Job Discussion Forums

[Meanjean]

Hi,

Anyone taken TESL through BRIDGE in Thailand. Their site for Pattaya reads:

A unique feature of this TEFL program is the opportunity to spend the first eight days of training in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in a joint session with trainees from Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam. A tour of the city is included, and you will also have the option to participate in an excursion to the Angkor Wat temple in northern Cambodia, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. After the joint training session, trainees will return to Pattaya for the remainder of their program. Transportation is included for trainees traveling between Thailand and Cambodia.

Sounds pretty interesting, but would like first-hand feedback. If anyone has taken this program your input much appreciated!

[MaiPenRai]

Meanjean

I've heard of this course, but don't have any first hand knowledge of it. IMO, if you are going to spend money on a course, you should take a more focused course rather than one that has a "social field trip". That being said, if you only plan to teach in Thailand, most courses offered here are fine. If you ever plan to teach elswhere, a CELTA is the best option. I guess the social aspect might be what some people are looking for as well. Personally, if I want to see Angkor Wat, I can arrange the trip myself rather than pay a TEFL course to do it for me.

The travel between Thailand and Cambodia will probably also cause Visa problems as travelling by land, you can only get 15 day transit Visa now. I would ask the course about Visas. I "real" TEFL course should be 120 hours wih at leat 6 hours of observed teaching practice.

Best of luck

[winthorpe]

I'm close to making a last-minute reservation for the November 23 course. Somebody stop me before it's too late!

I wonder why you're characterizing it as a "social field trip," MaiPenRai. That seems like a nice touch to me, and you still get the full four-week course and certification that you would anywhere else.

If anyone has info about this course, please post.

Thank you.

[MaiPenRai]

As I said, the "field trip" may appeal to some, but IMO, if I am paying upwards of $1000 (maybe more) for a course, I want it to be focused on teaching me about teaching, not about organizing field trips. I know someone who took a course very similar to this a few years back and he enjoyed it (the field trip that is, not the course so much).

Once again, most "TEFL" courses offered in Thailand will be of very little to no help if you ever want to teach outside of Thailand (Laos, Cambodia, -maybe Vietnam).

Most, if not all, claim to be "certified". The question is "who" or "what" has certified them. It's really easy to make general claims when advertising on the internet. They might be certified by some 8th tier community college in nowhere USA. Still certified, but pointless IMO. IMO, certification involves the course/trainers being observed and evaluated on an ongoing basis by the certfiying body and the certficate being verified and authenticated by the certifying board - not the TEFL center in Thailand using Microsoft Word. For example, a CELTA course (trainers/curriculum/center) is evaluated by Cambridge and the certificate is verified as well as sent to graduates via mail by Cambridge.

If they claim to be certfied by the Thai Ministry of Education, it is probably a load of crap (based on my experiences dealing with or working with most of the TEFL schools in Thailand over the past 3-4 years). And even if they were certified by the Thai Min of Ed, is that really a great selling point based on the state of Thai public education? (lower scores than almost all S.E. Asian countries in almost all subjects).

IMO, the MOST important aspect of a TEFL course is the trainer(s). A proper course should have no problem giving out the qualifications and experience of their trainers. You should even be allowed to speak with the trainers to get a feel for them. They should recommend resources to bring for the course. (Remember, you are purchasing a service, don't throw away $1000+ without being informed)

A reminder that all of these courses will tell you that you will have no problem finding work, BUT if you are not a native speaker, are over 50ish, black skinned and/or have no degree... you will have a hard time getting any decent jobs in the current market in Thailand.

So, enjoy the course if you choose to enroll and go with positivity and an open yet objective mind. Remember YOU are paying THEM for a service. Make sure you get what you pay for.

[winthorpe]

Thanks for your insight and assistance, Mai.

With the Cactus TEFL, for instance, how would the certificate be less helpful from their Thailand course than one from their course anywhere else?

From my experience with schools, they all promise you a rose garden. You can inform yourself as much as possible, but you never know the full situation unless you try. I threw away a lot more money in counseling psychology grad school in the States, and it wasn't nearly as fun as this would be.

"BUT if you are not a native speaker, are over 50ish, black skinned and/or have no degree... you will have a hard time getting any decent jobs in the current market in Thailand."

I have only one of these "qualifications." How do you think I would do?

Thank you for your help.

[Pauleddy]

MPR is completely correct.

All that he/she writes about CELTA//proper course//field trip//validity is correct. Some schools will pay bribes to get "recognised". U need a real CELTA from a big name place.

The part about being older/black/no dgree is uncomfortable but spot-on. thailand is almost medieval in some attitudes.

Eddy