TEFL Phuket News

I have a state-side friend named Peter and we were discussing the idea of teaching English overseas recently. After hearing story upon story of my fun times and great students and while reflecting on his own situation, John remarked that teaching English abroad is a “Career Safe Haven.”

I think that what he means is that, as a career choice, teaching English in Asia makes more sense now than ever. The job is enjoyable, rewarding and a good earning choice for living a life of fun and adventure traveling and experiencing the cultures of our world. Teaching is a great way to broaden your skills and to show some independence and personal initiative.

But a “safe haven..” Really?

First, the employment available to qualified TEFL teachers is excellent. There is rising demand across the world as English becomes Earth’s universal language. In most every country, both for business & tourism, English has become the global language used by people of every nationality to communicate. In short, everyone wants to speak English and governments around the world are whole-heartedly encouraging their citizens to do so.

Second, TEFL Thailand’s TEFL certificates are accepted throughout the world by established businesses and schools employing English language teachers. This recognition means that wherever you go to teach in Thailand, Asia or the world, your TEFL certificate will open doors to better employment opportunities. Teaching is a very portable profession. You can do it anywhere there is demand.

Third, a job placement is virtually guaranteed for all graduates upon the successful completion of the TEFL course and the staff at your training center will help you secure a position in the country or area of your choosing. (Of course, you should remember that all job placements are subject to an interview by any prospective employer. Frankly, your employment search is best accomplished in person, as this allows you to visit your actual workplace, co-teachers and students and ensure the best fit for you in your job.)

Next, the lifestyle is wonderful. Most TEFL teachers in Thailand enjoy a 4 or 5 hour working day and make a comfortable living. This can be supplemented by private tutoring, increasing your income, and there is still plenty of free time to pursue your leisure or adventure activities. The students are eager and enchantingly friendly and the work is entertaining.

Finally, the cost to live in paradise is amazingly low. I have friends who live in various parts of Hawaii. To slum it in Hawaii, chasing uncertain and seasonal employment opportunities, you have to pay through the nose. The cost of living in Phuket is about a tenth of what my friends report from Oahu. A private apartment, with a couple of rooms and small kitchen will run you about US$200 – 300 each month. Fresh, delicious, healthy meals are a buck or two, and Phuket is a shopper’s paradise with endless bargains on anything you could hope to own.

Teaching English in Thailand is simply a great job – fun, financially rewarding and in demand - whatever region you choose, you will be able to find work. If you are seeking a new way to live and enjoy life, join us now by visiting our enroll page.

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.