Job Discussion Forums

loniponi · Joined: 09 Apr 2004 Posts: 13

Hi!

I am planning on going to Thailand this fall. I want to get TEFL certified while I'm there, and hopefully get a job for a year or so. Trying to decide what school to go to...and recently read on Stickman's guide that the TEFL International school in Ban Phe was the best in Thailand.

Does anyone know anything about this particular school in Ban Phe? Or, has anyone ever lived or been to Ban Phe?

Can a school in such a small beach town really be that good?

ANy suggestions would be appreciated.

-loniponi

Bruce · Joined: 22 Feb 2003 Posts: 51 Location: Around the world

The Thai MOE just hired TEFL International Ban Phe to train 1,000 Thai teachers. Over 50 organizations bid for the project.

WorkingVaca · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 135

I don't know anything about how great the school is, but I can say that Ban Phe is a stinky, boring little port town that tourists use as a launching off point for Ko Samet. Can't imagine wanting to live there unless you want to hang out at the beach or Ko Samet in your free time, but that will get old real fast.

zorro · Posted: Tue May 11, 2004 8:01 pm Post subject:

if you want to get tefl certified in thailand, the best bet is to get the celta in bangkok. i know that there are a couple of providers for this, particulary ECC in Siam Square. The celta is globally recognised. some tefl courses in thailand will be good for teaching in 'some' schools. do you want to end up in bangkok? if so, then the best bet would definetly be to get the celta.

...however if you do choose to go to ban phe, rayong is just down the road which will be lively. i know someone who worked in rayong for a year and loved it. it depends on what you really expect to get from your thailand experience.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Bruce · Joined: 22 Feb 2003 Posts: 51 Location: Around the world

Ban Phe is the perfect place to take a course. Enough things to do to keep you occupied in your little free time but not enough to distract you.

And an hour having a beer on the beach is a pleasant diversion to the work.

Gringo Greg · Posted: Fri May 21, 2004 2:43 pm Post subject:

Bruce has been around long enough and built up enough of a reputation that his course is known, maybe not like the celta, but it is known. And I have talked to people who took his course and they were happy with it and felt more prepared after taking his course. If you want to learn to teach, his course is very good. Knowing all I know, if I had to choose a certificate course, I would choose Bruce's.

kenkannif · Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Posts: 550

Exactly what so you know Greg? More info please!