Job Discussion Forums

[java1285]

Hi everyone! I have been reading all of your posts on this forum for a few months now, and most of the advice and information has been extremely helpful! I have decided to join Thai Special Project in Ban Phe with TEFL International (despite some people's opinions of the organization), and I have a few questions that I was hoping someone (or a few people) could address...For this project TEFL International employs Media Kids Academy as a recruitment agency. From what I understand, the agency will place me within a government school in a more rural part of Northern, Northeastern, or Central Thailand, and I will teach there for four months. I will be provided with accommodation, paid holidays, and 30,000 baht/month (which is supposedly a decent salary considering the location of the schools) to teach for 24 hours a week. I am aware that this Thai Special Project has been addressed on this forum before, but I was hoping that someone had more information on Media Kids Academy. The last post that I could find on this forum (and on many others, including ajarn.com) regarding this organization was from 2006. I was wondering if anyone who has recently worked with MK who could tell me about his or her experience. I would really appreciate your advice/feedback! Thanks in advance!

[rjmeeker]

java -
i was seriously looking into the tefl int special thai project for some time - trying to find the truth amongst all the confusion on the internet. i must admit, i couldn't decide for sure for a long time. but just today i did a bit more searching and it looks like the game is up for TI - check out teflwatch.org hall of shame posting. and follow various links from there. it appears things have finally got serious in the last month. lawsuits getting ready to be filed etc.

look into it before you sign up for any course

peace

[java1285]

Hey there,
I saw that article, but it was unfortunately posted after I had already put down my deposit. I decided to take my chances, but now with these new "updates", I'm not really sure what to do! I already booked my flight! I would consider just going and finding a job when I get there, however, I don't have enough cash to just hang out for a few weeks. Any suggestions????

[sigmoid]

[Kurly]

I would be happy to answer any questions you have regarding the TEFL International Special Thai Program, Media Kids (and I can put you in direct contact with them) or any other queries involving TEFL International.

I have been in the TESOL business for over 13 years, teaching all varietes of English programs in half a dozen countries all over the world. I have been training teachers for over 6 years in many different training programs, including as a director for a Trinity College London program and holding a post on a TESOL Board of Directors.

I currently coordinate the TEFL International Special Thai Program in Ban Phe and Chiang Mai, Thailand. There were some bumps with the program initially (last October), as you may read in Tanya's email, such as the pick up van breaking down or the expereinced trainers not having knowledge of the trainee work placements for each trainee. But now we are in our third STP Program and have worked out many wrinkles.

The training staff are very professional. The accomodation is in a 3/4 -star hotel (with a pool) on white-sandy beaches and the placements are very educational. The course is shorter then our normal course, as your teaching practice is done over the four-month practicum. You get the program, certificate, paid placement and experience for free because Media Kids pays for your training .. hence you need to finish the placement.

I have all the feedback forms from the last STP program (April 2007) and the overwhelmingly majority are far more than positive. I would be happy to forward some of them to anyone that questions the program. Many of the participants on the program have been so happy, they have signed up to renew their placement contracts for another season. Another example of the success of the program is indicated by the applications filling up for the program seats very quickly, simply by word-of-mouth from previous participants.

Please email me at: [email protected] for any questions / queries reagrading the STP program, Media Kids or TEFL International.

Mike