TEFL Phuket News

(This begins a series written by Allie, a recent graduate, on her decision to take a TEFL course with TEFL Phuket, and follows her through the training and into her current job and adventures in Thailand. Her praise for the course and her experiences speak volumes, so we’ll move on to the story. Enjoy!)

I moved to the other side of the world…to teach English…what am I, nuts? Probably, but that doesn’t mean my decision was nuts. It was a long time coming, as a matter of fact. A laid-off English teacher trying to survive one of the worst economic climates since The Great Depression, I was running out of options. I could work at the same job I’d been working at off and on since I’m sixteen, or I could do something big. I opted for the something big.

I remember researching places I might want to live someday and for some reason, Thailand spoke to me. Maybe it was the tropical climate that led me here, or the allure of spicy food and friendly people… after all, Thailand is ‘the land of smiles’ – but regardless of what it was, I’m glad I took the leap.

Already being an English teacher, becoming a TEFL teacher seemed obvious, and finding a place to become certified in Thailand was not difficult. I simply Googled ‘teach English in Thailand’ and a myriad of choices were returned…but which one was the right one? Some people describe me as cautious…and I am, I’ll admit that…but with loads of ‘fake schools’ advertised on the net, I needed to be sure exactly WHERE my money was going, and exactly WHAT I was going to get for it.

I stumbled upon teflphuket.com and noted that they had the option of a ‘call back service’. This, for a start, put my mind at ease. I contacted Chris, and was pleased when he took the time to answer my (often repeated) questions, to share his experience, and to allay my fears. Yes, it is a real school. Yes, it is backed by the Thai Ministry of Education. Yes, he enjoyed Thailand and had spent a great deal of time there. He was able to provide me with valuable information about cost of living, Buddhist culture, farang (foreign) culture in Phuket, health care, visas etc. This process of asking and answering questions went on for days until I was FINALLY and exhaustively convinced that both TEFL Phuket and Thailand were right for me.

(to be continued…)

Jobs available for TEFL Phuket graduates!

Our four-week course pays for itself in the first two months of working.

Enjoy the beach, nightlife, and relaxing after class.

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Join us now! We need teachers.

Call us immediately! Begin a new life, new career, and make money doing meaningful and productive work!

Teaching English in Thailand

Perhaps you have already traveled or studied abroad and would like to complement your cultural experiences with professional work experience. Maybe you’ve never been abroad but would like to go and explore a new place. Maybe you are in a rut and considering a life change. In any case, teaching English abroad can be an enjoyable way to achieve your goals.

If you are considering teaching English abroad, you might think that the challenges to becoming a teacher might outweigh the benefits of doing so - this is not the case at all….

To become an English teacher, the primary skill you should have is near-native fluency in English. However,  speaking English does not qualify you to teach - you’ll benefit from a few other personality traits and some skills. Foremost among the personality traits are an eagerness to work with people, a desire to assist others, and openness to new cultural experiences.

Do you see yourself as a “people-person?” Have you worked in positions that require customer contact and assistance? Do you care about doing a good job? Are you flexible and willing to put aside your version of “how things should be?” If you are answering “yes” to these questions, then you have the skills necessary to be a great teacher.

As far as the other skills needed, this is what TEFL Phuket offers to you. You’ll find that our course provides both a review of both what to teach and how to teach, plus we feature more practice teaching opportunities than any other course provider. Teaching is best learned by doing and you’ll be ready to teach after the course.

Regarding assistance, we help you with your visa, pick you up from the airport, arrange your housing, provide support and extras (like a free Thai massage) and have a “Jobs for Life” board where you will be able to explore the latest and best teaching opportunities to teach English in Thailand, Asia and the whole world. We understand that creating a new life abroad can be a challenge, and we try to make the transition smooth and painless for you.

So, what are the benefits of teaching English abroad?

• English teachers in Asia generally make salaries which can provide a comfortable living and the chance to save some money.
• You are able to see the results of your work efforts, as your students make progress.
• Assisting others is very rewarding and satisfying.
• You will be treated with respect and seen as an “expert” by your colleagues and students.
• You will have a fantastic opportunity to increase your own foreign language skills.
• Living abroad gives the chance to fully experience a foreign culture.
• Teaching English abroad is a great way to explore a career in teaching.
• You’ll find opportunities to develop friendships with students and colleagues from all around the world.
• Depending on the school where you are placed and your own unique abilities, there can be much flexibility in your duties. You might be able to teach in other subject areas, depending on your skills, experience and education.

If you enjoy working with other people, learning about new cultures, and passing on knowledge, then consider teaching English abroad! For more information on fees & dates, please visit our enroll page.

We look forward to assisting you with your new adventure!