Confused Student Wanting To Complete My Tefl In Thailand!

[loraporz]

Hi there!

I'm currently doing a post graduate certificate in further and higher music education. Last Summer I had the chance to work as a TEFL teacher and absolutely loved it, so I really want to get my TEFL certificate in the bag to secure future work. My father lives in Thailand and has done for years, and I also have a four year old brother there who I love to pieces and want to spend more time with. I have been visiting the country for around ten years now and it already feels like home so it seems perfect for me to study and work there.

I know a lot of Thai schools don't require a TEFL qualification, and the fact I have my post grad is probably sufficient enough to gain work. But I want to be secure and I plan to return to the UK at some point so would like to obtain the TEFL qualification to secure jobs back in the UK, as well as elsewhere in the world should I decide to travel further.

So with that in mind - I'm just wondering if anyone here would be so kind as to help me figure out if there are any courses suited to what I have said above? I finish my classes in June so I'm looking to go asap really.

I'd be eternally grateful for any help!

Thanks

x

[loraporz]

Also - I don't know if I should go for a TEFL or CELTA? I used to think CELTA was the best one and had my heart set on it, but I've read in previous posts that its not the greatest as it limits you to teaching adults. So is TEFL very open to all ages and therefore the better choice?

x

[BeardedDragon]

What is the main reason you want to do you TEFL in Pattaya?

[Scott]

I believe that for working in any European Country, you will need a CELTA. There may be other posters who are more knowledgeable about this.

[loraporz]

The main reason I want to do my TEFL in Thailand is because I love the country and the people. The reason for it being Pattaya, is because I have a four year old brother who is currently learning both English and Thai there, and I love being around children and adults who are learning the same thing. I am also interested in furthering my Thai speaking and reading skills, so what better place to be! Of course I would like to be closer to my family, so Pattaya is ideal. I know the area, and I know I like it there.

I'm just worried that a CELTA will limit me to just teaching adults, where as I'm happy teaching both adults and children when it comes to EFL. It's a different story when it comes to teaching music however!

I just want to know where I can get a respectable TEFL qualification. Money is not an option as I'm willing to spend whatever I need to in order to get this. I just want to know that the qualification I get is worthwhile, that I actually learn from the course, and that it will allow me to work afterwards.

Thanks for all your help and responses so far!

x

[kanderson]

Since your Female - your a hot item - hard for schools to find. A Celta or TESOL would not limit you to teaching Adults.

[thunder30101]

For teaching in thailand a celta is pretty much worthless as most schools wont even know what it is, tefl cert is what they want to see and know. Get a tefl cert. here and if you decide to go back home and teach then get your celta certs as it is a much more widely accepted cert in the real world. The teaching field in thailand is really tightening up and competition for decent jobs has increased greatly in the last couple of years. Many schools where I live have dropped their native speakers this year for half priced non natives, I dont really blame them as the education system here is so screwed up why pay all that money when no one is learning anything anyway.

[loraporz]

I have found a center called ECC (English Computer College) who offer both the Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) + Teaching English to Young Learners (TEYL) qualification. I found them on the Cambridge Esol website when browising for accredited institutions in Thailand. Seriously looking into this one.

Surely those qualifications, and my post graduate certificate in further and higher education will allow me to gain some paid teaching experience in Thailand?

And I have no idea how to quote other users on here, but the person who said, why pay all that money when no one is really learning anything - I agree. It may sound corny and I know a lot of people say it, but that's exactly what I want to try and change. I have a four year old brother who I believe to be autistic, but this is being ignored in school. And you're right, his school is not cheap. I know he's not the only Thai child who is being left behind, and that really resonates with me. So I'm just hoping that by getting the right qualifications, someone will pick up my CV and give me the chance to help.

x

[Loaded]

Graduate reviews of TEFL courses in Thailand:

http://www.teflcoursereview.com/courses/location/thailand/

[Ijustwannateach]

The standard advice is call the places you want to be working and ask what *they* look for. As things go on the ground here, local TEFL courses are probably better preparation than CELTA. Never heard about anyone having trouble getting TEFL work in other countries based on any particular type of certificate, especially once you have some experience. Recommend our sponsors at SEE.

[schondie]

Doing a young learners course is a smart move as jobs in Kindergartens tend to pay much more than the run of the mill secondary school jobs.

I did my TEFL about ten years ago in Ban Phe with a very professional company called TEFL International and was really pleased with the course. A Dutch friend took my advice and did the same course last year and really liked it as well.

One TEFL course and teaching agency in Hat Yai is to be avoided but I can't name them here. I've heard they run a very poor course from people who ended up working for them. Also they get schools to make bids on the most attractive girls who are looking for work.

Anyway, good luck with your course.

[BigJohnnyBKK]

The CELTA and the Trinity are well-respected internationally, the former 10x more common.

"TEFL cert" by itself is meaningless. Thailand's requirements are far below those of other countries, and most certs other than the above two are a little more than worthless in more demanding markets, as the employer would have to somehow independently verify the quality of each provider individually.

Any young-learners experience will result in work being much easier to find and often better-paying, especially for females. However a YL-oriented certificate will only be helpful **in addition** to the CELTA overseas.

The big exception for any of this is if you are a native speaker and get government-qualified as an actual teacher of children in a developed-nation school system. They you will qualify for work with the international schools, which pays 2x 3x the salary, much better working conditions and benefits, especially if you can get recruited from overseas at the annual international fairs. No TEFL-oriented certification required at all in this last context.

[loraporz]

Hi guys, thanks again for your replies - they have been very helpful!

I will look into SEE as well as the link Loaded has provided.

Thanks!

Hopefully I'll find the right course!

x

[loraporz]

Found a CELTA course in Brighton where I currently live that I think I'm going to go for. I'll then look for work in Thailand

I'll keep in this board as it's been awesome in helping me pick the right course!

Cheers guys

x

[DrAnna]

I had the same dilemma whether to do the CELTA or TEFL. In theory they are the same thing, but the CELTA is Cambridge accredited and I was under the impression that it is a better qualification to have. So the way I saw it was if you're going to spend the time and effort to study for a qualification it is best to go for the 'more challenging one' (I have a PhD BTW - so I'm always up for a challenge). However, in Thailand - TEFL is widely accepted and everyone knows what it is. CELTA is less known in Thailand and more accepted in Europe. In the end I went for the TEFL rather than a CELTA. I also did it in Thailand as it is cheap and you get excellent classroom practice with the locals which is amazing experience. Which I doubt I would have been as good in the UK. I was in a class or 28 of which 26 travelled from around the World to study in Phuket whereas the other 2 were living in Phuket. I did my TEFL at the TEFL International school in Phuket town (near Bangkok hospital) I cannot speak highly of them, all the training staff are excellent and they also provide help with finding jobs. There are lots of local jobs posted on the boards at the school which I think you would not be able to see elsewhere.

If you have a PGCE then you will be able to get into one of the more prestigious international schools (however they will usually require at least 2 years experience). Nevertheless, a PGCE and a TEFL should put you in an excellent position to teach in Thailand.

Good Luck !

[Trembly]

Anyone got any experience with CMUTEFL? I've seen the mudslinging about the programme at LICMU that got shut down a couple of years ago but I wonder if it's a phoenix that has risen from the ashes or another lame duck.