids better, and if that is all you want to do, fine.

[kenkannif]

^ Yes there is a huge market for students others than children, I don't dispute that. All I was saying is that the majority of work is generally for kids. IMO a kids teacher is far more flexible than an adult only teacher.

As far as walking into ANY job in the world you generally need a degree as TEFL qualifications are generally thought of as post graduate (i.e. your Japan's, Korea's etc. will be more interested in the degree you hold!).

[mbkudu]

Firstly, Neeranam, what is the "ECC"?

ECC Thailand is a group of language schools which , in my opinion are very good to start teaching in Thailand(was for me anyway), if you have no previous experience. Do a search - ECCThailand and you will get the price fot the internationally accepted courses which used to be called CELTA and DELTA. If you get this, which is probably a little more expensive than the other courses available, you could with a year or two experience walk into a job anywhere in the world.

The RSA doesn't exist anymore you mean the UCLES! And it was the CTEFLA not CTEFL back in the day!

I've actually heard the opposite from other DoSs, that a non-Thai based course doesn't teach you to teach as well here as a Thai based one?

Also neither of the two above teach you to teach kids either do they? Arguably (sp?) the biggest market for teachers here in Thailand?

Other than being the most 'recognised' what do they teach you to do (that other courses don't), or do better than other courses? Sure recognition is all well and good, but shouldn't the ability to teach, after passing, come into it?

There is a huge market in Thailand for students other than kids and the classes are generally better paid.

Maybe a "Thai based" course can teach you how to teach Thai kids better, and if that is all you want to do, fine.

I am wondering what the current name of this certification is. I thought it used to be called RSA and now it is called CELTA. Is this correct?

[kenkannif]

It used to be called the RSA CTEFLA, then I think just the RSA CELTA (the Royal Society of Arts or something I think, which had nowt really to do with teaching), now it's plain old UCLES (University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate) CELTA.

[Welshman]

I have been teaching in Thailand for over 10 years and some of that time was responsible for hiring teachers.

I would, and my friends who are Directors of study would agree, choose someone with a  London Trinity TESOL or a RSA CTEFL before someone with another TEFL certificate.

You can do the RSA at ECC. Why settle for second best, do one of the best two recognised wordwide.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Edited May 5, 2005 by Welshman

[Welshman]

The RSA doesn't exist anymore you mean the UCLES! And it was the CTEFLA not CTEFL back in the day!

I've actually heard the opposite from other DoSs, that a non-Thai based course doesn't teach you to teach as well here as a Thai based one?

Also neither of the two above teach you to teach kids either do they? Arguably (sp?) the biggest market for teachers here in Thailand?

Other than being the most 'recognised' what do they teach you to do (that other courses don't), or do better than other courses? Sure recognition is all well and good, but shouldn't the ability to teach, after passing, come into it?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The RSA is now OCR (Oxford, Cambridge, RSA). You're right on many of the issues. They do a TEFL here at my college (I'm in Amersham, UK) and TEFL is predominantly aimed at east European adults. They also do ESOL here but this is very basic English mainly aimed at the Asian (Pakistani) population.

My son and daughter in law took the TEFL course at the Text and Talk institute in Bangkok and were very impressed by its thoroughness.

I brought some of the material they provide back to UK with me and showed it to the head of the department that does TEFL here and she was very impressed, especially the handbook regarding differences between English and Oriental languages.

There's also the cost. A TEFL course here in UK would start at around 1,000 pounds sterling. I've been quoted around 600 pounds for a course in Thailand.

[PeaceBlondie]

Some useful responses here, thanks.

Firstly, Neeranam, what is the "ECC"?

Also, PeaceBlondie, is 4 weeks the expected time-frame to do a TEFT course? Or does it differ much from course to course (or country to country even)?

And, finally, how much do these courses cost?

Thank you again for your help so far,

Dan.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm sorry if your question went unaswered. Most of the courses cost about US$1100 or maybe 600 pounds sterling (does Sir Stirling Moss weigh that much now?).

As to time span, full time it takes about four weeks to finish 120 hours, although the course might run 5 or 6 weeks total.

[dantilley]

Some useful responses here, thanks.

Firstly, Neeranam, what is the "ECC"?

Also, PeaceBlondie, is 4 weeks the expected time-frame to do a TEFT course? Or does it differ much from course to course (or country to country even)?

And, finally, how much do these courses cost?

Thank you again for your help so far,

Dan.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm sorry if your question went unaswered. Most of the courses cost about US$1100 or maybe 600 pounds sterling (does Sir Stirling Moss weigh that much now?).

As to time span, full time it takes about four weeks to finish 120 hours, although the course might run 5 or 6 weeks total.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks - this has been all very helpful and interesting.

Dan.

[coldcrush]

I do not undertsand why people want to do a TEFL in Bangkok when they are offered elsewhere in Thailand. Try Chiang Mai, Text and Talk Academy, maybe not the best TEFL school in Thailand but it was good enough to get me work. Chaing Mai is also a good beginners place to Thailand before you move into the smaller towns.

http://www.teflteachthai.com/TrainingSites_ChiangMai.html

Edited May 13, 2005 by lopburiguy

[PeaceBlondie]

I agree with that big-eared Lopburi guy, and did the same. However, starting your teaching career in Chiang Mai might only net you a job that pays 22K for less than twelve months per year. And working near CMai is a very very lonely, isolated experience. By taking the course in Chiang Mai, you get a great introduction to Thailand without the more extreme congestion of Bangkok. You have to ride quite a distance out of CMai before you encounter elephants and buffalo on the road. The course location is at Backpackers' Central, surrounded by cheap guesthouses and all kinds of restaurants (but don't order 'Mexican' food at the Art Cafe, next door).