TEFL Phuket News

This article discusses the kind of people who are learning to be teachers of English - people 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 might 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 as he has a lot of enthusiasm which is 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 Farang (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 I know folks from all over the world.  If you are thinking about earning a TEFL Certification in Asia or becoming an English Teacher abroad, please drop us 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.