TEFL Phuket News

Teaching English is often touted as highly rewarding and fun. But is it really, or is this just another sales job?

English is the language of commerce and travel. It is the default language of international communication. Teaching in Phuket gives the opportunity to teach not only Thai people, but also people from all of Asia. I have encountered travelers from Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Japan, Korea and Indonesia, during my teaching time in paradise. As our planet becomes more interconnected, everybody needs to learn English. Thus, the demand for English teaching in Asia continues to climb.

People from the above-named countries are able to come to Thailand, book a room, take a couple of hours of class each day and enjoy some rest and relax time on one of Phuket’s famous golden sand beaches. All of this for about the same cost as an English tutor back home. They have studied and learned quite a bit of English on their own - mostly through books, computer programs or non-native speakers. The chance to work on pronunciation, usage and conversation with a real, live native speaker is what they desperately need. This is the only way to learn how to actually speak and hear how English actually sounds when spoken correctly and in person.

Additionally, I have had students from all over Europe: France, Germany, Italy, Sweden and even Greece. For these people, basic English conversation is becoming a necessity as well. Again, the market for the services of a teacher continues to grow. There is a seemingly endless stream of people who want and need to learn to speak English.

So is it really fun and rewarding? You might think that working for the better part of an hour on a point of grammar or pronunciation and creating new and interesting ways to approach the material doesn’t sound all that great. But, when they finally get it, and all of your efforts have paid off, then you’ll know.

The smiles on the student’s faces say it all.

Take the average Thai student. They don’t really want to do something unless it is fun. This is part of their “sanook” ethic. Sanook means “fun” in Thai and if a lesson isn’t fun, lively, interesting or attention-grabbing, what’s the point, really? So, my job is to be an entertainer and comedian with a good grasp of English and clear pronunciation skills. Teaching in this relaxed manner with laughter as a healthy part of each lesson is an excellent way to foster a positive learning environment. Mistakes or slips are met with smiles and chuckles - as opposed to a more western model of anxiety or self criticism. The Thai are really onto something here! I have actually learned to relax while working! Thank you, Thailand!

So how to get started? If you are fluent in English, taking a TEFL course is the best way to go. Why? In a month of easy study, you’ll be prepared to teach. The TEFL course covers everything you’ll need to get going and feel confident in front of students. Without a TEFL, you’ll probably over complicate your attempt to teach English and short change your students in the bargain. My students are eager to learn, and since I work at a private school, they have paid good money to do so. Visit our enroll page to review course dates and accommodation options.

Why not have a fun and rewarding adventure in paradise? Join us now!

Who takes our classes? Who wants to learn English? Who will you be teaching? All good questions if you are interested in a teaching career teaching English in Asia or especially teaching English in Thailand. As a TEFL course student, it is nice to know who you might be working with.
Our students are a mix of both Thai natives and foreigners who live here or are on vacation. Here is a sampling of each:

Marci is 28 and from France. She is a manager at a series of foreign-owned hotels here in Phuket, Thailand. Many of her guests speak English and she does also. She is taking classes to improve her conversational skills so she can be more successful in her job and be more hospitable with her guests. She takes classes 5 mornings a week and has a private instructor from the school here. Their daily class can consist of a glance at the paper, which provides course content for her lesson. She is working on improving her pronunciation and usage of English in a broader, more general knowledge sense.

Nam is 25 and is Thai. She, too is a business person. She has a cute little souvenir and flower shop on the beach in Kamala. She knows speaking English is indispensable to her in being able to be a better salesperson with her foreign customers. She started in one of our group English classes and converted to a private, one-on-one class to work more intensely and make progress better. She is a very well motivated student and is a treat to have as a client.

Fung, Lek, and Fon are brothers and sister. They come from a locally established family who has aspirati0ons of them being able to study at one of Thailand’s better universities. They are 10, 11 1nd 13 respectively. The family believes strongly in education and this shows in their practicing English on each other in the evenings. It was related to us, that even their dad joins their study sessions after his work every day. So nice to experience a culture of commitment to learning - it is pervasive throughout all of our students.

Aom is a twenty-something mom who wants to travel with her husband to the US and UK. She is serious about picking up some English, but is not too interested in grammar. She is really motivated to master the everyday conversational situations she will face when traveling abroad. At times, she initiates a drill in which she asks to go over the material again to perfect the pronunication. Her smile and laughter are infectious, especially when she speaks of her daughter, Boo.

Finally, there is George. He is a Thai and maybe about 55. He is retired from the ferry business and very laid back. He is learning English in one of our small groups with other more younger students. Part-way through the class, we ask the students why they are learning. George’s response was that he always heard his passenegers speaking English, and knew a little by picking it up as he could, but he thought it was time to learn the right way. When asked why now, he said he finally had the time and would like to be able to talk to people as he met them around town. George is a very genial man and you may get a chance to meet him, if you join us for a TEFL course.

So, as you can easily see, our students are wonderful. They are a complete joy to be with and it is fun to help them reach some of their life goals. Why not make this part of your life and sign up for your TEFL now! Phuket is a paradise - especially the wonderful Thai people.

This article discusses the kind of people who are learning to be teachers of English - becoming TEFL Teachers. In a coming post, we will discuss some of the kinds “English language learning” types of students we have.

Why do this? Sharing stories is fun and maybe you could use a smile. Better yet, maybe you’ll see how almost anyone can become an English teacher. The people who take a TEFL course in Phuket are a varied and wonderful bunch and maybe knowing about them will help you take the plunge.

Let’s start with Pat. He is 27, from the Rocky Mountains in the US and is quite the outdoors man. He has worked as a raft guide and enjoys telemark skiing, rock climbing and now is getting into sun and surf ocean sports. He has done some sea-kayaking and scuba diving during his course and is loving the leisure time in the tropics. When asked about his experience, he said: “You would have to be crazy to want to do your TEFL training anywhere else! This place (Phuket) is awesome…” OK, maybe a typical American comment with that “awesome” in there, but from Pat, it seems genuine – he has a lot of enthusiasm – a great quality for teaching and he’ll do well.

Deb is “retired from America!” She’s in her 50s and enjoying travel all over Asia. She loves touring all the Buddhist sites and is eager to head on to Angkor Wat in Cambodia. She doesn’t have a plan to settle on a location, just yet, but does want her TEFL completed so when she finds “the place” she is ready to settle in and begin her teaching. She is having a great time and is involved with a local meditation group and is eager to get all of us into meditation.

Next up is Jennifer. She is 22 and already a world traveler, having backpacked in Europe for a summer. She graduated from K State and is taking a year or two to travel and work in Asia before she begins a career in the states. After a couple of days here, she remarked “maybe I can postpone that career for more than a couple of years.” She has finished her course and is on track to work with children in a local Government school beginning this fall term (May!).

You would smile within thirty seconds of meeting Stu. He is an Aussie, 34, and his good attitude is virally infectious. In his spare time here, he has been volunteer teaching with some locals who work with Farong (Thai: foreigners). They are delighted to have their own private tutor and Stu is just delighted. Period. All the time. Even in Grammar class. He is that good. I have also seem him take over a food cart on the street and make Phad Thai. Even the local Thai people enjoyed his fried noodles.

Last is Ellen, retired from the UK and in her “later years.” That is as close as she’ll pin it down for me. Definitely a grandmother, she did her TEFL a couple of months back and mainly volunteers with kids. She doesn’t have to work, but is very generous with her time in helping others and simply enjoys living in Thailand. She does receive a bit of compensation, mostly in the form of delicious Thai food and free massage. One child she assists has a mom with a massage business, so there is a nice “thank you” there for her.

As you can see, we have students from all walks of life and many countries. They are all amazing people and spending some time with them here at the school is a wonderful way to live my life. I feel blessed to have made so many good friends and now feel like I know folks from all over the world. I look forward to meeting you! If you are thinking about earning a TEFL Certification in Asia or becoming an English Teacher abroad, please drop me a line with any questions you may have.

You can get more info at TEFL Phuket or, check out our sister site for a different angle at TEFL Thailand.

Thanks for stopping by – see you in paradise soon. - Thomas

People always ask me what it is like teaching in Phuket, so here is an average day.

I wake up early, usually about 6 am. Never an early riser in the States, it is surprising how easy it is to get going each day. In Phuket, life is good, and I feel happy for each day spent in paradise. Sometimes, there is a stroll down to the beach for sunrise, as the beach is only 5 minutes from my doorstep. The colors in the sky are amazing, and it is never tiring to look, as the hues of the sky are always shifting & melding and the ocean is usually smooth and calm.

Maybe a quick coffee and danish at a beach side cafe is next, or I can pop back to the house and make a fresh fruit smoothie. There is always fresh fruit in Phuket: mangoes, papaya, Thai kiwi, pineapple and even bananas from my own backyard. Sometimes I do 20 minutes of yoga, sometimes I just sit on the porch and watch the neighborhood wake up – usually with another coffee.

I have my first class at 8 or 9 in the morning. The type of class is usually varied. Some days it is a one-on-one private with a Thai student who is preparing for higher education. Other days is is a small group of Thai who are interested in improving their English conversation ability. I also teach small groups of up to 8 or 10. Working at a private school, there is an emphasis on small class sizes to ensure quality of teacher to student interaction. The majority of my classes have less than 3 students.

After 2 or 3 hours of teaching, there is usually free time until my next class, so lunch is a leisurely affair. Thai food is incredible - the subtlety of flavors and exotic spices are always an adventure. My tongue grew up on pretty plain American food! I love Thai fried noodles sauteed with fresh shrimp or chicken. A close runner up is Tom Yum Koong – a spicy soup with shrimp, fresh Thai vegetables and chillies, of course.

I have rediscovered the lost art of napping and a light afternoon siesta is a wonderful thing. Generally, there are a couple more hours of teaching in the afternoon or evening and then, dinner. More delicious Thai food or occasionally a hamburger or some fried chicken. The chicken is fresh here and the flavor is dramatically better that back home in the States.

At some point during my day, I review each class asking – what I have been able to teach each student, what do we still need to work on and where we might go next? For 5 hours of teaching, this takes about an hour, so you could say work time is about 6 hours each day. Each classroom hour gets me about 300 baht. I teach only 5 days a week and earn about 30,000 baht a month. That is about $1000.

Maybe it does not sound like much, but my rent is only 6000 baht a month with utilities, and it’s a sweet place. Meals run me 100 baht on average – and that is top notch fresh food. So there is about 15000 baht each month to play with. I can rent a motorbike and explore the island, go out and have a few beers with friends or take the occasional scuba trip to some of the best diving on the planet, with money left over each month. There are western movies here, an Apple store (so gotta get the latest ipod) and the night markets are a true adventure – so much to be had for a song!

It would be difficult for me to explain how fortunate I feel to have made the change and created a new life for myself here in Thailand. Earning a TEFL certificate was the key to a wonderful and relaxed life. The Thai people are the best on Earth. They are friendly, generous and always ready with a huge smile. But that is another post…

See you soon -

Thomas

The tourist season is slowing down, but the weather is still fantastic in Phuket, Thailand…. enrollment is now open for our TEFL/TESOL Certification Course beginning March 10, 2008, as well as all future courses in 2008. Here is our complete course schedule. Enroll now to make sure you get a spot!

TEFL Phuket has teamed up with Anna’s Language School, a provider of TEFL Certification for 12 years in Phuket, Thailand. We are very excited about this and look forward to offering more services and experience to our already robust curriculum. Anna’s Language School