TEFL jobs Thailand

This first hand account was kindly supplied by The International TEFL Corporation

Having recently completed the 120 hour TESOL certification course in Phuket Thailand, I would like to share my experiences with others interested in doing so. I came to this school with a mixture of excitement and trepidation, I desperately wanted to become an English teacher but I was seriously worried about my lack of English grammar knowledge. This worry was unfounded, as it became apparent on the first day that all English grammar that was needed would be completely covered and inputted in a friendly and structured way.

The staff members at the school are extremely helpful and there is always service with a smile. They are tremendously approachable and are more than willing to go through anything you're struggling with on a one to one basis. This creates a lovely environment at the school and it ends up feeling like a second home! The school offers full support through out the course and afterwards; the resources and advice available for worldwide job placement and lesson planning is second to none!

The course covers a large variety of topics such as lesson planning, grammar, teaching methodologies, evaluating and testing students and the use of phonetics. No, I didn't know what phonetics was before I got here either! In the first week you start teaching Thai students, which may sound daunting but the students are so receptive, eager to learn, polite and understanding that this quickly became one of the best aspects of the course. In total you have six teaching practices in which you are teaching 43 minute lessons to varying levels of Thai students ranging from starter to upper intermediate.

So what's it like to take the course in Phuket? As I'm sure you're aware there are many locations all over the world where you can take the TESOL course but I would definitely recommend Phuket. The school is located on the idyllic island of Phuket which boasts of spectacular scenery and amazing beaches, there is so much to see and do here that the one month course will not be long enough and you will probably decide to stay!

My fellow classmates were an eclectic bunch from all over the world and from all walks of life but we all had a common goal which brought us together as a group. There was always someone to talk to and study buddies when you needed them but most importantly people to travel around Phuket with and go out for a beer or two or ten! I have no doubt, even as we go our separate ways that most of us will keep in touch, even if it just to inform each other of job opportunities in the various countries will end up in. It is a comfort to know that there will be friendly faces all over the world, from Belgium to Korea, who will be more than willing to give you first hand experiences of teaching there.

I can not lie, the course is intensive and there is a lot of information to learn but you will get out of it, what you put into it and now I feel totally prepared and excited to start my career in teaching. I hope you take the plunge and come and do the same...you will not regret it.

Bree Dux
Phuket 11/04/06