TEFL Phuket News

Reposted from the Phuket Gazette:

PHUKET: The Director of the Phuket Primary Educational Office has called for all people wanting to apply for positions as English teachers at government schools in Phuket Town to contact the schools directly.

Dr Jian Thongnoon announced the news in the wake of the Phuket Gazette posting online its story about the shortage of English teachers at Phuket schools reaching what local officials are calling “crisis level”.

Since posting the story online, the Gazette has received a constant stream of requests for contact information about where to apply.

“I would like to inform all foreigners who are interested and qualified to be a teacher to personally go to any primary school to apply for the position,” Dr Jian told the Gazette.

The full article is here.

To experience why living in Thailand teaching English can be a life changing experience, consider the following story.

Johnny is a student who recently completed his TEFL certificate course with us and is teaching in one of our schools.

Recently, he had a bit of trouble on his motorbike, slipping in some loose sand. His injuries were minor - a scraped foot and knee, but they needed some attention. Johnny did his best in cleaning the wounds a little and slapping some bandages on them.

That afternoon a few of his new Thai acquaintances stopped by for a visit. They looked over what Johnny had done to fix himself up and with little word or explanation, the Thai people departed en masse. Johnny said they scattered into three different directions and reappeared after a short time with a variety of salves, bandages and other medicine. The Thai people cleaned his wounds, covered them in some various salves and rebandaged his foot and knee - this time from a position of experience.

Johnny felt so good, he said he went out to spend some time with the friends and while he was out, his landlady cleaned his apartment, changed his sheets, and tidied up generally. Johnny was amazed when he returned, initially thinking his place had been broken into, but he thought immediately that “thieves don’t normally clean this well.”

Johnny has healed well, has a nice little scar and a great story. All of the above was done without compensation or a request for return favors.

You may never have encountered the amazing compassion and kind spirit that is found in the hearts of the Thai people. It is a “secret” until you come here, live, work and one day are spontaneously touched by the “Jai Dee” (kind heart) of the Thais.

Thailand’s people are on par with her outrageous natural beauty. Their caring, compassion and kindness is unmatched.

Thanks to Johnny for the story and to the Thai people for being on the planet.

Imagine that you are the General Manager of a resort in Phuket. 95% of your guests are English speakers but only about 10% of your staff is able to speak English well enough to understand and respond to the most basic of guest requests. The majority of your staff ends up constantly bugging that 10% to ask them to help communicate. Again, this is for simple guest questions about directions, needs or general information. Your number one complaint among your guests is lack of communication with staff. Would you, as the GM be interested in improving your staff’s English?

This is an actual situation we were able to remedy with a 5 star resort in Phuket. We have conducted several classes for them thus far, and they have re-booked our teachers with an aim to improve the English skills of their staff over the long term. Phuket is an international top-ten travel destination. Managers of resorts, restaurants and other businesses know that English = Money.

We currently have 9 contracts of this type of position in Phuket that we can not meet, due to the lack of teaching talent. These jobs are great jobs, working with motivated students and with good salaries & nice benefits in posh settings.

We were recently contacted to provide an English Teacher for a resort on Phi Phi Island. Phi Phi is one of the “can’t miss” destinations for travelers to Southern Thailand. The job included room and board and the schedule was for about 5 hours of teaching 6 days a week – all on an hourly rate of 300 baht each hour. Non-teaching time is free time and there is plenty to do on Phi Phi. They have some of the best full moon beach parties in all of Thailand. This is the type of dream job that comes up all the time in Thailand.

Maybe you want to work at a school. There was a recent article in the Phukette Gazette by the head of Phuket’s Ministry of Education branch. He detailed the over 400-person teacher shortage, primarily in the field of English teaching. Yes, there are plenty of jobs here in Phuket and Thailand at large. We work with a local foundation that has a mandate to fund English education in our local schools, so our school opportunities are among the best in Thailand, too.

The job scene in your home country may not be what it once was, but the job market for English teachers in Asia is extremely good. Consider that it is widely reported that more than a billion people worldwide are attempting to learn English. In China, alone, there are more people studying English than there are American citizens.

Yes, with our help, you can easily find a job. If so, then do you really need a TEFL course? There are several benefits to TEFL:

First - you learn how to be a good teacher. Speaking English fluently does not automatically mean you can teach English. You may have the best of intentions, but you’ll inadvertently end up harming your students without formal training. You need familiarity with the nuts and bolts of teaching English and practice with actual students. Our course is designed to give you both competence and confidence. We have you student teach more than any other course in Thailand, and there is little comparison to on-line only TEFL courses. Would you trust a well-read mechanic who had never held a wrench?

We provide classroom teaching experience which fully prepares you for actual English teaching. Unqualified teachers make the educational process unnecessarily difficult, and at the end of the day it’s the students who suffer. Students and their employers pay well for English lessons and they deserve to have a teacher who knows what he or she is doing.

Second, potential employers are wary of transient types looking only for a quick buck and having no experience or training. They know these people cannot teach and it is a waste of time to hire them. They have probably been burned in the past.

Employers look for a serious commitment to teaching professionalism and proof of qualifications. To gain English teaching employment in Asia, TEFL is a must. A TEFL is required to teach in Thailand and many other Asian countries.

Third, when you register with us, you have a team of experts on the ground working for you. We know about the best jobs, the situations to avoid, how to work out a visa, where to live, and much more. We continually contact our grads about job opportunities.

In short, the students benefit from your professionalism, you benefit by outshining your competition for teaching jobs and your transition to teaching English in Thailand or Asia is smooth. Our mission is your teaching success and we stand behind our graduates. We have a reputation to protect, so will make sure you can teach and that the job you get is a good fit for you – everybody wins.

Our total package of TEFL Course + basic housing comes to US$1400. This is the least expensive TEFL course in Phuket and the best deal in all of Thailand. We have openings in our courses starting this Fall, but our courses tend to fill quickly, as we run smaller class sized to focus on our students’ learning.

Go online to www.TEFLPhuket.com, visit our enroll page, submit your details, and use Paypal to send your $400 deposit to info@teflphuket.com. We can also process credit cards, if you prefer to pay that way. Just drop us a line with your phone number, and we’ll give you a buzz: info@TEFLPhuket.com

See you in Teacher’s paradise soon!

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 may 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. 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 is a business person with 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 a group English class and converted to a private, one-on-one lesson to work more intensely and make progress more quickly. 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 aspirations of the kids being able to study at one of Thailand’s better universities. They are 10, 11 and 13 respectively. The family strongly believes in education and this shows in their practicing English with each other in the evenings. It was mentioned to us, that even their dad joins their study sessions after his work every day. It is nice to experience a culture with a 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 terribly interested in grammar. She is 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 pronunciation. 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 younger students. Part-way through the class, we ask the students why they are learning. George’s response was that he always heard his passengers 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.

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 beachside 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 students 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 which is 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 considering 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 (gotta get the latest ipod) and the night markets are a true adventure with 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