Job Discussion Forums

mr. gordo · Joined: 13 Aug 2006 Posts: 1

I will be going to Nepal to volunteer at a Buddhist Monastary for two years. The monks' ages range from 7 - 18. Which TEFL/TESOL certification would be best for me?

I'm not looking to make teaching ESL as a profession, but really am looking to provide quality english lessons to the monks in Nepal for the short time I am there. The prices of some of the courses seem a bit high considering the short term nature of my teaching situation.

Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and consideration.

mr. gordo

saint57 · Posted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 11:30 am Post subject:

Honestly, don't bother. Just learn as you go. You're not being paid. A TESL cert may help you feel better about yourself during those first few days, but in my opinion they're not worth much.

isanity · Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 179

If you want to give the monks fair value for money, then yes, don't bother getting trained. If you want to give quality lessons, then CELTA, Trinity, or TEFL International. That's about a one pound investment for each day of your two years.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

The value to you of a CELTA-type certificate depends on how previous teaching experience you have. If you have little or no experience, and the idea of standing in front of a classroom of students makes you nervous, then I would recommend you take such a course.

saint57 · Posted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 11:26 pm Post subject:

I think that most TESL certificates are a scam.

Dolma · Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 5:15 pm Post subject:

Out of curiosity, how are you able to stay there for 2 years? My impression was that the Nepali gov't will only let you stay for 5 months out of a calendar year - I have heard of some ppl staying for 10 months by arriving in August and leaving in May of the following year.

Another nosy question - which monastery/where? I volunteered briefly for a monastic school affiliated with the Sakya order - at the time they were in the Swayambhu area but have moved to Pokhara.

I am dying to return to Nepal long-term and am wondering how - any info you could throw my way would be appreciated. Dhanyabhad, daai!!

Jizzo T. Clown · Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 2:25 pm Post subject:

And another prying question to the OP--

How did you come across such a gig? Did you google "Teach ESL to Monks in Nepal"?

I know there are always volunteer opportunities if you want to go on a Mission Trip (Cultural Imperialism at its most blatant), but have never heard of going to a monastery... Confused

natsume · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 409 Location: Chongqing, China

mr. gordo never replied to my day-of-post PM seeking further info...seems to have been an apparition...

guangho · Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 476 Location: in transit

http://www.idealist.org/if/idealist/en/SiteIndex/AssetViewer/view?asset=VolunteerOpportunity&asset-id=123083-307&sid=70491934-264-xsopz

pollitatica · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 82

That program says that it is two MONTHS, not two YEARS.

hmm .

guangho · Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 476 Location: in transit

pollitatica · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 82

Of course I looked, and of course I did not find one. However, I am quite shocked at how many different google hits one gets when searching for "teaching monks, nepal." I was really trying to get the attention of the OP (who asked the question and disappeared it seems) to see if he (she?) really meant two years, since the above poster made it seem like it was impossible to stay that long.

Ah, well.

Dolma · Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 3:33 pm Post subject:

Five years ago I taught at a monastic institute in the Swayambhunath area for one month. I was studying Tibetan language at the time in NYC and the lama who taught the class was affiliated with the institute and told me they were looking for volunteer teachers. I would have liked to stay longer but wasn't ready to quit my job - still am not ready, want to save up a wedge before I make the jump, sigh...

So, I guess my answer to the question would be, it helps if you have a connection to the monastery in question. If there are Tibetan Buddhist groups in your area maybe you could take a few classes and ask around, either the head lama or your fellow students might have some leads. You might even have luck just landing and asking around - I remember seeing announcements on the notice board of the KTM Guest House, Pilgrims Book Store, etc. Good luck...

been_there · Joined: 28 Oct 2003 Posts: 284 Location: 127.0.0.1

THere is also the "Tibetian Refugee Camp" (which is not a camp, but a block of apartments and a carpet factory in the Jawalekhel district in south Kathmandu) which will let you volunteer.

Nice guys, I helped out for a while. They were doing English for tour guides and trying to open a restaraunt.

Dolma · Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 2:47 pm Post subject: