Job Discussion Forums

twinmaster · Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 7

I'm curious about a 4-week, 120 hour TESOL course being offered by Stamford College in Hat Yai. I think it's the cheapest full time course being offered in Thailand today. If anyone has a TESOL certificate from Stamford, or know someone who does, please let me know. I'd appreciate any information, good or bad, about their course and trainers.

Volodiya · Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 1:41 am Post subject:

They've been "graduating" about five-six trainees per cycle for several years, and I've never heard/read any complaints from their trainees. That says something. They are currently advertising for a trainer, which may mean the program is temporarily on "hold". Hat Yai City, Songkhla Province, where the school is located, is a nice place, in general (decent clubs, restaurants, beach a half-hour away), but there is a risk (at present, small, I would think) of a terrorist event there. (About a year ago, there was loss of life and injuries when bombs exploded at the airport and a major department store in Hat Yai. Everything's been quiet since then, in Hat Yai, so far as I know. However, serious trouble continues in the provinces to the south of there.)

twinmaster · Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 7

Thanks for your reply, a lot of good information there. I do feel a bit nervous about the location as Hat Yai is certainly down near the "hotspot" of violence in Southern Thailand. A poster on the ajarn forum says he knows some people who've "graduated" from Stamford with TEFL certificates (Stamford has changed their course from TEFL to TESOL) and they've had only good things to say about the program. They also appear to have a very qualified course leader and principal trainer. Based on everything I've learned about Stamford's TESOL course, I think my biggest concern is the location. I'd sure hate to get taken out by a suicide bomber or a bunch of terrorists with semiautomatic rifles!

Volodiya · Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2005 12:15 am Post subject:

Odds that you, while living in Hat Yai, would be a victim of terrorism, are probably about the same as being hit by lightning. Sadly, the same cannot be said in the three most southernly provinces of Thailand.