Just A Couple Of Questions

[Pattayatony]

I have just spent the last hour on here searching trying to find some answers. I have found some and I would like to say that some of the people on this forum have done a lot of work to supply information wishing to start teaching careers. Thank you for that.

Now this is for a friend of mine, he has never been teaching before his questions are: Would the basic ( Essential ) online TEFL course be OK just to get work teaching English or do you think that one of the more detailed course would be better?

On the TEFL web page they have a shop selling books etc are any of these worth buying ?

Thank you for taking the time to answer.

Tony

[Ijustwannateach]

I don't know about books in general- it all depends on the book. If you post some titles, we can comment on them individually. For instance, Interchange gets a bad rap, but with some supplementary materials I like to use it for TEFL.

I would argue that an online TEFL course would really be defeating the purpose of most TEFL courses, which is to get your feet wet and make you more confident doing what you're gonna be doing. I'm not saying they can't work, but if I had my own choice I'd do some real face-to-face training before going out to look for work.

"Steven"

[Pattayatony]

I don't know about books in general- it all depends on the book. If you post some titles, we can comment on them individually. For instance, Interchange gets a bad rap, but with some supplementary materials I like to use it for TEFL.

I would argue that an online TEFL course would really be defeating the purpose of most TEFL courses, which is to get your feet wet and make you more confident doing what you're gonna be doing. I'm not saying they can't work, but if I had my own choice I'd do some real face-to-face training before going out to look for work.

"Steven"

Thank you Steven,

Although I know nothing about teaching it would seem to me that a hands on would be better.

This is the list of teaching aids:

www.onlinetefl.com/shopuser.php?s=28

Once again thank you for you time.

Tony

[BlimeyCharlie]

I don't know about books in general- it all depends on the book. If you post some titles, we can comment on them individually. For instance, Interchange gets a bad rap, but with some supplementary materials I like to use it for TEFL.

I would argue that an online TEFL course would really be defeating the purpose of most TEFL courses, which is to get your feet wet and make you more confident doing what you're gonna be doing. I'm not saying they can't work, but if I had my own choice I'd do some real face-to-face training before going out to look for work.

"Steven"

Thank you Steven,

Although I know nothing about teaching it would seem to me that a hands on would be better.

This is the list of teaching aids:

www.onlinetefl.com/shopuser.php?s=28

Once again thank you for you time.

Tony

I did a weekend course in Hull and the extra 80 hours course work. A friend of mine did the online course and he walked into a job. Depends on the language school.

[Ijustwannateach]

I've never used any of those, PT, and they're not what I see on sale in most TEFL-related bookstores around here in Asia. Maybe those are more common in the U.K. As you're from the U.K., I'd recommend materials provided by Cambridge; those are pretty widely used.

[PeaceBlondie]

I've only taken one course, over 100 hours of classroom and many hours of supervised practice teaching. In Thailand. An online course is better than nothing, and four weeks classroom is better than two weeks, and $1,200 is more than $600, etc. In fact, it's very likely that the best online course is better than the worst classroom course. Too many variables.

How does your friend learn? Will he learn more reading, or online, or in a classroom? If he's never taught before, how does he know he'll like it? Teaching EFL in Thailand is not a lark or a stroll in the park; it's hard, important work that doesn't pay well and is only "worth it" if you enjoy teaching.

[Pattayatony]

I've never used any of those, PT, and they're not what I see on sale in most TEFL-related bookstores around here in Asia. Maybe those are more common in the U.K. As you're from the U.K., I'd recommend materials provided by Cambridge; those are pretty widely used.

He is living in Thailand. Do you know of any books that can be purchased in Thailand that could be of help to him.

and no Im not from the UK Im from Australia and so is the person IM asking for.

Tony

[paully]

I haven't heard of any of the books on your list either, Tony. Is your friend in/near Bangkok? I say this because there are a couple of good EFL bookshops there as well as Kinokunya in Siam Paragon. The best EFL shop is on a small soi a little north of (ie: behind) Central World, walk along the road on the left-hand side cross the bridge and it's the soi immediately after the railway track on the left. I can't remember the name of the shop, but its' EFL selection is, IMO, the equivalent of the best EFL shops in the UK (can't speak about Australia). If he goes in there for a browse, he'll find something useful. Nothing like looking at real books yourself and making your choice.

[Pattayatony]

I haven't heard of any of the books on your list either, Tony. Is your friend in/near Bangkok? I say this because there are a couple of good EFL bookshops there as well as Kinokunya in Siam Paragon. The best EFL shop is on a small soi a little north of (ie: behind) Central World, walk along the road on the left-hand side cross the bridge and it's the soi immediately after the railway track on the left. I can't remember the name of the shop, but its' EFL selection is, IMO, the equivalent of the best EFL shops in the UK (can't speak about Australia). If he goes in there for a browse, he'll find something useful. Nothing like looking at real books yourself and making your choice.

What a great bunch of guys giving me all of this info. My friend is living near Korat but he does come down to BKK at times so Im going to pass on all this info to him. Once again thank you for taking the time to reply.

Cheers Tony

[kenkannif]

I don't know about books in general- it all depends on the book. If you post some titles, we can comment on them individually. For instance, Interchange gets a bad rap, but with some supplementary materials I like to use it for TEFL.

I would argue that an online TEFL course would really be defeating the purpose of most TEFL courses, which is to get your feet wet and make you more confident doing what you're gonna be doing. I'm not saying they can't work, but if I had my own choice I'd do some real face-to-face training before going out to look for work.

"Steven"

Thank you Steven,

Although I know nothing about teaching it would seem to me that a hands on would be better.

This is the list of teaching aids:

www.onlinetefl.com/shopuser.php?s=28

Once again thank you for you time.

Tony

I did a weekend course in Hull and the extra 80 hours course work. A friend of mine did the online course and he walked into a job. Depends on the language school.

Mate has nothing really to do with getting a job....rather being able to do the job to the best of your ability....an online course generally won't help with that.

Better than nothing....but only just (although you want to be working out whether it's worth what you pay....most aren't).

As the main thing about a 'proper' TEFL course is the experience and confidence it gives you I'd argue that the best online one is better than the worst off line one....as it won't contain that most important of things....YOU ACTUALLY TEACHING!!! And that's the bottom line....you can read about this that and the other....but until you actually do it, you'll never know if you can....actually do it!!!

[mark lamai]

tefl is a scam

ok i guess if you are really scared about going into a classroom

get the cheapest thing you can that will be acceptable to an employer and MoE

your best teacher will be the other teachers you work with

as long as you are lucky enough to work with sensible generous farangs

tip for beginners

the best thing you can get is a school where the thai teacher stays in the classroom and maintains order/discipline.

without a thai teacher there you will be drowning very quickly.

but most don't. they go off for a sleep somewhere.

and many like to see you fail also.

like above, its no walk in the park and very underpaid.

[Ijustwannateach]

Ken's right, as usual. And Mark's advice, though somewhat pessimistic, is based on the truth- however, there are happier scenarios than the one he paints.

[SusanRichardson]

tefl is a scam

ok i guess if you are really scared about going into a classroom

get the cheapest thing you can that will be acceptable to an employer and MoE

your best teacher will be the other teachers you work with

as long as you are lucky enough to work with sensible generous farangs

tip for beginners

the best thing you can get is a school where the thai teacher stays in the classroom and maintains order/discipline.

without a thai teacher there you will be drowning very quickly.

but most don't. they go off for a sleep somewhere.

and many like to see you fail also.

like above, its no walk in the park and very underpaid.

Well said. The truth.

For Tony, tell you friend to GO to a high school in Korat, dress nice(long pants, shirt and a tie), be polite, approach the English department and ask in bargirl English for a chance to sit in on an English class. Express an interest in teaching, they will let him I think. Most Issan schools don't have foreigners for the students to interact with. He will know within 30min if it is for him.

I just saved him $1000.usd. Cheers. Susan

[Pattayatony]

tefl is a scam

ok i guess if you are really scared about going into a classroom

get the cheapest thing you can that will be acceptable to an employer and MoE

your best teacher will be the other teachers you work with

as long as you are lucky enough to work with sensible generous farangs

tip for beginners

the best thing you can get is a school where the thai teacher stays in the classroom and maintains order/discipline.

without a thai teacher there you will be drowning very quickly.

but most don't. they go off for a sleep somewhere.

and many like to see you fail also.

like above, its no walk in the park and very underpaid.

Well said. The truth.

For Tony, tell you friend to GO to a high school in Korat, dress nice(long pants, shirt and a tie), be polite, approach the English department and ask in bargirl English for a chance to sit in on an English class. Express an interest in teaching, they will let him I think. Most Issan schools don't have foreigners for the students to interact with. He will know within 30min if it is for him.

I just saved him $1000.usd. Cheers. Susan

Thank you to all that replied to my questions. I have passed all the info onto my friend and now its up to him to sort out and use.

Regards Tony

[Neeranam]

QUOTE(mark lamai @ 2006-08-31 14:30:34) *

tefl is a scam

ok i guess if you are really scared about going into a classroom

get the cheapest thing you can that will be acceptable to an employer and MoE

your best teacher will be the other teachers you work with

as long as you are lucky enough to work with sensible generous farangs

tip for beginners

the best thing you can get is a school where the thai teacher stays in the classroom and maintains order/discipline.

without a thai teacher there you will be drowning very quickly.

but most don't. they go off for a sleep somewhere.

and many like to see you fail also.

like above, its no walk in the park and very underpaid.

Well said. The truth.

For Tony, tell you friend to GO to a high school in Korat, dress nice(long pants, shirt and a tie), be polite, approach the English department and ask in bargirl English for a chance to sit in on an English class. Express an interest in teaching, they will let him I think. Most Issan schools don't have foreigners for the students to interact with. He will know within 30min if it is for him.

I just saved him $1000.usd. Cheers. Susan

Most of the schools in my city in Isarn have foreigners, so I suspect Koratchasima dose to.

Why speak in bargirl English? I agree waste of money -I did the London Trinity TESOL(4 weeks), which is the best one you can do, and didn't learn a thing.

Tony, tell your friend to stay away from schools - they are a nightmare!. Go to the local college or university. Language schools can be good for learing the ropes and using their material for your private classes .

[PeaceBlondie]

Neeranam, maybe I missed something in Tony's posts, but his friend appears to be totally unqualified. Are you saying that a rajabat or university would let such a person teach English? I had no idea.

[Neeranam]

Neeranam, maybe I missed something in Tony's posts, but his friend appears to be totally unqualified. Are you saying that a rajabat or university would let such a person teach English? I had no idea.

I know a few guys who have worked for Rajabat without any qualifications. They are not important for conversational classes. Does the guy in question have a degree?

If he wants to work in schools upcountry, qualifications are even less requires. I know a French guy who just started last week at a big school. His pronounciation is terrible but the school don't care - a white face is all that is required.

[Ijustwannateach]

Some posts which were drifting pretty far off-topic have been removed.

On an entirely unrelated note, I'd like to point out that this forum generally tries to maintain a positive tone towards Teaching In Thailand, whether TEFL or other subjects. Shifts of topic which bash teachers will tend to result in greater (stricter) modding with reference to the forum rules, which I would encourage new posters to read. Enjoy!

"Steven"