Job Discussion Forums

T.Henn · Joined: 10 Mar 2006 Posts: 1 Location: New York, New York

I'm considering applying for the Rural Thailand Cultural Extremes Project. I don't have any teaching experience and am brand new to the ESL world. Has anyone been a part of a Cultural Extremes project or heard feedback about them? Curious as to what their reputation is.

Thanks!

http://www.culturalextremes.com/projects_rural_thailand.htm

tedkarma · Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 12:02 am Post subject:

The program is really just a cover for a certain TEFL certification company. Do you notice that in each of their "volunteer" programs - you PAY for a their TEFL course? And then you volunteer . . .

VERY slick marketing program!

Gee . . . I wonder what happens if you already have a TEFL Cert and want to volunteer? Did you notice there is no mention of that possibility? Only that you would sign up - pay for their course - and only then volunteer?

The Nike project has been discussed for a long time on other boards and possibly here - like why a multi-billion dollar international corporation might need you to volunteer to teach English?

Don't get me wrong - I am a real believer in volunteerism - I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Botswana in 89-91 - but I am in doubt that this is much more than a thinly disquised marketing campaign.

This marketing angle though - is not unique to the company on that site - there are others. Never a mention of the possibility of an experienced or already certified teacher volunteering. Seems rather cynical to me.

Either you help a charitable organization or NOT. Not just if someone PAYS you first. And, if you do it they way they do - at least don't pretend it is just for charity.

Anyway, there are at LOT of good volunteer options out there - a good place to look is on the Lonely Planet Thorntree section - for Thailand and other areas.

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

First you pay for a worthless piece of paper recognised by nobody except themselves. Then they offer to place you in a job for free!

Marvellous.

OP: Get a CELTA or Trinity TESOL cert and the world is your oyster.

Cdaniels · Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 2:33 pm Post subject: tedkarma, earning good karma

Get an MA ed. and the world is your oyster!
Even just a US (Can?) teaching certificate will greatly increase your opportunities.

An EFL cert is second best.

tedkarma · Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 10:51 pm Post subject:

I have to support the idea that if you intend a long term career in TEFL then you should RUN, not walk, to graduate school.

While wages may sometimes improve only a bit - benefits, paid time off, and conditions of employment improve dramatically. And, sometimes, wages DO increase significantly.

It also gives you the opportunity to work in the Middle East or in varied college/university positions where you can save much more money - useful if you need to pay off debts or make investments for your future.

That said - it is not really an option for everyone.

I don't agree that CELTA is the only possible certification option (Oh no! That debate again! Rolling Eyes

).

The days are long gone that CELTA is the only option in town - though they stuggle mightily to have us think they are the only people who could possibly know about - or provide training for - the TEFL world.

Most people (newbies particularly) going to Asia (and some other areas of the world) will end up teaching children. CELTA is for adults (the "A" in CELTA) - a whole different ball of wax . . . Oh yes, of course, after you pay for your expensive CELTA - they will happily sell you a "young learners" program.

Most TEFL programs are reputable - will cover children's programs - and are often much more responsive to the local needs and conditions. And, most are much less expensive as they don't have to pay big royalty and franchise fees to CELTA.

Cdaniels · Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 12:47 am Post subject: Graduate school

Now I should probably post this in the North America or Carribean forum, but I was wondering how difficult is it for a US citizen to get either a Masters in Education or TESOL in Puerto Rico?
If I were Canadian I'd want to go to Monteal or Quebec City. I wonder how dificult that is?

konyoku · Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 12:56 am Post subject:

I'm with Ted Karma on this one. I got a double cert: CELTA & TESOL through SIT and was overjoyed to find myself sitting next to a child fresh out of high school. (Can you detect the sarcasm?)

They want your money. Don't give it to them. Use it to find gainful employment.