Job Discussion Forums

[sheikxhoni]

I just realized there are TWO CELTA options in Bangkok Chiang Mai and Phuket in Thailand. On Oct 5 - 30th there is the choice between Interntional House and ECC. Does anyone have epxerience with these two companies to say which one is more conveneient to the SkyTrain, which might be better in other ways - facilities, in house food options, etc. I assume the CELTA trainning is the same if it is regulated by Cambridge. So, which is the better school choice?

COMMENTS - -

[sheikxhoni]

I answered my own question: I visited both International House (IH) and ECC in Bangkok just to see the difference. It was quite interesting.

IH is close to a place where both the subway (MTS) and the Sky Tain (BTS) come together, which is good. There are several American-style fast food restaurants in the same buidling, which is good. (KFC, Dunkin Donuts, Micky Ds, Pizza Hut, and other close by) But strangly enough it is in an somewhat old building at the corner of the largest "adult entertainment" area and, in fact, the one with the large gay plaza and the most lady boys. I will let you be the judge whether that is good or bad. It is certainly interesting.

On the other hand (or extreme) ECC is on the fifth floor of a large mall but one which has seen better days and probably has lost out to newer ones across the street. ECC is off a movie lobby along with a self defence school, internet cafe and other businesses. It is an easy walk from two Sky Train stations. There are also many American-style fast food choices and within 1500 meters you can buy anything from a real Rolex to a fake one - no problem.

Both schools had reasonably good facilities and large size classrooms located in schools that seemed active enough with real Thai students. Both schools had separate study rooms for CELTA students. Both were clean and modern although both were in equally older buildings.

I draw comparisons with ILA in HCMC which I am familiar with. Neither of these come close to ILA's most excellent facilities in a building their own - although the food choices are much better. And both CELTA programs are much much better than the horrible facilites at TEFL International in Ban Phe which seemd to have no students of their own to practise on and taught Buddhist monks in a facility with only turkish toilets. Everyone knows what a turkish toilet is, right?

[MDDude]

Good info. Thanks.

[hkimball2]

so after all of this, which one did you decide on and why???

[sheikxhoni]

I don't see a lot of difference between the two based on location, facilities and all I can see just looking them over as a walk in visitor. And that is a useful report - right?! I am confident of the quality of the CELTA program in either place after my experiences elsewhere. But I picked ECC just because their website appealed to me more. I am waiting to hear from them now. There is still plenty of time to reply to IH too if I wish.

And where will I meet you down the road?